SULC POLICIES FOR USING LAPTOP COMPUTERS DURING EXAMS

(Amended 11/10/2011)

Students who elect to type their exams must use laptop computers.  SULC will administer exams using the Exam 4 software.  This software allows the laptop to operate as a word processor, but prevents the student from accessing any data on the computer’s hard drive during the exam. The policies and procedures that will govern the use of computers on exams are (these policies do not apply to students who are taking their exams under special accommodations):

1.         Computers may be used for exams only if students obtain prior authorization from the course professor/instructor. . Students shall express their desire to use a laptop to take the exam at a time established by the examining professor or no later than two weeks before the exam date.

2.         Professors must develop a method to determine the number of students who take the examination using Exam 4.

3.         Students who have not obtained prior authorization from the examining professor will be denied the right to use a laptop computer to take the examination.  

4.         Students who sign up to use a computer for an exam may later withdraw their election and take the exam using bluebooks by informing the instructor of the change at least one week before the scheduled exam date. 

5.         At least 48 hours before the first exam of the semester, students must download the new version of Exam 4 from www.Exam4.com and must pay $12.00 to Exam 4 online, using credit card or Paypal. A version’s license expires after each semester’s exam period. Exam 4 keeps track of these downloads.  Students must print their receipts as proof of payment to show the proctor before taking each exam.  Students who do not pay the fee may not take the exam using the laptop.  Failure to pay will lead to disciplinary action.

6.         Before taking any exams, students must test the software and become familiar with its operation. Make sure that the time on the laptop is correctly set according to Central Standard Time. After installing the software, students should take a practice exam using the software to become familiar with the program’s operation. Lack of familiarity with the software will not toll the exam period.

7.         All student examination stations should have electrical outlets for students’ use. Students must arrive at the examination early to ensure that the electrical outlet at the exam station is functional. Students should make sure their laptop batteries are fully charged.  They must also make sure that the laptops have wireless cards and they are properly installed and authenticated to the SULC network.  

8.         The examining professor will establish rules about where laptop examinees will take the exam. Computer users must arrive early on the day of an exam to set up their computers in designated classrooms. 

9.         On the date of the examination, students must not log-on or start the Exam 4 program until they are instructed to do so by the examining professor or proctor. When told to log-on, students must do so immediately. Students must wait until their laptop connects to the SULC wireless network before opening the software. After setting up, students should make sure their computer and software are operating properly. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in a grade adjustment (deduction) or raise suspicion relating to an honor violation.

10.       The examinee must select the correct course from the Course List dropdown box, enter his/her anonymous exam number, and the name of the instructor immediately after opening the software. Unless otherwise instructed, students will not be permitted to open any books during the exam.

11.       When students finish the exams, the Exam 4 program will prompt them to “save” their exam answers either electronically or to the floppy/CD/USB drive.  Students must save their exam electronically to the network, and then must also save the exam on their hard drive. Please wait for the confirmation that your exam has been electronically submitted.

12.       To confirm that IT has received his/her examination students must visit IT and look for their examination number for the exam on the outside wall of the IT office. The list will be posted 30 minutes after the completion of the exam..

13.       If the examination was not received by IT after submission, the student must present his/her laptop to IT for retrieval of the examination.

14.       Once students save the answer and “log out,” the program will not permit students to re-enter their answers.  Although the answers will remain on the students’ hard drives, they cannot be accessed without special codes and software to read the encrypted data.  As a precaution, students should keep their answers on their hard drives until final grades are released. The law school can retrieve the answer from a student’s hard drive if the answer cannot be printed from the student’s electronic submission. DO NOT have any work done on your laptop before you have confirmed that your examination has been received by IT. SULC will not take responsibility for examinations that have been removed and were not received by IT. A grade of “F” will be recorded for the student.

15.       NOTICE: SULC is NOT responsible for any equipment failure during the exam, will not provide a back-up laptop, and will not allot extra time to enable students to address equipment failure.  Students who experience equipment failure must continue the exam by writing in Blue books. A student will be able to continue the examination at the point where he/she stopped before the equipment failure. The computer keeps copies of the exam and IT can retrieve the incomplete exam. 

            Students who type are solely responsible for the proper operation of their laptop. If there is a failure that results from a dropped internet connection or from a problem associated with the Exam 4 program, the student should advise IT immediately.

            Once a student starts taking the exam using Exam 4, the program keeps track of activities as part of the exam file. When a hard copy of the exam is printed, the tracking file is printed also. All other exam rules in the Code of Student Professional Conduct pertain to laptop users.

17.       This policy must be signed electronically before taking the examination. Go to SULC  IT section of the website to sign the policy.

18.       Additional instructions on taking the examination (such as line spacing, font, etc.) will be given by the examining professor.

By Filling out and checking Accept on following form, you are electronically agreeing and submitting the SULC Laptop Exam Policy:

Last Name:

First Name:

Middle Initial:

Suffix:

I accept the terms and conditions of use, understand their significance, and agree to abide by the terms.

Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number: