Setting up Exam Mode and Exam Lock on a C-Pen

The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is exam-ready out of the box: it reads text aloud and stores nothing. You only need to switch on UI lock so the student cannot change settings. The C-Pen Reader 2 and Reader 3 have an Exam Lock that turns off features such as dictionaries and translation, which suits class tests and mock exams. All three locks use a 4-digit PIN that you set.

Which setup do you need?

C-Pen describes the Reader 3's Exam Lock as suited to mock exams, not formal exams. For formal exams, use the Exam Reader 2 (see reading pens in Australian exams).

Before you start

• Charge the pen fully.
• Check it is set to the right hand the student writes with and to Australian English.
• Update the firmware. Recent updates stop Roman numerals from being read aloud in Exam Lock on the Reader 2 and fix related issues on the Exam Reader 2 (see how to update C-Pen firmware).
• Choose a 4-digit PIN and record it somewhere staff can find it. You need the same PIN to unlock the pen.

Exam Reader 2: turn on UI lock

UI lock stops the student changing settings such as the voice or language during the exam.

1. Go to Settings on the main menu and press the main button.
2. Press down 8 times to reach System settings, then press the main button.
3. UI lock is on the first screen. Press left or right to turn it on.
4. To turn it off after the exam, repeat these steps.

Reader 2: turn on Exam Lock

1. Go to Settings on the main menu and press the main button.
2. Press down 8 times to reach System settings, then press the main button.
3. Exam lock and UI lock are on the first screen. Press left or right on the option you want.
4. Enter a 4-digit PIN. Use up and down to choose each number and left and right to move to the next number.
5. Press the main menu button to confirm. The lock is now on.
6. To remove the lock, repeat these steps and enter the same PIN.

Exam Lock on the Reader 2 lets you allow or block definitions and translation separately. Leave both off unless the test rules allow them.

Reader 3: turn on Exam Lock

1. Go to Settings on the main menu and press the main button.
2. Press down 10 times to reach System settings, then press the main button.
3. Exam lock and UI lock are on the first screen. Press left or right on the option you want.
4. Enter a 4-digit PIN, using up and down for each number and left and right to move along.
5. Press the main menu button to confirm.
6. To remove the lock, repeat these steps and enter the same PIN.

With Exam Lock on, the Reader 3:

• always turns off voice input and conversation translation
• lets you allow or block word definitions, word translation and full-text translation one by one
• skips some abbreviations and symbols that are not normally read aloud in exams.

If the student tries to use voice input, a message appears on screen.

Check it before the exam

1. Scan a line of text and confirm it reads aloud in Australian English.
2. Try to open the dictionary or settings. They should be blocked.
3. Plug in the headphones and check the volume.
4. Hand the pen to the supervisor with a spare if you have one (see the exam supervisor briefing).

Frequently asked questions