ExamSoft – Student Guide

Students can access the online ExamSoft portal here: https://ui.examsoft.io/login?institutioncode=BostonUniversity

Within this portal, students can:

• See their courses using ExamSoft
• Download the Examplify application (iPad users can download from the App Store)
• See upcoming exams and exam results (must be released by the instructor)
  • Note: exams can only be downloaded through the Examplify application and are not downloadable from the website

Tips to improve the ExamSoft experience:

• Use Chrome or Firefox for your default browser (you may encounter errors or compatibility issues with other browsers)
• Bookmark the BU ExamSoft portal for easy access
• Be sure the latest versions of the device’s operating system and Examplify are installed (unless otherwise specified)
• Install Examplify well in advance of the first exam, in case students encounter any errors
  • Note: Examplify will only work on Mac, PC, iPad, or Surface Pro devices. It will not work with Chromebooks, tablets (other than those mentioned), devices running virtual environments, or other 2-in-1 devices. See minimum system requirements

Examplify is a program students download to their devices to take the exam. This program locks down the device so students cannot access other materials, websites, etc. Examplify will return the device to its normal state once the student has completed and submitted their exam. Instructions on downloading and installing Examplify can be found here.

Examplify includes a number of features designed to accommodate exam takers with accessibility needs. These include features that are available to exam takers within Examplify, as well as accommodation settings that can be enabled for individuals with specific needs. Read the ExamSoft accessibility statement.

Students who have questions about obtaining accommodations should contact Disability & Access Services.

Time accommodations

Students needing time accommodations should speak to their instructor as soon as possible at the beginning of the semester. Because exams are downloaded as a “bundle” to the student’s device, accommodations must be in place before a test is downloaded so that they are included in the bundle. Time accommodations will show in Examplify before you start your exam:

Time accommodation in Examplify

Assistive devices

Examplify for Windows is compatible with Jaws (version 2022 and higher) and NVDA screen reader technology. Examplify for Mac is compatible with the VoiceOver screen reader technology built into the macOS. Users may also utilize Examplify for iPad, which supports the iPad’s built-in VoiceOver capabilities. Alternatively, exam managers may grant a non-secure accommodation to enable individual exam takers’ screen readers use with other screen reader programs or other third-party applications, during their exam. 

Abilities within Examplify during an exam

• Adjust text size for questions
• Select different colors for the highlight feature
• Re-size of pop-up windows
• Zoom in or out of attachments
• Zoom in or out of hotspot images
• Re-size the essay response area
• Utilize keyboard shortcuts
• Set one or more custom timers

Note: you can only access ExamSoft using Chrome or Firefox – other browsers such as Safari and Edge create compatibility issues.

Students may encounter an error message when attempting to access the ExamSoft portal through the website. Most commonly, students may see a message that says “Sorry, we couldn’t connect to your school’s login page.” Another error sometimes seen is students will get stuck in a login loop and eventually be directed to a corporate selection page (students should never enter their BU credentials on a non-BU page). The following steps should resolve both of these issues:

1. Try another browser (e.g., if Chrome is normally used, try Firefox)
2. Try an incognito/private window
3. Clear the browser cookies/history
   1. Check all items except for saved passwords to be deleted
   2. The timeframe should be “for all time” or “everything”
4. Add ExamSoft as a trusted website to the browser using the instructions below:

Chrome

1. Open Chrome
2. At the top right of the window, click the More Settings button
3. On the left side, click Privacy and Security, then click the Third-party Cookies section
4. Scroll to the Allowed to use third-party cookies section, and click Add
5. In the text box that opens, type “examsoft.com” and click Add
6. Repeat this process to also add “examsoft.io“

Firefox

1. Open Firefox
2. At the top right of the window, click the More Settings button
3. On the left side, click Privacy & security
4. Under the ‘Cookies and Site Data section, click Manage Exceptions
5. In the text box that opens, type “examsoft.com” and click Allow
6. In the text box that opens, type “examsoft.io” and click Allow
7. Click Save Changes to apply

If students need technical assistance with any other ExamSoft issue, they should contact the IT Help Center by emailing ithelp@bu.edu. The following information should be included to expedite a resolution: