Experience with 'Secure' Exam Testing Software?

Durindana writes "My law school has decided using the Exam4 software from Extegrity, thinking it would be a good idea. I disagree; the software can only be used by students on their own laptops, and (of course) Exam4 is mono-platform. Anyone have experience using this software (e.g. security level, reliability) or, hopefully, successfully opposing its use? It strikes me as a hell of a disadvantage to students who'd like an alternative to hand-writing but - for some strange reason - don't own a Windows laptop."

Comments

Gak, we use the same crap

[Fux the Penguin]

We use this software at my dental school, and I really, really don't like the school's policies on it. For now, you have the option of either using the software or still taking a book test. Thanks, I'll use the pencil and paper method. However, they're changing that in the future. The problem is the school gives you no leeway if you have a computer problem.

Their policy is:

Students choosing to type their exams must provide their own computers and may do so only if they have downloaded the software to their computer at least 24 hours prior to the beginning of the dental school's exam period, have tested the software and have a computer in working order. Links to the software will not be available for download at exam time. At the end of the exam, and within the time limits stated on the exam, students must choose the "Submit Electronically" function on the software and then promptly return to the examination room in order to return their examination questions and the exam envelope with a notation on both the exam and the envelope that the exam was taken and submitted electronically. Students who experience technological problems during the examination period should consider the amount of time remaining before continuing (or restarting) the exam in blue books. No additional time is provided for students experiencing technological problems. However, after the examination ends the IT Department will offer good faith assistance retrieving exam files from the student's computer. Given the exam software's ability to confirm time and submission in an encrypted fashion, the Office of Registration & Enrollment will accept an IT-certified copy of the file retrieved from the student's computer as a timely submission(if indeed it was submitted timely according to the electronic notation), if there is no evidence of tampering on the student's machine or file.

So, if their software is buggy or something...that's it, too bad, game over, you're screwed. If it's all the same, I'd rather use a pencil and piece of paper. I've never heard of a blue screen of death on a #2 pencil.

Check your school's policies on what happens when the software screws up. This may just be the standard form the company sends to every college to give to their students, or it may different for your school.