Securexam software for the CPA program

Transcription

1 Securexam software for the CPA program

2 Agenda 1. Introduction 2. Securexam Guides 3. Software download, installation and Qualification Exam 4. Demonstration a) Quick start and practice mode b) Functionality 5. Recurring problems 6. Tips 7. Technical support 8. Questions

3 Introduction Securexam is a special lockdown software program that will disable most of your computer s functionality and file access during the Common Final Examination (CFE). You will then be able to use it for the following purposes only: Reference: you can access PDF reader to search the CPA Canada Standards and Guidance Collection and the Federal Income Tax Collection. Keyed response: you will be able to use a word processor and an electronic spreadsheet to input your responses, and submit them electronically for marking purposes.

4 Securexam Guides Where can the guides be found? cpaquebec.ca/software IMPORTANT: Read the various Securexam Guides carefully.

5 Securexam Guides Guide No. 1 Securexam Registration and Installation Instructions for candidates Provides guidelines for software download, installation and Qualification Exam instructions. Guide No. 2 Securexam User Guide This is the most comprehensive guide. Guide No. 3 Securexam Tips Guide Describes software functionality (Word processor, spreadsheet and PDF Viewer). Guide No. 4 Instructions to candidates from BDO Canada, Ernst & Young, PwC and Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Contains specific instructions on updates and USB keys.

6 Software download, installation and Qualification Exam Step 1 Software download IMPORTANT: To be registered for Securexam, you must have first registered in the Profesionnal Education Program (PEP) and paid your fees in order to obtain your license. Once your registration is processed, the Order will register your account. You will receive an from Software Secure at your address on file with the Order containing your username and password (your seven-digit CPA Canada student number) for accessing your account. Note: Please allow 20 business days from the date of receipt of your registration documents. You can access your account at cpacanada.securexam.com. Follow the instructions in Guide No. 1 Securexam Registration and Installation Instructions for candidates.

7 Software download, installation and Qualification Exam Step 2 Securexam Software installation Minimum hardware and software requirements for Securexam Securexam runs on PC-based computers only. No Apple/Macintosh/PowerPC computer will be supported, even if it runs Windows. Your laptop must meet these minimum hardware and software requirements for the installation: Hardware 1 GB of Ram 100 MB of free hard drive space (required to run application) A free USB port* *You need a free USB port to use Securexam in the writing centre but not to practice with the software or to complete the mandatory Qualification Exam. Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 You also require Internet access to download the software, upload the Qualification Exam and receive s from Software Secure.

8 Software download, installation and Qualification Exam Step 2 Securexam Software installation Download the software from cpacanada.securexam.com. Follow the instruction in the Installing section of Guide No. 2 Securexam User Guide. It is your responsibility to install the software!

9 Software download, installation and Qualification Exam Step 3 Performing the mandatory Qualification Exam test of the software You must test the software by performing a Qualification Exam, and upload the resulting files to Software Secure for confirmation. Follow the instructions in the Taking a Qualification Exam section of Guide No. 2 Securexam User Guide. To launch AND exit the Qualification Exam, enter the password cpa. After uploading the Exam, you should see the following message: Your qualification exam has been successfully uploaded! You are now qualified to start taking your exams! This Qualification Exam is mandatory for you to be permitted to use Securexam at the CFE.

10 Demonstration on how to use software: Quick start and practice mode Refer to Guide No. 2 Securexam User Guide. Getting started Obtain exams and licences (Internet connection required) USB key Types of exams: Qualification Exam Practice exam unencrypted files National exams encrypted files

11 Demonstration on how to use the software: Quick start and practice mode Securexam software contains a practice mode that can help you practice before the CFE. Using a word processor, a spreadsheet and a search function with Securexam is different some functionality is disabled and some keys won t work as usual. Using the practice mode allows you to familiarize yourself with the changed functionality and with the PDF viewer in this environment. To launch AND exit the practice exam, enter the password password. Practice before the CFE!

12 Demonstration on how to use the software: Functionality Refer to Guide No. 3 Securexam Tips Guide. Functionality Answer tab Enter the question number in each tab to avoid getting the pop-up Empty Document Nothing Typed Warning! Spreadsheet Formulas: - Drop-down Formula menu (copy/paste) - Appendix A of the Tips Guide Printable Area PDF Viewer View drop-down menu to display and close the viewer Search for documents Copy/paste text

13 Recurring problems Refer to Guide No. 3 Securexam Tips Guide. Change keyboard language The text appears in grey (doubleclick header) Option 1: Click Alt (left) and Shift OR Ctrl and Shift. Option 2: Go to the Control Panel and then Regional and Language options to select English. It is impossible to change the font colour back to black. However, when printing, the text will be in black and white. The answer tab screen is blue Click on the spreadsheet tab and then return to the answer tab.

14 Recurring problems Refer to Guide No. 3 Securexam Tips Guide. The spreadsheet freezes when a formula is typed Close the Formula drop-down menu by pressing Escape. The numbers in the Excel spreadsheet are in scientific format (3.43E+17) Go to Format on the menu bar and select Number format. The spreadsheet has zoomed in (or out) Zoom in or out in the spreadsheet by pressing Ctrl and scrolling the mouse at the same time.

15 Recurring problems Refer to Guide No. 3 Securexam Tips Guide. Candidates must double-click in each cell to input information Press F11. An error message appears in the spreadsheet indicating a circular reference but there is no error Remove the circular reference and then copy and paste the column where the error message occurred. The computer is slow Close all unused programs (e.g. Skype) and disable automatic updates (Windows, antivirus).

16 Tips Refer to Guide No. 3 Securexam Tips Guide Tips Refer to page 3 of the Tips Guide to know the shortcut keys. Do not change the font size and style because the files print using a default font of Times New Roman 12.

17 Technical support Step 1 If your computer is supplied by your employer, contact your his help desk first to ensure minimum hardware and software requirements have been met. Step 2 Read the GUIDES carefully! Step 3 Contact Software Secure: To obtain answers to your questions in an expedited manner, visit the Software Secure online customer support portal at clientportal.softwaresecure.com/support. Step 4 Contact the CPA Canada help desk: D2LSupport@CPACanada.ca

18 QUESTIONS?