04/26/2026
Students, please follow the below steps to help guide you through updating your laptops and checking your audio for our upcoming AP, SBA, and WCAS assessments.
What you’ll need:
• Your laptop
• Your charger
• A pair of wired headphones (Bluetooth headphones are NOT allowed during testing – absolutely no exceptions).
Important: We have very few headphones at school, so please bring your own. Let an adult at home know if you need to get a pair.
Step 1: Turn on your laptop
Make sure your laptop is on your desk. Turn it on and log in.
Step 2: Check for updates
1. Search for updates:
In the search bar, type "Updates" and press Enter.
Click on Check for updates and then select Open.
2. If the search bar isn’t working:
Click on the battery icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
In the box that pops up, click the battery icon within that box.
A new box will show your battery level and a search bar at the top.
Type "updates" into the search bar, then click Windows Updates and select Open.
3. Run the update check:
Even if it says you’re up to date, click the blue box to check for updates.
o If there are updates, let them install.
o If another update appears after the first one finishes, click the blue box again to install it.
o Keep doing this until you see “You are up to date” with the current date and time.
4. Important: If your laptop is updating, plug it in. The updates can drain your battery quickly. If your laptop dies during an update, it can cause problems and prevent future updates.
Step 3: Check your audio
1. Plug in your wired headphones.
2. Click on the audio icon in the lower-right corner of your screen.
You should hear a sound through your headphones each time you click the icon.
o If you don’t hear anything, search for audio settings and make sure the headphones are selected as the audio option.
Step 4: Check for the State Assessment option
After updates are complete, look for the State Assessment option in the lower-left corner of your login screen.
• If you don’t see it, restart your laptop, and it should appear.
Final Reminder:
• Update your laptop weekly to avoid issues on test day. Microsoft frequently releases updates and missing one can cause problems.
• If you need help running your updates, Check with your teacher Monday