Delivering paper-based sessions
This article describes how to deliver and process paper based sessions. Delivering paper-based sessions involves two group roles: Booklet Publisher and Scan Uploader.
Prerequisites
A test containing Extended Text interactions configured for paper-based testing has been created and published. For more information, see Creating content for a paper-based session.
Users have been added to the session’s group with the correct roles. For more information, see Assigning roles for paper-based sessions.
A session has been created with paper-based testing enabled. For more information, see Creating a paper-based session.
Booklet Publisher workflow
Generate PDF booklets containing response sheets for essay interactions. Each response sheet includes:
A QR code used to automatically match scanned pages back to the correct session, test taker, item/interaction, and delivery execution
Human-readable identifiers (test taker name, item info)
A writing area for the candidate response
1. Access paper-based sessions
Log into TAO Portal
Navigate to Paper Sessions
The session list shows all paper-based sessions available to your group. For each session you can see:
Column | Description |
Name | Session name |
Description | Session description |
Group | The group the session belongs to |
Response upload status | Upload progress (uploaded responses / total expected responses) |
2. Enter a session
Click Enter session to view the session details. The session overview shows:
Summary bar: Group, number of assigned test takers, session status counts (Not started, In progress, Finished), and scoring status
Test taker table: Each test-taker with their name, session status, response upload progress, and scoring status
The upload progress column shows how many response pages have been uploaded versus the total expected (e.g., “4 / 4”). A green checkmark indicates all pages have been received.
3. Generate booklets
There are two options to generate a booklet:
Session list: Click the three-dot menu on a session’s row and select Generate booklet
Session overview: Click the Generate booklets link at the top right corner
Download generated PDF when ready (from the active notification or the notification manager)
4. Print and distribute booklets
Print the booklet single-sided for QR readability
Ensure each test-taker receives the correct booklet
5. Collect responses
Collect all completed response sheets after testing
Sheets are then scanned and uploaded into TAO (see section below)
Scan Uploader workflow
Response sheets are scanned then uploaded into TAO. They then become part of the test taker’s response set; if the test contains items that were not paper-based, all responses are included in the same set, allowing scorers to score as usual.
1. Access paper-based sessions
Log into TAO Portal
Navigate to Paper Sessions
The Scan Uploader’s view contains two tabs:
All paper sessions: View all paper sessions (same as Booklet Publisher view)
Response uploads: Upload responses and view upload history
2. View session details and monitor progress
Click Enter session to view a session’s details.
The Scan Uploader’s session overview includes a Review test button for each candidate. From this view you can:
Compare expected vs uploaded pages per test-taker
Monitor overall session upload progress
3. Scan and upload response sheets
Important: Before uploading, ensure your scanned PDFs meet these requirements:
QR codes must remain visible and undamaged
Scan at sufficient quality to reliably capture QR codes and responses
Scan pages straight (not tilted) to improve readability
Scan each response sheet and save it as a PDF. PDF files can include:
Multiple test-takers' response sheets
Response sheets from multiple sessions
Pages in any order
Go to the Response uploads tab
Click Select a file or drag and drop your PDF(s) into the drop zone (max size: 52.43 MB)
There is no limit on the number of upload attempts or files.
How TAO processes scans
TAO reads QR codes per response sheet page
Matches pages to:
Test-taker
Session
Item
Attaches the test taker’s response to the QR code
4. Review and verify upload progress
Processing may take seconds to minutes depending on volume.
Track uploaded vs expected pages: The Response upload status column in the session list (or session overview) will show the status of each response sheet (Uploaded with a green checkmark = successfully processed).
Once the status for each test taker’s response is Uploaded, check for:
Successfully matched pages
Unmatched pages (QR issues)
Handling QR issues
If QR codes fail, choose one of the following workarounds and re-upload files as needed (no limits):
Physical fix Replace QR code and re-scan
Print the original QR code again from the booklet PDF
Cut and paste it over the damaged QR code area on the paper
Re-scan and re-upload
Digital fix: Edit PDF to restore QR code
Use an image/PDF editing tool
Replace the damaged QR code region with a clean digital version of the original QR code
Upload the corrected PDF
Scoring paper-based sessions
Once all responses are successfully scanned and uploaded in TAO, scorers can score the session using the regular manual scoring method.