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TestGen and Lion

Submitted by TSI Support on Thu, 07/21/2011 - 17:49

New versions of TestGen and the TestGen Plugin that will provide full support for Lion (Mac OS 10.7) will be released in the near future. In addition there will be some new features in TestGen, plugin support for additional browsers, and streamlined installation.

We are anxious to make these available as soon as possible. Please check back for further news.

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TestGen

Eric Julien (not verified) Fri, 07/22/2011 - 12:55

Is there any way that we can be notified of when it happens? Somewhere to sign up on a list? I'm working on curriculum for two new books and I will need it before school starts. Also, you talk about new features, is there a place where we can go to check those out?

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/01/2011 - 09:20

My thoughts exactly. It's not like the TestGen people did not know this was coming. Please give some urgency to getting this software out before classes start.

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/01/2011 - 17:52

Yes, let's get this update out!

TSI Support Tue, 08/02/2011 - 15:32

I apologize for the delay in the 10.7 release. We're working on it, trust me.

In the meantime I've setup a mailing list so you can be notified when the release is available. You should see the "Recent News" mailing list sign up at the bottom of the left sidebar.

Jeff

Hector Rodriguez (not verified) Sat, 08/06/2011 - 12:22

Yes I hope soon school start almost here. Will the new version allow tst files created on a pc be opened in the MAc cannot do that now. created in mac opens in Pc

TSI Support Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:24

Hello Hector,

What version of TestGen are you using? TestGen 7.4.5 has been able to open files cross-platform for some time (as will future TestGen releases). Let me know if you found this not to be the case.

Jeff

msw (not verified) Sat, 08/13/2011 - 19:00

I'm sure you are hammering away at this as hard as you can, but an update would be welcome...

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/11/2011 - 07:48

Still waiting...

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/15/2011 - 17:37

Classes started today. First assignment is due next week. We need this update for Lion now.

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/16/2011 - 11:40

Inexcusable!

I only use Testgen because Pearson distributes exam questions in either text or Testgen format. I have to say, Testgen may be the reason I drop Pearson textbooks.

A year ago I was badly burned when I structured my class around having practice exams and short quizzes, only to learn that Testgen not only could not export test files to our LMS (Sakai) but also that nobody in Pearson's support group could provide even the most rudimentary information about the formats Testgen does support (e.g., which version of QTI Testgen uses), much less instructions for editing exported Testgen files into the formats Sakai supports.

Now, almost a year later, Pearson has tracked down a web page that uses Respondus as an intermediary. The suggestion is to export the exams from Testgen in Blackboard format, import them into Respondus (which thankfully my institution provides via a site license), and then follow instructions on the web page for exporting them into Sakai.

Then today I learn that Tamarack has not yet updated Testgen to run natively on Macs with Intel processors. Instead, for the past four years Tamarack has been relying on Rosetta to emulate the outdated architecture. Even worse, although Apple has been developing Lion since 2010, announced its release in June, and released it in July -- and Fall Semester is just a couple of weeks away -- yet Testgen does not run on Lion. Instead, a new version is coming "real soon now."

The least Tamarack could do would be to announce the release date and, in the interim, publish instructions for using Winebottle to run Testgen in Windows emulation mode. I will be trying this next, but is it too much to ask Tamarack to save us time by letting us know how well this works?

Am I the only one who thinks this is no way to run a railroad?

Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/16/2011 - 12:11

They already have the Pearson contract. Tamarack could care less about Lion users.

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/17/2011 - 13:28

Awesome! I'm days away from writing my final, and you guys couldn't be bothered to update the program to the Intel platform any time in the last 4 years?

TSI Support Wed, 08/17/2011 - 14:00

The TestGen Plug-in version 7.5 (and newer) is Intel native (universal binary). Also, the TestGen application version 7.5.1 is Intel native (universal binary).

Jeff

Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/17/2011 - 14:50

Your post seems to indicate that TestGen version 7.5.1 is already available, yet I see no other notification here or updated download links on Pearson's website.

TSI Support Wed, 08/17/2011 - 17:03

We both are waiting on Pearson. I'm checking frequently. I'll let you know when it's available.

Jeff

Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/18/2011 - 09:46

Thank you.

TSI Support Thu, 08/18/2011 - 13:09

Important news!

We have just learned that  v7.5.1 is now being distributed by the publisher - Pearson Education.

UPDATE: You can now download the TestGen application and the TestGen Plug-in directly from: http://wpslive.pearsoncmg.com/cmg_instructor_testgen_1/136/34890/8931923...

We have requested that publishers make v7.5.1 available for download from their sites without having to contact customer support.  If this would be more convenient for you, we encourage you to contact your publisher and request a public release of TestGen v7.5.1. Tamarack made Mac and Windows TestGen 7.5.1 Application and Plug-ins available to your publisher well in advance of Lion's release. Unfortunately, publishers have their own publication and release schedules and Tamarack has no control over these. This is the reason we have been unable to provide a definitive release date. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. Here are some of the highlights of the new 7.5.1 release: TestGen Application (Instructors)

  1. Compatible with OS X Lion (10.7).
  2. TestGen will now notify users when updates are available and the updates can be performed from within the application.
  3. The on screen display of tests within TestGen can now be set to include or exclude the answer key. Printed tests and exports, such as PDF, will now match the display setting for the answer key.

TestGen Plug-in (Students)

  1. Compatible with OS X Lion (10.7).
  2. Compatible with all current major browsers.
  3. Mac users can now run their browser in 64 bit mode.
  4. Installing has been simplified and streamlined.

