OS X Mavericks + Exam4 Forum

[WinbyLazy]

I downloaded and installed OS X Mavericks just a few days before my law school sent out an email letting us know that Exam4 us not supported on OS X Mavericks.

Anyone have any problems running Exam4 on Mavericks? I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

[lsatextreme]

I was wondering the same thing. Any brave souls who have tried this already?

[WinbyLazy]

I was wondering the same thing. Any brave souls who have tried this already?

Got a response from Exam4 (I emailed them after posting this):

Why are new Macintosh/Windows OS updates not supported immediately?

Exam software is a mission-critical application. Compatibility with operating system updates requires detailed review, possible programming modification, and rigorous testing. This takes time. Extegrity initiates the process using developer preview versions typically provided for OS updates. However, Apple and Microsoft have been known to make substantive changes in final consumer releases, necessitating an additional cycle of review and testing after release.

How long will it take?

It depends on what we find. At a minimum, for minor updates with no issues found, it takes a couple of weeks. Major updates take longer to review. If a programming modification is required, even more time will be needed.

What should I do?

It's good practice to check compatibility of software that's crucial to you before updating your computer. If you've already updated, there's still a chance we will announce support. Check back here starting two weeks before your first exam. If not, use the time to make arrangements to borrow a laptop that can run the software.

[Void]

I had the same question when Mountain Lion came out and emailed them, got almost the same response. I would bet on them being ready by exam season in December- they just have to take a cautious stance now to hedge. But I mean they're a software company- if they didn't ensure compatibility pretty efficiently they'd look pretty bad.

[mr. wednesday]

Your school almost certainly has loan laptops or a computer lab set up for exams if there is an issue with your laptop, so either way, don't stress about it.

[guano]

I had the same question when Mountain Lion came out and emailed them, got almost the same response. I would bet on them being ready by exam season in December- they just have to take a cautious stance now to hedge. But I mean they're a software company- if they didn't ensure compatibility pretty efficiently they'd look pretty bad.

Have you tried using exam4? Or have any real interactions with law school IT?

[TLSaul2001]

SofTest doesn't work with Mavericks either. I'm banking on them fixing it in time for finals or I'm going to have to use my sisters Dell. Yuck.

[Void]

I had the same question when Mountain Lion came out and emailed them, got almost the same response. I would bet on them being ready by exam season in December- they just have to take a cautious stance now to hedge. But I mean they're a software company- if they didn't ensure compatibility pretty efficiently they'd look pretty bad.

Have you tried using exam4? Or have any real interactions with law school IT?

Um what? Yeah- I used exam4 for three years and used it to take two bar exams. And yeah I have talked to law school IT.

[guano]

I had the same question when Mountain Lion came out and emailed them, got almost the same response. I would bet on them being ready by exam season in December- they just have to take a cautious stance now to hedge. But I mean they're a software company- if they didn't ensure compatibility pretty efficiently they'd look pretty bad.

Have you tried using exam4? Or have any real interactions with law school IT?

Um what? Yeah- I used exam4 for three years and used it to take two bar exams. And yeah I have talked to law school IT.

Then you know they already look pretty bad

[Void]

I had the same question when Mountain Lion came out and emailed them, got almost the same response. I would bet on them being ready by exam season in December- they just have to take a cautious stance now to hedge. But I mean they're a software company- if they didn't ensure compatibility pretty efficiently they'd look pretty bad.

Have you tried using exam4? Or have any real interactions with law school IT?

Um what? Yeah- I used exam4 for three years and used it to take two bar exams. And yeah I have talked to law school IT.

Then you know they already look pretty bad

No, not really. Sorry bro

[TTRansfer]

Exam 4 is such a huge pile of shit.

[guinness1547]

.

[guano]

I wouldn't bet on it. Last Christmas it wasn't compatible with Windows 8, which had been available even earlier

[WinbyLazy]

Yeah exam4 doesn't work with Maverick at all. I accidentally updated without even thinking about it. Hopefully it's updated by exam time.

Did you give it a try already? (Meaning, with running Exam4.)

Although I don't understand software stuff, at all, I can't imagine Mavericks is all that different or "new" (especially since it's not really a full update).. odd how you can't just force the application to work to Mountain Lion specifications.

[guinness1547]

Yeah exam4 doesn't work with Maverick at all. I accidentally updated without even thinking about it. Hopefully it's updated by exam time.

Did you give it a try already? (Meaning, with running Exam4.)

Although I don't understand software stuff, at all, I can't imagine Mavericks is all that different or "new" (especially since it's not really a full update).. odd how you can't just force the application to work to Mountain Lion specifications.

Yeah, it pops up with an error.

[Jimbogiant]

Just FYI for anyone still interested in this, I just got an email from one of our deans saying that Exam4 contacted our school and told him that Mavericks WILL be compatible in time for Fall '13 exams. We all got the green-light to upgrade, and I can't imagine this being done on a school-by-school basis.

[hephaestus]

Just FYI for anyone still interested in this, I just got an email from one of our deans saying that Exam4 contacted our school and told him that Mavericks WILL be compatible in time for Fall '13 exams. We all got the green-light to upgrade, and I can't imagine this being done on a school-by-school basis.

Yep. Also compatibility for Windows 8.1.

[TTRansfer]

Great news. Although I'm going to hold off upgrading for now.

[Lockfast]

Just FYI for anyone still interested in this, I just got an email from one of our deans saying that Exam4 contacted our school and told him that Mavericks WILL be compatible in time for Fall '13 exams. We all got the green-light to upgrade, and I can't imagine this being done on a school-by-school basis.

I'm curious to see what their process is like. Although I have ZERO experience with software development and what not.. how hard can it be?

[nygrrrl]

At my school we've been warned that there is no guarantee Mavericks will be supported by exams and that we should avoid upgrading.
Given what I've seen of Exam4 in the past, I'm going to err on the side of caution.

[Lockfast]

The error..

http://imgur.com/NRUo7Ls

[jarofsoup]

Its so absurd. Examsoft has figured out Mavericks already why can't the people at Exam 4?

Lazy?

[TTRansfer]

Mavericks now listed as supported.

8.1 Windows also.

[Lockfast]

Mavericks now listed as supported.

8.1 Windows also.

Exam4 staff: "Oh, that's cool, let's just update this the day after Lockfast post's so he looks dumb.."

[TTRansfer]

Mavericks now listed as supported.

8.1 Windows also.

Exam4 staff: "Oh, that's cool, let's just update this the day after Lockfast post's so he looks dumb.."

Here is the link in case anyone needs proof:

http://www.exam4.com/userguide#hardware

"Technical Info & Requirements
Computer hardware and operating system requirements
Exam4 requires a laptop or desktop computer with:
10 MB free hard disk space (a very small amount).
Network connection and/or working USB port (as required by your institution).
A supported operating system:
Windows 8 (excluding Surface Pro)
Windows 8.1 (as of Fall 2013 final exams)
Windows 7
Windows Vista
Apple OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" up to…
Apple OS X 10.9 "Mavericks" (current)

Please note that the following operating systems are NOT supported:
Apple Macintosh OS X 10.5 Leopard and earlier
Apple iDevices (iPad, iPhone, etc.)
Microsoft Windows XP and earlier
Microsoft Surface and Surface Pro
Linux
Chromebooks
Virtual operating systems (VMs)"