Spring 2008 Laptop Exams
Following is a list of courses for Spring 2008 that will offer the option of laptop use for the final exam. If your exam(s) appear on this list and you are interested in electing the laptop option, please proceed to the general information and instructions that follow. The enrollment period for laptop use opens on April 14, 2008 and remains open through May 14, 2008.
Please read the instructions carefully. You must sign and turn in a waiver form by April 22, 2008.
Exams with Laptop Option - Spring 2008
Administrative Law, Katzen - Friday, May 9 - 12 PM
Administrative Law, Sales - Friday, May 9 - 6 PM
Antitrust Law, Abbott - Monday, May 5 - 6 PM
Antitrust Law, Johnsen - Monday, May 5 - 12 PM
Bankruptcy, Zywicki - Saturday, May 10 - 12 PM
Civil Procedure, Parker Thursday, May 8 - 12 PM
Civil Procedure, D. Smith - Thursday, May 8 - 6 PM
Commercial Paper, Effros - Saturday, May 3 - 12 PM
Comparative Law, Rao - Wednesday, April 30 - 6 PM
Conflict of Laws, Lerner - Saturday, May 10 - 12 PM
Constitutional Law, II - Bernstein Tuesday, April 29 - 6 PM
Contracts II, Byrne - Monday April 28 - 12 PM
Contracts II, Davies - Monday, April 28 - 12 PM
Contracts II, Boardman - Monday, April 28 - 6 PM
Corporate Acquisitions, - Hutchison Thursday, May 1 - 6 PM
Criminal Law ,Graham - Monday, May 12 - 12 PM
Criminal Law, O'Neill - Monday, May 12 - 12 PM
Criminal Procedure, Graham - Saturday, May 3 - 12 PM
Criminal Procedure, O'Neill - Saturday, May 3 - 12 PM
Disc in Employment, Rosenblum - Friday, April 25 - 6 PM
Environmental Law J. Clark - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Environmental Law, Kymn - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Evidence, Klein - Wednesday, May 7 - 6 PM
Family Law, Alvare - Tuesday, May 6 - 12 PM
Federal Budget Law, Muris - Wednesday, April 30
Federal Courts, Allen - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Federal Courts, Wall - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Founders' Constitution, Malcolm - Friday, May 2 - 12 PM
Founders' Constitution, Rabkin - Friday, May 2 - 12 PM
Founders' Constitution, Lund - Friday, May 2 - 6 PM
Founding of American Constitution, - Lund Friday, May 2 - 6 PM
Intellectual Property, Bradford - Monday, May 5 - 12 PM
Intellectual Property, Kunin - Monday, May 5 - 6 PM
International Law, Mulloy - Tuesday, May 6 - 6 PM
International Trade, Pickard - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
International Trade, Espinel - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Land Use Planning, Eagle - Wednesday, April 30 - 12 PM
Lgl & Econ Theory of IP, Kobayashi - Thursday, May 1 - 6 PM
Legislation, Beck - Friday, April 25 - 6 PM
Legislation, Rao - Monday, 5 - 12 PM
Local Government Law, Emrich - Saturday, May 3 - 12 PM
Patent Interference, Bosch - Saturday, May 10 - 12 PM
Patent Law II, Vermont - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Patent Law II, Witherspoon - Saturday, April 26 - 12 PM
Professional Responsibility, Krauss - Monday, May 12 - 6 PM
Real Estate Finance, Boyack - Saturday, May 10 - 12 PM
Securities Law & Regulation, Roberts - Thursday, May 8 - 6 PM
Trade Secrets, Claeys - Thursday, May 8 - 12 PM
VA Remedies, Costello - Friday, April 25 - 12 PM
VA Remedies, Cummings - Friday, April 25 - 6 PM
Exam Software Instructions
Exam Software Information, Instructions, and Waiver Form
During the Spring 2008 exam period, students enrolled in the courses listed above will be given the option of taking their final exam on their personal laptop by installing exam software product for PCs called ExamSoft SofTest. The Law School does not currently support the use of this software on Mac computers, with the exception of the Intel-based MacBook and MacBook Pro systems running Windows XP (w/ Service Pack 2) or Vista installed as a separate partition using Boot Camp Assistant. NOTE: Boot Camp is no longer available on the Apple web site for downloading. Apple has included the Boot Camp utility in the Leopard operating system. For more inforation, see http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html.
ExamSoft's SofTest software allows students to type their exam answers for closed-computer exams while preventing access to the computer hard drive or outside sources. For open-computer exams, the software allows access to other files and programs outside SofTest but still automatically saves the typed answers in an encrypted format. Also, open exams do not allow the user to copy-and-paste text from another program into SofTest. The software frequently backs up the entire exam file. At the completion of the exam, the SofTest program will automatically upload the exam answer file to a secure server using the Internet.
This semester, the ExamSoft download, registration and download of templates will remain open throughout the exam period. You will, however, be required to turn in the Waiver Form by the April 22 deadline. You should allow yourself enough time to complete the registration and download process well before your first exam since exams will start on time. Follow the attached instructions for downloading ExamSoft software and exam files onto your laptop and plan to attend one of the information sessions offered by the library computing staff.
