Fall 2016: SofTest Version 12

Examsoft announced its first official, non-beta release of SofTest Version 12 (v12) this past month. All St. John’s University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Examsoft student users can expect to use this new version during the fall 2016 semester. SofTest v12 will be available for installation August 8^th. As a student, if you are unsure whether your course will be utilizing Softest, please contact your instructor for confirmation. Resources on SofTest v12 use are now available at the Examsoft University site (click here to view). The minimum system requirements to use Softest v12 are listed here.

SofTest v12 contains a variety of improvements. Its interface has been updated with a simpler, more modern layout. Windows and Mac machines’ have a more consistent layout and each includes improved word-processor options for essay questions.  Based on student feedback, Examsoft is offering more features during exam administrations and exam reviews. Exam reviews will now allow exam takers to review their notes (written during the exam) at the time of the review. Exam Takers can also view which text was highlighted and which questions they flagged (during the exam’s administration) at the time of the review. The ability to cross out answer choices, highlight in different colors, and view Quick References Guides directly from the SofTest application is another improvement. Other features in SofTest v12, such as zooming in/out on a question stem, suspending an exam, or use of a download password will be released by the end of 2016.

Exam Takers within the St. John’s University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences will receive communication from the Office of Assessment’s Ms. Carla Hernandez in early August with instructions on how to install SofTest v12 and other pertinent information for its use in the upcoming fall semester. SofTest version 11 will no longer be supported as of September 8^th, 2016 and exam takers will be expected to uninstall the application from their machines.

Following the release of SofTest v12, Examsoft also anticipates an update to the Examsoft Online Portal in 2017. Faculty and administrators will be alerted once more information is available.

 

Office of Assessment Testing Developments

The Office of Assessment is utilizing the Summer of 2016 to upgrade software and hardware and train faculty in new testing modalities. Recently, the Office completed a hardware and software upgrade to the college’s scantron station. While the hardware upgrade will allow for a more efficient process of grading, the software upgrade of ParScore will allow for more robust data analysis and a heightened experience for faculty utilizing the Office to grade their multiple choice examinations. Data integrity will be enhanced as well, as the new software and hardware combination will allow for an easier backup of data and smoother migrations if necessary in the future.

At the same time, the Office has embarked on the ExamSoft User Development Initiative. This initiative consists of monthly workshops given by the Office of Assessment for faculty interested in ExamSoft. Ms. Carla Hernandez presented on June 28th to a group of faculty, training them in many faculty basics of the ExamSoft portal. This presentation was well received, and will be followed by the continuation of monthly workshops, including another in August. Faculty that attended (as well as all others that have previously used ExamSoft) are now being surveyed on their attitude toward ExamSoft and computer-based testing as a whole. As the Office continues to assist the college in this important initiative, we plan on continuing to train students as well. The Office is planning on assisting faculty in mock examinations and training sessions to new student users in Fall 2016.