It's important to practice navigating the test before test day. If you're an educator preparing testing devices for test day, go to TTS and AT Settings.
The Importance of Practice
If you preview the test interface using the same testing device and assistive technology settings you’ll use on test day, you can make sure that:
- The testing device and assistive technology work together correctly.
- The setup is consistent with your approved accommodations. Go to Types of Digital Accommodations for more information.
- You're familiar with the way everything works, and you won’t have to figure it out on test day.
If you have questions, ask your SSD or test coordinator.
How to Practice Navigating the Digital Test
For the most realistic experience, ask your SSD or test coordinator for help. They’ll give you a testing device loaded with the secure browser and assistive technology you need.
- Open the assistive technology software.
- Open the secure browser.
- Select the button labeled Digital Test Preview (at the bottom left of the screen).
- Follow your coordinator's instructions to adjust your settings and navigate through the sample test questions.
You can also use the Student Digital Test Preview to practice on your own, by selecting the appropriate test settings during login.
What to Expect on Test Day
You'll need to take a few extra steps before you start testing.
- Open the assistive technology software.
- Open the secure browser.
Note: If you click within the secure browser before you configure your accessibility software, the secure browser won't work properly. - Sign in and select the correct test. After the proctor admits you to the test, you’ll see the operating system menu and taskbar.
Note: If you're using JAWS 2020 make sure the unified keyboard setting is turned on. Go to Utilities > Setting Center, and search for "Unified Keyboard." Mark the "Use Unified Keyboard Processing Method" checkbox if you need to.- On Windows, the CB Secure Browser resizes and the taskbar remains visible inside the test in its usual position. Press Alt+Tab to switch between the CB Secure Browser and permitted accessibility applications.
- On macOS, the CB Secure Browser resizes and students can view the dock in its usual position inside the test. If the dock is set to autohide, no resizing occurs and the dock is only visible when the mouse moves toward the bottom of screen. Press Cmd+Tab to switch between the CB Secure Browser and permitted accessibility applications.
- Switch to the accessibility software so it appears over the secure browser.
- On Windows, click the accessibility software application in the taskbar.
- On macOS, click the accessibility software application in the dock.
- Configure verbosity, punctuation, text processing, and other settings as needed.
- Switch back to the secure browser.
Important: To change settings again, you'll need to sign out of the secure browser. - As soon as the proctor starts the test, you can begin answering questions.
Using Text-to-Speech
Learn how to take a digital test with TTS.
TTS includes a feature that highlights words as they're read aloud (not available on Linux OS).
- To listen to a passage, open the passage context menu or right-click on the passage, and select Speak Passage.
- To select a portion of text to listen to, such as a word or phrase, select the text, open the passage context menu or right-click on the passage, and select Speak Selection.
- To listen to a question or to answer options, open the question context menu or right-click on the question, and select one of the following Speak options:
- To listen to a question and all answer options, select Speak Question.
- To listen only to an answer option, select Speak Option from the context menu, and then select the answer option. Or right-click on the answer option and select Speak Option.
- To stop or pause speaking, select Stop Speaking or Pause Speaking from the context menu. Or right-click and select your options.
Note: On Chromebooks, students should highlight the desired text to be read as the pause feature does not allow students to pause and resume reading again.
Navigating with JAWS
The actions associated with each JAWS keyboard command vary by page. The same key may have different uses on different pages. Keyboard layouts vary by device. Please refer to your device manual for more information.
These keyboard commands work only if your coordinator has correctly configured your test settings and set up your testing device. They might not work if JAWS enters forms mode. You can exit forms mode by pressing NUM PAD PLUS (+), or you can use the recommended forms commands.
RBD Users: The instructions in this section provide only the keyboard commands for digital testing. You can also press the RBD router key above the text for a particular button to move the cursor to that button. You can press the router key a second time to select that button instead of using the provided keyboard commands.
