Supported Operating Systems for Student Testing

This section describes the supported operating systems for computer-based testing that use the secure browser or a web browser. The secure browser provides a secure, online testing environment in which a device is restricted from accessing prohibited computer applications (local or internet-based) or copying or sharing test data. The purposes of this environment are to maintain test security and provide a stable testing experience for students across multiple platforms.

All systems should have the latest minor updates and patches installed for optimal performance. Major updates, including new versions, require review and testing prior to use in CAASPP and ELPAC computer-based testing.

Desktops and Laptops

Table 1 lists the operating systems and devices required for student testing in 2022–23. Computer-based testing functions effectively with the minimum requirements listed. However, the recommended specifications provide improved performance.

Table 1. Supported Desktop Operating Systems
Supported Operating System	Supported Versions	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Specifications
Windows	8.1 (Professional and Enterprise) 10, 10 in S mode; version 21H2 (Professional, Education, and Enterprise) 11 21H2 Server 2012 R2, 2016 R2 (thin client) 64-bit Intel, AMD, and ARM devices (ARM devices require x64 emulation.)	1 GHz processor 2 GB RAM 20 GB hard drive	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 2 or more GB RAM 20 or more GB hard drive space
macOS	10.15 11.6 12.4 13 (upon release and acceptance) Intel and Apple silicon devices (Apple silicon devices require Rosetta 2.)	1 GHz 64-bit processor 2 GB RAM (64-bit) 20 GB hard drive	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 2 or more GB RAM 20 or more GB hard drive space
Linux	Fedora 34–35 LTS (Gnome) Ubuntu 18.04, 20.04 LTS (Gnome)	1 GHz 64-bit processor 2 GB RAM 20 GB hard drive Refer to the Required Libraries and Packages subtopic in the Linux topic Testing Device for lists of required libraries and packages.	1.4 GHz 64-bit processor 2 or more GB RAM 20 or more GB hard drive space Refer to the Required Libraries and Packages subtopic in the Linux topic Testing Device for lists of additional recommended packages.

Tablets

Table 2 lists the supported tablets, operating systems, and related requirements. Refer to the Hardware Configuration topic for information about configuring these devices for computer-based or web-based testing.

Table 2. Supported Tablets and Operating Systems
Operating System	Supported Version	Supported Tablets
iPadOS	14.8 15.4 16 (upon release and acceptance)	All iPads with a 9.7" or larger display and running a supported version of iPadOS are supported.
Windows	8.1 (Professional and Enterprise) 10 (Professional, Education, and Enterprise)	Any 10" tablet running these versions of Windows is supported, but extensive testing has occurred only on Surface Pro, Surface Pro 3, Asus Transformer, and Dell Venue.

Chromebooks and Chromebases

ALERTS:

In 2022, Google introduced the LTC and LTS channels for ChromeOS. CAI strongly recommends the use of these channels, which feature frequent security fixes but release feature updates only every six months. Refer to the Long-term Support (LTS) on Chrome OS web page for more information.
While CAI actively works to support new versions of the Chrome operating system as they are released, automatic updates should be disabled until new versions are listed as supported. Disabling automatic updates allows CAI to review changes and address any updates that pose a potential risk to student testing. Configure automatic update settings in the Google Admin console.
Users with Chromebooks manufactured in 2017 or later who do not have an Enterprise or Education license will not be able to use those machines for assessments. Since 2017, Google no longer allows users without these licenses to set up kiosk mode, which is necessary to run the CAI Secure Browser. This will prevent most personal devices from being used for assessments unless the device has an Enterprise or Education license.
ChromeOS includes a feature called tablet mode, which offers a touchscreen environment for supported Chromebooks and for ChromeOS tablets. CAI does not support the use of tablet mode for testing but does support touchscreen features on Chromebooks when available.

Table 3 lists the supported operating systems for Chromebooks.

Table 3. Supported Chromebooks
Supported Operating Systems	Related Requirements
ChromeOS 102	CAI will support any Chrome device that receives auto updates on the stable OS channel and meets the minimum operating system version requirement. CAI will not support any device that Google does not support for auto update. Refer to Google’s Auto Update Policy web page for information on Google’s auto update policy, including a full list of supported Chromebooks. Chromebooks manufactured in 2017 or later must have an Enterprise or Education license to run in kiosk mode, which is necessary to run the secure browser.

Thin Clients: NComputing and Terminal Servers for Windows

NComputing

Table 4 lists the supported hardware and software for NComputing solutions. Note that neither Windows 10 nor Windows 11 support USB redirect.

Table 4. Supported NComputing Solutions
Supported Server Host	Supported Server Software	Supported Terminals
Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2016 R2 Windows 10	vSpace PRO 10	L300, firmware version 1.13.xx L350, firmware version 1.13.xx
Windows 11	vSpace PRO 12	L350, firmware version 1.13.xx

Terminal Servers

Table 5 lists the supported terminal servers for use with a thin client device.

Table 5. Supported Terminal Servers
Supported Terminal Servers	Supported Thin Client
Windows Server 2012 R2 Windows Server 2016 R2	Any thin client that supports a Windows Server is supported. Thin clients allow access only to the program running on the host machine. Zero clients, which allow access to other programs on the client machine, are not supported.