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Laptop Computers

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Please read this entire bulletin.

Test-takers will be permitted to use personal laptop computers which have installed and registered ExamSoft's SofTest™ software for the essay portion of the certified specialist examination.

This exam will be administered using ExamSoft's FlexSite Internet-based exam delivery option and is being offered to all examinees who have registered for the examination, and who sign up and complete registration of SofTest. ExamSoft Worldwide Inc., will manage signup and registration of SofTest.

Laptop certification

If you wish to use a laptop computer to take the October 2017 Legal Specialist Examination, you must:

  1. Register
  2. Select a laptop computer test center
  3. Complete the Release of Liability-Laptop Computer Program form
  4. Ensure your laptop computer is configured for access to the Internet
  5. Confirm your laptop computer meets the minimum requirements listed below
  6. Download and install SofTest (the designated software) onto the laptop computer you will be using for the examination
  7. Download the exam file that will be used on the day of the examination
  8. Download, complete and upload the mock examination exam answer file using SofTest
  9. Upload the exam file, which was used during the examination and which contains your answers to the eight essay questions, as soon as possible following conclusion of the examination and not later than the published deadline
  10. Verify the successful upload of your answer file by reviewing your exam history in ExamSoft
  11. Not delete or uninstall SofTest or any Softest program directory files or folders until results for the examination have been released
  12. Applicants with disabilities who wish to use their own laptop computers to take the examination must comply with the same requirements as those taking the examination under standard conditions.

Beginning around Sept. 1, 2017, applicants will receive an e-mail inviting them to begin the process. You must complete the process no later than noon on Oct. 20, 2017, but you are encouraged to complete it as soon as possible. If your laptop computer or the software is not operational on the day of the examination, you will need to handwrite the examination.

It is your responsibility to be familiar with SofTest and your laptop computer prior to the examination, as technical support will not be provided before, during or after the examination session.

Examination information

On the day of the examination, doors open at 7 a.m. Applicants taking the exam at laptop test centers must be seated no later than 7:30 a.m. with your laptop computer powered on and plugged in, at which time instructions for getting your laptop ready to use will begin. Give yourself time to find your seat and get comfortable. General instructions regarding administration of the examination will start promptly at 7:30 a.m. No extra time will be provided to ensure that a laptop computer is ready for use before the exam session begins or if you are not in your seat in time. Technical assistance will not be available. Examination questions will be distributed in hard copy just before the exam session begins.

Applicants are not required to have an internet connection during the examination, but are required to have internet access immediately following the examination to meet the upload deadline.

It is your responsibility to be familiar with SofTest and your laptop computer prior to the examination. Technical support will not be provided before, during or after the examination session.

Following the examination, applicants will have until 12 noon (Pacific Time), Oct. 25, 2017, to upload their examination answer file. If you fail to upload your answer file by the published deadline, your answers will not be graded.

Examination day information

On the day of the examination, those using laptop computers at laptop test centers must be seated no later than 7:30 a.m., with your computer powered on and plugged in at which time instructions for getting your laptop computer ready to use will begin. You should plan to arrive at the test center at 7 a.m.to find your seat and get comfortable. General instructions regarding administration of the examination will commence promptly at 7:30 a.m. No extra time will be provided to ensure that a laptop computer is ready for use before the examination session begins or if you are not in your seat in time. Technical assistance will not be available. Examination questions will be distributed in hard copy just before the beginning of the examination session.

If your laptop computer is not ready to begin at the designated time, you will be required to handwrite your answers to the examination. Applicants are not permitted to bring extra laptop computers, typewriters or word processors into the standard laptop test centers to use as backups.

After the morning session concludes, you will be asked to take your laptop out of the examination room, and you will not be able to bring it back into the room for the afternoon session. You may leave the laptop outside the examination room in the designated area by the staff table at your own risk.

ExamSoft

To ensure the security of the examination process, applicants are required to use SofTest software to take the written portion of the October 2017 Legal Specialist Examination. The application provides a simple word processing program and is designed to be familiar to users of WordPerfect or Microsoft Word. It blocks access to non-SofTest files on an applicant’s laptop computer during administration of the examination and can be used on virtually any modern computer, i.e., purchased within the last three to four years.

To use a laptop computer during administration of the examination, applicants must:

  • Have experience working with the laptop computer and the software
  • Have installed SofTest software and downloaded the mock examination and the exam file required for the examination to the laptop computer that will be used during the examination (once downloaded to a laptop computer, you cannot transfer the software and file to another laptop computer)
  • Have completed a mock examination using SofTest and uploaded the mock examination exam answer file
  • Have signed a “Release of Liability” form, which confirms you have accepted the conditions associated with using your laptop computer and that the Committee of Bar Examiners assumes no liability in the event there is a technical or mechanical failure of the equipment or software during the examination
  • Begin and/or continue with the examination by handwriting in the event there is a power failure, electrical difficulties or a malfunction with the laptop computer and/or software due to technical difficulties
  • Upload the exam file used during the examination, which contains your answers to the eight (8) essay questions, immediately following conclusion of the examination and no later than the published deadline.

