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NOTE ABOUT ONLINE EXAMS DURING CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC:

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  • KDØIWW - Mike Hoffman, has received permission of the W5YI VEC to conduct completely online video-supervised testing with strict rules and protocols for maintaining the integrity of the testing environment.

  • hamstudy.org/sessions/kd0iww   will give you a current list of sessions.   If there is an opening, it will allow you to register.  If there are no openings, email kd0iww.mh@gmail.com to be notified of new sessions.

  • If the test is for a child 13 and under please email  kd0iww.mh@gmail.com and request a COPPA form.   This is to be in compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act.

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Prepare the following before your online exam session:

❏ Exam Fee Payment: You must pay the $14 exam fee in advance electronically via credit card:​

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OR via direct bank transfer by:

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Please wait till you have registered for an exam and received directions to pay.   If you pay in advance of registration, it will make it more difficult to locate your payment prior to exam time.  I try to send out directions as soon as I discover you have registered.  Unpaid registrations 72 hours prior to exam will be considered incomplete and removed from the queue to allow room for those more so inclined to test.  If you are unable to test as scheduled, we will allow you to reschedule at a later date, if we are given notice.  

 

❏ PHOTO ID: A legal photo ID will need to be shown on camera to the VE Team. For online sessions the VE Team will only accept driver’s license, passport for adults or any government issued ID.
Under-18 students may show either of the above items, or student shows a school ID or report card and a legal guardian presents a photo ID. 

❏ Federal Registration Number (FRN): This must be submitted on the exam application. If you do not have an FRN number, you will be able to register for one when you register for the exam. You can also do it yourself by visiting the FCC’s Registration page and clicking “Register for an FRN.”

❏ Exam Application: When you register for the exam (at https://hamstudy.org/sessions/kd0iww) you will be generating a 605 application you will receive a link to your specific exam session . Your application will generate a 4-digit access code you need to take the test later.  This 4 digit pin will also be helpful on your payment to match to registration.

❏ If you are planning to test for multiple upgrades, please let us know in advance so that we can assign the proper Volunteer Examiners to your exam.  Some of our VEs are GENERALs and can only administer exams for TECHNICIAN.  We would rather you not to have to take multiple exams to get the right combination of VEs to sign off on your exams and final paperwork.

❏ License Upgrading: If you plan to take the General or Amateur Extra exam, you must have an copy of your current amateur radio license or any Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) that you may hold from a previous exam session.  Your name on the registration must exactly match the name on your FCC license.   Any change of name requires documentation to be submitted to the FCC.

❏ Prepare your computer and cell phone camera: The VE Team must ensure the integrity of the test delivery system. Be sure your computer and phone can handle these parameters.

You may optionally have a computer calculator app on your screen during the exam.

  • ❏ You must have a working computer with web cam, microphone, speaker (NO HEADSETS or EARBUDS) and cell phone camera with audio muted. Mac OS requires that you unlock zoom before the screen can be shared. 

  • ❏ Your computer and phone must be connected to the Internet with reliable service.

  • ❏ You must download and test-run Zoom on computer and phone.

  • ❏ Temporarily disable any chat, alerts, blue tooth, virtual screens, or pop-up apps.

  • ❏ Be sure the computer and phone are plugged in or fully charged .

  • ❏ You must have only one screen or monitor on the computer. Remove any additional monitors, or take a single laptop into a different room. The VE team may end the exam immediately for non-compliance.

  • ❏ You may optionally have a computer calculator app on your screen during the exam. Load it in advance if you need it. No other applications or browser windows are permitted to be open.

  • ❏ Prepare a way of electronically signing documents. Documents are now signed as part of the exam. 

  • Be aware you will be sharing your screen during the exam so that the Volunteer Examiners can monitor your computer for the duration of the exam.  Also be aware that the video of your exam will be recorded to insure integrity of the testing process and to refer back to if any questions arise about what may have transpired during your exam.

  • ❏ Prepare your exam room: The VE Team must ensure the integrity of the test environment. Be sure you can take the exam uninterrupted.

  • ❏ You must not have in the exam room any other people or pets (other than a registered service animal).

  • ❏ Clear the room of all non-exam materials, notes, books, posters, computer screens, or anything that could aid in taking the exam.

