Exam Information for Students (2024)

You may take your exam on your laptop only if your instructor allows you to do so. Please bring bluebooks even if you plan on taking the test on a laptop. If your laptop fails in the middle of the exam and the problem cannot be rectified quickly, you will be expected to continue the rest of the exam on a bluebook. Please read through the steps carefully if you plan on taking a final on your laptop.

To take a final on your laptop follow the following steps:

1. Install the Exam4 Software on your laptop:
   
   • You will need the current version of Exam4. It is available for download here; you may also download it from Exam 4 website.
   • You will need to provide your name and email address and select the version of Exam4 which is compatible with your laptop.
   • Download the installation file on your computer and double click on it to install the new version.
     
2. Take a practice test on your laptop

Follow these step-by-step instructions to submit a practice exam:

This screen will pop up until you submit a practice test.

Select "Prepare to start new exam."You may see copies of exams from previous semesters listed.

Please use the appropriate Anonymous ID in the Exam ID field so it is possible to determine who submitted an exam.

You may choose to have the software countdown your remaining time or alert you when you have a specified amount of time remaining. All choices on this page are entirely optional. The software will not shut down when the timer runs out.

If your computer fails the security check, it will inform you of a violation number to enter on this screen. You should leave this blank by default.

You should submit a practice exam in "CLOSED" mode to ensure your computer passes the security check. You should assume you will take your exam in CLOSED mode unless your instructor tells you otherwise.

In the actual exam, your instructor will tell you when to begin. You should wait at this screen for their instructions.

The security check can take up to several minutes. You can use this time to look over your exam.

Please take a few minutes to become familiar with the software during your practice exam. Exam4 does include a spell checker as well as some basic word processing functions.

Note the meter on top right hand side. Exam4 saves automatically every 10 seconds, and makes an additional separate backup every five minutes. The gray bar increments indicate incremental saves and the green bar indicates time until a backup copy is made. You can also make an extra backup copy at any time using the "Save" menu.

Choose "End Exam" when you are finished. You will be prompted to confirm. Choose "Submit Electronically."

Once your practice exam has been successfully submitted, you should see this screen. You do not need to do anything else, your exam has been stored on the server and you should be ready to use the software on final exams.

However, if your computer configuration changes, for example you switch laptops, or you are borrowing a friend's laptop, or you install a new program, you should submit another practice exam.

Sign in before the exam

A sign-in sheet with your name would be in the room where you will take tests on your laptop. It is imperative that you sign by your name if you are taking the test on your laptop. If you change your mind and want to take it on a bluebook please write "using bluebook" by your name. If you do not sign in, we will not expect to receive a final from you. If your final is not submitted correctly, it may not be evident until after you have received your final grade.

If I installed Exam4 last semester, do I need to install it again?

Yes. You need to download and install the newest version every semester.

I'm borrowing a laptop and have already submitted a practice exam. Do I need to submit another?

Yes. You should submit another practice exam to make sure the computer you will be using passes the security check.

What happens if my computer crashes?

Exam4 saves a local copy every 10 seconds. Unless your hard drive has completely failed, it is possible to retrieve that backup. We recommend that you bring bluebooks as well so if your machine does fail, you will not lose time.

What should I do if I have a problem during the exam?

• Option 1: You can start writing the rest of the answers on a bluebook. After the exam, alert IT about the problem. Do not inform your instructor as it will hinder anonymity.
• Option 2: There will be an IT support technician in Green Halltoassist you during the exam. More details will be sent out by email before the exam period. Your instructor decides whether you get extra time for a computer problem. If the problem cannot be resolved in a few minutes we suggest you start writing the rest on a bluebook.

• Have you received your anonymous ID?
• Have you downloaded and installed Exam4?
• Have you successfully submitted a practice exam?
• Are you aware of the policies regarding machine failure?
• Do you have bluebooks ready in case your computer crashes in the middle of an exam?
• Are you aware that you must sign in before every exam?
• Are you familiar with the 99% submission error and how to prevent/fix it?
• If you can answer affirmatively to the above questions, you should be prepared to use Exam4 for your final exams this semester.

For more information, contact:
IT Support
785-864-0636
306 Green Hall
greenhallit@ku.edu