Tech Issue Buster: Administrative Rights

Welcome to the premier posting of the Tech Issue Buster—a sort of cliff notes for understanding and troubleshooting common Certiport testing center tech problems ... you know, for dummies. I've asked Mark Sommer, Certiport's Tech Guy Extraordinaire (also of Worldwide Competition Video fame), to help. He speaks tech.

Today, we're tackling administrative rights, that oft-pesky permission that allows users to install new software or write changes to the programs on their computers. Most IT staff within schools and government-based organizations are loathe to give out these rights, especially with limited funding. The problem for many testing centers comes into play when administrative rights aren't available on testing machines, preventing the administration of certification exams. It's a necessary evil, says Mark:

"Any installation or major changes to the computer requires administrative rights. It's how all computers are designed to work. Our exam processes use concurrent technology to make changes to the computer while testing."

He says concurrent technology—the feature that allows you to perform parts of the certification exam within the actual Microsoft® Word application, for example—automatically makes changes to system settings in areas that require administrative rights while in testing mode. Once the exam is complete, settings are restored and additional content is deleted. It's the price for having robust certification content in the real deal. No faksies here.

Since you "can't bypass administrative rights" (as some testing centers have sadly learned), says Mark, you have to find the best way to manage the situation.

Mark suggests three such ways:

1. If possible, log in with a User account possessing administrative rights on your testing center computers just before examinations begin. Make sure to log off immediately following the testing period.
2. Fool users who may be tempted to install superfluous software on the system by creating User accounts that seem ... well, pedestrian at best. (Try something like "Student1," "Tester6," or "UnimportantGuy26.")
3. Set aside computers as dedicated certification testing machines. Mark prefers this option—if budgets allow—because you "don't have to worry about messing with it."

If you have a tech issue that you'd like to learn more about, drop me a questions or suggestions in the comments section below. Until then, happy testing.