[blindlaw] ExamSoft

[Elizabeth Rene]

Hi all,

I am retaking the Washington State Bar Exam after a long break from the 
practice of Law.  When I passed it the first time in 1980, the idea of using 
text-to-speech software on a computer was a dream of the future.  For me, 
anyway.

My bar association requires its laptop-using examinees to register with 
ExamSoft, Inc., and use their software product, SoftTest, to isolate their 
essay answers from anything else on their machines that might allow them to 
cheat.  My understanding is that exam questions must be accessed, and 
responses composed and submitted, from within SoftTest.

Some Internet research I've already done on this subject shows me that many 
or most law schools are using SoftTest for their exams now.  My quick 
overview of ExamSoft's Web site hasn't come up with any information from 
them on accessibility or ADA awareness.

Has anyone written a law school or bar exam using SoftTest with JAWS or with 
Apple's VoiceOver?

I'm asking about both speech applications because I have to upgrade from an 
older JAWS version to JAWS 13 Pro to access my BARBRI bar review 
applications and to be job-ready after the exam, and because I can get an 
iBook, right now,  with VoiceOver already running, for the price of JAWS 
alone.  Apparently, SoftTest runs on Windows 7 and OS 10.

It's likely that the WSBA might exempt me from using SoftTest on ADA 
grounds, but I'd rather not ask for an unnecessary accommodation.

PS: I raised this question about a month or so ago from my iPhone, but 
wasn't registered here from that address.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Elizabeth Rene