Quick Reference Guides and Videos
This web page provides step-by-step instructions for how to accomplish a task or activity within California's assessment programs. Instructions come in either PDF or video format.
How to Start a Practice or Training Test
- Using the Online Practice and Training Tests (Video; 12:11)
(Posted 02/03/2021)
Training Tests
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment—How to Start a Training Test (Updated April 2021)
- CAST—How to Start a Training Test (Updated April 2021)
- CAA—How to Start a Training Test (Updated April 2021)
- CSA—How to Start a Training Test (Updated April 2021)
Practice Tests
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment—How to Start a Practice Test (Updated March 2021)
- CAST—How to Start a Practice Test (Updated March 2021)
- CAA—How to Start a Practice Test (Updated March 2021)
- CSA—How to Start a Practice Test (Updated March 2021)
How to Start a Test Session
- Starting and Stopping a Test Session (Video; 08:28) (Posted 02/03/21)
- Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment—How to Start a Test Session (Updated March 2020)
- CAST—How to Start a Test Session (Updated November 2018)
- CAA—How to Start a Test Session (Updated November 2018)
- CAA for Science: How to Administer an Embedded Performance Task (Video; 5:54) (Posted 12/02/19)
- Smarter Balanced and CAST Pause Rules and Stopping a Test Session (Video; 8:13) (Posted 04/29/20)
- Interim Assessments—How to Start a Test Session (January 2021)
- Expiration and Pause Rules Guide (Posted 03/15/21)
Scoring and Score Entry
- Entering Student Responses and Scores into the DEI (Video; 08:17) (Posted 09/22/20)
- How to Second Score for the CAA for ELA (Video; 06:41) (Posted 01/26/21)
- How to Second Score for the CAA for ELA (Posted 01/26/21)
TOMS Access and Set Up
- How to Add Users by Batch File Upload in TOMS (Video; 6:52) (Posted 08/30/19)
- How to Add Users One-By-One in TOMS (Video; 3:56) (Posted 09/03/19)
- Setting Up Your Test Administration Window in TOMS (Video; 4:09) (Posted 11/06/19)
Accessibility Resources
- How to Use the Online ISAAP Tool (Video; 10:30) (Posted 12/09/20)
- Importance of Implementing CAASPP and ELPAC Accessibility Resources: Voices from Educators (Video; 8:31) (Posted 04/13/20)
- Embedded Universal Tools, Designated Supports, and Accommodations Video Tutorials
- How to Configure Test Settings One-by-One in TOMS (Video; 3:01) (Posted 11/26/19)
- How to Configure Online Student Test Settings by Batch Upload (Video; 3:20) (Posted 11/19/19)
- How to Request an Unlisted Resource (Video; 10:10) (Posted 03/18/20)
- Unlisted Resources for CAASPP and ELPAC (Posted 10/19/20)
Security Incidents
- Test Security Guidelines Video (Video; 32:34) (Posted 09/01/20)
- STAIRS Video Tutorial (Video; 16:48) (Updated 10/29/20)
- How to Submit a Security Incident (Posted 02/05/2020)
Student Score Reports
- How to Download Student Score Reports (SSRs) in TOMS (Video; 04:55) (Posted 10/20/20)
- How to Download Student Score Report PDF Files in TOMS (Posted 11/13/18)
- How to Generate Credentials for Student Information System Vendors (Posted 01/31/20)
- How to Regenerate Credentials for Student Information System Vendors (PDF) (Posted 01/31/20)
- How to Order Paper SSRs in Bulk (Updated 05/01/20)
- How to Order Paper SSRs by Student (Updated 05/01/20)
- How to View a Report: Ordered Paper SSRs Guide (Posted 04/25/19)
Post-Test and Reporting in TOMS
- How to View Assessment Target Reports (Posted 02/05/2020)
- Assessment Target Reports Frequently Asked Questions (Posted 03/11/16)
How to Access Results
California Educator Reporting System (CERS)
- How to View Individual Student Results (June 2021)
- How to View Summative Assessment Target Group Reports (June 2021)
- How to View Student Results by School (June 2021)
- Creating Groups in the California Educator Reporting System (Video; 06:50) (Posted 12/23/20)
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment
- Summative Assessment—How to View Overall Test Results (Updated December 2019)
- Summative Assessment—How to View Test Results for Student Groups (Updated December 2019)
- Summative Assessment—How to Compare Test Results (Updated December 2019)
- Summative Assessment—How to View Change Over Time for Test Results (Updated December 2019)
CAAs
- CAA—How to View Overall Test Results (Updated December 2019)
- CAA—How to View Test Results for Student Groups (Updated December 2019)
- CAA—How to Compare Test Results (Updated December 2019)
- CAA—How to View Change Over Time for Test Results (Updated December 2019)