ASA Prepware User’s Guide

© 2000 ASA, Inc.

Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

7005 132nd Place SE
Newcastle, Washington 98059-3153
(425) 235-1500
(425) 235-0128 FAX
http://www.asa2fly.com

Prepware is a trademark of Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

QuizMaker is a trademark of Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Contents
Introduction
Installing ASA Prepware
System requirements
Running Setup
Installing multiple tests
Installing Prepware on more than one workstation
Getting Started
To start ASA Prepware
Using the Prepware tools
Suggested road map
ASA Product Support
Limited Warranty

Introduction
Welcome to ASA Prepware, an FAA test preparation system for Microsoft Windows. ASA Prepware makes
your time spent preparing for the FAA exam more productive by providing the appropriate tools. You take
practice FAA exams and get immediate feedback on where you need more work. You can study using
tailor-made practice sessions to improve your performance in those areas where you need to concentrate
the most. You can create pop quizzes of any length, on any subject matter, to supplement the study
sessions.

Installing ASA Prepware

System Requirements
Before you install ASA Prepware, make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements and the
ASA Prepware package contains the required items.

System requirements to run ASA Prepware:

• IBM-compatible personal computer with a Pentium class processor.
• Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or NT
• 32 megabytes of random-access memory.
• 20 megabytes of free hard disk space.
• 800x600 VGA/SVGA compatible display.
• A CD-ROM drive.
• Microsoft Mouse or other compatible pointing device.

Included in the ASA Prepware package:

• Registration card
• One CD-ROM
• The CT-8080 Computerized Testing Supplement
If any pieces are missing, contact the retailer from whom you bought ASA Prepware.

Running Setup
The auto-install function of the CD-ROM uses the program SETUP.EXE. The Setup program installs the
ASA Prepware program itself, the test files specific to a particular test and other product components from
the distribution CD to your hard disk. If the auto-install function does not work on your computer, you can
turn it on with the following steps:
1. From your Windows desktop, click the START button and select Settings, Control panel, system,
device manager
2. Double click on the CD-ROM
3. Select the CD-ROM unit that appears listed.
4. Select properties, Click settings and check auto insert notification.

IMPORTANT: You cannot simply copy files from the distribution CD to your hard disk and run ASA
Prepware. The files are stored in a compressed format; you must use the Setup program, which
decompresses and installs the files in their appropriate directories.

To start Setup without using the auto-install feature:

1. Insert the Prepware CD-ROM in your computer’s CD drive.
2. Double-click the My Computer icon.
3. Double-click your CD-ROM drive icon.
4. Double-click the Prepware icon.
5. Follow the prompts.
After installing the files you need, the Setup program creates an ASA Interactive program group and puts
the ASA Prepware icon in that group.

Installing Multiple Tests

The setup program will work the same for each installation of a Prepware product. Installing multiple tests
will not erase existing tests. You may switch between installed databases from the Prepware main menu.

Installing Prepware on More Than One Workstation

Prepware can be used in classroom environments—where more than one workstation exists—without
having to purchase multiple copies of the product at full price. For information on obtaining a Multi-User
Site License, call ASA at (800) 272-2359 or (425) 235-1500.

Getting Started
ASA Prepware (this User’s Guide and the program itself) assumes you know how to use a mouse, open a
menu, and choose menu and dialog options. To review these techniques, consult the documentation for
Windows.

Note: If you are experienced with other Microsoft Windows applications, you will find ASA Prepware
very easy to use. If you’re new to the Windows environment, you might want to run the Microsoft
Windows Tutorial. This program (WINTUTOR.EXE) is installed as part of the normal Windows Setup
process. Assuming the tutorial has not been deleted from your system, you can access it through:
• Creating a New Program Item for WINTUTOR from within Windows Explorer
• Choosing Windows Tutorial from the Help menu in the Windows Program Manager
• Running WINTUTOR using the Run command from within Windows Explorer

To Start ASA Prepware

1. Click Start from the desktop.
2. Select Programs.
3. Select ASA Interactive.
4. Select Prepware.
You may also double-click the Prepware icon on your desktop. ASA Prepware starts and displays the ASA
Prepware Main Menu. If you have loaded more than one exam, you will see a window in the upper left
corner of the screen where you may switch between databases.

