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Exam Software

  • 3/5 - SPRING MIDTERM AND SELECT FINAL exam software live as of 6:00 PM (Good through 4/15)

NOTE: Sunset for Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger, quote from Exam4:

As much as we like Windows XP and Mac Tiger, the time has come to announce the end of our support for these operating systems. Student XP/Tiger support ends after Spring 2011 exams. CURRENT VERSION OF EXAM SOFTWARE WILL NOT WORK WITH OS10.4 OR WINDOWS XP!!

  • As always, when a new operating system is released, software will lag behind by a little bit. However, Exam 4 *is* currently supported on Mac OS 10.8. WHEN WINDOWS 8 RELEASES, THERE WILL BE A TIME THAT THE EXAM SOFTWARE WILL NOT WORK. PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND WITH YOUR COMPUTER PURCHASES.

  • To identify your operating system: If you have a "START" button that says "START" on it rather than a multicolored globe / wheel thing, you probably have Windows XP.

    If you click on your START button and then right click on MY COMPUTER or COMPUTER and choose PROPERTIES, the properties page should tell you exactly what version of Windows you have.

  •  Click HERE to view a map of what libraries have laptops for check out if you need to borrow one. MAKE SURE AND EMAIL A COPY OF YOUR EXAM TO YOURSELF AFTERWARDS AS THESE COMPUTERS ARE WIPED WHEN YOU TURN THEM BACK IN!!

Preparing for success

  1. Make sure the exam software will run as expected! After downloading, take a practice exam by following steps 2-4.When selecting the instructor/course in step 2, select practice exam from the course list drop down
  2. Become familiarized with Exam4 interface. Steps 3 below covers information on how to get the most out of the Exam4 software and step 4 covers exiting the exam software and the most important step -- SUBMITTING it!
  3. Although there are few exam software issues, testing your computer by doing a practice exam allows any problems to be identified, diagnosed and fixed -- don't run the risk of writing your exam in a bluebook!

Downloading and Testing

  1. Download the exam software »

      2. Read the following instructions A.-E. before following the download link.

    1. After clicking the download link, type wisconsin in the search box in the left column.
    2. Under Law School category, click the "University of Wisconsin Law School" link
    3. Fill out the download form, select the operating system that you are using, and click "Submit Form"
    4. Click the "click here to download" link.
    5. Choose to SAVE the file and if given a choice save to the Desktop.
      • (Depending on your web browser, it may be saved to a set location or you may be asked where to save the file. The file you are downloading in this step is the exam software. This file is the application itself, not an installer. It can be saved and immediately run to take an exam. The file is a .zip file, but shouldn't prove to be problematic for either a Windows or Mac user.)
      • Once the download is complete, both Windows or Mac users can simply double click the downloaded file and the application should be automatically extracted to their desktop.

      Download Exam4 Software (All versions)

  2. Running Exam4 Software »
    1. Run the software usually located on the desktop following the download instructions (above).
    2. Follow the on screen prompts (mode is always CLOSED) »
      • All exams are run in CLOSED mode, no exceptions. NOTE: This prevents access to your computer, so if you are allowed to bring in an outline or other notes to print them out ahead of time!
      • We recommend that you choose "largest" option as the font size. It doesn't affect the final print size, however text is much easier to work with on the screen.
      • Do not worry about having to set double spacing or font size, all exams will be printed with the same font size and font spacing.
  3. Info on options during the exam »
    • Timer
      We recommend that this NOT be used. If you do use it, remember Alt-Tab, sometimes a hidden dialog will require attention and you'll only be able to get to it using Alt-Tab
    • Spell Check
      Mac: Mac users can turn on "check as you type". To do so, secondary click (hold down control and click) and choose Spelling → Check as you type
      Windows: Can check spelling on demand by going to the Tools Menu → Check Spelling
    • Multiple Answers
      Mac and Windows: Click on Tools → Insert Answer Separator (You may add the question number to the answer separator.) This causes a new answer header to be printed when the exam prints as forces a PAGE BREAK.
    • Word Count
      Mac and Windows: Click on Tools → Show Document Statistics
      NOTE: You must use Answer Separators if you wish to have word counts for individual questions.
    • Double Spacing? Font Size?
      Do not worry about having to set double spacing or font size, all exams will be printed with the same font size and font spacing.
  4. Ending and Submitting »
    • Mac and Windows: Click on End Exam → End Exam Now. Confirm that you wish to end your exam, and follow the on screen prompts to exit the exam software.

