California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST)

About

Note: The administration of the CCTST has changed significantly in 2017-2018. This page has been updated to reflect the new procedures.

The California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) is administered by Insight Assessment.

The result of the assessment is a scaled breakdown of the test taker's critical thinking skills. The results are normed for the group of test takers the student belongs to (i.e. four-year college students).

The CCTST is available in a number of languages and Sorrell College of Business Test Takers should select their native language when beginning the test. By taking the test in their native language, the effect of translations and language proficiency is removed and only critical thinking skills are measured. If the native language is not available, then the test taker should select the language in which they are most proficient.

Instructor Information

The CCTST will be administered in all sections of BUS 3310 and BUS 4476.

Test Manual for Instructors

The CCTST Test Manual is available for download from the Troy University Helpdesk Knowledge Base

Multiple Attempts

Be sure to include this verbage in your course regarding the CCTST administration:

“Students should NOT be allowed to take the CCTST twice in a given course.  This will be considered as cheating if students accesses the exam a second time to change their scores, which means they would receive a grade of zero for the exam.  The information (Overall Score) would still be recorded for accreditation purposes, but the second column in CANVAS for the CCTST grade would indicate a zero.” (approved by the course coordinators)

Test Timing

The CCTST has a hard time limit of 45 minutes. If the student has not submitted the test 45 minutes after starting, it will be submitted automatically.

If you have a student requiring accommodations related to time, the instructor should notify Phyllis Kiarie so that arrangements can be made for that student.

Login information

A new access code and password will be sent out for the new term/semester.

Test Results:

We are still working on providing accounts for instructors so they might login to Insight Assessment to download the test results. Before that has been set up, send Phyllis Kiarie an email after the assessment has closed requesting me to retrieve the results for you so you can add them into your Canvas gradebook.

CCTST Test Taker Instructions

The CCTST will be taken in a proctored environment.

The maximum test time is 45 minutes.

Insight Assessment now provides a Java-free solution which will be much easier for the students to use. Students will now click on this link/ the link provided in their course (https://testing.insightassessment.com/testing/Tool) which takes them to the new interface which identifies the browser and OS in use then gives them instructions to download the app.

Launch the recently downloaded .exe file and login with the credentials provided by the proctor.

Technical Requirements

  • Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 8 or later
    We recommend using the latest available JRE for computer security.
  • The JRE platform (x86 or x64) must match the browser platform. Most browsers are x86 (32 bit).
  • Test your browser:
    https://testing.insightassessment.com/Verify
    • There is a link to start the test at the bottom of the verify page. Do not use that link, instead return to Blackboard to launch the exam.
    • Microsoft Internet Explorer is recommended.
    • Google Chrome: As of version 45 (released September 2015), Chrome no longer supports the plugin technology required to run Java applets in the browser. As such, the CCTST cannot be taken with Google Chrome.
    • Mozilla Firefox: By the end of 2016, Firefox will no longer supports the plugin technology required to run Java applets in the browser. As such, the CCTST cannot be taking with the Firefox browser either.
    • Microsoft Edge: Does not support Java. The CCTST cannot be taken with Microsoft Edge.
    • Do not use the Respondus LockDown Browser to launch this test.

Taking the Test

When clicking on the CCTST link, a new browser window will open.

  1. Select the language in which you will take the assessment. Select your native language, or if your native language is not available, the language you are most comfortable with.
  2. Complete your profile by answering all demographic questions.
  3. Click Save Profile at the top.
  4. Take a moment to review your profile for correctness.
  5. Click Continue at the top.
  6. Review and accept the testing agreement.
  7. Read the instructions for the test.
  8. To begin the test, click Continue. The timer will start running.
  9. Complete the assessment.
    A timer at the top of the window will indicate how much time is left.
  10. After answering the last question, click the Done with Test/Survey button.
  11. You will be presented with your results, including an analysis of your critical thinking skills in several areas.
    You can print and save your results for later reference.
Last Updated: 11/9/2017