What happens when a student's computer crashes in the middle of the
exam?
Whenever a student's computer is rebooted during an exam, after entry of the appropriate password, Securexam will automatically re-launch without permitting student access to the computer desktop, and return the student where he or she left off. The exam will continue as if an interruption did not occur. The exam statistics file has captured the shutdown and restart events.

How often will students' work be saved during an exam?
Exams are automatically saved to the computer's hard drive every 60 seconds. Students may also use the manual save function under the 'File' pull-down menu. Whenever a student switches between exam answers, all answers are automatically saved. Securexam also performs periodic full backups in separate locations, ensuring the ability to audit the exam process (record progress) and maximize the data integrity.

Why does Securexam require the student to “Type Start” at the beginning of the exam?
Securexam requires the student to type Start as a way to have the exam proctor control the exam time and process. When the student types 'Start', the Securexam exam clock will begin. The timer stops when the student exits the Securexam session, and the time is recorded in the encrypted exam. The timer is not shut off until the student fully exits the exam, and the clock will remain active for restarts or re-enters. The student may check the timer at any point during the exam. If the student is taking a “formatted-exam” (an exam with the questions contained in the document), she will not be able to see the questions, until first typing Start, ensuring that no one has an unfair advantage.

Professors also have the option of using the auto-timer feature when creating exams, which sets a time limit on an exam. If an exam has timed out while the student is still working, the system will automatically save and exit the student from the exam when the time is up. If the situation requires, an exam proctor can access a time-expired exam and extend the permitted time limit.

Does Securexam enforce any blind grading?
Schools can choose to have their students work with Securexam using an Identification Number (“ID”) rather than a name. Those exams are organized by ID, and the student’s name is never attached the answers or exam file container so that teacher can receive an grade answers anonymously. School administrators can still see from PlanetSSI whether exam files are missing from particular students.

Can Securexam be used in an Open-Book mode?
Each exam can be designated as either an Open or Closed-Book exam. Open-Book exams mean that Securexam can be used just like any other word processor, enabling the student to simultaneously open any other application or file during the exam. While in Open-Book mode, Securexam still performs all of the automatic back-ups, provides the exam recovery features, and automatically saves the exam to the appropriate class folder for recovery from PlanetSSI.

What exam settings can be applied to a Securexam?
Within PlanetSSI, a test can be created with word-count limits, page-count limits, time restrictions, date availability restrictions, passwords to open and close the exam, as well formatting settings such as whether spell-check is available on an exam-by-exam basis.

Where are exam answers saved?
Institutions using Securexam register their users in PlanetSSI which controls how the software is used. When students use Securexam they are either taking a particular exam posted to PlanetSSI and made available to the student’s computer, or are taking a blank exam “Blue-Book” which is associated with one of the classes for which the particular student is registered within PlanetSSI. In either case, Securexam knows to which Institution, Class, and exam file to save the students exam answer for later recovery from PlanetSSI.

Can exam files be saved anywhere other than PlanetSSI?
At the end of a Securexam session, a Securexam transfer utility automatically launches, restores the users Internet connection if there is one, and prepares the exam file that is saved on the desktop for transfer to the appropriate folder within PlanetSSI. The transfer utility contains a checkbox that enables the student to request that the utility also saves a copy of the encrypted exam file to a USB device, utilizing a wizard that will even check the key and confirm a successful save. As the encrypted exam file is saved to the student’s desktop, it can be manually saved to any other devise. Completed Securexam response files can not be printed, or opened without proper access to PlanetSSI administrative tools.

Securexam Browser Version 6

What are the system requirements?
Does Securexam Browser support MACs?
What common functionality is disabled during a test using Securexam Browser?
Does Securexam Browser support links to other websites contained in tests?
Can Securexam Browser support the use of video and audio players during a test?
How does Securexam Browser work with Blackboard or WebCT?
Can Securexam Browser be used as a normal Internet Browser?

What are the system requirements?

Does Securexam Browser support MACs?
We do offer a Securexam Browser version that runs on Mac OS X.

What common functionality is disabled during a test using Securexam Browser?
Students can not copy and paste content from outside the browser to inside the test, printers and print screen functionality is disabled, task manager is blocked, the ability to schedule tasks to launch is disabled, and the ability to access any other application – including those used to communicate with other computers is prohibited.

Does Securexam Browser support links to other websites contained in tests?
Faculty can embed links to other websites within an exam but any links from that new site to another website will be blocked, preventing the student from trying to access unauthorized content during an exam.

