Preparing Students to Test Using DRC: Beyond Online Tools Training

If your students are sitting for state assessments this spring, there is a strong chance they will be logging in through DRC INSIGHT, a secure, web-based testing platform used by millions of K–12 students nationwide.

Many schools rely on the state’s Online Tools Training (OTT) to prepare students. While OTT introduces the platform, it does not fully prepare students for the structure, rigor, or expectations of the assessment.

A complete approach to preparation requires both platform familiarity and consistent exposure to the types of questions, tools, and conditions students will encounter.

What Is DRC?

DRC INSIGHT is a secure online testing engine developed by Data Recognition Corporation, an assessment company with more than 40 years of experience. 

It is important to note that DRC is the platform, not the test itself. Each state’s department of education develops and owns the assessment content. DRC delivers that content through a standardized testing interface used across multiple states.

At a high level:

• Used by millions of K–12 students nationwide for state assessments each year
• Provides a consistent testing experience
• Configured at the state level based on subjects, tools, and requirements
• Supports a wide range of item types, including technology-enhanced items (TEIs)
• Includes built-in accessibility and accommodation tools

Common accessibility and support tools include:

• Text-to-speech
• Magnification
• Color contrast adjustments
• Line guides

The platform supports a variety of item types beyond traditional multiple choice, including:

• Multi-select
• Drag-and-drop
• Inline response and equation entry
• Hot text and hot spot
• Constructed and extended response

State-level configuration affects what students see, including available tools, item types, and testing structure. These variations directly impact how students experience the test and how they should be prepared.

How States Are Using DRC in 2025–26

While the core platform remains the same, each state’s setup introduces differences in subjects, tools, and testing expectations. These updates can influence both logistics and preparation strategies. 

The following table highlights how several states are using DRC during the 2025–26 school year.

What Students Actually See on Test Day

Once students log in, the testing experience follows a predictable structure regardless of state configuration. Knowing what to expect reduces uncertainty and allows students to focus on the content.

Platform and Login

• Secure browser locks down the device completely
• Students log in using test tickets
• Identity is verified before starting
• Directions are presented before testing begins

Navigation and Test Flow

• Forward and back buttons allow navigation
• Students can flag questions for review
• A review screen shows answered, unanswered, and flagged items before submission

Item Types

• Multiple choice
• Multi-select
• Evidence-based selected response
• Drag-and-drop
• Inline choice
• Hot text and hot spot
• Constructed and extended response
• Graphing and equation entry

Embedded Tools

• Highlighter
• Line guide
• Magnifier or zoom
• Answer eliminator
• Digital notepad
• Calculators where permitted
• Formula sheets and reference materials where applicable

What DRC Provides for Practice

To support preparation, DRC provides tools designed to help students become familiar with the platform and its features.

Online Tools Training (OTT)

• Small, fixed set of sample items
• Focused on tool use and TEI interaction
• Not scored and does not provide reporting

Student Tutorials

• Short videos explaining navigation, tools, and accessibility features

Practice and Demo Tests

• Depth and availability vary by state
• Some include scoring and reporting
• Others are limited to sample item sets

Strengths

• Familiarizes students with the interface
• Provides exposure to TEI mechanics
• Reduces test-day technology anxiety

Limitations

• Limited item volume for building fluency
• Focus on platform features rather than standards mastery
• No diagnostic data or actionable reporting

Common Technical and Setup Considerations

In addition to instructional preparation, technical readiness plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth testing experience. Even small setup issues can disrupt testing and create unnecessary stress for students and staff.

Key considerations to address ahead of the testing window include:

• OTT access is often limited to Chrome, which can impact at-home practice
• DRC INSIGHT must be installed and kept up to date on all testing devices
• Chromebooks are transitioning to a Progressive Web App model for 2025–26
• Device compatibility should be verified against current DRC system requirements
• System Readiness Checks should be completed on every device prior to testing
• COS-SD configuration can help reduce bandwidth strain during large testing sessions

It is also helpful to plan for common troubleshooting scenarios that may arise during testing:

• “Client out of date” typically indicates the application needs to be updated
• “Device not registered” points to a configuration or setup issue
• “Configuration not found” suggests a system or network configuration issue

Where Online Tools Training Falls Short

While OTT is an important first step in helping students become comfortable with the testing platform, it is not designed to fully prepare them for the assessment itself.

These limitations become more apparent when considering what students are expected to do on the actual test:

• Limited exposure to rigorous, standards-aligned questions
• Minimal practice with higher Depth of Knowledge levels
• Little experience with full-length testing and pacing
• No connection between tools and problem-solving strategies
• No reporting or data to guide instruction or intervention

Bridging the Gap Between Familiarity and Full Test Readiness

DRC tools address one part of readiness by helping students become comfortable with the platform. The next step is ensuring students have enough experience with the content, formats, and level of rigor they will encounter on the assessment.

This requires more than one-time exposure. Students benefit from ongoing practice that builds confidence, reinforces skills, and reflects the expectations of the test.

Many schools support this by incorporating additional instructional tools throughout the year. Progress Learning builds on what OTT provides by connecting daily practice to those expectations while also giving educators clear visibility into student performance. With this approach, educators can provide students with:

• 200,000+ assessment items aligned to state standards
• Technology-enhanced item types that mirror DRC formats, including drag-and-drop, inline choice, hot text, multi-select, constructed response, and graphing
• Pre-built and customizable assessments designed to reflect the structure and rigor of state tests
• Reporting at the student, class, campus, and district level, with performance broken down by standard

This supports a shift from platform familiarity to consistent, data-informed practice throughout the year.

Supporting Full Test Readiness

Supporting student success requires a balanced approach that combines content mastery, practice with test formats, and ongoing insight into performance. The following elements work together to support both skill development and test readiness.

Standards-Aligned Practice

• Practice aligned to state-specific standards
• Content that reflects both rigor and format

Technology-Enhanced Item Practice

• Regular interaction with TEIs
• Familiarity with how to respond to each item type

Testing Stamina

• Practice completing longer assessments
• Building pacing and focus over time

Strategic Tool Use

• Highlighting key details
• Eliminating incorrect answers
• Using calculators and reference tools effectively

Data-Driven Instruction

• Identifying learning gaps
• Targeting remediation at the standard level
• Monitoring progress over time

Bringing It All Together

DRC INSIGHT provides the structure for assessment delivery. Student performance depends on how well preparation aligns with that structure and expectations.

An effective approach to readiness includes:

• Familiarity with the platform
• Practice with item types and embedded tools
• Exposure to rigorous, standards-aligned content
• Ongoing data to guide instruction and intervention

When these elements are in place, students are better positioned to navigate the testing environment and demonstrate what they know on test day. Progress Learning has been supporting school districts in all of the states mentioned above to provide effective practice to students so they are prepare for the DRC platform on test day. To see how Progress Learning’s platform does this, get in touch below.