All applicants who are approved by Character and Fitnessto take the Alabama Bar Examination will have the option to use personal laptop computers.  The laptop computers must have the ExamSoft’s SofTest software installed and registered on the computer.  ExamSoft’s SofTest software will be used to record the answers to the Alabama State Bar Essay, Multistate Essay Examinations (MEE) and Multistate Performance Tests (MPT) portions of the Bar Examination. 

EXAMSOFT WILL MANAGE THE SOFTEST REGISTRATION PROCESS

The additional cost to use personal laptop computers will be $121.00 payable to ExamSoft upon registration with ExamSoft.  There is no limit on the number of applicants who can register for laptop testing.  ExamSoft Accounts will be activated for applicants who have submitted applications to the Alabama State Bar for a specific bar examination. An email notice will be sent to the email address the applicant provided on the bar application.

Notification that an ExamSoft Account has been activated will be sent during the month of November for the February Bar Exam and the month of May for the July Bar Exam.

FEBRUARY 2012 BAR EXAMINATION SOFTEST REGISTRATION PERIOD NOVEMBER 7, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 15, 2012

Laptop Registration Instructions, the Applicant Number and Password will be included in the “Notification” email notice.   Applicants must use the Applicant Number and Password to access the Exam Takers Section of the Registration Web Site. Applicants should check their email often.  Laptop applicants must read the Laptop Testing Procedures and Requirements to ensure a good understanding of the laptop testing process and the SofTest software.  This process must be completed each time you sit for the bar examination, regardless of any previous ExamSoft registrations you may have completed for this bar examination or any other examination.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Download and register SofTest onto the computer you will use on exam day (NO EXCEPTIONS)

• Confirm your laptop computer meets the minimum specifications listed below

• Ensure your laptop is configured for access to the Internet

• Complete and return a Mock Exam using SofTest prior to the published registration deadline

• Have experience using computers

• Agree to handwrite your examination in the event of a hardware/software malfunction or power failure.

• Agree to upload your answer file (files) by the deadline imposed by the Alabama State Bar

• Agree not to remove, delete or uninstall SofTest or any SofTest program files until results have been published.

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CHECKLIST WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED DATE RANGE:

• Log In - Visit www.examsoft.com/albarand login under the Exam Takers section in the upper left.

• Install - Download and install SofTest on the laptop you are using on exam day.  (NO EXCEPTIONS)

• Register SofTest – Enter your ID# and password when prompted to register.

• Download Exam(s) – A Mock Exam and formatted exam files(s) for recording your answers are automatically downloaded after successfully registering SofTest. Email confirmations will be received.

• Take Mock Exam - Complete the Mock Exam and upload the answer file. Email confirmation will be received.

• Review FlexSite Exam Information – Upon completion of SofTest registration you will be provided information about using your laptop on exam day.

• Equipment - You will be required to access the Internet following the examination to upload your answers.  Make certain your computer is properly equipped.

PC System Requirements:

• CPU = 1 GHz Pentium III or Industry Equivalent

• RAM = 1 GB

• Drives = 50 MB of free space

• Operating System = English 32-bit Windows XP and 32-bit and 64-bit Vista and Windows 7.0 SofTest cannot be used in virtual operating systems.

• Software = Internet Browser

• Internet Access for SofTest Installation, Exam Download and Upload

• Screen Resolution must be 1024x768 or higher

It is not possible to take secure exams through a virtual operating system such as Microsoft's Virtual Machine, Parallels or VMware, VMware Fusion or any other virtual operating system environment. Although SofTest can be installed and registered on virtual platforms, it will only be enabled for non-secure Practice Exams.
Mac Requirements
A native Mac version of SofTest may be installed and utilized for the first time starting with the July 2011Bar Exam. When you attempt to download SofTest, the native Mac version will appear, if it is available to you. In order to use SofTest on your Apple Macbook or Macbook Pro natively, you must have:

• CPU = Intel processor

• RAM = 512 MB

• Drives = 50 MB or higher free disk space

• Operating System = MAC OS X 10.5.8 or higher (Leopard or Snow Leopard). SofTest may not be used in virtual operating systems.

• Software = Internet connection for downloading/uploading exams

• Administrator account

For all support issues and questions, please visit http://support.examsoft.com. You may also watch several instructional videos on SofTest use and the overall Bar process at http://www.examsoft.com/softestbar.