Exam Information

You must be in the exam room 10 minutes before the exam is scheduled to start. If you are late for an exam there will not be extra time given. The time remaining in the exam period will be the only time you have to complete the exam.

Exam Numbers

Never put your name on an exam or any exam materials. All exams given at Hamline University School of Law are graded anonymously. Each semester you are assigned midterm and final exam numbers to be used. These numbers are only available on the web. Make sure to look up your exam number before the exams begin. To locate your exam number, go to www.hamline.edu and follow the steps below:

1. Click on "Logins" just below the header.
2. Go to Piperline
3. Log in to the secure area
4. Enter your User ID (SSN or Student ID#) and PIN
5. Click "Student Services"
6. Click "Registration"
7. Click "Student Detail Schedule"
8. Select the appropriate term from the drop down menu
9. Exam Numbers are listed below "Total Credit Hours" at the top of the page

You will use the four digit midterm exam number for all of your midterms, and the five digit final exam number for all of your finals. If you have forgotten your exam number, you may not leave to get your exam number until after all of the instructions have been read and the exam has started. Do not wait until the exam is over to get your exam number. Remember, you need to write your exam number on your exam before starting.

ExamSoft

ExamSoft is HUSL's new supplier of exam taking software.

ExamSoft Worldwide, Inc. is a software developer specializing in computerized assessment and assessment administration programs.
SofTest is a high stakes assessment program developed and licensed by ExamSoft that enables exam takers to securely take examinations downloaded to their own laptop computers by blocking access to files, programs and the Internet during an exam.
SofTest operates on any PC running Windows 2000, XP & Vista. SofTest also operates on Mac OSX running Windows XP or Vista. SofTest is not compatible with any virtual machine software. The minimum recommended system requirements are:
• CPU = 450 MHz Pentium III or Industry Equivalent
• RAM = 256 MB
• Hard Drive = 50 MB of free space
• Operating System = Windows 2000 (Pro), XP & Vista (including Tablet PC)
• Software = Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater
• Minimum Screen Resolution = 1024x768
• Internet Connection: An Internet connection is required to download SofTest

SofTest has a considerable number of safety features to ensure that answers typed into SofTest cannot be lost. They include:
• An AutoSave feature that automatically saves your exam every sixty seconds.
• Multiple encrypted backup copies of the exam answer file are saved.
• The ability to undo up to 50 of the previous actions per essay question window.

The Registration Process involves the 3-steps needed to acquire SofTest. They begin on our ExamSoft Custom Home Page located at www.examsoft.com/hamlinelaw and are as follows:
Step 1: Log In – (30 seconds) Enter your Student ID number and password. The password was emailed to you with the subject heading "SofTest Installation & Registration Instructions." If you have not received this email, contact the assistant registrar immediately.

Step 2: Download SofTest – Downloading SofTest takes minutes on high-speed Internet connections and 30 – 60 minutes on dial-up connections

Step 3: Register SofTest – (30 seconds) Once registered, you will be notified on-screen that you have completed the process and you will also receive email confirmation. You can change your password by going to www.examsoft.com/hamlinelaw, clicking on "Exam Takers" at the bottom of the page, logging in, and then clicking on "Change Account Information." Note that you must register SofTest and upload a mock exam by Dec. 1 or you must hand write your exam. If you have any questions or issues with registration, contact ExamSoft technical support by email or call toll-free 866.429.8889.

Prior to Exam Day

On Exam Day
• Bring your power cord and battery (in the event of power loss). If you normally use an external keyboard and mouse or if you need earplugs, you may bring those as well.
• To download exams users must have the Student ID and password used to register SofTest. The password can be changed on ExamSoft’s website.
• Arrive to the exam room at least 15 minutes early, plug your computer into a power outlet, turn on the computer and follow the instructions provided.
• Do not uninstall SofTest until you receive your exam scores at the end of the academic year.
• Immediately before SofTest launches the exam, you will be provided a warning screen with RED STOP SIGNS indicating that you should not begin the exam until instructed to do so. Heed this warning.
• Exams will not be delayed or suspended due to computer problems.
• During the exam, use care when highlighting and deleting.
• Students who do not take the time to become familiar with their laptop computer or with word processing functions should consider handwriting their exams. No administrative relief will be granted for incorrect use of the software.
• Once you register your copy of SofTest, the school will be charged the license fee.
• ANY ATTEMPT TO DISABLE OR TAMPER WITH SOFTEST’S SECURITY FEATURES WILL BE CONSIDERED A VIOLATION OF THE STUDENT HONOR CODE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR EQUIPMENT AND THE SOFTEST SOFTWARE AND INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY EXAMSOFT ON ITS WEBSITE PRIOR TO THE START OF YOUR EXAM. PLEASE ALLOW YOURSELF SUFFICIENT TIME TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH YOUR LAPTOP AND THE APPLICATION. COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXAM WILL NOT BE DELAYED DUE TO A HARDWARE PROBLEM WITH YOUR LAPTOP.

