Exams

Midterm and final exams are a very big part of all students' lives here at SCU Law.  Because we use Blind Grading ID's and specialized software, it is important to understand all aspects of the process.  The more you know beforehand, the less you have to worry about the technical stuff, and the more time you can spend studying. 

Softest is an application developed by Examsoft that provides us with a number of different types of test options.  Softest can be used:

• In "Secure" mode, whereby access to the internet, files on one's computer, or anything outside of the secure word processor in Softest is restricted.
• "Unsecure" mode is a completely open exam. You can leave Softest, use the internet, open up notes, etc. 
• As a take-home exam system.  It is an unsecure exam with a timer built-in and the ability to suspend work. 
  • Commonly, faculty will give students 1 week to submit an exam.  Once the exam is started, it must be completed within 24 hours.  During those 24 hours, Softest can be open for a total of 3 hours (the suspend feature is used to leave Softest, do more research, go back in, etc)
• as merely a control system for word count and to timestamp when an exam has been finished.

Some faculty also give plain take-home exams that can be written in Microsoft Word or any other processor.

Whether your exam is secure, open, take-home, or anything in between is the decision of your professor. 

Important information:

Using Vista or Windows 7 with Exams