Using the Prepware Tools

Main Menu
Test
Take Test Generate a complete practice FAA exam
Open Existing Test Resume a test that has been paused or interrupted
Study
Study Session Study a particular subject matter; multiple subjects may be selected per
study session
Test Performance Display your overall score as well as your score for each subject
Open Existing Session Resume a study session that has been paused or interrupted
QuizMaker
New Complete Test Create a new test with questions chosen randomly from the entire
question pool for a particular exam
New Custom Test Manually enter question numbers to build a custom exam or load the
complete database
New Subject Test Choose individual subjects to create a test from; one or more subjects
may be selected
Open Saved Test Open a test previously created and saved
Help — Getting Started Access the complete Prepware User’s Guide

Toolbar Menu
File
Open Database Access all Prepware databases if multiple tests are installed
Configuration
Show Study Guide Before Study Session allows you to review the study guide before the study
session (always) or go straight to the FAA questions (never)
Show Test Selection Box allows you to prepare for the same FAA Knowledge Exam each time
you work with Prepware (Always) or prepare for a different FAA test from
the same database each time you work with Prepware (Never) or assign
a new test Prepware should reference when building study sessions or
practice tests (Select a Test)
Exit Exits ASA Prepware
Test
New Test Generate a complete practice FAA exam
Open Existing Test Resume a test that has been paused or interrupted
Study
Create Study Session Create custom study sessions on a particular subject matter; multiple
subjects may be selected per study session
Goto Question Study a specific question number or series of questions
Open Existing Session Resume a study session that has been paused or interrupted
Study Guide Explanatory text on each subject to learn the material before reviewing
the FAA questions; you can turn this feature off by selecting
File/Configuration/Show Study Guide Before Study Session/Never
Study Materials List of publications and products recommended for each certificate and
rating
Preparation Description of the tests, how to take a knowledge test by computer, and
scoring
Performance
 Performance History View performance graph for tests taken
Reset Performance History Deletes all test history
QuizMaker
New Complete Test Create a new test with questions chosen randomly from the entire
question pool for a particular exam
New Custom Test Manually enter question numbers to build a custom exam or load the
entire database
New Subject Test Choose individual subjects to create a test from; one or more subjects
may be selected
Open Saved Test Open a test previously created and saved
Help
User’s Guide Access the complete Prepware User’s Guide
Product Support Quick information on ASA support
FAA Testing Centers Telephone numbers to schedule your test
Subject Matter Knowledge Codes FAA knowledge code descriptions

Each window has additional buttons and menu items. These features are either labeled or can be
identified by placing your cursor over the button and reading the description in the bottom left of the
window.

Suggested Road Map

This program has been designed to help you successfully prepare for an FAA examination in the most
rapid and efficient manner. ASA Prepware consists of three main parts: TEST, STUDY, and QUIZMAKER.
There are several steps involved in preparing for an exam. First and foremost, is to learn the material you
don’t already know. To identify subjects that require your attention, it is recommended you get started in
the following way:
1. Build a Personal History. To do this, select TEST, followed by TAKE TEST. A window will ask you to
Choose a Test. Selecting the test will tell you how much time and how many questions the FAA has
assigned for this test. Select OK to begin the test. Prepware will remember this selection by choosing
File/Configuration/Show Test Selection Box/Never from the top toolbar menu. Take at least two FAA
prep exams. Answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. If you are interrupted, you can
suspend the exam and resume at a later time by hitting the STOP button. If you do not have sufficient
time to complete the exam you can save it and return at a later date by selecting the SAVE button
followed by Open Existing Test. Your test results will indicate if you suspended the test for any reason.
2. Review Your Results. After each exam, review your performance. You will be able to quickly identify
those subjects which received satisfactory scores. Any subjects scoring 70% or less need to be
carefully studied.
3. Study Selected Subject. Now select STUDY from the Main Menu, followed by STUDY SESSION. A list
of subjects will appear. Select those subjects you scored lower than 70%. Study material will pop up
before the questions, so you may learn the subject matter before beginning work on the questions. You
can turn this Study Guide off and go directly to the FAA questions by choosing File/Configuration/Show
Study Guide Before Study Session/Never from the top toolbar menu. STUDY will provide you with the
answers and explanations to the questions. You are in control of receiving explanations after
answering every question or after answering just those questions that you answered incorrectly. You
may select TEST PERFORMANCE under STUDY to review which subjects need the most review. You
can suspend the exam and resume if you are interrupted by hitting the STOP button. If you do not
have sufficient time to complete the exam you can save it and return at a later date by selecting the
SAVE button followed by Open Existing Study Session.
4. Take a Test. Take another exam and determine your performance. Continue testing yourself in those
subjects that require review and study. The program is designed to select a random number of
questions and many tests are required to ensure you are asked all questions. You can also test
yourself on specific questions by selecting Goto Question from the STUDY tool bar menu, and entering
the question number. While the FAA does not test in this manner, this feature provides you with the
confidence that all questions have been asked. After taking a test, you have the option to review the
 questions you missed. This feature will also boost your confidence in correctly answering all questions.
5. Take the FAA Exam. Once you have received continuous positive results (FAA passing requirements
are 70%) and are confident in your abilities, you should sign-up for the FAA Exam. You have the ability
to print your test performance which your instructor can use in assessing whether you are ready to be
signed-off for the test. The FAA Testing Center phone numbers are listed under the Help Tool bar
Menu. Good luck!

