Compass | Compass Cloud |Exams from Home | Compass Controlled Environmenst
This page explains how you can download and install the Certiport Compass exam delivery software and exam content. Compass is our only delivery system that utilizes locally installed exam content and comes in two versions: Compass for Windows and Compass for Mac.
Review all Technical Requirements before installing Compass.
Online steps
The information outlined in the steps below have been condensed to the installation of Compass and the downloading of exam content within Compass. They do not cover launching an exam, proctoring, advanced features and settings, or troubleshooting. For detailed end-to-end walkthroughs on using Compass, please refer to our Compass for Windows or Compass for Mac user guides.
Compass for Windows
1. Overview
System summary
Compass is an exclusive exam delivery system that provides a state-of-the-art experience to test candidates through a secure browser. It works in a native environment and is downloaded and installed directly onto your testing workstation(s).
Certiport has three exam programs that are delivered with our exclusive Live-in-the-Application (LITA) technology. During an exam, the Compass software launches the corresponding locally installed software so that portions of every certification exam can take place in the actual program environment.
Important: If your center is delivering any of our Live-in-the-Application (LITA) exams such as Adobe Certified Professional, Autodesk Certified User (ACU), or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), then it is required that the corresponding software be installed locally on each testing machine as well (e.g. Excel, Photoshop, Maya, etc.). Any Technical Requirements of those locally installed programs would be in addition to those of Compass. ACU and MOS LITA exams can only be delivered in a Windows environment. Adobe LITA exams can be delivered in either a Windows or Mac environment.
2. Install Compass
A person associated to your Certiport Authorized Testing Center must download the Compass installer. This requires a Certiport login and the Certiport "Organization Administrator" (Org Admin) or "Organization Member" (Org Member) role. Learn more about roles on our Manage associations page.
Install methods
Compass for Windows can be installed in one of two ways:
- Manually: launch the executable and set the center by following the steps below.
- Mass-deployment: silently distribute the program and specify settings using Active Directory. This is for advanced users and details are contained in the Mass-deployment guide.
Install process
- Download the installer file here.
Important: A Certiport Org Admin or Org Member can download the installer, but a local Windows Admin will be required to install it. A Certiport Org Admin is a role assigned to a user within the Certiport website and is not the same as a Windows Administrator.
- Launch the exe file on the computer you wish to administer exams and follow the on screen prompts.
- Click OK when the setup is completed. A link for Compass will be placed on the desktop.
- Launch Compass. The first time the software is launched, Org Admins are directed to the settings page with a message notifying them that a testing center has not been configured.
- Enter your Certiport Organization Administrator Username and Password and click Login.
- Click the Certiport ID drop-down list and select your test center in the list.
- Click Save at the bottom of the list. Compass will automatically restart.
3. The CertiportNow service
The CertiportNow service allows all updates (both System and Exam Content) to run in the background if Compass is installed and the settings for updates are set to automatic (default). The workstation must also be turned on, and have an active internet connection with all Compass whitelist IPs accessible. At the bottom of most screens (including the login screen) is the CertiportNow button, which will manually launch the Windows service if needed.
Note: In most cases, the service will only fail to launch if Compass was not installed as a local Windows Admin. If your institution has issues with the service launching, please employ the use of the Admin credentials in the Compass settings menu.
4. Downloading exam content
Before an exam can be delivered, any applicable exam content must be downloaded to the local machine. These actions must also be performed as a local Windows Admin.
Download methods
Exam content can be distributed in one of two ways:
- Manually: launch Compass and follow the steps below.
- Mass-deployment: distribute the content using the LAN solution or the Import/Export utility. Details are contained in the Compass for Windows guide.
Download process
- While logged into the Compass software, click the "Manage Exams" menu in the left sidebar.
- Click the "Download Additional Exams" button.
- Click the drop-down arrow at the top of the page to view the type of exams you wish to choose from: "Exams with Licenses" or "All Available Exams".
- Select via checkbox all desired exams your CATC plans to administer.
- Scroll down and click the "Download Exams" button.
- Repeat this process on every exam delivery workstation.
5. Return to the Get Started page
If you have installed Compass and are ready to learn more about what it takes to be a Certiport Authorized Testing Center, return to the Get Started as a Test Center page to continue your journey.
Compass for Mac
1. Overview
System summary
Compass for Macis an internet based exam delivery system that provides a state-of-the-art experience to Test Candidates through a secure browser. It works in a native environment and is downloaded directly on to your testing workstation(s).
Certiport has oneexam program (Adobe Certified Professional)that is delivered with our exclusive Live-in-the-Application (LITA) technology when using Compass for Mac. During an exam, the Compass software launches the corresponding locally installed software so that portions of every certification exam can take place in the actual program environment. This results in an exam experience that more closely resembles what a Test Candidate would encounter in the real world.
Important: If your center is delivering the Adobe Certified Professional LITA exams, then it is required that the corresponding software be installed locally on each testing machine as well (e.g. Photoshop). Any Technical Requirements of said locally installed programs would be in addition to those of Compass. We also have a dedicated support page for administering Adobe LITA exams.
Note: Our Autodesk Certified User (ACU) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) LITA exams can only be delivered in a Windows environment using our Compass for Windows software. However, CATCs with Mac workstations can still deliver MOS or ACU virtuallyusing Compass Cloud. Find out more!
2. Downloading Compass
A Certiport Organization Administrator or Organization Member associated to your Certiport Authorized Testing Center must download Compass for Mac. Learn more about roles on our Manage associations page. Compass for Mac is a self-contained program file and does not require a traditional installation.
Important: A Certiport Org Admin or Org Member can download the installer, but a local Mac OS Admin will be required to run it. A Certiport Org Admin is a role assigned to a user within the Certiport website and is not the same as a Mac OS Administrator.
- Navigate to www.certiport.com andlogin.
- Change your role in the dropdown at the top of the page to "Organization Administrator" or "Organization Member".
- Hover over the "Exam Delivery" tab and click on the dropdown for "Compass".
- Scroll down to the Mac section and click on the graphic/link to download Compass for Mac.
- Locate the Compass installer in your Downloads folder and move it to the desktop.
- Launch the file from the desktop of thecomputer you wish to administer exams. (The first time the software is launched, Org Admins are prompted with a message notifying them that a testing center has not been associated.)
- Enter your Certiport Organization Administrator Username and Password and click "Login".
- Ensure "Settings" is selected in the left navigation menu.
- Click the Certiport ID drop-down list and select your test center in the list and click Save.
3. Downloading exam content
Before an Adobe LITA exam can be delivered, the exam content must be downloaded to the local machine. Some additional exam content can be downloaded under the "Manage Exams" menu.Exam content that cannot be pre-downloadedwill be served on-the-fly every time the exam is delivered.
- While logged in to the Compass for Mac software, click the "Manage Exams" menu in the left sidebar.
- Select via checkbox all desired Adobe and other exams your CATC plans to administer.
- Scroll down and click the "Download Exams" button.
- Repeat this process on every exam delivery workstation.
Important: Exam content is not available to download for every exam. If you do not see the certification program you wish to deliver in the Manage Exams menu or when launching an exam, please contact Technical Support and let them know you are delivering exams with Compass for Mac.
4. Return to the Get Started page
If you have installed Compass and are ready to learn more about what it takes to be a Certiport Authorized Testing Center, return to the Get Started as a Test Center page to continue your journey.