  • ❏ Clear your exam table and floor of ALL items within reach or view that would raise suspicion, such as papers, sticky notes, electronic items, headphones, waste baskets, and anything unnecessary for the exam.

  • ❏ Clear the room of any distracting things that could take your attention off of the exam.

  • ❏ Warn family members not to enter the room during the exam.

  • ❏ Have a fully charged cell phone ready to link to the same Zoom meeting to use to scan the room for the VE team and to be placed to observe you during the exam.

  • ❏ Be sure the phone audio is off and computer speaker audio is on.

❏ Practice for your exam: It is your responsibility to be fully prepared since you will be taking the time of 3 or more volunteers . Use an online practice site to practice all topics and to take randomly selected practice exams. Be sure you are consistently scoring well above the passing grade before you schedule an exam. Some recommended sites:
–– HamStudy.org, a free site with lots of tips. It has an inexpensive companion phone app you can use on the go.
–– ARRL Exam Review for Ham Radio™, a free site from the national group that you may want to join and use for referencing a wealth of information.

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Know the Rules for ONLINE Exams:

❏ Test Sessions: If you do not pass an exam and want to re-test for the same element, you must pay another $14 fee, typically we will put you back in the Queue for testing after we have tested the other waiting applicants.

❏ Certificate of Successful Completion of Exam (CSCE):  The VE team will send you a CSCE that you keep when you finish an exam.

❏ Protocol for Online Exams: (Read this now. The VE manager will read it to you again at the start of the exam.)

  1. You must complete the test without any interruptions that would raise suspicion about the integrity of the testing environment.

  2. You are asked to complete the exam as quickly as possible.  This is not a timed exam, so take as long as you need, but multiple VEs are donating their time and there may be other candidates waiting to test behind you, so be respectful of their time as well as your own.

  3. You agree to keep attention on your computer screen at all times. Eyes may not wander to other parts of the room and you may not leave your chair during the exam session.

  4. You agree to use a single-screen computer or laptop. No other screens may to be attached or near your computer.

  5. You may not have visitors in the room. Family and pets must be kept out for the duration of the exam.

  6. If requested you will use your cell phone camera connected to Zoom to scan the entire room and exam area to show that there are no materials or people that could aid in taking the exam.

  7. If requested you will place your cell phone so that it views a larger area around your test environment.

  8. You may optionally pre-load on your screen a calculator app. Do you need to load a calculator app?

  9. You can use scrap paper, writing utensils, or manual calculators, but you must be able to show they are blank or clear before the start of the exam.

  10. You must agree to share your entire screen with the VE team, not just the browser. Do you agree?

  11. You must agree that the exam session will be recorded and stored for a period of time in case of any question about a possible breach of exam protocol. Do you agree to be recorded?

  12. You must agree that if the VE team suspects that there is a possibility of cheating, the exam may be terminated and the exam fee forfeited. Do you agree?

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At this point the VE Team will follow this procedure:

  • Please show your picture ID, into the camera until every VE can verify your identity.

  • Please use your phone camera to scan the room, all around, including ceiling and floor, under table and chair, a closeup of the computer, keyboard.

  • if requested Please leave the phone on and propped up at a distance aimed toward the computer, so that it can view you and the the computer.

  • Please share via Zoom your full desktop, not just a browser window.

  • Please load and arrange a browser window and optionally position a calculator app next to it, and show that the calculator memory is clear.

  • Please open your “Display Settings” to verify that there is only one video session running.

  • Please type in the browser address field “exam.tools” to load the exam engine.

  • You will join the test session with the session call sign KD0IWW and your 4 digit code

  • The session manager will authorize the exam and let you in.

  • When you finish the exam, you may check over your answers

  • When you finish, pressing the grade button will lock in your answers.

  • You are welcome to know your score, but there is no way for you to see which specific questions you missed. 

  • If you are finished, then you will be asked to review and sign the test documents 605 & CSCE.  Once signed you are done!

  • You are free to close your screen share and browser.

  • The VE Team will then sign the 605 & CSCE to submit to the VEC They will email you the CSCE for you to keep for yourself.

  • The VE Manager will explain the time frame for uploading your exam and when your license will appear in the FCC database.

  • You are now free to leave the session.

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