Digital exams device check

If your device does not meet the requirements for a digital exam, it will need to be updated and re-tested. If this isn’t possible, use a different device.These results are only valid at the time of testing, on the device tested.

Device set up

As well as your device meeting the specifications for a digital exam, you’ll also need to make sure it:

• is free of viruses
• has notifications, updates and the screensaver disabled
• has a physically attached keyboard
• is fully charged and will last for 3 hours or has access to a power source
• is connected to the school’s WiFi
• is compatible with your headphones (if you’re doing a listening standard as part of a Te Reo Rangatira or digital language exam).

Headphones for Te Reo Rangatira and digital language exams

Audio files

All L1-3 digital language exams and the Te Reo Rangatira L2 (standard 91777) exam require headphones, as the listening part of these exams uses an audio file.

You can use the language listening standards familiarisation activity on our website to do a  headphone check and play the audio files to see how they work (located under the Have a play section).

Voiceover files

For Te Reo Rangatira Levels 1-3 exams a voiceover option is available so you can listen to as well as read the exam instructions, questions and resources.

You’ll need headphones with good sound quality that are connected to your device before the exam starts.

You can use the Te Reo Rangatira kōnae whakarongo  familiarisation activity on our website to do a headphone check and play the voiceover files to see how they work (located under the Have a play section).

Language keyboards for language exams and responding in Te Reo Māori

If you’re answering your exam in Te Reo Māori or the target language of a language exam, make sure you install a language keyboard before the exam and are familiar with how it works.

Instructions on how to install a language keyboard on your device can be found in the links below:

• Chrome OS
• Microsoft Windows
• Apple Mac

Device and browser specific set up instructions

Find out how to set up your device below.

Disabling notifications	Chrome OS	Microsoft Windows	Apple Mac
Disabling screensaver	Chrome OS	Microsoft Windows	Apple Mac
Disabling/scheduling automatic updates	Chrome OS	Microsoft Windows	Apple Mac
Updating the browser	Google Chrome
Setting browser to fullscreen	Google Chrome
Installing and enabling a language keyboard	Chrome OS	Microsoft Windows	Apple Mac
Disabling browser extensions	Google Chrome

Shortcut keys in digital exams

You can use certain shortcut keys in a digital exam. Shortcuts available and what they do are in the table below.

Other shortcuts have been disabled, to reduce the likelihood of you losing work or accidentally moving away from the exam browser.

Shortcut Keys	What it does
Ctrl/Cmd+A	Select everything on a page.
Ctrl/Cmd+Z	Undo
Ctrl/Cmd+Y	Redo
Ctrl/Cmd+C	Copy selected text
Ctrl/Cmd+V	Paste selected text
Ctrl/Cmd+X	Cut selected text
Ctrl/Cmd+0	Return to default page magnification setting (100%)
Ctrl/Cmd+B	Mark as Bold
Ctrl/Cmd+I	Mark as Italics
Ctrl/Cmd+U	Underline
Ctrl/Cmd+(- or +)	Zoom in or out of a page, "-" will zoom out and "+" will zoom in on the page.
Insert/Ins	Toggle between adding text and overwriting text

School information

How your school manages devices depends on whether you use BYOD or school-provided devices.

Below are some tips to help you plan for device management during digital exams.

Testing and setting up devices for digital exams

This can be time consuming, especially if different kinds of devices are being used. Think about how students can assist with checking and setting up devices alongside your IT support; for example, setting aside time for classes to check their devices together, with an IT support person available if they run into any issues.

Self-management for BYOD

If you are a BYOD school, you may want students to more actively manage their device set up. Long term, consider recommending similar or the same device for all students to make set up easier. Talk to students and whānau about device requirements too.

Between exams

As you begin to increase the number of digital exam sessions, you will have more days where two or more digital sessions occur. Make sure power sources are available to charge devices between morning and afternoon sessions.
Find someone to manage the charging of devices (if required) and check all devices between sessions; for example, ensuring browsers from the previous exam have been closed.

Back up device

Sometimes, devices will fail in an exam; they run out of battery or freeze, so it’s preferable to, have back up devices for students, so they can easily recommence their work on the digital exam platform. If that’s not possible, moving to paper remains an option.