What is the Laptop Program?
The laptop program offers all timely filed bar exam applicants the option to use their laptop computers for the essay portion of the Virginia Bar Examination instead of handwriting the essay portion. In order to participate in the laptop program, one must timely register, pay the current fee (see below) and download special software during the time period allotted. All bar exam applicants who timely and properly register for the laptop program will be allowed to participate.
When can I register for the Laptop Program?
Laptop registration begins the second Wednesday of January for the February exam, and the second Wednesday of June for the July exam. The initial registration period extends for 10 days. Late registration, with increased fee, extends until the last day of the month such registration began.
What happens if I miss the Laptop Registration?
You will handwrite the essay portion of the Virginia Bar Exam.
What are the requirements my computer must meet?
Must be running the Microsoft Windows operating system (Vista and Windows 7 only) or the Apple Macintosh operating system (10.5 Leopard, 10.6 Snow Leopard, and 10.7 Lion only). No other operating system versions will be allowed. Windows must be native on the computer and not within a virtual operating system under Macintosh, Linux, etc., nor running via Apple Boot Camp.
Must have a working USB port on your computer.
Must have 10 MB free hard disk space (a very small amount), and minimum 800x600 screen resolution.
Must be able to download the software from the Internet and install it on your laptop.
Must have a fully charged battery on the day of the exam.
What is the cost for the Laptop Program?
The cost for participating in the laptop program is $125 during the initial registration period. Late registration (available after the 10th day and until the end of the month registration began) is an additional $50.
The fee covers software licensing plus the additional administrative costs associated with administration of the Laptop Program.
How do I register and pay for the Laptop Program?
On the day laptop registration begins, a link will be posted on our website which will take you to the software provider’s site for instructions on how to register, pay and download the software.
Payment requires a PayPal account. A PayPal account MUST be established prior to registration. It can take up to a week for an account to be set up, depending upon your circumstances. You will not be considered properly registered until PayPal has reported your payment as verified. Click here www.paypal.com to set up an account. If you already have a PayPal account, you can use your prior-established account. Make sure you remember your Log-on ID and Password.
Please Note: For a very small percentage, pop-up blockers may be an issue for your computer to allow you access to PayPal. Prior to the registration period, make sure you can utilize your PayPal account.
What happens if my computer crashes?
If your laptop crashes prior to the exam, you can obtain a new laptop and download the software onto your laptop up until the Friday before the bar exam.
If your computer has any type of hardware or software problem on the day of the exam, the software technical staff is authorized to make a reasonable effort to resolve it. However, if the problem cannot be resolved easily, or if there is a site power failure, you must be willing to continue taking the examination by handwriting your answers using a pen with dark blue or black ink. You will be permitted to continue handwriting your answers, beginning at the point where you were when your computer malfunctioned. After the session, every attempt will be made to retrieve your answer(s) from your hard drive. The laptop software is designed to protect your work, and it is very likely the data can be recovered, but it is not guaranteed. No extra exam time will be granted in the event your computer malfunctions.
What happens if I register for the Laptop Program and decide not to take the exam or decide instead to handwrite the exam?
Laptop fees are nonrefundable, nor may they be applied to a subsequent administration of the exam.
For those who now wish to handwrite, if you notify us no later than the Thursday prior to the exam, you will be moved to the room where the applicants will be handwriting the exam. If you notify us after the Thursday prior to the exam, or fail to notify us until the day of the exam, you will be seated in the room where the applicants will be using their laptops and you will be provided paper to handwrite your answers.
Why does the software require I take a practice exam?
Taking a practice exam is about making sure Exam4 runs as expected on your computer, and it gives you a chance to become familiar with the interface. The way to test the software is to follow the software vendor's instructions for taking a practice exam. There are no questions for a practice exam.
Is cut, copy & paste allowed?
Yes. Starting with the July 2010 exam, the cut, copy and paste features are no longer disabled.
What is the approximate timeline for laptop testing?
Laptop participants must arrive by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday to set up your laptop. Instructions will be given at approximately 8:45 a.m. and the morning session of the exam will begin around 9:00 and end around 12:00 noon. All laptop participants must stay until time has been called and your exams have been submitted for printing.
Afternoon instructions will begin at approximately 1:45, and the afternoon session of the exam will begin around 2:00 and end around 5:00. Once again, all laptop participants.
Do I need a floppy disk drive?
No. Your essay answers will be saved on a USB drive, which will be provided. You must have a working USB port on your computer in order to save your essays for printing.
Will I have to pack up my laptop during lunch?
No. The laptop room will either be staffed at all times or locked. You will not need to pack up your equipment during lunch.
Will the essay questions be on the computer or in paper form?
The essay questions will be on paper. Only your answers will be typed into the computer.
Will the short answers be handwritten or on the computer?
The short answers, which are part of the afternoon essay exam, will be handwritten. Make sure you bring a blue or black ink pen to complete the short answers.
Will scratch paper and pencils be provided?
The front cover of your essay questions may be used for scratch paper. No additional paper will be provided unless you experience laptop problems and you need to handwrite your exam. You will need a blue or black pen for the short answer part of the exam. Make sure you bring your pens in a see-through bag.
Does my extension cord need to be a 2 or 3-prong plug?
Either a 2 or 3-prong plug will be sufficient.
If my computer power cord is 10 feet long, do I need to bring an extension cord?
Yes, you must bring at least a 6-foot extension cord. Power outlets will be within approximately 6-8 feet of each seat. To ensure that no one has to step over a power cord that is suspended in the air, you must have sufficient extension cord length.
Is the MBE going to be taken on the laptop also?
No, the MBE will be a standardized test where you grid circles using a #2 pencil. You will be seated in your same seats on Wednesday for the MBE section.
May I carry my laptop in my carrying case or backpack?
No laptop carrying cases or backpacks will be allowed. You may place your laptop, power cord and extension cord in a large clear plastic bag (Ziploc Big-Bags are available in your grocery store).
May I bring an external mouse and keyboard?
No. An external keyboard or mouse are not allowed.
Are there questions for the practice exam?
There are NO practice questions. The practice exam is for you to become acquainted with using the software, to make sure your computer passes the security check, and to practice using the arrow keys since the mouse functions have been disabled. Just make up an Exam ID and type anything in each answer section so you’re comfortable typing your essay answers.
Must I remove all floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, etc. from any of the drives on my computer?
Yes. Violation of these instructions could result in disqualification of your exam.