Written Tests control panel

This is the control panel that determines the format of code tests. NuMorse Pro tests can be used by students for test practice or they can be used by VEs to set real code tests. A serial number system helps examiners keep track of the various test materials. You have the option to produce a new code test each time or to re-use a previously generated test.

Clicking on this button causes NuMorse Pro to assemble a new unique QSO and other test materials in memory instead of re-using an existing test. The new test is saved to disk. The new test becomes the current test which will be printed and used as the test code source. If you wish to set the same test several times then do not click on this button between tests.

Click on this button to print out test materials as specified in the Print Options group. You need to have the printed materials available before you start a test. If this option is grayed out then there is no test ready. You will need to either generate a new test or load a previously stored test.

The same as print, except the test is “printed” to the screen. You can print a test element from this print preview screen.

You should click on this button when you are set up to take a code test. If you are a student you will need a students question sheet and if you have specified a multi choice test you will also need a Multi-choice answer sheet. You will also need a pen or pencil, of course! NuMorse Pro starts sending test code after an optional count-down period. Test QSOs always start with a series of Vs to help the student prepare for decoding the following text.

•	Have you set up NuMorse Pro for the correct type of QSO? In the real test you will be set a short QSO at low code speeds and longer QSOs for the higher speeds. The three types of QSO generated by NuMorse Pro are of the correct length for 5, 13 and 20 WPM U.S style code tests.

•	Maybe this is just a practice and you would like some extra help. Do you want to see the text that is being sent as code? If so then several NuMorse Pro options allow this.

A file open dialog allows you to select a previously prepared test instead of generating a new one. This opens a previously generated test and generates appropriate test materials in memory. The test can be viewed using the print preview button. Test filenames have the following format:

nnnn is the test serial number allocated by NuMorse Pro and appearing on printed test materials.

You will notice that all generated QSOs start with the sequence VVV VVV. This test sequence gives you time to 'tune in' to the code before the real QSO starts. There are currently two ways to remove this test sequence if you would prefer not to hear it:

For all generated you need to edit the Phrases.txt file found in your NuMorse Pro working directory. Here is the procedure:

The Questions in test option should be increased with caution. Program limitations mean that multi-choice tests with more than ten questions may not be correctly generated. If a question and answer or multi-choice test is generated then ten questions will be set by default.

In all of the code tests students should concentrate on getting as much of the code as possible written down as plain text on a sheet of paper while it is being sent. After the code is finished students will have some time to tidy up their text and try to complete any sections that they missed during code play. This is the time that students should complete the Multi-choice or “Question and answer” format of test. In the case of the “One minute of solid copy” test the student can write directly onto the test sheet.

Multiple choice	A standard multiple choice test will be printed.
Fill in the blanks	The test QSO text will be printed out with certain information missing and replaced by blanks for the student to fill in.
One minute solid copy	The student sheet will be printed with some instructions and a blank area for the student to write his/her code copy.

This group of options determines what components of a test are printed out. Not all test formats require the same printed materials and so some of the options may be grayed out. Examiners might wish to print out multiple copies of a student question sheet but just one Examiner grading sheet.

Student question sheet	Prints out a sheet for the student to enter personal details. The sheet will also contain questions about the test QSO.
Multi-choice answer sheet	Prints a multiple choice answer sheet for the students use.
Examiner grading sheet	Prints a multiple choice answer sheet with correct options marked for examiners use.
Examiner grading template	Prints a multiple choice grading template for examiners use.

All of the instructions and other text that is printed can be modified from the Written Test Options control panel.

1.	You can alter the contents of any individual test by editing the file in a text editor. You could use one of the NuMorse Pro file windows for this. If you wish to change the design of all written tests then use the Written Test Options control panel..

Test serial numbers are automatically generated by adding one to the existing serial number. You can change the sequence by typing in a number in the serial number box. Serial numbers are used as part of the stored test filenames and they are also printed on the written test materials. You should take care to use a unique number if you type them in manually.

The clock display is an alarm timer that starts when code play starts. The alarm setting is controlled from the Written Test Options control panel. Notice that the alarm period can be (and usually is) longer than the code play period. This is because students often have a period at the end of code play to tidy up their written notes for presentation to the tester. If the alarm feature is turned off then the clock simply starts at code start and stops at code end with no sound. The alarm sound is the same as the thermometer time-up sound and can be selected in the thermometer control panel.