Note about browsers: ExamSoft recommends Firefox or Google Chrome. Internet Explorer is NOT a supported browser.

Note about Windows 10 Creators OS: Please see ExamSoft’s instructions for information on how to certify devices with Windows 10 Creators for use on the legal specialist exam, or how to check your version of Windows.

SofTest minimum system requirements: SofTest can be used on virtually any modern laptop computer (i.e., one purchased within the last three to four years).

The specific system requirements can be found on ExamSoft’s Custom Home page for the California Bar Examination at http://go.examsoft.com/barexamsystemrequirements.

It is not possible to take secure exams through virtual operating systems such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels, VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual environment.

External standard or ergonomic keyboards and equipment such as a mouse are allowed. These items may be wireless.

Note: The maximum size allowed of laptop computer screen is 17.3 inches.

In some cases on PC laptop computers, certain antivirus applications may block SofTest from starting properly or can affect SofTest's performance during an examination. Visit ExamSoft’s Knowledge Base at http://support.examsoft.com to determine if your laptop computer is running any of the programs listed and for instructions on how to disable your antivirus/antispyware applications before installing SofTest and how to re-enable them after installation is complete.

You must download SofTest through http://www.examsoft.com/cbls even if it was previously installed for use in law school or for a previous Legal Specialist Examination. Be sure to fully uninstall any prior version of SofTest before downloading and installing the newest version.

Installing SofTest: After you have received your admittance ticket, go to the Custom Home Page for the Legal Specialist Examination on the ExamSoft website at: http://www.examsoft.com/cbls. To begin the process, do the following:

  • Locate the Exam Takers box in the upper left hand portion of the page;
  • Log in using your bar number and your password. A temporary password will be provided by ExamSoft. You will be prompted to change the temporary password upon first logon. 
  • Download SofTest;
  • Install SofTest and register your copy, after which two (2) exam files (one for use during the examination and one associated with the mock examination) will download automatically; and
  • Check ExamSoft confirmation e-mails to ensure the institution displayed is “State Bar of California – Legal Specialist Exam”

If you have an email spam blocker, please add barsupport@examsoft.com and support@examsoft.com to your contact or safe list so that you can receive the emails that will be sent to you during the certification process and as confirmation during the examination answer file upload process.

You must complete the certification process no later than Oct. 20, 2017. We recommend, however, that you complete the process as soon as possible after printing your admittance ticket so that ExamSoft will have the opportunity to assist you in resolving any problems you may encounter prior to the examination. If your laptop computer or SofTest is not operational when the examination begins or at any time thereafter, you will have to handwrite your examination answers.

Downloading your exam file: During the laptop certification process, the Mock Examination exam file and a blank exam file for you to record your answers during administration of the examination will be automatically downloaded to your laptop computer.

Certification confirmation: After successfully completing the certification process, you will be advised on-screen and via email by ExamSoft that you have done so and that the two files have been downloaded (The October 2017 certified specialist examination file and the mock examination file).

The mock examination: The mock examination confirms your laptop computer is compatible with SofTest and provides users with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with procedures for opening, using and uploading answer files prior to the day of the examination. The mock examination must be downloaded and the related exam answer file uploaded to complete the certification process and ensure your laptop computer has been configured properly for use on the day of the examination and for the upload of your exam answer file. The mock examination allows you to practice using SofTest Software and uploading the resulting file, and it is a relatively quick process that does not involve answering any actual questions. You will receive an email confirmation after you have uploaded the exam answer file for your Mock Exam. Until you receive this email confirmation, the software is NOT certified and you are not ready to use it at the examination. For instructional videos and guides on taking the mock examination, please go to http://support.examsoft.com.

Additional copies of the mock examination are available, if needed, to help familiarize you with the SofTest application.  Internet connectivity is required for downloading additional copies of the exam file and uploading exam answer files. NO internet connectivity is required while taking the mock examination. Instructions for downloading additional copies of the mock examination can be found at http://go.examsoft.com/barexam by choosing the http://www.examsoft.com/cbls. Authorization will not be granted for the purpose of having a backup laptop computer available in the event a laptop computer malfunctions during the examination.

ock exam option on the left side of the page.

You may check your certification status and view your download/upload history online at

http://www.examsoft.com/cblsand logging in to your account using the Exam Takers box.

FAQs

What is ExamSoft?

ExamSoft Worldwide Inc. is a software developer specializing in computerized assessment and assessment administration programs.

What is SofTest?

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. Using SofTest, you will download an exam file prior to exam day and upload your answer(s) after the exam via the Internet. You WILL NOT require an internet connection during your exam(s). You WILL require a connection to the internet to download the exam file and upload your answers(s). 

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