HELP Needed...Please: Can't highlight!!!!?!?!?

[eg77]

This is so freakin frustrating: I can't seem to highlight any text in the AAMC exams. Has anyone had this problem?? I'm running a Mac osx and using firefox as my browser. During the practice Princeton exams, the highlight function worked fine, but not with AAMC. I'm not sure what's going on but it's really making VR a lot harder to practice on.
I'm gonna go ahead and start my 2nd practice test anyways cause I need the practice. I would appreciate any help you guys can offer.

Thanks in advance

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[Hyacinth]

Some people had the same problem during my TPR course. The only solution that they gave us was to take the tests on a windows machine, but I sometimes had problems on my windows machine as well. There was no correlation for when I had problems to whether I was taking an AAMC or TPR test. I still just took my tests and I didn't have problems on the actual MCAT with their computers.
Good luck!!! I know it's frustrating.😡

 

[Cytotoxic]

I had the same problem (running Mac OS X). However, it's quite easily solved - if you're running an Intel Mac. If so, you can download a 30-day evaluation version of either VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop (virtualization software), download a distribution of Linux and install it as a virtual machine, then run Internet Explorer in Linux (using WINE). That might sound complicated, but it's not. I'd be glad to walk you through the setup if you're interested.

 

[ArtemisEntreri]

Same problem here and I don't have an Intel Mac. If you don't have Windows try taking the test at the Princeton Review center on their computers.

 

[eg77]

So there's no way of having firefox enable highlighting in the AAMC section then? It kind of doesn't make sense since it worked on other sites, so not sure why not on AAMC pages.

 

[RoadRunner17]

do you need highlighting? i've never used it and would like to know what the main benefit is.

as a side note, it doesn't work for me either, and i have firefox on OS X.

 

[eg77]

I had the same problem (running Mac OS X). However, it's quite easily solved - if you're running an Intel Mac. If so, you can download a 30-day evaluation version of either VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop (virtualization software), download a distribution of Linux and install it as a virtual machine, then run Internet Explorer in Linux (using WINE). That might sound complicated, but it's not. I'd be glad to walk you through the setup if you're interested.

Thanks for that...I'm not that great when it comes to computer vocab, so yeah it does sound pretty complicated. 🙂

But I would be very grateful if you could help me out with it. You can PM me or just post it on here. Whatever you recommend.

Thanks again

 

[eg77]

do you need highlighting? i've never used it and would like to know what the main benefit is.

as a side note, it works for me using firefox on OS X.

Did you have to enable anything in the prefernces or tools of firefox?!? Am I missing anything?

As for the actual use, I find it really helpful since I preview the Qs 1st. So when I come across a word in VR text, I highlight it. It really helps me when I did this on paper, so I'm trying to implement my techniques on the CBT. I'm already struggling with really low scores in the VR when I started doing the CBT as oppsed to the paper. Whatever I can do to make it the same as my scores on the paper practice would be great

 

[RoadRunner17]

I typed that post too soon, it doesn't work. I got it confused with Kaplan's free online CBT interface. Sorry =(

As a side note, it says in the help option that those features are available only if you have Internet Explorer in Windows. So for the highlighting option I would go for a Windows computer. Perhaps take it at the library, or at TPR's computer lab.

 

[eg77]

I typed that post too soon, it doesn't work. I got it confused with Kaplan's free online CBT interface. Sorry =(

As a side note, it says in the help option that those features are available only if you have Internet Explorer in Windows. So for the highlighting option I would go for a Windows computer. Perhaps take it at the library, or at TPR's computer lab.

But it worked on the TPR online exams...and I was also using firefox. But yeah I think you're right, I think I'm gonna have to deal with it. My exam is on the 7th so I'm trying to practice as much as I can as if it's the real thing.

Any other thoughts

 

[eg77]

I forgot to mention, the strikeout option works totally fine too. that's what makes it more frustrating

 

[Cytotoxic]

Okay, here's what you'll need to do:

1. download and install VMware Fusion (you'll have to register for the 30-day eval. if you don't want to buy it):
http://www.vmware.com/download/fusion/eval.html

2. download a Linux disk image (.iso) (I recommend Ubuntu):
http://www.ubuntu.com/ (click download, and stick with the default options)

3. open VMware Fusion and click "new"; as you're going through the set up wizard, make sure you select "Linux" for operating system and "ubuntu" for version; also, when you get to the last screen of the set up wizard, make sure you select "use operating system installation disk image file" and then specify the location of the Ubuntu image you downloaded.

4. Run the virtual machine, and select "start or install ubuntu" on the main screen. This will start Ubuntu in the virtual machine. When you get to the Ubuntu desktop, click "install" and go through the installation wizard.

5. Once you've installed Ubuntu in the virtual machine, go to "Virtual Machine" ==> settings ==> CD/DVD ==> and make sure "automatically detect physical cd/dvd drive" is selected.

6. Go back to "Virtual Machine" in the menu bar and select "install VMware tools". This should mount a disk on your Ubuntu desktop.

7. In Ubuntu, go to Applications ==> Accessories ==> Terminal. In terminal, type (or copy/paste) the following commands:

cd vmware*

sudo ./vmware-install.pl

That will start the VMware tools setup wizard; the default options should be fine.



8. finally, to install Internet Explorer, follow these directions:
http://www.tatanka.com.br/ies4linux/page/Installation:Ubuntu



Once you're finished, you'll be able to use all the AAMC CBT features; you'll also have Internet Explorer for the rare instances in which you might need to use it. If you need more clarification, PM me.