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About Desmos Test Mode

Desmos partners with high-stakes test providers in over 35 states and on several national and international exams to provide access to our calculators on testing day.
To help students and teachers prepare for assessments, and to support ongoing instruction and formative assessment needs, Desmos has developed a suite of Test Mode apps. Each app lets you administer low-stakes, proctored assessments with security features to help enforce your school's or classroom's policies.
This page describes the various levels of security available through our apps, along with instructions for installation and usage.

Practice

Students can practice using the calculators on our Practice Page. We also provide free apps for Chromebooks, iPads, and iPhones to support practice.
Our practice apps match the configuration that students will encounter on test day. Students can practice for a specific assessment by selecting "Choose Assessment" on the opening screen.
The opening screen of Test Mode

Chromebooks

Our Chrome app allows for offline practice. You can download the Chrome app by visiting bit.ly/desmos-test-mode-chrome-app on the device. (Note that this app is only supported on Chromebooks. It will not work on a Mac or Windows machine with Chrome installed.)
Kiosk mode provides an extra level of security by preventing other apps from being used while the calculator is open. Students will be locked into the calculator configuration they choose before pressing "Start Test". Before you sign in, click “Apps” on the bottom bar and then select Desmos Test Mode. To exit kiosk mode, turn the Chromebook off.
While in kiosk mode, the top bar of the calculator will change color according to the calculator in use: green for graphing, purple for scientific, blue for four function. There will also be a badge next to the Desmos logo.
The secure graphing calculator has a green top bar.
Graphing calculator in kiosk mode with a green top bar.
The secure scientific calculator has a purple top bar.
Scientific calculator in kiosk mode with a purple top bar.
The secure four function calculator has a blue top bar.
Four function calculator in kiosk mode with a blue top bar.
Please note that students can leave the app by powering down their Chromebook and restarting it. You can monitor appropriate usage by looking at the log at the conclusion of the test. It will show how long the student was continuously in the application.

iPads and iPhones

Our iPad and iPhone app allows for offline practice. The app also supports additional levels of security.
Students can opt into App Self-Lock by pressing the "Start Test" button. While in App Self-Lock, students will be locked into the calculator they selected before pressing "Start Test". They will not be able to switch calculators nor leave the app until they leave App Self-Lock.
The Start Test button on the iPad opening screen
While in App Self-Lock mode, the top bar of the calculator will change color according to the calculator in use: green for graphing, purple for scientific, blue for four function. There will also be a badge next to the Desmos logo.
The secure graphing calculator has a green top bar.
Graphing calculator in App Self-Lock mode with a green top bar.
The secure scientific calculator has a purple top bar.
Scientific calculator in App Self-Lock mode with a purple top bar.
The secure four function calculator has a blue top bar.
Four function calculator in App Self-Lock mode with a blue top bar.
Please note that students can leave App Self-Lock by clicking "I'm Done" before the end of the test. You can monitor appropriate usage by looking at the log at the conclusion of the test. It will show how long the student was continuously in the application.
The I'm Done button and timer on the iOS closing screen
For additional security, you can lock the student into the app using Guided Access.
To enable Guided Access:
  1. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Guided Access.
  2. Pick a passcode that needs to be entered.
  3. Open up the Test Mode app.
  4. Triple-click the Side or Home button.
This will lock the device to that app and won't allow the student to leave it without a code.
To exit Guided Access:
  1. Triple-click the Side or Home button.
  2. Enter the passcode that you chose.

Android (Beta)

Our Android app (currently in Beta testing) allows for offline practice.
Screen Pinning mode provides an extra level of security by preventing other apps from being used while the calculator is open.
To enter Screen Pinning:
  1. Disable WiFi on your phone.
  2. Enter Airplane Mode on your phone.
  3. A "Start Test" button will appear. Click it.
To administer a Secure Test:
  1. Have students pin the app.
  2. Tell the students not unpin the app.
  3. At the end of the test, confirm that the screen was pinned for the entire test by checking the in-app clock.
Learn more about using Screen Pinning on your Android device.

Feedback

We work to continuously improve our Test Mode apps, and we welcome your feedback on how we can support the best possible experience for your students and colleagues. Please email us at feedback@desmos.com with any questions or comments!