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Trial 

Is a trial version of the ConQuest software available? 

Yes. To help you evaluate ACER ConQuest, a 30-day trial version is available. The trial versions offer the same features and functions as the Standard licence versions. Note, the Mac and Linux versions are console only – no GUI is available.  

Technical support for the trial versions is limited to help on the range of functions. The trial can easily be converted to a standard version without needing to reinstall the software. The trial period begins when you install the software and continues for 30 days. After the trial period, you must purchase a licence to continue using the software. 

How do I get a trial version? 

The installer and trial versions for both Windows and Mac are available via the ACER Online Shop. Contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org) for the Linux Version. 

How do I install my trial version? 

For Windows, when your download completes, open your downloads folder and double click on the ConQuest installer. 

For Mac, when your download completes, open your downloads folder and double click on the ConQuest.dmg file to mount the disk image. Drag the ConQuest folder to your Applications folder or follow the instructions in the Readme.txt included in the disk image. 

For Linux, precompiled binaries are available for both x86-64 and arm64. 

Where can I get a licence key for my trial? 

You do not need a licence key to trial ConQuest. To start the trial, install the software and launch the software.  

How do I convert my trial to the full version of the software? 

Visit the ACER Online Shop to purchase a licence key (standard, student, multiple, instructor and extended licences are available). The types of licences are described on the Purchases page. 

Are there resources available to help me evaluate the trial software? 

Yes. Check out the ACER ConQuest manual, and Notes and Tutorials. These provide example data sets, syntax, and annotated outputs.  

Technical support is also available on the range of software functions. Contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org). 

Can I get technical support or help for my trial version? 

Technical support is available for trial versions of ConQuest. However, for the trial versions, support is limited to help on the range of functions. 

For technical support, please Contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org). 

How do I uninstall my trial software? 

For Windows, to uninstall your trial version, open the Control Panel and double click on Add or Remove Programs. Select ACER ConQuest, click Remove and then follow the onscreen instructions. 

For Mac, to uninstall your trial version, drag the ConQuest folder from your Applications folder to the Trash. 

For the Linux version, delete the ACER ConQuest executable. 

I didn’t have a chance to use my trial copy during the 30-day period, can I have a second trial? 

No. Trials are limited to one per person. To continue using the software, visit the ACER Online Shop and purchase a licence.  

Is ConQuest available for use on Macs and for Linux? 

ACER ConQuest for Mac and for Linux natively supports both x86-64 and arm64 instruction set architectures (ISAs). 

ACER ConQuest for Mac and for Linux is console only – no GUI is available. Mac and for Linux users wishing to use the GUI can run the Windows version using an emulator or compatibility layer. 

For support regarding version and ISAs, contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org). 

Standard licences 

What is the difference between the student licence and the standard licence of ConQuest? 

The student version and the standard version of the ConQuest offer the same functionality and technical support. Both versions can be used with sample sizes up to 3000 participants. Full-time or part-time students of accredited educational institutions can purchase an ACER ConQuest licence at a reduced price.  

For support regarding licences, contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org). 

What is the difference between the standard version and the extended version of ConQuest? 

Standard ConQuest licences can be used with sample sizes up to 3000 cases and a maximum of 100 items. These licences are not time limited. Extended ConQuest licences are available by request. They last for one year and can be used with an unlimited number of cases (or limited by computer memory), and a maximum of 10 000 items. Extended licenses can be renewed annually by a new application made to ACER. Full technical support is available for both the standard and extended ConQuest licences. 

Can I get technical support or help for my licensed version? 

Technical support is available for licensed versions of ConQuest. Please contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org). 

I purchased an earlier version of ACER ConQuest. How can I upgrade to the latest ACER ConQuest ? 

To install the latest version of ConQuest, please Visit the ACER Online Shop to download the latest installers.  

  • If you have lost your key, contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org) to get a new one. Please include the details of your original purchase. 
  • You will also need to , contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org) to obtain a new key if you are reinstalling in a year other than which you purchased your original key. Please include your old licence key in your email. 

