Specially designed to help schools plan for their 2009 online Computing Skills Test, the Board of Studies new CST Bandwith Tester application is now available.

The tester application quickly tells schools how fast the internet speed is between their computers and the Board's server.

It then recommends the maximum number of online tests to be run at any one time.

The Chief Executive of the Office of the Board of Studies NSW, Dr John Bennett, said the new CST Bandwith Tester was different to a normal internet speed tester.

"The CST tester is a more realistic measure of the way the school's internet speed will affect the number of CST applications that can run at the same time," Dr Bennett said.

"The tester is tailored to the requirements of our online test as the data travels between the Board's servers and the school.

"School CST Coordinators and ICT Coordinators should find the new tester extremely helpful in planning their school timetable for the online CST this year."

Dr Bennett said the tester application allows schools to enter their school Board ID number and name for each bandwidth test.

"This is optional, but if the school ID is captured for each test, our IT support staff can refer to those results if schools experience difficulty during the CST," he said.

The CST is a mandatory part of the NSW School Certificate Tests, which take place for all Year 10 students in November.

This year, the online version of the CST can be held any time from Wednesday 11 November, Thursday 12 November, or Friday 13 November 2009. The written version of the test takes place on Friday 13 November from 11.00am to 12.15pm.

Try the new CST Bandwidth Tester here.

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