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Return the focus to the secure browser. Keyboard layouts vary by device. Please refer to the manual provided by the device manufacturer for more information. |
Insert+F10 (standard keyboard) Space+S (Perkins Braille keyboard) |
Move the focus to the next/previous field or button on the page. |
Tab Shift+Tab |
Read the next/previous line on the page. |
Down/Up Arrow |
Select the button that's currently in focus. |
Enter |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Navigate to the next/previous landmark region on the test page. A test page has up to three primary landmark regions:
The passage section contains the passage title, passage context menu, and passage content. The question section contains a question number, question labels (labels that appear when you mark an item for review), question context menu, question prompt, and the response area. |
R Shift+R |
Jump to the next/previous heading on the page. In general, the following test components are defined with a heading:
On test pages that have multiple questions, students can jump directly from one question to the next. To do this, press H and then press the Down Arrow twice. The question stem is read aloud. |
H Shift+H |
Move to the next/previous component on the page. In general, the following test elements are components:
|
Tab Shift+Tab |
Select a button or response option or open a context menu. |
Enter |
Move to the next/previous line on the page. |
Down/Up Arrow |
Read everything on the page (from the current point of focus). |
Insert+Down Arrow |
Stop JAWS from reading. |
Ctrl or Space |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Pressing Enter when JAWS reads "Menu button" will open the context menu. This is the only way to open the context menu when streamlined mode is turned on. |
Enter |
Move the focus to the next/previous option in the menu. JAWS will read this option aloud. |
Down/Up Arrow |
Select the menu option currently in focus. |
Space |
Close the context menu without selecting any options. |
Esc |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Move to the next table |
T |
Navigate table cells |
Ctrl+Alt+arrow keys |
Navigate to first cell |
Ctrl+Alt+Home |
Navigate to last cell |
Ctrl+Alt+End |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
|
Tab |
Navigate to the previous answer option, text box, selectable text field, keypad button, or checkbox, depending on the item type. |
Shift+Tab |
For multiple-choice and multi-select items, pressing the arrow keys will move between each answer option. |
Up and Down Arrow keys |
For multiple-choice and multi-select items, pressing Space will select the answer option in focus. |
Space |
Automatic Forms Mode
When JAWS reads a webpage, it defaults to Virtual Cursor mode, where most of the alphanumeric keystrokes provide special quick key navigation. However, if auto-forms mode is turned on, JAWS will beep when it encounters an input form field and all keystrokes will then be passed to the webpage to interpret. There are three levels of forms mode:
- Manual: You must press Space or Enter to send the information to the browser.
- Semiautomatic: When navigating with a tab key, forms mode will automatically be entered.
- Automatic: When the virtual cursor enters a form field, forms mode is automatically enabled (but there might be a delay).
To turn off forms mode, select NUM PAD PLUS (+) on the numeric keypad. To enable forms mode, you must focus on a web element, for example, text input, radio button, slider, etc., and then select the return key.
Smart Navigation
JAWS uses Smart Navigation to read longer webpages more efficiently. It can be toggled with [insert]+[x]. You can enable smart navigation on controls and/or tables.
When a table is encountered, the entire contents of a table cell are read with each arrow key. If you need to read inside the table with more control, hit the 5 key twice on the numeric keypad. This will enable regular character and word navigation while in the current cell.
Controls mode will read entire lines on the browser screen when using the p/down arrow keys. So even if there's a link or button in the middle of text, the entire line will be read.
Key Commands for JAWS Navigation of Tests in Forms Mode
Action | Keyboard Command (capitalize to reverse direction) |
---|---|
Move to the Main region of the current webpage; this is close to where the prompt starts. |
q |
Move to the next heading. |
h |
Move to the next graphic. |
g |
Move to the next input field. |
f |
Move to the next radio button. |
a |
Move to the next checkbox. |
x |
Move to the next combo box. |
c |
Move to the next edit box field. |
e |
Move to the next list. |
l |
Move to the next item in a list. |
i |
Read the next paragraph. |
p |
Bring up a list of links. |
Insert+F7 |
Bring up a list of form fields. |
Insert+F5 |
The following icons are used to label questions:
- Mark for Review
: If you use the tool in the context menu to mark a question for review, an icon appears next to the question number and JAWS will read "marked for review."
- Unanswered question
: If you leave a question unanswered, a triangle appears next to the question number and JAWS reads "unanswered."
In this section, learn how to answer each question type.
Note: The instructions in this section assume that the question doesn't display any question labels. If the student has used a context menu tool for a question, the student must press Tab an additional time for each question label displayed.
Multiple Choice
The procedures for responding to multiple-choice and multi-select questions are similar.
- Answer multiple-choice questions by selecting one response option from a group of radio buttons.
