Computer Exam Information

If you want to take your exams on a laptop computer, please follow these instructions.*  You must complete the process before you report to your exam room.   Students who fail to do so will be required to use Bluebooks.  Assistance with installing SofTest is available at the IT HelpDesk throughout the semester.

Quick Overview

• There is a new version of SofTest every year. Even if you used SofTest last school year, you will need to download, install and register the latest version of SofTest each Fall.  If you have version 10 on your computer, you will need to manually uninstall it before installing version 11.  If you used SofTest last Fall without problems, you do not need to reinstall it in the Spring.
• Download your exam files before the day of your exams.
• Test your wireless and run a "Mock Exam" to make sure everything is working correctly.
• All students who use computers will be required to sign a Computer Exam Agreement Form.

I. To download, install and register SofTest

The computer you plan to use for exams must be connected to the Internet in order to complete the steps below. SofTest will be available to Hastings students before exams start. If you have not finished ALL of the steps below prior to the scheduled time for reporting to the exam room, you will not be able to use a computer. (You may still use pen and Bluebook.) We recommend completing these steps as early as possible. If you have a previous version of SofTest installed, please uninstall that before continuing with the below steps.

1. Go to this page: http://www.examsoft.com/uchastings
2. Login under "Exam Takers" using your Hastings Email login name for "Email Name" (e.g. doej) and your 7-digit Hastings ID number for the "Password" (e.g. 0123456). Contact the Records Office if you have trouble logging in.
3. Click on "Download SofTest", then "Download & Install" and run the installation program. Windows users: before the installation begins, you may get a prompt to install .NET Framework 4. Please click "Yes" on this prompt and follow the instructions to download and install Microsoft .NET Framework. Installation for .NET Framework can take up to 20 minutes and requires an internet connection. After .NET Framework installation is complete, you will need to run the installer file (SofTestWin11.msi) again to install SofTest.
4. After the installation has finished, double-click the SofTest v11 icon on your desktop. On a Mac, click the SofTest icon in the dock or the Applications folder. You must be connected to the Internet. Enter the login name and password you used in step #2 to register your copy of SofTest. You will get a message "Congratulations! SofTest has registered your computer."

If you need help with the installation or registration process, you can call ExamSoft Support at 866.429.8889. We will assist students with installing and testing SofTest at our Help Desk throughout the semester.

II. Downloading & Uploading Your Computer Exams

The exam files you will use when you type your exam answer will be available for download approximately 2 weeks before the exam period begins.

Please download your exam files BEFORE the day of the exam. When you arrive in the exam room, proctors will hand out printed exam questions and instructions for taking the exam on SofTest. You will open SofTest, use a password provided by the proctor to launch the exam file, type your answers into the SofTest program (the answer files is automatically saved every minute), and then upload your answer file when prompted by the proctor at the end of the exam.  SofTest automatically formats your answer during the printing process.  All exams are double-spaced, using 12pt. Arial font with standard uniform headers and footers.

To Download Exam Files

1. Connect to the Internet on the laptop on which you have installed SofTest version 11.0.
2. Launch SofTest by clicking on the icon.
3. Click on "Download Exam Files".
4. Enter your Hastings email login name and 7-digit Hastings ID number.
5. Click past the screen that asks for "Exam Download Password".  No download password will be required for these files.
6. Highlight all your exams then click on "Download."
7. Click "OK" then "Close" or "Done".

III. Testing Wireless Uploading: Running a Mock Exam

We recommend that all students run a "mock" exam to test your version of SofTest. If you experience any problems, please take care of these well before your first exam.

1. Open SofTest.
2. Choose "Download Exam Files".
3. Enter your Hastings email login name and 7-digit Hastings ID number.
4. Download the Mock exam file if you haven't already (see above).
5. Open the exam file in SofTest. Type a few sentences to make sure there is no key delay or other issues.  Try out Spell Check and the other features.
6. Exit the exam and follow all instructions to upload the answer file back to the server.
7. You should receive confirmation that your file was uploaded.

If you have any issues running this mock exam, contact ExamSoft’s technical support (866.429.8889) to resolve those issues before your first exam. If the problem is your wireless connection, please contact the Hastings IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@uchastings.edu . If you cannot resolve any major issues before the day of your exam please plan on writing your exam in a Bluebook.

IV. Computer Exam Agreement Form

All students will need to sign a Computer Exam Agreement Form before they can use a computer for their exams. The Computer Exam Agreement Form is available online for students to review.  You will be required to sign the Agreement Form in the exam room.

V. Hardware and Software Requirements for SofTest Exams

SofTest can be used on virtually any modern computer (i.e. purchased within the last 3-4 years). Specific system requirements are noted below.  SofTest cannot be used on virtual operating systems such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels, VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual environments.

PC System Requirements:

• CPU = 2GHz Intel® Core™/Celeron™ or equivalent x86 processor
• RAM = highest recommended for the operating system or 2GB
• Hard Drive = highest recommended for the operating system or 1 GB of free space.
• Operating System = English editions of Windows XP (32-bit only), Windows Vista or Windows 7
• Software = Internet connection for SofTest Installation, Exam Download and Upload
• Screen Resolution must be 1024x768 or higher
• Administrator level account permissions

Mac Requirements:

• CPU = Intel processor
• RAM = 2 GB
• Hard Drive = 1 GB or higher free disk space
• Operating System = Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard), Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion).
• Software = Internet connection for SofTest Installation, Exam Download and Upload
• Administrator level account permissions (Instructions)

Students can run SofTest using an Intel MacBook running OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard), 10.7 (Lion), or 10.8 (Mountain Lion).  It will not work with versions prior to 10.6.  Click on the Apple icon on the upper left corner and then on "About this Mac..." to see what version you have.  If it is 10.5x, you will need to upgrade your OS.  An alternative to this would be to install Windows via Bootcamp.  Our Helpdesk in the LRC can assist you with this.

*Students taking their exams through the Disability Resource Program should contact Laura Andrews with any questions about computer exam accommodations.