Computer Exams at Hastings
Quick Overview
- There is a new version of SofTest every Fall. If you used SofTest last Fall, you do not need to download a new version for the spring semester, however you will need to download and install SofTest again for the Fall semester exams for the current year.
- Please download your exam files before the day of your exams.
- You should test your wireless and run a "Mock Exam" to make sure everything is working correctly.
- Apple Mac users can use an Intel MacBook. You can download and install a Mac version of SofTest to run natively in OSX.
- Complete the installation process before you report to the computer exam room. Students who fail to do so will be required to use Bluebooks.
- Help for installing SofTest is available at our IT HelpDesk throughout the semester.
- All students who use computers will be required to sign a Computer Exam Agreement Form.
- Students taking computer exams through the Disability Resource Program should also follow these instructions. Contact Laura Andrews with any questions.
For Complete Details
Please read the Computer Exam Instructions.
For General Exam-related Questions
Please visit the Records Office Exam Information page.
Computer Exam Software Was Invented Here
That's right. Hastings was the first law school that offered a computer option to all students for taking final exams. That was back in the Fall semester of 1995 (thanks to the forward thinking of then-Academic Dean Brian Gray.) At the time, we didn't have any way to block access to the hard drive except to manually check that students had deleted all their data files. So, two of our recent grads thought up the brilliant idea of developing a program to make the computer secure for taking exams. After several iterations in product and company name, today they are known as Examsoft, Inc. and the software is SofTest. More than 100 law schools now use Examsoft's program and dozens of state bar jurisdictions as well. The Cal Bar uses Examsoft so our students are well versed after three years of taking exams for any software issues they may face in the Bar Exam.
Every semester, we update the instructions for taking computer exams and post them here. We have a page for Fall exams, and a page for Spring. Until we post the new semester information, you will find the most recent semester's. As always, the I.T. Department is ready to help out with computer exam installation questions. But, sometimes, there are SofTest issues we cannot help diagnose. In those cases, students need to contact Examsoft technical support. Make sure to install the software in plenty of time so that if you have issues, you can get them resolved before your first exams.
Examsoft technical support: 866.429.8889
(Available Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Eastern time.)
Good luck on your exams!
Is There an Advantage in Using Computers for Exams?
You should know that although the general perception may be that computer users have an advantage over students who hand-write their exams, a number of faculty members have indicated that they have found no correlation between computer use and the quality of exams. Our statistical analysis has shown no significant difference in the average grades between those using a computer and those writing their exams.