Unscientific Analysis of Exam Software Trends
Thank you to everyone who has been sending me updated info for the Exam Software page. It’s much-appreciated. By my count the list now includes information on 29 schools, which is but a small fraction of all the law schools in the country. So our work is not yet done!
I am noticing a trend in the data. Last year the list was shorter, and roughly half of the schools allowed Mac use during exams. Right now by my count 19 of the schools in the list allow Mac use, five do not, and five are questionable (either because the data is old, the school is in the midst of a transition, or some other reason). Obviously the advent of Intel-powered Mac laptops has made a big difference. Admittedly, of the 19 schools that allow Macs for exams, most of them only allow MacBooks and MacBook Pros. This is because Windows-only SofTest still dominates the market, so most schools that allow Macs for exams do so only through Windows via Boot Camp.
People like me who have PowerPC iBooks or PowerBooks and attend SofTest-using schools still have to scrounge for a PC to use for exams. But if the small sample on the Exam Software page is at all representative, things are looking much better for MacBook and Mac Book Pro users. The days of getting shut out at exams seem to be moving to the rear view mirror.
DW wrote,
Great site. I will be starting law school in September and have been trying to find some alternative to MS Word for in class note-taking. I have settled on Journler - it seems to be the best for my needs. I have been using macs for about 5 years after I tried my graphic designer/flatmates ol’powermac G4 and wondered ‘why isn’t everyone using these!’
I will be buying a macbook as they are updated (hopefully before sept!) and currently have a iMac G5 PPC.
Just wanted to drop a line and say I enjoy the site and keep up the good work.
Also, for students who want to record video of their lecture or their performance in moot court check out:
http://www.instructables.com/id/E8F8TOKF0LKLJBG
Link | May 1st, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Erik Schmidt wrote,
Thanks for the note, Dave. Please keep MLS in mind once you start school; it would be great to hear how your Journler-based approach for note-taking works. The variety of excellent note-taking options on the Mac continues to amaze me.
The Per-i-Sight looks pretty clever. I could see that coming in handy for moot court, but its use in the classroom would depend on the school. Some profs don’t even allow audio recording of their lectures.
Link | May 1st, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Adam wrote,
Hey Erik,
I wrote a week or so ago asking about what is on the horizon for the new macbooks. I am still on the fence as to whether I should purchase now or wait. I have a follow up questions that I was hoping you could shed some light on. As I mentioned, I will be using my computer for basic functions (note taking, itunes, internet, etc.) so I am not sure if the new, rumored functions of a re-designed macbook will be all that beneficial. At the same time, I’d hate to buy a new macbook now only to have a new one release in a few months. My question is whether or not it is common for new hardware releases for Apple to have bugs. I don’t really want to spend my first semester of law school dealing with kinks in my computer. I have read that it may be a safer bet to buy a current, solid performing macbook now instead of dealing with potentinal problems of a new hardware release. Thanks for any insight you may have. I would post at macrumors.com but they seem a little too agressive for me (if that makes any sense.)
Adam
Link | May 2nd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Erik Schmidt wrote,
Hi Adam,
My guess is that the new sublaptop (which now is rumored to have been pushed back to late 2007 or early 2008, for what the rumors are worth) will cost more than the MacBook. Apple probably doesn’t want to cannibalize sales of the MacBook, so it wouldn’t be surprising for them to make the subnotebook a really high-powered machine in a small form factor.
The 13″ MacBook is probably a good fit for your needs. It is currently in rev B, which means the rev A kinks have been discovered and cleaned up. The rev B version rolled out in November of last year, and generally speaking Apple tries to update the laptops once every six months. They don’t always succeed, of course. But if you can wait until July; with any luck they’ll be shipping a rev C MacBook by then.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Erik
Link | May 2nd, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Adam wrote,
Thanks for the input
Link | May 2nd, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Andrea wrote,
Hi Erik, great site. Just wanted to let you know that Duquesne law uses securexam. We’re required to update oursoftware before exams each semester. I’ve never had a problem (ibook g4) with the software, although I noticed that windows users get a handy little timer whereas i’m sitting there at the beginning of each exam setting my numberless watch to (what i think is) 12 so i can stick to the suggested times for each question. Other than that small gripe it’s all good and as far as I know both windows and mac users are happy.
-Andrea
Link | May 10th, 2007 at 9:09 am
Erik Schmidt wrote,
Andrea,
Thanks for the note. A few people have mentioned the lack of a timer in the Mac version of Securexam. I’m not even sure SofTest has such a feature at all. At least, I’ve never noticed it.
Anyway, best of luck with exams. I’ll update the Exam Software page with the Duquesne info after my Con Law final today. Bleh.
Link | May 10th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Oliver wrote,
Good article! your site let me learn more. Thanks!Pls keep up to date.
Link | June 6th, 2008 at 11:19 am