If you are upgrading to a new major version of ACER ConQuest – for example, from Version 5 to version 6, you will need to purchase a new license to use ACER ConQuest. 

My computer died and/or I’ve upgraded my computer. How can I reinstall ACER ConQuest on my new computer? 

To install the latest version of ConQuest, please Visit the ACER Online Shop to download the latest installers. Follow the instructions listed under the previous question in relation to existing and missing licence keys. 

Legacy software 

Are older version of ConQuest available? 

Only the latest version of ACER ConQuest is available from the ACER Online Shop. 

For those interested in the history of software development at ACER, the legacy software, Quest 2.1 (1996) is available for download as is (no support is provided). You can read more about Quest here. 

Common errors when operating ConQuest 

Why do I get the message “Error opening this file: [name of the file]. This file may not be located in your working directory (path of the working directory)”? 

This error can occur for a number of different reasons. 

  • Your file is not located in ConQuest working directory. 

    ConQuest expects that files to which you refer in a command file are located in the working directory. To use a file not located in the working directory you have to specify its path in the format used by the host operating system. 

    By default, the working directory is the folder where your ConQuest software is installed. In the GUI, when you open a system file using the File > Open menu bar, the working directory is changed to the location of the file you opend. 

    To see the path of your working directory, in the GUI, look at the bottom right corner of your window (“The working directory is:”), or type and run the command “directory;” in the input GUI window or the console window.  

    You can always refer to files using relative paths. This is the preferred method as it is more portable. For example, if your project looks like: 

    my-project/
├── syntax.cqc
├── anchor.txt
├── data/
│   └── my-data-file.csv
└── output/
    └── pvs.sav

    Then:

    1. Relative paths to a file in the same folder 

    If you are writing syntax inside syntax.cqc and your working directory my-project/ and you need to reference a file in that exact same directory (for example, anchor.txt) 

    • Path: anchor.txt or ./anchor.txt 
    • Example: In ConQuest syntax, to import initial item parameter values, stored in anchor.txt: import init_parameters << anchor.txt;. 

    2. Relative paths to a file stepping into a subfolder (Downwards) 

    If you are writing syntax inside syntax.cqc and your working directory my-project/ and you need to reference a file in the data/ folder: 

    • Path: data/my-data-file.csv or ./data/my-data-file.csv 
    • Example:  In ConQuest syntax, to read in a response data, stored in data/my-data-file.csv: datafile data/my-data-file.csv ! filetype = csv, responses = …;. 

    3. Relative paths to a file stepping out of a folder (Upwards) 

    If you have changed your working directory to my-project/data and want to refer to anchor.txt in your syntax file that is now higher up the tree than your current working directory, you have to go up to the my-project/folder first: 

    • Path: ../my-project/anchor.txt  
    • Note that: a single dot (“.”) in the relative path refers to the current directory, while a double dot (“..”) refers to the directory above the current directory, 
    • Example In ConQuest syntax, to import initial item parameter values, stored in my-project/anchor.txt WHEN your working directory is my-project/data: import init_parameters << ../anchor.txt;. 

    4. Important tips 

    Don’t use absolute paths (which starts from the root of your entire computer filesystem, like C:\Users\Name\... or /Users/name/...), use a relative path that points to a file starting from the current working directory  

    Don’t use backslashes (\), as your Directory separator. All operating systems can use forward slashes (/).  

    • Your file has an incorrect format. 

      ConQuest is not able to read the file you specified because it does not recognise the format. Make sure your file is compatible with the file formats ConQuest is able to read. ConQuest can read: 

      • fixed width text files (.txt, .text),  
      • delimited text files (.csv, .tsv),  
      • Excel files (.xlsx) 
      • SAS files (.xpt) 
      • Stata files (.dta) 
      • SPSS files (.sav, .zsav (compressed binary), .por) 
      • Your file is open and locked by another program.

      If your file is open in another program for edition (eg word, excel, notepad), it may be locked for use in that program and, therefore, ConQuest cannot have access to it. To solve the problem you need to close the file. 

      For support contact ACER Support (shop.support@acer.org).