Takehome Exams

These instructions cover how to get your takehome exam question and then start the exam.

Takehome exam questions do NOT automatically appear in the software.  They can be downloaded from www.exam4.com.  They clock starts when you download the questions.

All exams will print in Times New Roman, double-spaced font, even though that is not what you see when you type.  Use TAKEHOME mode for all takehome exams.  This will give you access to both your hard drive and the Internet, and allow you to pause your exam-taking for breaks.

Exam4 Takehome Instructions

  • ONE-DAY Takehome Exams:

    ONE-DAY Takehome (ODTH) exams must be taken on their scheduled day.

    For exams designated as “ODTH”, you must download the questions between 8:15 and 8:30am ET. Your completed exam must be uploaded the specified number of hours from the time you download the questions, or by 4:30pm on the exam day, whichever time is earlier. Please see the Spring 2024 Exam Schedule for timing related to your exams.

  • ANY-DAY Takehome Exams:

    ANY-DAY Takehome exams may be taken in any x-hour period during the scheduled exam period.

    For any-day takehomes, your completed exam must be uploaded the specified number of hours from the time you download the questions, or by 4:30pm on the final day of the exam period, whichever time is earlier. Please note that some faculty may restrict these times and dates further. Please see the Spring 2024 Exam Schedule for timing related to your exams.

  • LAST-CLASS Takehome Exams:

    LAST-CLASS takehome exams are distributed by the faculty at the end of the term.   There is no restriction on the amount of time you can spend working on the exam. Most are due by 4:30pm on the last day of the exam period.  Note: Some exams may be due on an earlier date. Please see the Spring 2024 Exam Schedule for timing related to your exams.

  • To view your exam question:

    1. Go to www.exam4.com. The exam question DOES NOT appear when you open up the software.

    2. Select Law Schools from the left menu.

    3. Select Harvard Law School from the list.

    4. Select the correct course from the list.

    5. Read the instructions, click the confirmation box and click “View exam question.” You will need your Anonymous ID in order to view the question.

    6. Once you view the exam question, the clock has started.

    7. The .pdf file will not be emailed to you. Once you download the question, you can save it and / or print it from any computer.

    8. You are now ready to start typing your exam answer. See immediately below for Exam4 set-up instructions.

  • To set up your exam:

    1. Launch Exam4 from your desktop.

    2. Select “Prepare to start a new exam.”

    3. Enter your Anonymous ID in the proper boxes, and select the correct course from the course list. We recommend that you enter your HUID into the Protected Info box, though this is not mandatory.

    4. Choose your exam options, should you want them (large font size, white on black background). NOTE: The countdown timer has been disabled. This option is no longer available to HLS students.

    5. You do not need to enter a violation number, but you do need to check the “Got it” box.

    6. Enter in the correct exam mode. All take-home exams are in TAKEHOME mode. TAKEHOME mode is the only mode which allows cutting and pasting from a Word document. (We strongly recommend you write your exam directly in Exam4 as formatting and word counts will not be preserved when copying from an outside application into Exam4.  Additionally, Exam4 files are backed up every 2 minutes and are easily retrieved in the case of a computer malfunction).

    7. Verify that your exam information is correct.

    8. Click “Begin Exam.” REMEMBER that you need to go online to www.exam4.com to view your exam question. It will not appear when you open up the software!

    The Document Statistics Box will show your word, character and line count.

  • If you would like to exit your exam, and start it again later:

    1. This works only in TAKEHOMEmode.

    2. Go to the File menu and end your exam. Confirm that you are ending it.

    3. Do NOTsubmit it electronically. Save it to the specified file location and exit Exam4.

    4. When you want to get back into your exam, choose “Select existing exam” after launching Exam4 from your desktop.

    5. Select the correct exam and click “Begin Exam” and you will be able to continue working on your exam.

  • To end and submit your exam:

    1. Go to the File menu and select “End Exam.”

    2. Select “Submit Electronically.” You must submit your exam WITHIN the 8-hour window. Any exams submitted late will be referred to the Administrative Board.

    3. Once you see a screen that says “Electronic Submittal OK” you are all set and may exit out of the software, following the instructions in the confirmation boxes.

    4. Once you submit your exam, you may not then edit it and submit another copy. Electronic submittal is final similar to handing in your exam to a proctor. Please make sure you are finished with your exam before you electronically submit it. Multiple submissions of the exact same exam (for example, if you are not sure it went through the first time) are permissible.

If you have any questions, please email the Registrar’s Office.

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