Coding PCTs into Admin
In order for the tests to be available for candidates to access online through the candidate portal, PCT creators must code these tests into Admin. It is very important to dedicate a good amount of time to this part of the project - a lot of mistakes can be made here. Although it is an intense process, coding the tests, inputting them into Admin and seeing them come to fruition is a very rewarding end to the long process of PCT creation.
Coding the National Core / State Core
1. Solidify all question domains and/headings for each question to go under, and their structure/sequence.
2. Code in the headings and sub-headings.
3. Add all questions into their correct categories and sub-categories.
4. Double check all spelling/numbering/lettering/coding.
5. Save into the drive, noting that it is either the national core or state core.
6. You're all done!
Coding State Specific Tests
1. Open the state core code, and copy and paste it into a new blank document.
2. Add all state specific questions into their correct categories and sub-categories.
3. Check to make sure that all areas where you will input specific state names contain the correct state name.
4. Double check all spelling/numbering/lettering/coding.
5. Save into the drive, noting that it is the state specific test for whatever state you are working on.
6. You're all done!
Coding Tips
- DO NOT CODE TESTS DIRECTLY INTO THE NPAT EDITOR ON ADMIN. Always create and edit codes in a word document that you can copy and paste from into the NPAT editor once you are COMPLETELY ready to code the test into Admin.
- No codes should be entered into the NPAT editor until you are fully sure that the test coding is final and correct. By not inputting anything into the NPAT editor until you are 100% confident that the test is ready to take, you avoid the risk of creating tests that are not ready to be taken.
- Check the sample test that Admin provides you to make sure that all drop downs work and everything looks correct before you publish the test.
- Make sure that there are no spaces between codes and the start/end of questions, or behind codes at the end of coding lines.
- Make sure that all of the codes you are trying to use are correct.
- Print all PDFs of the tests that you are coding into admin that day, and cross check the PDFs with the codes to make sure that everything is in alignment with each other.
Current Codes and How to Use Them
Headings and Sub-Headings:
0|Section Heading|0
EX: 0|Abortion & Reproductive|0
1|Sub-Heading|0
EX: 1|Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing *'s budget.|0
Questions:
The end coding |19 means that the answer to the question will register as yes or no.
1|a) Question Text?|19
EX: 1|a) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?|19
The end coding |26 means that the answer to the question will register as pro-life or pro-choice.
1|a) Question Text?|19
EX: 1|a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?|26
The end coding |4 | followed by a number means that the question will register as an open answer text box, with the end number denoting the word limit that the text box can hold.
1|e) Question text.|4 |100
EX: 1|e) Other or expanded principles:|4 |100
NOTE: There should not be any spaces in the coding, we only had to add spaces around the 4 so that it would show up correctly in the Wiki page.
The beginning coding 2| means that the question will fall under a sub-heading.
2|a) Question Text?|19
EX: 2|a) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?|19
