Exam4 – Practice Test

Once you have downloaded the software, take a practice exam all the way through the exam submission process to verify the software is working properly. Be sure to choose “Practice Exam” for the course and use your correct exam number for the current semester issued by the Law Registrar. Exam numbers from past semesters will not work. Do not type any material in your practice exam that you wish to review later because it cannot be retrieved from the software.

Things To Do Before An Exam:

Verify your operating system is compatible with Exam4 and ensure that your Windows Updates and Apple Software Updates are current (excluding any unsupported operating systems).
Verify your power cord and battery function properly. Replace any faulty laptop power cords or batteries well before exams begin as the Law Center does not have spares available.
Verify your laptop is connected to the Internet (eduroam wireless network on campus) and disable any third-party firewall software to avoid problems submitting your exams electronically.

Running a Practice Test

The first thing you need to do is download the software. Once installed, Open Exam4 and you will see the welcome screen below. Read the instructions here and click the “OK” button to proceed.
The “Start or save” screen is displayed next. To start a new exam, leave “Prepare to start new exam” marked and click the “Next” button. To submit an exam that has already been taken or to “View Exam Submittal Receipt,” mark the “Select existing exam option” and click the “Next” button.
The “Exam # and Course” screen is displayed next. Enter the Exam ID number issued to you by the Registrar’s office and click the drop down menus and choose the exam you are taking. To successfully begin an exam in Exam4, you must enter the correct exam number and choose the correct course. You are required to enter the Exam ID and select the course twice to verify the exam is started with the correct information.
Verify the Exam ID (Exam ID issued to your by the Registrar’s Office) and Course are correct, check the box labeled “Check box to re-confirm” and then click the “OK” button. Please note the 9999 Exam # pictured below is only an example. You MUST use your Exam # for the current semester issued by the Law Registrar.
The “Preparations” screen is displayed next. This is where any necessary preparations that need to be done before beginning the exam will be listed. Click the “Continue” button.
The “Exam time and Font Size” screen is displayed next. Set the optional countdown timer, any optional alerts that notify you when the corresponding amount of time remains on the exam, your preferred font size, and the number of answer separators you would like automatically entered. Entering answer separators will allow you to get word counts on each answer in addition to a total word count. Please note the optional countdown timer is informational only. It will not cause the exam to automatically end. Click the “Next” button.
The “Notice of Instructions” screen is displayed next. Take note of the instructions shown and click the “Got it?” checkbox and then click the “Next” button.
The “Exam Mode” screen is displayed next. The Exam Mode will likely be prefilled for you and not be editable. If it is not prefilled, please type the Exam mode you are instructed to use. Click the “Next” button.
The “Almost ready to begin exam…” screen is displayed next. Verify that all of your settings are correct and click the “Begin Exam” button when you are ready to start the exam. After clicking the “Begin Exam” button, the software will go full screen and a security check will start. The security check only happens in CLOSED mode exams. The security check shuts off Internet access and blocks access to files and programs on your computer. If this security check runs longer than 5 minutes or fails, notify Law ITS.
After the security check passes (CLOSED exam mode), the software will begin the exam and display the “Exam Information” screen (screenshots below). Two tabs labeled “Instructions” and “Resources” which contain important information are displayed here.
In-Class Exams With Paper Copies of the Exam Questions:
Click the “Hide” button on this screen, enter your essay and/or multiple choice exam responses into Exam4, and proceed to step 11.

Take Home Exams:
The “Instructions” tab will display any exam instructions that the faculty member has provided. The “Resources” tab will contain a PDF with the exam questions and any other resource files that faculty member has included. You can open the exam questions by clicking on the “Resources” tab, clicking on the exam questions file, and then clicking the “Open” button.

In-Class Exams That Are Paperless Exams:
The “Instructions” tab will display any exam instructions that the faculty member has provided. The “Resources” tab will contain a PDF with the exam questions and any other resource files that faculty member has included. You can open the exam questions by clicking on the “Resources” tab, clicking on the exam questions file, and then clicking the “Open” button. You have the option of viewing the exam questions in their own window or doing a “Side-by-side View” with the answer entry screen and exam questions. If viewing the exam questions in their own window, there is a slider at the bottom to adjust the zoom level and a “Hide” button to switch back to the answer entry screen. If you need to refer back to the questions once you are back to the answer entry screen, just click the “Tools” menu at the top and choose “Show Exam Document” which will display the questions again.
When you are completely done typing your exam and are ready to submit it, click “End Exam” and then click “End exam now” in the menu bar. Check the box labeled “Confirm” and then click the “OK” button. In the box that shows up, select “Submit Electronically” which will submit the exam file to the Law Center Exam4 server. You will receive a confirmation box indicating your exam has been saved. A copy is also kept on your hard drive. Check the “I understand” box and then click the “OK” button. Click the “Exit Exam4” menu and then “Exit Exam4 Now.” On the box that pops up, select the “I’m sure” box and then click “Exit Exam4.”
Take Home Exams:
Once you have ended AND submitted a take home exam, you may not reopen it to make changes and submit it again. Doing so will create a duplicate exam file and will cause problems with exam processing. Before submitting your exam, please ensure that you are completely finished entering responses and that the exam is a complete and final version.

If you have any questions or problems with using Exam4, please contact Law ITS at lawits@lsu.edu.