In order to simulate the TOEFL iBT test as directed by the school I worked for, I've concluded that the best way to program it is to have it done in html and php. I would imagine VB (used by perhaps some commercial ones) or Java (the one used by ETS) are just too time consuming for me, given my lack of experience with these.
But in order to hide as much obvious indication that one is taking a simulation from a browser, I've been haunted by this fullscreen problem for days. Sure F11 would have solved it, but to have it done without any user's interference is tougher than I thought. Apparently the window.open method in javascript doesn't hide titlebars anymore in both IE and firefox browsers. If there's a way via javascript, I have yet to find one. By reading further online, I gathered that Java or flash wouldn't work either as the programmer would have to deal with disabling keyboard shortcuts or focusing issue as the applets are in a way in their own "windows".
My solution is to have Internet explorer (I can live IE in this case) opened up in Kiosk mode. “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE” –k www.cnn.com
With the commandline implemented in the shortcut, it is exactly what I wanted. The bonus is, even F11 is disabled in this -k Kiosk mode that the users wouldn't be allowed to get out of the fullscreen at will, unless they Alt-F4 to close it.
So two, but minor issues remain:
1. It's users are limited in certain way. I would have to create shortcuts on every stations.
2. Only IE can do this and I'm not sure up to which versions.
Nevertheless, I can move on to the next stage in this project...boy, I've spent too much time on this...whatever little dissatisfaction I still have has to do with wanting to have this done by scripts and codes still for universal usability's sake.