      • NOTE: Make sure you receive the electronic receipt before leaving your exam session. This exam software does not email confirmations; the receipt is your confirmation.

      Troubleshooting exam submission errors »

        Most errors uploading are due to the network not being accessible. The exam is safe, but a couple more steps are necessary to upload.

        Exit out of the same software (don't worry you exam is safely saved to your computer).

        Mac

        1. Make sure you have authenticated to the UWNet-Law wireless network by opening a web browser and loading a remote website (eg http://law.wisc.edu/current/ or google.)
        2. If still not working, turn your airport off and then back on and try again.
        3. If still not working, try going to the Apple Menu (top right), to Location and select from the side menu "Automatic".
        4. If still not working, reboot
        5. if still not working, bring to tech support in rm 2270 (check with your proctor first)

          6. Once network is working follow the steps below under "Submitting a previously completed (or submit error) exam"

        Windows

        1. Make sure you have authenticated to the UWNet-Law wireless network by opening a web browser and loading a remote website (eg http://law.wisc.edu/current/ or google.)
        2. If still not working, reboot
        3. if still not working, bring to tech support in rm 2270 (check with your proctor first)

          4. Once network is working follow the steps below under "Submitting a previously completed (or submit error) exam"

      Submitting a previously completed (or submit error) exam »

      1. Rerun Exam4 software
      2. On the first window choose "Select An Existing Exam"
      3. Click on the exam you want to submit so that it is highlighted (the names are formatted exam id, then a date code -- YYMMDD -- then the professor and class)
      4. Click the submit electronically button (make sure you receive the reciept confirmtion)

Good luck on your exams!

FAQs and more... »

    Q. Do I have to run in CLOSED Mode? What if I'm allowed to bring notes to the exam?

    A. Yes, all exams are run in CLOSED mode to prevent access to the email, IM, web pages, and other programs on the computer. Make sure to print out any documents allowed at the exam ahead of time!

    Q. Can I use Exam4's tech support?

    A. Yes, most definitely! They provide very good support, and also provide useful FAQs. See Exam4 FAQ. System requirements, program description, and other pertinent information can be found there. Please note that Exam4/Extegrity does provide technical support via email; here is a link to their technical support form Exam4/Extegrity Technical Support.

    Q. What are the system requirements?

    A. Aside from Linux, and perhaps the newest Windows/Mac OS released yesterday, your computer is very likely to be supported. See Exam4 FAQ for a complete support list.

    Q. Is the exam stored on the network while I'm typing? What happens if I don't have network access?

    A. Your exam is only stored on the laptop's hard drive until it is submitted. If you forget to sign into the network before starting your test, there will be a couple extra steps at the end, but it is in no way a problem and your exam is safe on your laptop. See Step 4 above for complete details on how to exit out, start up your network (authenticate), and then submit the exam.

    Q. Is there any documentation handed out at the exam? I've successfully completed a practice exam, but what if I forget a step?

    A. That's fine! There will be an handout at the exam to help you through the steps. It is highly recommended that you do a practice exam by following steps 2-4 above to make sure your laptop will run the software as expected and to familiarize yourself with the software. Plan for success! The handouts at the exam can be previewed at Exam instructions- (up/downloading) Exam instructions- (During the exam/how to)

    Q. Is there anything I can do to make sure that my laptop is more likely to behave itself during the exam?

    A. Yes, absolutely, keep your computer fully patched and updated!

    • Windows: Open Internet Explorer, click on Tools -> Windows Updates.
    • Mac: Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Software Update Check Now.
    • Reboot your computer just before the exam!

    Q. My computer runs ok most of the time. Is that good enough to take a test on?

    A. It is strongly discouraged to use a machine that locks up frequently or has other problems. See if the laptop can be repaired prior to exams, or try to bring a a different one (borrowed, loanded, rented, checkedout, etc).

    Q. Do I need to do anything right before the exam?

    A. Yes, authenticate to the wireless and save a couple steps at the end of the exam!

    Q. If I borrowed a computer, do I need to do anything special?

    A. Yes. First thing to do is make sure you submit it at the end of the exam! Then email yourself a copy of the exam file.

Please email help@law.wisc.edu or stop by Room 2270 if you have further questions or issues.

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Last Updated: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 | Copyright © 1998-2013 The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. All Rights Reserved.