Exam Mode scheduling

Exams that take place on open access PCs may require a specific exam mode to be activated.

There are currently the following online exam modes available:

MED

SpeedWell

Perception Exam

Biology ExamOnline

BMS - Biomedical Sciences exams

ENG - Engineering  Exam

BUS- UEBS OpenAI exam 

When set to into either of these modes, the PCs auto-login and open up a browser window where that specific online exam can then be accessed. For further information on the modes themselves and how they work please contact your local School IT team in the first instance.

Note that whilst we can set the PCs into the correct exam mode for you, the online exam that this mode will point to must be set up in advance by the School IT team.

 

There is an additional exam mode available which works in a slightly different way:

SN(special needs) exam mode

You need to be aware of the following if using this mode:

  • SN exam mode blocks EVERYTHING on the PC apart from the Word application, no other application can be used and internet access is blocked.
  • Documents must be saved to USB sticks which the exam organiser or School IT team will need to arrange and provide. LST are not responsible for providing these nor are they responsible for checking documents are saved onto the USB sticks.
  • You cannot login to the PC with your own UUN. Each PC must be logged into with an exam username and password which LST will provide to the organiser at the time of booking  - however please understand the examiners/invigilators will need to log into the required number of PCs with the login details before the students arrive. The students should not be given the login details. You will need to factor time for this when making the lab booking with the Timetabling Unit. 
  • Printing is not available. 
  • When invigilators arrive the PCs should display a red screen with 'Exam Mode' in large letters on it and you will only be able to log in using the exam username & password.

 

Services

  • We can switch PCs into an exam mode in bookable only ISG Open Access Labs. 
  • For a morning exam, the exam mode is normally activated overnight the evening before the exam. For an exam starting later in the day, the PCs will normally not be set into exam mode until approximately 1-2 hours before the exam is due to start. We will ensure the PCs are working and in the correct mode before the start of the exam.
  • Service Desk for emergency assistance (hardware only)

All Services are subject to staff availability.

 

Service Exclusions

We do not support:

  • Advice and assistance on the exam mode itself – please contact your School IT team in this instance
  • Online exams taking place in any location out-with a bookable ISG open access lab, including any Specialist spaces.
  • Any requests for modifications to current exam modes or any requests for new exam modes, please contact IS Helpline and your call will be directed to Desktop Services.

 

Request Process

ALL PC lab request bookings are to be emailed to the Timetabling Unit to ensure the space is booked.

Bookings for ONLINE exams that require the PCs to be put into a specific exam mode, please email the details to learningspacestechnology@ed.ac.uk so our team can be made aware of any online exams taking place so we can schedule it in at our end to make sure the PCs are set up correctly and if need be provide you with any details.

It is important that you make sure you have scheduled into your room booking some time before the exam starts and after the exam finishes. This is so to ensure all the PCs have switched into the correct mode before the start of the exam, as well as time for our team to set the PCs back to normal before the PC lab is next in use. Switching into and out of exam mode is not instantaneous so please allow at least 1 hour before and after the exam. 

If your exam is scheduled in for multiple days, we may ask you to block book the required lab for the exam period so please keep that in mind.

We require advanced notice with a minimum of 7 days.

Please note that even if your exam only requires a small number of PCs, the whole lab will be placed into exam mode. This is so that the PCs do not show up as available for use on https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/computing/desktop-personal/open-access/availability-open-access when the lab is closed for the exam.

 

Your exam may be at risk by not following the above guidance.

 

Our support is available 08:30-17:45 Monday-Friday during term time and 08:30-16:30 outside of term time. 

If you encounter any issues during the exam and require emergency technical assistance, please contact our Service Desk on 0131 650 4097 and we will endeavour to dispatch a technician out to the location as soon as we can. 

Any non-critical AV or IT faults can be reported to learningspacestechnology@ed.ac.uk 

 

Useful Links

Timetabling Unit

IS Helpline

 

 

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