QuizMaker
QuizMaker enables you to create pop quizzes and full-length tests for classroom applications. Once a test
is created (using NEW COMPLETE TEST, NEW CUSTOM TEST, OR NEW SUBJECT TEST), you may
modify the test by adding or deleting the questions. The question numbers you enter must be valid for the
particular test you are working with (the range is identified in the menu). You have the option to SAVE the
test for future use, as well as EXPORT the file to be opened in a different program. Note: the answer
sheets will not correspond to a test exported and modified outside the Prepware program. The PRINT
feature allows you to print the full test (TEST), the answer sheet for the students to fill out (BLANK
ANSWER SHEET), and the master answer sheet for you to use to grade the student’s tests (MASTER
KEY).

ASA Product Support

ASA offers you a variety of support options to help you get the most from your ASA product. This section
summarizes these options. If you have a question about your ASA product, first look in the printed product
documentation, or consult Help. If you cannot find the answer, contact ASA Product Support.

Contact ASA through the Internet

ASA Product Support is available through the ASA web site:
http://www.asa2fly.com

Call ASA Product Support

You can reach ASA Product Support between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through
Friday. For assistance with ASA Prepware, dial (425) 235-1500, or 1(800)272-2359.

Before you call ASA Product Support:

When you call, you should be at your computer and have the product documentation at hand. Be
prepared to give the following information:
• The version of ASA Prepware you are using, identified by selecting Help, About from the top toolbar
menu
• The type of hardware you are using, including network hardware, if applicable
• The operating environment you are using
• The exact wording of any messages that appeared on your screen
• A description of what happened and what you were doing when the problem occurred
• How you tried to solve the problem
Product Support is subject to ASA prices, terms, and conditions in effect at the time the service is used.

Training Centers and Suppliers

ASA materials are used and sold by schools and retail locations worldwide. For information about the
location nearest you and a free copy of the ASA catalog call:
ASA Sales and Service (425) 235-1500
ASA Fax (425) 235-0128
ASA Web site http://www.asa2fly.com

Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

7005 132nd Place SE
Newcastle, Washington 98059-3153
Limited Warranty
ASA warrants ASA Prepware, that, if properly installed and operated on a computer for which it is
designed, the program will perform substantially in accordance with the accompanying written materials
for a period of 45 days from the date of purchase. ASA warrants ASA Prepware to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship under normal use. This Limited Warranty is void if failure of the software has
resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. ASA will replace the software with the same version
once the entire package (CD, manual, packaging) is received by ASA during the warranty period. All
returns shall be sent to ASA, Software Warranty, 7005 132nd Place SE, Newcastle, Washington 98059-
3153. ASA cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged parcels. It is recommended that you insure
the product when mailing.

If you are planning to run ASA Prepware on more than one workstation, call ASA at (425) 235-1500 to
register.