Can Securexam Browser support the use of video and audio players during a test?
Institutions can customize their Securexam Browser to support the use of video and audio players during a test. As the video and audio players are developed and controlled by third-parties, they sometimes also facilitate exam-time student access to external materials.

How does Securexam Browser work with Blackboard or WebCT?
When faculty want to ensure their students use Securexam Browser to take a test in Blackboard or WebCT, they simply use Software Secure’s Online Password Generator to create an encrypted password within the test settings. When the students properly log in to take their test, Securexam Browser will automatically populate the password screen with the proper password, ensuring that only those students using our “cheat-proof” Securexam Browser have access to the exam.

Can Securexam Browser be used as a normal Internet Browser?
Until Securexam Browser enters a test, it supports standard browser functionality including browsing, printing, access to links, etc.

Securexam Remote Proctor

What are the system requirements of Securexam Remote Proctor?
What is the Securexam Remote Proctor?
How does Securexam Remote Proctor work?
How does Securexam Remote Proctor work with Securexam Student?
What happens after the student has completed the exam?
What kind of motion and sounds get recorded by Securexam Remote Proctor?
What happens when a student's computer crashes in the middle of an exam using Securexam Remote Proctor?
Does Securexam Student support MACs?

What are the system requirements of Securexam Remote Proctor?

What is the Securexam Remote Proctor?
Securexam Remote Proctor is an integrated software-hardware solution that brings academic integrity to distance learning exams. Remote Proctor’s fingerprint scanner authenticates the identity of a test-taker, while the camera and microphone monitors the exam environment and records changes in sounds and a 360° view of any motion during an exam. Remote Proctor is connected to the test-takers’ computer loaded with Software Secure’s Securexam software, which locks the computer into the testing program while simultaneously prohibiting access to all applications or pre-existing information which could be used to cheat during an exam. With Securexam Remote Proctor, distance learning students can take exams, just as they learn, anytime, anywhere, and now, with integrity.

How does Securexam Remote Proctor work?
In order for students to enter Securexam using Remote Proctor, they must first successfully pass through the ID authentication process which entails placing their finger on a scanner which will match their biometrics with the scan gathered during initial registration of the unit, taking a picture, and depending on the school, capturing a picture of an ID card. Once student identification is authenticated, Securexam launches the testing program while locking down their computer until the test is completed. During the test, Remote Proctor will record changes in sound or motion. Those movements are recorded by Remote Proctor and audio and video clips are organized on a website for later review by the institution.

How does Securexam Remote Proctor work with Securexam?
Through a web-based interface, faculty can format an exam to require use of Securexam Remote Proctor. When students launch their Securexam software, the software will look for the Remote Proctor device and if it is connected, will begin the authentication process to gain access to the exam.

What happens after the student has completed the exam?
During the exam, Remote Proctor captures audio and video clips of when the motion or sound exceeds a specific threshold indicating potentially suspicious activity (i.e., movement that would normally attract the attention of a proctor of an in-class environment). If during the exam itself, the student’s Internet connection is dropped, or is inadequate to send suspicious video, the program will attempt to re-establish an adequate connection at the end of the exam for transmission. Until all the exam-time suspicious video is successfully transmitted, each time the test-takers’ computer is launched, Securexam Remote Proctor will continue the transmission process. After an exam has been completed, faculty and school administrators access a secure website to review the exam process, just as if they were proctors during the exam itself. For each test-taker, the website organizes and presents; (1) a picture of the student authenticating, (2) any suspicious audio/video clips and even (3) thumbnail video of the portion of the exam which did not include movement.

What kind of motion and sounds get recorded by Securexam Remote Proctor?
Securexam Remote Proctor contains a filter which distinguishes between normal test-taking movement (i.e., typing, minor head movements) and all other movement; “suspicious activity.” This filter initiates transmission of audio and video which records movement anywhere in the line of sight or sound of the test taker.

What happens when a student's computer crashes in the middle of an exam using Securexam Remote Proctor?
Whenever a student's computer is rebooted, the Securexam software will automatically re-launch, and upon entry of any required passwords, the student will be returned to her exam where she left off. The exam statistics file captures the shutdown and restart events. In order for the student to regain entry in to the exam, the Remote Proctor will require re-authentication.

Does Securexam Remote Proctor support MACs?
The Remote Proctor does not currently support the MAC OS.