ALCOAST 184/23 - MAY 2023 ADVANCE PREPARATIONS FOR UPCOMING OUTAGE OF QUESTIONMARK PERCEPTION 5.7 AND UPGRADE TO QUESTIONMARK ONPREMISE

R 091830Z MAY 23 MID120000067133U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 184/23
SSIC 1500
SUBJ: ADVANCE PREPARATIONS FOR UPCOMING OUTAGE OF QUESTIONMARK
PERCEPTION 5.7 AND UPGRADE TO QUESTIONMARK ONPREMISE
1. This ALCOAST announces necessary preparations in advance of the
scheduled system outage to the Coast Guard's Secure Testing system,
QuestionMark Perception 5.7. The system outage is required to
support a migration to QuestionMark OnPremise and migration of all
QuestionMark Perception 5.7 content. QuestionMark OnPremise is a
collaborative assessment authoring and delivery tool that allows
users to author, test, and deliver assessments, then request
detailed analytics based on targeted learning objectives. The
migration to QuestionMark OnPremise will bring new capabilities,
improved functionality and enhanced security features. The C5ISC
and FORCECOM have partnered to minimize impact to our personnel
and prevent data loss throughout the migration process.
2. At 0800 EST, Thursday, June 8, 2023, there will be no
availability to QuestionMark Perception 5.7 while tasks are being
performed to support the upgrade. QuestionMark OnPremise is
scheduled to be available for use at 0800 EST, June 22, 2023.
This outage is necessary to avoid testing data loss and test
attempts that potentially conflict with a system upgrade.
3. This system outage for QuestionMark Perception 5.7 impacts all
Active Duty, Reservists, Coast Guard Auxiliary members, and
civilian supervisors of military members. During this
timeframe, access to Secure Testing for all users will be
unavailable. This means no login access, including no ability to
deliver Secure Tests, End of Course Tests (EOCTs), Enlisted
Professional Military Education (EPME) exams, the Deck Watch Officer
(DWO) exam, Merchant Mariner exams, etc., and no access to create
Service Wide Exam questions, etc.
4. Commanders, Commanding Officers, Officers-in-Charge and Command
Senior Enlisted Leaders should advise all members of the need
to complete any testing requirements for promotion prior to 1600
EST, May 30, 2023.
5. Education Service Officer (ESO) Guidance: ESOs and members are
advised to take account of the scheduled outage of QuestionMark for
EOCT, DWO exams, etc. The outage will commence on June 8, 2023, and
conclude on June 22, 2023. Therefore, any EOCT and DWO exams
scheduled within this period should be rescheduled to a later date.
6. Rating Knowledge Manager (RKM) guidance: RKMs are advised that
they will not be able to develop Service Wide Exam (SWE) questions
during the upgrade period. This restriction will be lifted as soon
as the upgrade process is complete.
7. To facilitate a smooth transition and take advantage of the new
features available to QuestionMark users additional details,
including complete migration procedures and training for the
QuestionMark Perception application can be found on:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/PSBE-Testing/Shared
Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Additional training resources/videos are also available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://support.questionmark.com/video-overviews-and-tutorials

8. For field level questions, please refer to your ESO. ESOs with
related questions should contact the Course Support and Testing
branch via email at: ETQC-SMB-CST@uscg.mil RKM related questions
should be directed to MSTCM Anthony Matulonis at (202) 475-5489 or
via email at: Anthony.J.Matulonis@uscg.mil. For any other questions,
please contact FORCECOM Business Technology Management Branch at
D05-DG-FORCECOM-BTM@uscg.mil.
9. RDML M. W. Raymond, Commander, Force Readiness Command (FC-C),
sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.