Introduction to OPTIMATH
Online Practice and Testing in Mathematics

The testing system is located at http://msenux.redwoods.edu/optimath

The first page of the testing site is the Optimath "portal", from which you can go to the current semester site, as well as to documentation, practice exercises, and other related links.

Click on the LOGIN link for the current semester to see a list of course sections. Then click on the link for your section (corresponding to your course and instructor) to take you to your section login page. You also may want to bookmark this page on your browser.

Login page: Your login name is just like the one that you use for WebAdvisor and myCR: first initial + last name + last three digits of your student ID#. For example, if your name is John Doe and your student ID# is 1234567, then your login name is jdoe567. Your initial password is your full 7-digit student ID#, but you can (and should) change it once you log in.

After you log in, you have just five options (each of these options is explained in more detail below):

• Choose Assignment to take online.
• View Assignment Results (includes your answers, the correct answers, and solutions).
• Change password
• Email your instructor
• Log out

Important: Do not use the "Back" and "Forward" buttons on your browser when you are using the testing system. If you do, you will be immediately logged out of the system. Instead, use the links on each page to move around. There are really only five places to go, namely the options listed above (Choose Assignment, View Assignment Results, etc.).

Choose Assignment:

• Click on the link for the assignment that you want to take. A new assignment will be prepared for you (it might take a few seconds), and then you will be presented with a second link for your particular version of that assignment in pdf (Adobe) form.
• Click on this second link to download the assignment to your computer. If you have a dialup connection, it might take about 30 seconds or so to download this pdf document. Assuming that your Adobe Reader software is correctly configured, the assignment should open up inside your browser. If the document does not open up in your browser, see the System Requirements at http://msenux.redwoods.edu/online/sysreq.html
• Follow the instructions given in the assignment.
  • You must click on the Begin Assignment button to start.
  • Then proceed through the assignment, using either the Back and Next buttons at the top of each page, or the arrow buttons in Adobe Reader.
  • Answer fill-in questions using the same syntax that you would use on your calculator. If you're not sure of the syntax to use, click on the Help with Math Syntax link located under the answer box (or click here to see the same help information).
  • You must click on the End Assignment button when you are done. This will grade your assignment immediately, record your score, and return you to the the View Assignment Results screen on the Optimath web site.
    • Note to dialup users: Make sure that you are connected to the internet before you press the End Assignment button! You can check your connection by opening up second window or tab in your browser and then refreshing your home page.
  • You will now be at the View Assignment Results screen, where you can see your answers and the correct answers, along with detailed solutions.

View Assignment Results:

• Click on the link corresponding to any previous assignment that you want to view. You will again receive a pdf document that should open up within your browser. You will see your answers, the correct answers, and solutions to each problem. This is also a page length document that you can print if you wish.

Change password:

• Click on this link to change your password to something that will be easy to remember. If you ever forget your password, you will need to contact your instructor.

Email your instructor:

• This is a convenience link if you want to email your instructor. For example, you might want to ask about a particular question from one of the assignments. The link will open up your default email program.

Log out:

• Please remember to log out from the system when you are done.
  

For help with question types and syntax, along with other hints and information, see http://msenux.redwoods.edu/online/optimathinfo.html