Exam Administration in the Faculty of Law at Queen's University

The Faculty of Law at Queen's University uses a cloud-based exam software called Examplify to administer in person exams. Students will install the software on their own laptop in order to take secure electronic exams. Students who choose not to use Examplify for in person exams will handwrite exams.

Take home exams will be administered using onQ. 

Refer to the exam schedule to determine if your exam is in person (Examplify) or take home (onQ). 

All exams are managed by the faculty with the exception of most accommodated exams. To prepare for a smooth testing day, we ask that you read all of the information below. 

Exam Dates

Exam schedules are posted here. 

Please note the designated exam deferral date for the fall term is Wednesday December 21, 2022. 

Exam Accommodations

If you require accommodations for exams, please ensure you have registered with Student Wellness Services no later than November 15 (Fall) or March 15 (Winter).

Students who require any of the following assessment accommodations will write their in person exams with the Central Exams Office:

  • A private room,
  • A semi-private room, or
  • Additional time and a computer

These accommodations will be centrally administered. Students will NOT use Examplify. Instead students will use Microsoft Word on a desktop computer provided by the Central Exams Office.

Exam delivery information will be available in Ventus ahead of the exam date.

This information is also applicable to the Public Law practice exams taking place in October (Law 140, 141, and 143).

Exam Presentation Slides

The Exam Information Session was held on Monday October 3, 2022 via zoom. 

Please review the recording and slides. 

Regulations and Policies

All regulations and policies are detailed in the Queen's Law Academic Calendar.

Fee Policy

In 2022-23, the law school will pay the licensing fee per student use for the software, and a variety of printing and administrative costs. The law school reserves the right to charge a software use fee in the future. Once you register your copy of Examplify, the school will be charged the license fee. 

Exceptions to Using Examplify

  • Take home exams will be administered in onQ. The exam schedule notes which software will be used for each exam. 
  • Students with a documented disability who require exam accommodations must arrange required exam accommodations with Accessibility Services by the required deadline.
  • Many students who require an accommodation will not write their exams in Examplify. Instead their exam will be administered by the Central Exams Office using their software. 

To prepare for a smooth testing day, we ask that you read all of the information below. 

Before Arriving On Campus for Your Exam

You will receive an email from ExamSoft with instructions for downloading the software as well as a username and password. Students should register Examplify upon receipt of the email. If you have any questions or issues with registration, contact ExamSoft technical support at support@examsoft.com or call toll-free 866.429.8889.

It is your responsibility to ensure:

  • That your PC or Mac can open and run Examplify and that it meets the Minimum System Requirements. 
  • That there is adequate hard drive space available.
  • That your computer is virus free.
  • That all updates have been completed so that you do not experience any delays on exam day. 
  • Once you have installed and registered Examplify, familiarize yourself with the software by utilizing the Mock Exam.
  • That your battery has at least 20 minutes of charge prior to the exam in the event there is a temporary power outage. 

Installing Examplify

  • The Faculty of Law at Queen's University has a custom home page: examsoft.com/queenslaw
  • Mock Exam password: LawMock2022

See below for device-specific instructions: 

After registering, launch the program by opening the Examplify icon on your desktop. Click the "Take an Exam" button. On the Examplify Start Window, select "Mock Exam". Taking the Mock Exam ahead of time enables you to familiarize yourself with the exam environment. You may use the Mock Exam as many times as you wish. 

Exam Day

Report to the designated exam room at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled exam time. You must bring the following items: 

  • Your Queen's Photo ID card.
  • The power cord for your laptop. 
  • Your Examplify username and password. 
  • Any permitted exam materials as outlined by your instructor. 
  • Do not bring any food or open drinks into the exam room. 

When you arrive, plug your computer into a power outlet, turn on the computer, login to Examplify and click on your exam and follow the instructions provided. The proctor will provide the exam specific password. 

After you have completed your exam you must wait for the green screen with a check mark to appear. This can take up to 5 minutes in some cases. Do not leave the exam room until you see the green screen. If 5 minutes has passed and the green screen doesn't appear alert the proctor and go to the Student Services Office (room 200) for immediate assistance. 

Reporting Late to a Computer Exam: Notice of Time Penalty

Students are required to report to their examinations 15 minutes before the exam time. If they arrive late, they are subject to loss of completion time for the examination.

Short Delay – up to 5 minutes

If the exam-taker arrives less than five minutes late and the student can be accommodated by the proctor in the examination room without undue disruption to a timely start of the examination, then the student will be permitted to set up, log in and commence the computer examination. The student may use the time allotted in Examplify for the examination but will have to continue typing while with other students, who arrived on time, upload their examinations and leave the examination room.

The instructor will receive an examination incident report noting the late arrival. 

Longer Delay – More than 5 Minutes

If the exam-taker arrives more than 5 minutes late to the examination room and the examination has already commenced, the proctor should ask the student to report to the Student Services Office (room 200).

Technical Issues

  • For a mid-exam freeze or crash, alert the proctor. Rebooting the computer without closing Examplify usually solves the problem. Your responses are saved and backed up automatically every 60 seconds. Hold down the power button until the computer restarts. The clock will be paused while the computer is rebooting. 
  • Exams will not be delayed or suspended due to individual computer problems.
  • During the exam, use care when highlighting and deleting.
  • Do not uninstall Examplify until you receive your exam grading or feedback.
  • Students who do not take the time to become familiar with their laptop computer or with word processing functions should consider handwriting their exams. No administrative relief will be granted for incorrect use of the software.
  • Any attempt to disable or tamper with Examplify's security features will be considered a violation of the student honour code. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with your equipment and the software and instructions provided by ExamSoft on its website prior to the start of your exam. Please allow yourself sufficient time to become familiar with your laptop and the software. 

If technical issues cannot be resolved within 5 minutes, Exam Takers will start to handwrite their exam answers. Extra writing time will not be allocated.

Students who encounter technical difficulties while installing the exam software should contact ExamSoft technical support directly at toll-free 1-866-429-8889 or support@examsoft.com.

After installing Examplify on your laptop, Queen's Information Technology Services (ITS) advise you not to load any additional software until after you have finished your exams. Refraining from installing software after you install Examplify will help you avoid potential software conflicts.

If you have installation problems that ExamSoft technical support is unable to solve, you should contact the Student Services Office as soon as possible. 

Contacts for Exam Administration Issues

Sarah Taylor, JD Program Coordinator
Law Building Room 200B
sarahe.taylor@queensu.ca
613-533-6000 ext. 75795

To report an incident during your exam, please do so immediately following your exam:

Jennifer Brierley, Equity and Academic Success Coordinator
Law Building, Room 407
law.accommodations@queensu.ca
613-533-6000 ext. 78352