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 start the exam 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 Fall 2026 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 Fall 2026 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 Fall 2026 Exam Schedule for timing related to your exams.

  • 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.”

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

  • To view your exam question:

    The exam questions are available in the application under Exam Info > Resources > Remote.

    Please note the exam questions are not under “Exam Document.”

     

  • 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 NOT submit it electronically. Save it to the specified file location and exit Exam4. Once a Takehome exam is submitted, it cannot be reopened.

    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 exam duration 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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