helpful tips for new examsoft exam takers2016

Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology Spring 2016

Helpful Tips for New ExamSoft Exam Takers (Please note: FireFox is the preferred browser for ExamSoft)

I. The First step is to get the SofTest App. Note: You can install SofTest two ways:

1. Self Service on campus or 2. The ExamSoft website

1. Install from Self Service:

1. Find the Self Service app in the computer dock. 2. Select and install SofTest.

2. Install from the ExamSoft site: 1. Go to http://learn.examsoft.com/ 2. Click “Exam Takers” and search for

Shenandoah University

3. Click on your database (described below)

4. After selecting your database, click the link to open the registration page.

Shenandoah has 4 databases:

• Shenandoah Liberal Arts, Business, and Conservatory (suarts)

• Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy (SUPharmacy)

• Shenandoah University Elianor Wade Custer School of Nursing (SUNursing)

• Shenandoah University Division of Physical Therapy (sudpt): Includes AT, OT, PA, or PT

Self Service SofTest


Registration: Exam Takers login as follows: Login: Your su login name

(example: amarchan) Password: Your Blackboard Password

II. Download the SofTest application: You will get to a screen that explains the system requirements. Be sure Mac is selected if you are using a Mac and then click the Download button. If you are using a Mac, save the .dmg file to your Applications folder. If you are using a PC, save the .exe file to your Applications directory. III. Setup Your Notifications

Watch the video that explains the exam taking process. Note: The example uses a PC, but the process is the same on a Mac.


V. Install SofTest. (Mac instructions.) *NOTE: Because of differences in computers, operating systems, browsers, and settings, at least one of the following methods should work for the installation of the software. If the first option (A) does not appear as described, please try method B. (A) Open your Applications folder and right-‐click the SoftestMac11.dmg file. A right-‐click on a Mac is a two-‐finger click. You must right-‐click and approve the download. It will ask you to enter your password for your Macbook. This is the usually the same password that you use for Blackboard unless you have changed it OR… (B) Open your Applications folder and double-‐click the SoftestMac11.dmg file. A small window will appear indicating the software package is downloading. The EXAMSOFT window will then open, and you will see the SoftTest icon in the upper left corner. Double-‐click that icon.

When the installer window appears, follow the onscreen instructions. You will need to Agree to the service terms and allow the software to make network connections.


VI. Register the software. You will need to OPEN the SoftTest software and then register it. When asked for the “INSTITUTION ID,” use the appropriate name as listed below.

Institution IDs:

Arts & Sciences, Business, Conservatory: suarts Nursing: sunursing Health Professions: sudpt Pharmacy: supharmacy

Continuing the registration, you will be asked for your STUDENT ID and PASSWORD. Your username will include the name of the database (above), followed by your network username, with the slash between. See example: Username: prefix\yoursuloginname (for example: suarts\amarchan) Password: the password you use for Blackboard and the SU network. Note: If you ever need to “unregister” SofTest so that a different user can use or you can access an exam in a different database, press the control+command+F7 keys at the same time. To force SofTest to update, press the control+command keys and type the letters AU. VII. Now you are ready to take an exam!

If you don’t see any exams in the drop down menu, your professor has not posted the exam yet.

Note: When you take an exam, your professor may set an exam password that you will need to download the test. When you are ready to start the text, you must type: begin in the field indicated. Once you get to the yellow screen, you have completed the exam. Be sure to make sure you get to the green screen that indicates the exam has been successfully uploaded so it can be evaluated.


Helpful Tips: Be sure you understand your professor’s rules for taking the exam. Make sure you have your charger for your laptop handy. If the exam is very large, it may take a while (over 10 minutes) to download. Be sure you have a good, broadband, internet connection during the download process. Close all applications before beginning the download. If you get an error that indicates the exam password is incorrect, and you are sure you have typed it correctly (it will be case sensitive and may contain numbers), you may need to “reverse download” the exam and try again. With SofTest open to the screen that displays the download, press the command-‐fn-‐F3 keys at the same time. This will remove the old download so you can download again. Note that if you have exceeded the number of downloads your instructor has allowed or if the deadline has passed, you will need to contact your instructor for assistance. If you need help, you can contact the exam taker support line. The support line is open from 7:30am-‐8:30pm EST M-‐F and 8:30am-‐6:30pm EST on Saturdays. 866-‐429-‐8889 There is also online help at examsoft.com/help.

helpful tips for new examsoft exam takers2016

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