Common Questions About Securexam

 If you do not see your question listed below, please email us at CSLHelp@law.edu.

(Please note that, while the substance of the information here is correct, dates and version numbers may be out-of-date, and will be updated when there are new dates and versions.)

Download/Installation instructions

1. Do I need to install the new version?
2. What is the current version?
3. Do I really need to let it run for 15 minutes?
4. Am I registered for Securexam?
5. What do I do if is says I don't have the proper licenses?
6. Do I need to "Get exams and licenses" every time?
7. Why can't I transfer my exam?
8. Can I use spell check?
9. How do open book exams work?
10. How do I take more than one practice exam?
11. If I have MacOSX 10.4 (Tiger) do I have to upgrade?
12. Can I install Securexam on my iPad or other tablet?
13. What if my laptop isn't working, or I don't have a laptop?

Q: If I already have the software installed from last semester (and didn't have any problems with it last semester), do I need to download and install the software again?

A: No.  As long as you have the current version (see the next question), it is not necesarry to reinstall the software.  You do still need to get exams and licenses as usual.

Q: What is the current version of Securexam?

A: If you are using Windows, the Securexam Student icon on your desktop should say v6.7.2.

If you have a Mac, the current version is v7.2.3.  Version 7.2.2 is OK to use, but not anything before that.  If you are unsure of which version you have, it's best to go ahead and install the latest.

Q: Do I really need to let the practice exam run for 15 minutes?

A: Yes. Over the semesters, we have seen an increasing number of programs that run in the background, and on rare occasion, manage to bypass the security blocks put in place by Securexam. When something attempts to bypass Securexam’s lockdown measures, it’s taken as an attempt to cheat, and the software essentially halts all activity. The uncertain part is that the same programs don’t always cause problems, just in certain situations with certain configurations.

The reason that we insist upon the 15 minutes is to make sure there’s nothing running in the background that could “wake up” during an exam and cause an issue. 15 minutes is long enough to assuredly say there is nothing hanging out in the background waiting to disrupt your exam.

If you do not follow the proper procedures for Securexam, which include running your practice test for at least 15 minutes, then you are at your own risk should there be technical issues during your exam. Each practice exam uploaded has timestamps indicating how long it was open. If you encounter a technical problem during an exam that would potentially merit additional time (or some other dispensation), you are hurting your chances if you have not followed the full and proper procedures as indicated.

Q: I took a practice test and it said it uploaded, but I want to be double-sure that everything worked correctly and that I'm registered for Securexam.

A:  Have you looked in your CardinalMail account for a confirmation email? If you got the email, then everything worked fine, and you're registered to use Securexam.

Q: OK, I've installed the software, but when I try to run it, I get a message about not having the proper license. What gives?

A: You need to Get exams and licenses first.

Q: Do I need to Get exams and licenses every time I take an exam?

A: Yes, you do. If you do not, last-minute changes, such as modifications to the exam format, will not be delivered to you.

Q: After taking an exam, I cannot transfer my exam or access the internet. What should I do?

A: Once in a while, Securexam does not successfully re-enable your WiFi adapter. On Winodows you can use the Repair Connection feature to re-enable your WiFi. On a Mac, you should only need to turn your Airport on. Look for an empty triangular outline next to your clock and click on it.  In any case, somebody from Computer Services will be on hand at the end of each exam to assist with uploading your exams.

Q: Will I have access to spell check?

A: Yes.  All exams administrered through Securexam will have access to the spellcheck feature.  

Q: Our professor said our exam is open book. How does that work?

A: Unlike semesters past, there will be no exams where Securexam will allow access to your hard drive or the internet. All materials to be used during the exam must be brought in hard copy.

Q: Can I take more than one Practice exam?

A: Yes you can. When you get to the point in the software (either Windows or Mac) where you'd select the exam to take, look for something that says Blue Book. Click on that, and you'll be able to select the practice exam from a drop down menu. That practice exam can be taken as many times as you like.

Q: If I have MacOSX 10.4 (Tiger) do I have to upgrade?

A: Yes you do.  The developer of Securexam has concluded that for optimal reliability, the Mac version is only compatible with OSX 10.5 and higher (Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion). We apologize for any inconvenience and expense this may cause, but for what it's worth, the upgrade to Snow Leopard or Lion (depending on your laptop's age) is the best $30 you can spend on your Mac.  Especially with older Macs, the performance and stability improvements are significant. If you do need to upgrade your laptop and you have already purchased the upgrade, Computer Services will be happy to perform the upgrade. It usually takes about an hour, and can usually be completed while you go to a class or two. Contact Computer Services if you have any questions about the upgrade.

Q: Can I install Securexam on my iPad or other tablet device?

A: No, you can not.  While iPads and other tablet devices are highly convenient, and suffice for many purposes, Securexam is not one of them. You will need to have a laptop to take your exams with Securexam.

Q: What if my laptop isn't working, or I don't have a laptop?

A: You will need to rent one or borrow one from somebody. The first thing you should do if you are unsure about your laptop's condition is bring it to us so we can take a look at it and determine if it's going to be able to run Securexam. In many cases, we are able to perform the software repairs necessary to allow Securexam to work. If that's not the case, however, or if you can't borrow a laptop from somebody else, you must rent one. If you are considering borrowing a laptop from a friend, family member, or your office, keep in mind that you still need to meet the registration deadline, and that you will need the laptop for up to 2 weeks for the actual exam period. It is not a good idea to borrow a laptop from somebody if you will need to return it to them in-between exams, as this leads to a much greater potential for software instability and unexpected crashes.

In any case, whether you are renting or borrowing a laptop, you must contact us to let us know, just in case you don't meet the deadline. If you miss the deadline because you are renting or borrowing, and fail to notify us before the deadline, there is nothing we can do, and you will have to hand-write your exams.

If you need to rent a laptop, you are free to do so from anywhere you choose, however Computer Services has negotiated a deal with a local vendor that is almost certainly cheaper than anywhere else you might rent one. The laptop is dropped off here at Computer Servcies on the date you arrange, we install and test Securexam, and then when you're finished, you simply drop the laptop off with us. We archive all exam files before returning the laptop to the vendor.

Here is the contact info if you are thinking about renting a laptop:

Affordable Computer Rentals
1-800-738-3132
21760 Beaumeade Circle
Suite 170
Ashburn, VA 20147