Jeff

Peter (not verified) Fri, 08/19/2011 - 13:06

Hey Jeff I spoke with customer service and I am informed that if you are an instructor and login at http://wpslive.pearsoncmg.com/cmg_instructor_testgen_1/ the update will be available tonight. Both full application and plugin (plugin is available right now).

Best

Pete

Brad (not verified) Sat, 08/20/2011 - 13:41

I have been given two slightly different answers by two different chat-support personnel: (1) The announcement here was done in error--too early; (2) We just do not know when the update will be available--keep an eye on Pearson's help pages for any updated information. More waiting, I suppose.

Prof. Kiefer (not verified) Fri, 09/23/2011 - 12:20

Previous tests are dimmed in 7.5.1 for OSX 10.5.1. Just installed (with headaches from Pearson) 7.5.1 But neither within the program (using "OPEN" menu) nor outside the program by clicking a previous test in documents folder will those previous tests actually open.

Specifically, their icons are dimmed in the list of prior tests meaning they aren't recognized by 7.5.1

Do I have this wrong? Are all older version tests now unreadable?

TSI Support Fri, 09/23/2011 - 12:31

TestGen 7.5.1 is backward compatible with older tests. I suspect something is wrong with your installation.

Installing 7.5.1 should have been very simple. Exactly what did PE support instruct you to do?

Jeff

Prof. Kiefer (not verified) Mon, 09/26/2011 - 07:32

Forget PE support. They are befuddled and know nothing about the details of TG 7.4.5 or 7.5.1 They dance around any inquiry because they don't know the answers. Hours wasted.

I think you're correct. My installation is wrong, but I've done it three times! 7.5.1 is about 13 MB yet it "downloads" to me in about 1 second. Can't be. Yet I have the TestGen application (labelled 7.5.1 in lower corner of openning screen) in my applications folder and it does open up to make a new test. However, it doesn't spot dozens of prior TestGen tests I have in my document folder, which don't open up in Word or any other format. They remain dimmed.

I'm in a serious bind. Using OSX 10.7.1

TSI Support Mon, 09/26/2011 - 13:49

OK. I should probably call and help you fix the problem to get you running again. I emailed you directly for contact information.

Jeff

Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/22/2011 - 08:26

Link is up for the mac version.
http://wpslive.pearsoncmg.com/cmg_instructor_testgen_1/136/34890/8931923...

Eric Julien (not verified) Mon, 08/22/2011 - 19:40

Thank you Tamarack! I downloaded the new version tonight from Pearson and am working on Friday's test right now. Just taking a break to say thank you. No problems so far!

wilson (not verified) Mon, 08/22/2011 - 19:50

I was just wondering if there is any advice that you can give to running the testgen plugin to run in safari in the Lion system?

TSI Support Tue, 08/23/2011 - 11:46

Hello Wilson,

Sure. Here's the basic steps to install and verify the TestGen Plug-in:

  1. Download and install TestGen Plug-in v7.5.1.
  2. Restart Safari. (This is important since Safari will only load the new plug-in after a restart.)
  3. Go to this plug-in test page: http://www.tamarack-software.com/tgptest
  4. The white box should show you the plug-in version you are running.

At this point you should be good to go.

Jeff

TSI Support Tue, 08/23/2011 - 11:36

Glad to hear all is well Eric. Hope you aced the test!

Jeff

rb Thu, 01/12/2012 - 16:22

Using Lion 10.7.2 and Testgen 7.5.1 the Export to HTML Practice Exam is not available on my computer. The option is there but the selection is greyed out. Is this my installation or does that option no longer work?

TSI Support Fri, 01/13/2012 - 11:22

Hi rb,

The option should work. Chances are there is something wrong with the installation. Let's try to track it down:

  1. Make sure TestGen is shut down.
  2. Locate your TestGen application (usually in in the "Applications/TestGen" folder)
  3. Right-mouse click on the TestGen application and choose "Show Package Contents".
  4. A window will pop up. Go into "Contents/Resources".
  5. Is there a folder called "HTML_SRC" in there with an "index.htm" and other files and folders?
  6. If not, there should be. I can send you this directory if needed.
  7. If so, right-mouse click on the HTML_SRC folder and choose "Get Info".
  8. Under the "Sharing & Permissions" pane do you have permission to read this folder?

If there appears to be a permission issue, and you have permission to modify the Applications directory, here is a quick fix that may work:

  1. Copy the HTML_SRC folder to your desktop (Drag to desktop while holding the "Option" key).
  2. Delete the HTML_SRC folder inside the "Resources" folder.
  3. Drag the HTML_SRC folder on your desktop into the "Resources" folder.
  4. Close the Resources window.
  5. Launch TestGen and try to export your test as an HTML Practice exam.

Jeff

rb Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:26

The folder is not there. I even re-downloaded the installation package and reinstalled and it is still not there.

TSI Support Tue, 01/17/2012 - 13:05

Looking into this further, it turns out your version of 7.5.1 did not ship with the HTML_SRC folder. It is a bug and we will fix it for the next release, sorry.

To get you back on track I've attached the "HTML_SRC" folder to this note. Here's how to install it:

  1. Download and uncompress "HTML_SRC.zip".
  2. Make sure TestGen is shut down.
  3. Locate your TestGen application (usually in in the "Applications/TestGen" folder)
  4. Right-mouse click on the TestGen application and choose "Show Package Contents".
  5. Go into "Contents/Resources".
  6. Drag the "HTML_SRC" folder into the "Resource" folder.
  7. Close the Resources window.
  8. Launch TestGen and try to export your test as an HTML Practice exam.

Jeff

rb Tue, 01/17/2012 - 14:03

That works

Thanks!

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