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August 2024 Release

We’re pleased to share the latest updates to the TAO platform. As always, we appreciate your feedback and look forward to continuous enhancements.

TAO Authoring Updates:

  • Items statistics: This feature provides item creators with detailed analytical data on item performance. These reports are generated in the Item Statistics page in the authoring tool, and contain the following details per item: total number of executions, number of correct / incorrect / skipped responses, computed item difficulty, item discrimination.

  • Metadata import enhancements: The items and tests import functionality has been enhanced by incorporating additional metadata fields into the exported packages; the additional metadata information can then be analyzed by a heuristic engine during import. This enhancement’s compatibility for older packages without the new fields is ensured.

  • Flexible dual preview capability: In order to help transition content from the legacy engine (TAO 3.x) to the new one (TAO Advance), the possibility to preview items and tests with both test rendering engines is now available. Both preview options are available in the authoring instance once configured (this feature requires prior configuration).

  • Simplified UI: The possibility to switch between a simplified and a more advanced UI for TAO 3.x is now available. Switching to a simple authoring interface removes non-essential features and de-clutters the UI. Please contact your Account Manager if you are interested in this functionality.

  • Fixed: In some cases, the user was unable to move or copy classes within TAO 3.x Items, Tests, and Assets.

TAO Portal Updates & Fixes:

  • Email notifications: The ability to send email notifications to test takers for various session events (such as session assignment or scores becoming available) is now available. This feature can be configured when creating or editing a session. Note that this functionality requires test takers to be assigned mandatory and unique emails. Please contact your Account Manager if you are interested in the functionality.

  • Public sessions: Creating a public session is a new capability that provides test-takers, including non-authenticated users, with a way to familiarize themselves with TAO tests. This feature introduces a new global role (Public session manager) and can be enabled when creating or editing a session.

  • Add/remove users to/from group via CSV: A new field for the CSV import feature in TAO Portal, called group_user_active, is available and can be used to add or remove a user from a group.

  • Better report translations: By expanding the list of fields that can be translated, we have improved the ability to translate all generated reports.

  • Better performance and resilience: We have significantly improved the reaction time of our cloud infrastructure to request spikes, allowing TAO to adjust faster to higher and sudden requests.

  • Activity logs: We have added activity logs for important activities performed in TAO Portal. These logs are saved within TAO Insights and can be accessed via APIs and/or the Data Explorer (available under Labs Features in the Beta Features list).

  • Fixed: Sessions with an open date in the future which were marked as exempted for a particular test-taker were still visible for that user.

  • Fixed: In some cases, the CSV import for users, groups, and sessions in TAO Portal was failing if an assigned name was identical to a similar entity from another account.

  • Fixed: In some cases, the individual and session reports for categories defined in a session were not properly displaying the pass/fail information.

  • Fixed: In some cases, the individual and session reports could not be downloaded in the PDF format.

  • Fixed: The language for TAO Advance test delivery now matches the language set for the logged-on user in TAO Portal.

  • Fixed: The time spent on individual items was not displayed in the reports if timers were enabled and the test-taker stayed on the item until the timer expired.

  • Security fix: A potentially hazardous situation was addressed by strengthening the session authentication, in order to prevent session hijacking in TAO Advance.

These updates are designed to streamline our processes and enhance the usability and effectiveness of the TAO platform. We value your feedback and are committed to continually improving your testing experience. Thank you for your continued support!