Osgoode Hall Law School

Use of Computers on “In-House” Examinations

POLICY A

October, 2010

Osgoode Hall Law School offers students the option to either handwrite or, in some specified instances, to use a computer on "in-house" examinations.  Students should be aware that using computers on examinations carries some risk: hardware or software may malfunction, or a student may inadvertently lose all or part of an examination answer due to user error.  Additional time will not be available to a student who experiences computer difficulties—they will be required to begin writing their exam by hand immediately.

Professors will grade answers from the paper printouts provided by the Programs & Records Office (PRO) at the end of the examination. 

The PRO will allocate space for computer users separate from that allocated for other students taking examinations.  The weighing of invigilating concerns, power needs, and the fairness of private carrels versus open tables will be left to the PRO's sound judgment.

Students using computers [except those requiring computers for accommodation purposes] will be given the same time to complete an examination as other test takers.  Professors who limit handwritten answers to a certain number of pages should also specify an equivalent limit for computer users, perhaps by specifying the total number of words allowed.

Student Procedures for Using Computers on "In-House" Exams

Pre - Exam Procedure

As provided in the recently amended Rule E 1.5(a), “Computers may be used for writing examinations, resources permitting.  The use of computers is governed by the Law School’s code of academic honesty as set forth in the Academic Rules of the Law School, by guidelines issued by the Senate of York University (including those requiring accommodations for students with disabilities), and by procedures issued from time to time by the Associate Dean and Assistant Dean (Student Services).”

Please note that each student is expected to report to the type of room (computer or written) for which he or she originally signed up to take the exam. If you change your mind about how to complete your exam after registering to type the exam, you will be required to write your exam in the room you originally selected, which was dedicated to computer use. Space limitations and logistical arrangements may prevent students from switching from written exams to computer use past the deadline for registering for using computers on the exam.

 Exam Procedures

(1) Students must supply their own laptop computer (or register to use one of the Osgoode-designated computer labs)   Students must also download the Examsoft software by the required date.  The general expectation is that you will use your own personal computer and that, in any case, computers used on exams will be in good working order.   The Law School urges students who are experiencing computer problems to contact Osgoode’s HelpDesk for assistance well before any exams. Students should go to the help desk in room N802Ross, phone 416-736-2100, ext 55401 or e-mail help@osgoode.yorku.ca to schedule an appointment.

(2) Arrive early on the day of the examination to set up the computer equipment -- start the word processor and open a new file.   Once the equipment is set up, observe anti-theft precautions at all times.

(3) At the start of the examination, label the envelope and exam cover sheet provided by the invigilator with your confidential exam number, class name, and professor's name.

(4) Throughout the examination, save the file often (even though the software saves your work every 60 seconds to two (2) alternating copies on the hard drive).

(5) If your computer equipment fails, note the time of the equipment failure and how much of the exam you had completed at the time of the failure. You will be required to immediately begin handwriting in the exam booklet that has been provided to you and complete your exam by hand.  This is mandatory as no additional time will be provided.  In this case, you should notify the invigilator immediately of this occurrence and notify the Programs and Records Office (PRO) of the equipment malfunction immediately following the exam.

(6) Before time is called at the end of the examination (the invigilator gives a 5-minute warning), type "End of Exam" at the end of the exam.

 (7) If you finish the exam early and wish to leave, you may turn in your exam questions and envelope. However, to avoid disruption to classmates, students finishing an examination with less than 30 minutes left in the exam, will not be permitted to leave the examination room.

(10) Do not delete your exam from your computer's hard drive until at least after the Petition deadline for the relevant semester (in order to permit the PRO to confirm there is not a problem with the disk you submit).

Student Notification

What is SofTest from ExamSoft?

Osgoode Hall Law School now offers students the ability to take certain exams using their laptop computer.  ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc., through its SofTest product, provides students the ability to take an examination on a computer by providing the instructor the ability to lock down all other Windows applications thereby reducing the risk of violations of Osgoode’s Academic Rules.  Instructors can deliver True/False, Multiple Choice, Fill in the Blank and Essay questions through ExamSoft.  SofTest serves as a simplified word processor similar to Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect for essay responses including cut, copy & paste features, font size & style adjustment, as well as the ability to undo up to 50 previous actions per essay question window.

Minimum SofTest requirements:

PC

What are the minimum system requirements to run SofTest effectively on a Windows laptop?

SofTest can be used on virtually any modern computer (i.e. purchased within the last 3-4 years). Specific system requirements are noted below:

PC Requirements:

CPU = 1 GHz Pentium III or Industry Equivalent

RAM = 1 GB

Drives = 50 MB of free space

Operating System = English 32-bit Versions of Windows XP, 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. SofTest may not be used in virtual operating systems.

Software = Internet Browser

Internet Access for SofTest Installation, Exam Download and Upload

Screen Resolution must be 1024x768 or higher

It is not possible to take secure exams through a virtual operating system such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels or VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual operating system environment. Although SofTest can be installed and registered on virtual platforms, it will only be enabled for non-secure Practice Exams.

Can I install SofTest on my MAC natively?

We are pleased to announce that this year, a native Mac version of SofTest may be installed and utilized on your computer. When you attempt to download SofTest, the native Mac version will now appear as an option for you to select.  In order to use SofTest on your Apple Macbook or Macbook Pro natively, you must have:

Mac Requirements

CPU = Intel processor

RAM = 512 MB

Drives = 50 MB or higher free disk space

Operating System = MAC OS X 10.5.8 or higher (Leopard or Snow Leopard)

Software = Internet connection for downloading/uploading exams

Administrator account (Instructions)

It is not possible to take secure exams through a virtual operating system such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels or VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual operating system environment. Although SofTest can be installed and registered on virtual platforms, it will only be enabled for non-secure Practice Exams

AS OSGOODE PERMITS EITHER THE USE OF COMPUTER LABS OR STUDENT LAPTOP

COMPUTERS, students are given an opportunity to select which option they want. 