Out of Metro Students

If you live outside of the seven metro county areas, you will 1) be allowed to have your take-home exam emailed to you and 2) submit your final papers via email to the Office of the Registrar. The seven metro county areas are Anoka, Carter, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. You must use your Hamline email address.

Take-Home Exams
You must notify the Assistant Registrar by 4:30 p.m. December 3 via your Hamline issued email account if you would like your take-home exam emailed to you. In your email, please include the course, professor, and section and date you would like to receive the exam. We will then email the exam to your Hamline email address on the specified date between 4-6 p.m. Because emails work differently for everyone, it is not the Office of the Registrar's responsibility if the exam was sent but not received by your email. The time of your exam will start when the exam is sent to you. Remember, all take-home exams must be returned to the Office of the Registrar by 5:00 p.m. December 20. Please plan accordingly. You must return your answers in MS Word or pdf format. We will not format your submission for printing.

Final papers submitted via email must include page numbers, and be in MS Word or pdf format. We will not format your submission for printing.

Self-scheduled Exams

HUSL is one of the few law schools in the country that offers students the ability to self-schedule exams.

· The concept behind self-scheduled exams is very simple: within the exam period, you create your own exam schedule. The exam period extends from Saturday, Dec. 8th through Thursday, Dec. 20.

· You may take your exams either in the morning or in the afternoon session, at 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. You do not need to reserve your exam times in advance; just show up.

· You collect all examination materials (exam questions, plastic bags, Scantron forms, etc.) from the Office of the Registrar, 30 to 10 minutes before the selected start time. You must complete, time-stamp, and sign an exam checked out/receipt form. Do not leave your laptop or other valuables unattended in an exam room while you collect your examination materials.

· You must report directly to an exam room after collecting the examination materials. You may not study or speak to anyone else after collecting your examination materials even if it is an open book exam.

· Three to four rooms are allocated each morning and afternoon for self-scheduled exams. There will be separate rooms assigned for open and closed book exams, and for students typing and handwriting. The list of rooms assigned to each group on each day is prominently displayed next to the Office of the Registrar's door. Students taking different examinations share rooms. You may not take a self-scheduled exam in a space other than the designated rooms. You must leave an empty seat between you and other students taking an exam in the same room.

· Once seated, you may read the examination instructions but you must stop reading at the STOP page until the room clock turns to 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. You are bound by honor to abide by the guidelines stipulated on the examination instructions. There is no proctoring. If you are taking a closed book exam you should set all your belongings on the side or front of the room to avoid the appearance of impropriety. You may not leave the room during the exam except to contact a proctor in the Office of the Registrar or to go to the bathroom without tarrying on the atrium.

· You may not start your exam before the designated start time. If you arrive late (past 9:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.) you will lose time. For example, if your exam is a 2-hour exam and you arrive at 9:30, you will have 1-1/2 hours to complete the exam. You can, of course, take the exam during the following exam session.

· While taking an exam, you keep track of time. The room clocks govern. There is no five-minute warning. You may use the alarm feature in SofTest.

· When you are done, immediately bring all examination materials (including scratch paper) back to the Office of the Registrar. You will receive a signed copy of your exam checkout/receipt form.

Not all exams are self-scheduled. Please refer to the online exam schedule for details. You may not self-schedule a scheduled exam.

You may request a variance if 1) English is your second language or 2) you have a disability. Emergencies will be handled on a case by case basis. You must pick up a form in the Office of the Registrar and have it returned by the assigned deadline. Please note: variance exams take place at a different time and place than regular exams. The Registrar will contact you regarding when and where to take your variance. Read your email carefully, and contact the Office of the Registrar with any questions.

If you are a student for whom English is not your first language and you believe that you may need an exam variance, either in the form of additional time, an English dictionary or both, please make an appointment to meet with the Registrar Roberto Koch, and complete the required variance form. If you believe that you need accommodation for a recognized disability, you should submit your request to Deb Holtz, Director of Disability Services for the University. Ms. Holtz can be reached at 651-523-2521 or by email. Ms. Holtz will review your request which must include recent medical documentation of your disability, and make a recommendation regarding the need for accommodation.