- Answer multi-select questions by selecting one or more response options from a group of checkboxes.
- After listening to the question text, press Tab twice to hear the answer options.
- To navigate between each answer option, use the Tab and Shift+Tab commands. JAWS reads the option in focus.
- To select the response option that’s in focus as your response, press Enter. To deselect a response option, press Enter again.
Writing and Language Section
The Writing and Language section contains passages with question markers that correspond to a specific question. If you use assistive technology or streamline mode, you'll be presented with same-page links that navigate to question markers.
SAT Essay
The rich text editor toolbar includes a row of text formatting buttons. However, these formatting options aren't available to students testing with braille.
- Read the question and then use the Tab command to move to the text box. JAWS beeps and reads "Edit, type in text."
- Enter your essay. When you're done, press Tab to navigate from the text box to the next page. JAWS beeps again in a different tone when leaving the text box.
Math Student-Produced Responses
Follow these guidelines when you answer the student-produced responses in the Math Test.
- Only the numbers 0–9, the decimal point, and the fraction line can be entered in the answer box.
- No question has a negative answer.
- Some problems may have more than one correct answer. In such cases, enter only one answer.
- Mixed numbers such as
must be entered as 3.5 or 7/2. (If 31/2 is entered in the answer box, it will be interpreted as
and not
.)
- Decimal answers: The answer box allows for 4 characters total. If you obtain a decimal answer with more than 4 characters, it may be either rounded or truncated, but 4 characters must be entered in the box.
- Leading zeros: Do NOT begin your answer with a zero.
Answer | Acceptable way(s) to enter answer | Unacceptable; will NOT receive credit |
---|---|---|
|
7/12 |
0.58 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
21/2 |
|
2/3 |
0.66 |
NVDA Keyboard Commands
Use these keyboard commands to navigate the test.
Note: The NVDA key is set to the Insert key by default, but it can be changed to the Caps Lock key when installing NVDA for the first time. If you want to change your NVDA key preference later, press Ctrl+NVDA+k.
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Return focus to the secure browser |
Alt+Tab |
Move focus to the next field or button on the page |
Tab |
Move focus to the previous field or button on the page |
Shift+Tab |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Says prior character |
Left Arrow or numpad 1 |
Says next character |
Right Arrow or numpad 3 |
Says current character |
numpad 2 |
Says word |
numpad 5 |
Spells word |
numpad 5 twice quickly |
Says prior word |
Ctrl+Left Arrow or numpad 4 |
Says next word |
Ctrl+Right Arrow or numpad 6 |
Says prior line |
Up Arrow or numpad 7 |
Says next line |
Down Arrow or numpad 9 |
Says current line |
NVDA+Up Arrow or numpad 8 |
Spells current line |
NVDA+Up Arrow twice quickly |
Reads all starting at current position |
NVDA+Down Arrow or numpad + |
Top line |
Shift+numpad 7 |
Bottom line |
Shift+numpad 9 |
Start of line |
Shift+numpad 1 |
End of line |
Shift+numpad 3 |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Decrease voice rate |
Ctrl+NVDA+Down Arrow |
Increase voice rate |
Ctrl+NVDA+Up Arrow |
Change voice settings (inflection, pitch, etc.) |
Ctrl+NVDA+Left Arrow/Right Arrow |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Headings quick key |
H |
Headings level 1–6 |
1–6 |
List quick key |
L |
List item quick key |
I |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Table quick key |
T |
Cell to right |
Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow |
Cell to left |
Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow |
Cell below |
Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow |
Cell above |
Ctrl+Alt+Up Arrow |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Form quick key |
F |
Button quick key |
B |
Enter forms mode |
Enter or NVDA+Space (in a form element) |
Exit forms mode |
NVDA+Space |
Navigate to next form control |
Tab |
Navigate to previous form control |
Shift+Tab |
Select and deselect checkboxes |
Space |
Open combo box/jump menu/auto-complete menu |
Alt+Down Arrow |
Select radio button |
Up Arrow/Down Arrow |
Select element in combo box |
Up Arrow/Down Arrow or the first letter |
Checkbox |
X |
Combo box |
C |
Radio button |
R |
Submit form |
Enter (in forms mode) |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Jump to next link/form element |
Tab |
Next link |
K |
Jump to previous link/form element |
Shift+Tab |
Elements list—lists page links, headings, and landmarks |
NVDA+F7 |
Unvisited link quick key |
U |
Visited link quick key |
V |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Search for a word or phrase |
Ctrl+F |
Keyboard help |
NVDA+ 1 |
Next image |
G |
Previous/next paragraph block quote |
Ctrl+Up Arrow/Down Arrow Q |
Next key you hit ignores NVDA and is a normal Windows key |
NVDA+F2 |
Speaks characters typed |
NVDA+2 |
Speaks words typed |
NVDA+3 |
Reads the entire foreground window (useful for reading a dialog box) |
NVDA+B |
Announces the title of the current foreground window |
NVDA+T |
Quit NVDA |
NVDA+Q |
Search for a word or phrase |
Ctrl+F |
VoiceOver Keyboard Commands
VoiceOver allows students to navigate tests using keyboard commands. Some of these commands refer to the VO key. Using the VO Key for VoiceOver Commands, press either the Control+Option keys simultaneously or press the Caps Lock key.
