The New York State Grades 3-8 ELA, Math, and Science test development partner, NWEA®, a division of HMH®., provides a list of student testing devices and operating systems that are supported by the testing platform (Nextera Test Delivery System / Questar Secure Browser) on their website for Test Readiness. Below, for your quick reference, is the list of supported student testing devices and operating systems.
In preparation for the upcoming operational CBT test administration window, our schools will be completing CBT Technology Readiness online at the Nextera Admin website. This year, we added a section to the technology readiness that will help principals and district test coordinators (DTCs) verify that their anticipated student testing devices and operating systems are supported for the NWEA Secure Browser.
For schools using iPads for the ELA, Math, and Science computer-based testing administrations, NWEA has announced support for iOS 17.3 only, sub-versions 17.1 or 17.2 are not supported. All schools running iOS 17-17.2 must update their student testing devices to iOS 17.3.
Due to security concerns, NWEA has also advised NYSED that all schools with iPads running iOS version 17.3 must download an updated Secure Browser, minor version 2.1.1, available from the Apple store. Effective March 1, 2024, the link for the updated secure browser will be available on Nextera Admin Help<Downloads page.
As a reminder, NWEA has advised NYSED that the text-to-speech accommodation will function as designed on all iPads with iOS versions 15x except for any with the minor version 15.4. Therefore, if your iPad devices currently have the iOS version 15.4, it is recommended that you update your devices to a newer supported iOS version.
NWEA has announced support for MacOS 14. However, NWEA has also advised NYSED for schools running macOS 14 (Sonoma) should update to the latest version macOS < 14.3, for the best testing experience.
Please note that versions below are subject to change. For updates to NWEA’s operating system support, please reference Nextera Admin under the Help downloads tab.
The following table indicates student testing devices and operating systems that are supported by NWEA for the CBT 2023-2024 school year test administration:
| Operating System | OS Version | Secure Browser Version | Notes: |
|
MICROSOFT WINDOWS
|
OS 10 and 11
10 – Versions 21H2, 22H2
11 – Version 21H2, 22H2
*Includes minor versions
(Home, Education, Pro, Pro Education, Enterprise)
|
5.2 | Windows 10S, 11S, and 11SE are not supported |
| CHROMEBOOK |
OS121+
|
2.7 |
Chromebooks must be supported by Google Auto Updates.
Dual Mode Chromebooks with laptop/tablet modes must run in laptop mode (tablet mode is not supported). |
| APPLE MAC |
Mac OS X
13.x, 14.x, 15x
*Includes minor versions
|
5.2 | MacOS 10.15 and 11.x are not supported. |
| APPLE IOS |
16.x, 17.3 x
9.7"+ screen
*Includes minor versions
|
2.1 |
14. x is no longer supported
Text-To-Speech Accommodation is not supported on version 14.6 or 15.4.
iPad minis and iPad 3s are not allowed for CBT due to the small screen size.
iPad 4 and lower and iPad Air 1 are not supported. |
| *Note: References to “.x” release infer that all available point-release within that versions are supported. For example, “10.15.x” means that all 10.15 available versions are supported (10.15.1, 10.15.2…) | |||
Please note that the Questar Secure Browser should be installed and tested prior to the CBT operational test administration window. Students should also be familiar with the Nextera Test Delivery System and online testing tools prior to sitting for the computer-based tests. The publicly available Question Sampler provides practice tests for every subject and grade level.
Note: References to “.x” releases infer that all available point-releases within that version are supported. For example, “11.x” means that all 11.0 available versions are supported.
For additional information on how to install the testing platform on the support devices, visit The Nextera Setup & Installation Guide.
Also, you can always consult the NWEA Test Readiness page for complete device and system support information.
Related Articles:
Nextera Setup and Installation Guide
NWEA Announces Support for Operating Systems iOS 17.3 for iPads and MacOS 14 for Macs.
Other Related Articles:
Can a student take the testing device home during test taking?
Can more than one student use the same testing device during operational CBT?