What ID number do I use and who assigns it?

Register with ExamSoft using your nine digit student number.

Will I need this number after I register?

Yes.  You will need your ID number and password to download exam files.

How do I know the software has been properly installed and registered?

After installing the software, you will be prompted to register SofTest by entering your 9-digit id and password. You will then receive an onscreen registration confirmation. When this step is successfully completed, you will receive a registration confirmation email from support@examsoft.com and the Registration number and date will be recorded.

What if I don’t take the Mock exam?

The mock exam will not only familiarize you with SofTest and its word processing features but it will also ensure that your laptop is compatible with SofTest. It is strongly recommended that you take the Mock exam prior to your real exams.

How can I check to make sure I have Registered successfully?

You will receive confirmation of registration via email once the process is completed.  You may also visit www.examsoft.com/osgoodelaw, select “Exam Takers”, then “Confirm Registration”.

How Do I Register with ExamSoft and get my copy of SofTest?

Fall term's registration period will open on Friday, October 29^th and will close on Friday, November 5^th. During the Fall registration period, all registrants must register with the program on-line, download the necessary software, take a mock exam (simply to allow you to become accustomed to the word processing style of the software), pay the required $40 fee (or request a fee waiver) and submit a Request and Payment Form, which identifies the course(s) in which they will be using this option (the latter two items are done by way of the submission of the form and fee to the Programs and Records Office.   Please note that all students must submit a Fall E-Exam request and payment form to the Student Services Office by November 5^th or your request cannot be processed.

If you do not complete the Registration Process by the announced date, you will have to hand-write your exam.  If you have any questions or problems with registration, contact ExamSoft technical support at: support@examsoft.com or call 866.429.8889 or 954.429.8889.

Can I practice using SofTest before the exam?

Yes.  After registering SofTest, launch the program by double-clicking the SofTest icon on your Windows Desktop.  Click the “Take an Exam” button.  On the SofTest Start Window, select the “Practice Exam” button.  This enables you to familiarize yourself with the SofTest exam environment.  You may use the Practice Exam as many times as you wish.  Note that the Practice Exam cannot be saved, cannot be used until SofTest is registered, but can be printed during the exam.

If I used SoftTest last year, do I have to perform all steps again?

You will need to return to the school’s ExamSoft Custom Home Page to download and register a current copy of SofTest.

What Should I do Prior to Exam Day?

• Download, install & register SofTest by the registration deadline.
• Ensure: (1) that your PC meets the specifications listed above, (2) that there is plenty of free hard drive space, (3) that your PC is virus free, and (4) that your PC is free of disk errors by running SCANDISK (click Start Button, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scandisk or Disk Cleanup).
• Once you have installed and registered SofTest, familiarize yourself with the software by utilizing the built-in Practice Exam feature.
• SofTest’s opening screen asks for a Student ID#.  Be sure to acquire this number prior to exam day.  You will need to use your confidential examination number as your Student ID#.
• Locate your A/C – battery power indicator light on your laptop to determine which light indicates you are running on A/C power (i.e. power from a wall outlet).
• In the event of a power outage, ensure that your battery has at least 20 minutes of charge in it prior to the exam.
• If you encounter issues in your use of SofTest, visit the www.examsoft.com/faq page.

What Must I do on Exam Day?

• Bring your power cord, battery (in the event of power loss), and an extension cord.  If you normally use an external keyboard and mouse or if you need earplugs, be sure to bring those as well.
• Arrive to the exam room at least 30 minutes early, plug your computer into a power outlet, turn on the computer, but DO NOT launch SofTest until instructed to do so.
• Do not uninstall SofTest until you receive your exam scores at the end of the academic year.
• Immediately before SofTest launches the exam, you will be provided a warning screen with RED STOP SIGNS indicating that you should not begin the exam until instructed to do so.  Heed this warning.

• Exams will not be delayed or suspended due to computer problems.
• During the exam, use extreme care when highlighting and deleting.
• Students who do not take the time to become familiar with their laptop computer or with word processing functions, should consider handwriting their exams.  No administrative relief will be granted in the event that an exam file is deleted or otherwise altered.
• Students who experience a SofTest program error or hardware malfunction should notify an invigilator immediately.  You will be required to begin handwriting your exam immediately.  If the invigilator is able to get you back into your exam, you can transcribe your hand-written response into SofTest.  If they are unable to get you back into your exam, continue handwriting your answers for the duration of that exam period.  No additional time will be allowed for computer problems.
• DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE COMPUTER ISSUES ON YOUR OWN.  ASK FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF AN INVIGILATOR IMMEDIATELY.
• ANY ATTEMPT TO DISABLE OR TAMPER WITH SOFTEST’S SECURITY FEATURES WILL BE CONSIDERED A VIOLATION OF THE SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC RULES REGARDING ACADEMIC HONESTY.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR EQUIPMENT AND THE SOFTEST SOFTWARE AND INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY EXAMSOFT ON ITS WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START OF YOUR EXAM.  PLEASE ALLOW YOURSELF SUFFICIENT TIME TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR LAPTOP AND THE APPLICATION.  COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAM WILL NOT BE DELAYED DUE TO A HARDWARE PROBLEM WITH YOUR LAPTOP.
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