You can specify which command should act as the VO key from the VoiceOver Utility window:
- To turn on VoiceOver, press Command+F5. Then press VO+F8 to open the VoiceOver Utility window.
- In the left panel, select General. From the VoiceOver modifier drop-down list, select the keys you want to use as the VO key: Either Control+Option or Caps Lock.
Note: If you set Caps Lock as the VO key, students who wish to activate Caps Lock and type uppercase characters should quickly press Caps Lock twice.
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Return focus to the secure browser |
VO+F1 twice Space+S |
Move focus to the next field or button on the page |
Tab |
Move focus to the previous field or button on the page |
Shift+Tab |
Move focus to interact with content/elements |
VO+Shift+Down Arrow |
Stop interacting with web content/elements |
VO+Shift+Up Arrow |
Read the next/previous line/item on the page |
VO+Right/Left Arrow |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
For hot text items, navigate to the next/previous checkbox on the page. |
C Shift+C |
Jump to the next/previous heading on the page. In general, the following test components are defined with a heading:
On test pages that have multiple questions, students can jump directly from one question to the next by pressing H and then pressing VO+Right Arrow. The question prompt is read aloud. |
H Shift+H |
Move to next/previous button on the page. |
B Shift+B |
Navigate to next/previous answer choice for multiple-choice items. |
J Shift+J |
Move to the next/previous component on the page. In general, the following test elements are components:
|
Tab Shift+Tab |
Select a button or response option or opens a context menu. |
Enter |
Move to the next/previous line on the page. |
VO+Right/Left Arrow |
Read everything on the page (from the current point of focus). |
VO+A |
Read everything from the top of page to the current point of focus. |
VO+B |
Open Rotor, used to interact with objects in web area. |
VO+U |
Stop VoiceOver from reading. |
Ctrl |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Navigate between each answer option in the response area—text box, selectable text field, keypad button, or checkbox—depending on the item type. |
Tab Shift+Tab |
For multiple-choice items, pressing either command will select the answer option in focus. |
VO+Space or Return |
Action | Keyboard Command |
---|---|
Open Context Menu (for Menu Buttons). |
Return VO+Space |
Move the focus to the next/previous option in the menu. VoiceOver will read this option aloud. |
Down/Up Arrow |
Select the menu option currently in focus. |
Space |
Close the context menu without selecting any options. |
Esc |
Related Resources
-
SAT School Day Student Guide for Digital Testing
Includes sample test questions, test-taking advice, tips, and an overview of the digital testing experience.
-
PSAT 10 Student Guide for Digital Testing
Includes sample test questions, test-taking advice, tips, and an overview of the digital testing experience.
-
PSAT 8/9 Student Guide for Digital Testing
Includes sample test questions, test-taking advice, tips, and an overview of the digital testing experience.
-
Digital SAT School Day Student Questionnaire Instructions
Provides questions and instructions for students to complete and submit the optional digital questionnaire. This includes opting in to Student Search Service® and sending four free score reports.
-
Digital PSAT 10 Student Questionnaire Instructions
Provides questions and instructions for students to complete and submit the optional digital questionnaire.
-
Digital PSAT 8/9 Student Questionnaire Instructions
Provides questions and instructions for students to complete and submit the optional digital questionnaire.