Library & Technology

Taking Exams on Computer Using ExamSoft SofTest


The University of Florida Levin College of Law uses Examsoft’s SofTest product for taking examinations on computers. Blank exam answer files are downloaded prior to the exam; following completion of the exam, the student’s completed answer file is uploaded via a secure Internet connection using Examsoft’s FlexSite. The uploading of the completed answer file usually takes place at the end of the exam.

Because it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of computer failure during an exam, please be aware that students who choose to use computers to take exams assume the risk of technology problems and all resulting consequences. The use of ExamSoft is an option and is not required. Although the Technology Services staff will work to resolve computer problems, students who suffer technology failures during exams will NOT be granted additional time or special consideration during grading.

ExamSoft is not a University of Florida Levin College of Law product. For support, please call the ExamSoft Support Hotline at (866) 429-8889 or email support@examsoft.com. A Frequently Asked Questions page is also available at http://www.examsoft.com/uflaw under "Support."

The following is a list of commonly asked questions for using Examsoft SofTest at the College of Law:

 

Policies and Procedures
Students who use SofTest must install the latest version of ExamSoft/SofTest or you may not be able to use your laptop on exam day. To determine your current version, start SofTest on your computer, then "Launch SofTest." The SofTest screen will provide you with both the current version as well as the status of your registration.

Help us help you avoid tragedy! If you use an old version on exam day, SofTest may appear to function normally, but it may actually corrupt your exam file and crash SofTest or make your exam unprintable. If you use an old version of SofTest for your exam, you bear sole responsibility for loss of your exam!

To install ExamSoft, go to: http://www.examsoft.com/uflaw. For more instructions: [click here]

Installation is easiest if using a network card (wired or wireless), but can also be done with an ordinary dial-up modem. (There are no installation CDs.) A wireless card is required on the day of the exam, in order to download the blank answer file and upload the completed exam.

 

What do I have to do to take my exams on my computer?
The Levin College of Law utilizes ExamSoft, but the student is required to purchase the product to use: cost per student is currently $25/year (covers all exams during that year). Not all professors choose to give exams on computer using this software; check with your professors prior to purchasing ExamSoft.

When you launch SofTest and begin the exam, SofTest reboots your computer into a secure word processor. While using SofTest, all other programs on your computer are disabled. When you have completed the exam, SofTest again reboots your computer. You will need to reconnect to the Internet (this is NOT automatic); once reconnected, the software will then automatically upload your answer file. More information about SofTest, including support numbers, system requirements, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) can be found on ExamSoft's website at http://www.examsoft.com/uflaw (click on “Support” at bottom, then “Frequently Asked Questions”).

If you have any questions after reading this information, PLEASE VISIT EXAMSOFT'S FAQ PAGE (see link above). That (and the ExamSoft email: support@examsoft.com) are the UF Levin College of Law’s only source of information as well.

Install early! Users occasionally experience unexpected installation problems, requiring them to find alternative solutions for their exams, usually writing the answers.

Make sure you complete the ENTIRE download/install and registration procedure. In the past, a number of students thought they had completed the entire process, but they were not fully registered, and they had to handwrite the exam. To verify your status, run the SofTest program (and “Launch SofTest”); a notice on the screen will state your Registration Status.

You must have your ExamSoft Student ID and ExamSoft Password on the day of the exam to download the exam file. Your ExamSoft Student ID and Password are emailed to your UF College of Law email account prior to the exam. If you do not know your Student ID or Password please email student.svc@law.ufl.edu.

 

How do I install Examsoft on my laptop?
If you do NOT have SofTest already installed, or you have an outdated version, follow these steps to install and register SofTest (you must be connected to the Internet):

  1. Visit http://www.examsoft.com/uflaw
  2. Click the “Exam Takers” tab at the bottom of the page
  3. Log in using the Examsoft Student ID & Password provided by the Levin College of Law (this should have been emailed to you prior to final exams)
  4. Complete the ExamSoft Signup Page (Step 1). Read the license agreement and click “I Agree”
  5. Enter your credit card information
  6. To download SofTest, follow the instructions on the download page.

    You can now register SofTest:
  7. If your computer prompts you to reboot: Click “Cancel”
  8. On the “Complete Registration” window, enter your Examsoft Student ID and Password then click “Register”
  9. You will be notified that registration is complete

After you register SofTest, you will receive a confirmation email.

After downloading and installing SofTest, it is HIGHLY recommended you take the Sample Exam [Note, this is NOT the “Practice Exam” selection; this will be a “SampleTest” you download]. This exam question file is downloaded to your computer and allows you to “test” your computer during the shut-down and reboot processes. It also allows you to upload your sample test exam answer file. By doing so, you should be able to tell if your computer will have any problems prior to exam day.

 

How do I download the exam file?
Prior to taking the exam, you should download the exam file. Do not wait until the day of the exam to download the exam file. As a precaution, you should also bring your ExamSoft Student ID and Password into your exam with you. Note that all exams will be downloaded and submitted via Wireless Internet connection.

You can only download exam files once, so only download on the laptop you intend to use on exam day. You can download multiple exam files (different courses), but only once per exam.

  1. Establish an Internet connection.
  2. Double-click the SofTest icon.
  3. Click the "Download Exam Files" button.
  4. Enter your ExamSoft Student ID and Password. Then click "Next".
  5. Select your exam from the list. Click the "Download" button.
  6. Continue to select and download your exams until you have downloaded an exam file for each exam.

If your class exam is not listed, contact Student Affairs office.

 

How do I REINSTALL Examsoft SofTest?
If you move to a different computer or if your current computer is erased, you may need to reinstall ExamSoft SofTest. You will need to go through the entire installation process again using your original Student ID and Password that you were given during your first install. You will not need to pay for the software again if you’re downloading within the same year for which you originally registered.

 

How do I confirm that my registration with ExamSoft is complete?
Start SofTest on your computer and “Launch SofTest”. The opening screen will state your registration status. It should indicate, “Complete.”

 

What do I do if my computer fails during an exam?
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 have three options for proceeding following a computer failure:

  1. You can begin writing and complete the exam by hand. In this case, you would notify Student Affairs of the equipment failure malfunction immediately following the exam.

  2. You can try to reboot your computer and restart the ExamSoft SofTest. If your computer crashed without properly shutting it down, when you restart SofTest, it should offer you the ability to recover the work you've already completed. If you do so, your work completed prior to the computer failure will then be available. If your computer will not reboot, then you will need to complete the exam by hand.

  3. If your computer fails and you wish to seek immediate technical assistance, you should notify the proctor. If a proctor is not in the room, you should notify Student Affairs. Either the proctor or Student Affairs will contact Technology Services staff for assistance. Continue writing the exam in a bluebook until and unless instructed otherwise by the proctor or Student Affairs. Technology Services staff will report to the room as soon as they are available. A technician will move the computer to another area and examine it; the technician may request you to accompany him or her to assist with the diagnosis. The technician will spend up to (no more than) fifteen minutes diagnosing the problem. The technician will then return the computer to the student in the exam room, and will inform the proctor whether the student may resume using the computer or should complete the exam sing a bluebook.

 

How do I contact ExamSoft for support?
By phone: (866) 429-8889
By email: support@examsoft.com
FAQs: http://www.examsoft.com/uflaw (Click on “Support” at the bottom of the page)

 

Additional Questions? ExamSoft has an extensive page of FAQs [click here].