If you decide to use EXAMSOFT on your laptop for one or more exams YOU MUST COMPLETE 4 STEPS before your exam:
STEP 1: Download the ExamSoft software from: www.examsoft.com/masonlaw
Select the “Exam Taker” tab, and complete all steps to create a new account, then download and install the software. You must download the latest version, even if you have previously used Examsoft for exams.
STEP 2: Register to use SofTest.
After installing SofTest, launch the software and enter your user ID and password to register. Note: Since your registration will result in a fee being charged to GMUSL, you should only register if you fully intend to use your laptop for your exam(s).
After registering SofTest,you will receive a registration confirmation email from support@examsoft.com and the registration number along with the registration date will be recorded. Additionally, when SofTest is launched, the Start Window will indicate that your “Registration” is “Complete”. You may also visit www.examsoft.com/masonlaw and select “Exam Takers,” then “Confirm Reservation.” When you register, be sure to enter your email address correctly. Very important information is sent to your e-mail account by Examsoft including confirmations messages of successful and unsuccessful uploads of exams.
STEP 3: Download your blank exam file(s).
Next, you need to download a blank exam file for EACH ExamSoft exam you will be taking. After registering the software, you should see a dialog box asking you to download exams. Click “Yes” to proceed and then click “Download Exam Files.”
Use your ExamSoft ID and password to log in and leave the “download password” field blank. Choose all the exams you want to download (press the <CTRL> key to select multiple items).
All the files are downloaded to this directory: C:\Program Files\ExamSoft\SofTest\exams
If you want to test all aspects of the software, download “MockTestSpring2008” which you can take twice. This simulates all aspects of a closed computer exam with SofTest. No password is needed for this exam. Note: These files do not contain exam questions but are blank templates. You will not be able to open an exam until you are given the password to take it on the day of the exam.
STEP 4: Print, complete and sign the waiver form and submit to Law Records Office by April 22, 2008.
Completing only some of these steps will not qualify you to take your exams on your laptop. If you do not complete ALL 4 STEPS of the registration process, you will have to hand-write your exams. If you have any questions or problems with registration, contact ExamSoft technical support at mailto:support@examsoft.comor call toll-free 866-429-8889.
What Must I do on Exam Day?
- Bring your laptop, power cord, battery and Ethernet cable (if you plan to plug in to the wired network instead of using the wireless network).
- Arrive to the exam room at least 15 minutes early, plug your computer into a power outlet, turn on the computer, launch your browser, and go to a website outside of GMU in order to make sure that you can get an Internet connection. The exam will begin promptly at the scheduled time.
- Follow the instructions provided on exam day to begin launching SofTest.
- Exams will not be delayed or suspended due to computer problems. No administrative relief will be granted for incorrect use of the software.
- Any attempt to disable or tamper with SofTest’s security features will be considered a violation of the honor code. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your equipment and the software prior to the start of your exam.
- NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT DURING THE EXAM.
After completing the exam:
- At the completion of the examination, the SofTest software will automatically upload the exam answer files to a secure server through the laptop’s Internet connection.
- If you receive the following error message: “SofTest has found answer files for upload but you are not currently connected to the Internet,” wait several seconds and then click Yes. Continue clicking Yes until the file successfully uploads.
- You should receive an email confirmation from ExamSoft for each exam that you successfully upload.
- Do not uninstall SofTest until you receive your exam score(s) at the end of the semester.
EXAMSOFT TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS/FEATURES:
ExamSoft SofTest requires a laptop computer with the following specifications:
PC System Requirements:
- CPU = 450 MHz Pentium III or Industry Equivalent
- RAM = 256 MB
- Drives = 50 MB of free space
- Operating System = English versions of Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
- Software = Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater
- Internet Access for Sign Up, Registration, Exam Download and Upload
- AOL Users - Version 6.0 or higher required
- Screen Resolution must be 1024x768 or higher
Vista Users:
Please note that your computer must meet the minimum requirements for the specific edition of Vista you are using. Please check the documentation that came with Vista to find these requirements.
Apple Macintosh Users:
- MacBook or MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- Boot Camp Assistant configured to dual boot Mac OS X and Windows XP (with Service Pack 2) or Vista
NOTE: Boot Camp is no longer available on the Apple web site for downloading. Apple has included the Boot Camp utility in the new Leopard operating system. For more inforation, see http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html.
The use of older, non-Intel Macs running the Mac OS X is prohibited. In addition, the use of Windows emulators like Parallels, Virtual PC, or VMware is also prohibited.
ExamSoft does not provide support for the installation and configuration of Apple's Boot Camp.
ExamSoft SofTest Features:
- Font size and style adjustment Cut & Paste within document
- Spell check
- Word Count
- Timer
- Undo capability (up to 50 previous actions)
- Auto-save every 60 seconds
- Upload via wired or wireless internet connection