Press-to-Test – TI-Nspire.com by Texas Instruments

Press-to-Test

Quickly configure hundreds of handhelds for testing.

With the built-in Press-to-Test feature on TI-Nspire™ and TI-Nspire CAS handhelds, you can stop potential cheating by temporarily disabling all current documents and denying access to programming libraries. A blinking LED located at the top of the TI-Nspire handheld provides proctors a way to quickly and confidently see that a student's handheld is operating in Press-to-Test mode. After the exam, handhelds are easily restored for classroom use by exiting Press-to-Test mode, and all previously created documents restored.

The new Press-to-Test feature is only available with TI-Nspire operating system version 1.3 or higher.

To start Press-to-Test mode:

Turn the TI-Nspire device OFF
Press and hold the ESC and HOME keys
While ESC and HOME are pressed and held, turn ON
Make selections and confirm Degree, Radian or Gradian (can be changed afterwards)
You will see that the "Limit geometry functions" box is selected by default. Deselect the box if you decide to allow all geometry functions.

Select OK. The handheld will restart and the Press-to-Test confirmation screen will appear.

Select OK. A blinking green LED on the handheld indicates the unit is in a Press-to-Test mode that restricts geometry features. A blinking yellow LED indicates the unit is in a Press-to-Test mode that restricts non-geometry features.
Note: While in Press-to-Test mode, you can send and receive files. However, once you exit, all documents created while in Press-to-Test mode are deleted.

To end Press-to-Test mode:

Connect the device to another handheld or computer
Press and release CTRL
Press and release HOME
Select 8 to exit Press-to-Test

Note: Only a connected device to another handheld or computer can exit the Press-to-Test mode. Before you begin this process, you must have access to another TI-Nspire handheld with an operating system of 1.3 or higher.

To disable Press-to-Test mode through a computer:
If you choose to disable Press-to-Test mode through a computer, you must have TI-Nspire Computer Link software installed on your system. After installing TI-Nspire Computer Link:

Create a folder on your computer called “Press-to-Test”
In that folder, place an empty tns document called “Exit Test Mode”. This file is the only file that should be in that folder. Note: folder and file names are case-sensitive
Send this file to your connected device and you will exit Press-to-Test mode

The Press-to-Test feature also works with the TI-Nspire handheld's interchangeable TI-84 Plus Keypad. Programs and Apps not allowed during testing will be temporarily disabled and then restored after the exam. When the TI-84 Plus Keypad is inserted, the Press-to-Test feature configures the TI-Nspire handheld just like TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus Silver Edition family graphing calculators. If using the TI-84 Plus keypad with a TI-Nspire handheld, please refer to TI TestGuard™ for similar functionality.

Download the latest TI-Nspire operating system that includes the new Press-to-Test feature.
See TI-Nspire family guidebooks for additional information.