Before we get started, we would like to ask how you found PARC Radio to take your exams?
(If they need prompting suggest, “Was it through ARRL, Ham Radio Pre, hamstudy.org, etc.?”)
We will need you to complete the test without any interruptions.
Please keep your attention on your computer screen at all times. Don’t let your eyes wander to other parts of the room and don’t leave your seat during the exam.
You are not allowed to read any questions or answers out loud and you cannot talk to yourself. Mouthing the words, even if no sound is coming out, will void the exam.
You must remove any drinks, snacks, papers, or anything else that might distract you including vapes and tobacco products.
Make sure you remove any earpieces, headphones, hats, and show us that you are not wearing a watch on either wrist.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY NO WATCHES ON EITHER WRIST*
You cannot have within your testing area view any additional monitors, speakers, phones, radios, electronic devices, smart speakers, documents, books, external keyboards, external speakers, external mouse, paper, or other smart devices.
The exam will not work on a Chromebook, pixel book, iPads, notepads, tablets, or phones.
You must be using a current OS system and either Safari, Firefox, Chrome, New Edge, or Brave.
You cannot have any visitors or pets in the room. Make sure they are removed while you are waiting for your turn to take your exam.
You must remove or cover any sensitive or personal items, otherwise you consent to the viewing and scanning of these items.
Since you cannot use scrap paper or manual calculators, you can use an on-screen calculator app. If you would like to use a calculator app, please raise your hand for me now.
(If there are multiple applicants, ask them to raise their hands)
Please move the calculator app all the way to the left side of your screen. Put your calculator in standard/basic mode and make it as small as possible.
Is anyone using a Mac computer?
Look across your task bar for any dots under the applications. The only apps that may have a dot under them are the finder, Calculator, and Zoom apps. You MUST use force quit to close any extra apps. Look at the top left corner of your screen for the apple, then the fifth item down is force quit. Give me a thumbs up when you have completed this task.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
Hold your command key and click all items other than finder, calculator, and zoom. Then click force quit. Give me a thumbs up when you have completed this task.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
Please create a new folder on your desktop and move all of the icons into that folder. Give me a thumbs up when you have completed this task.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
In the top on your menu bar, you will see a left and right switch which is called the “Control Center”, please click on it and turn on Do Not Disturb for one hour. Give me a thumbs up when you have completed this task.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
Is anyone using a PC?
Look across your task bar for any bars or lines under the applications. The only apps that may have a line under them are the Calculator and Zoom apps. You will also need to go to the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and look to the right of the time and date. You are looking for a text balloon, it may or may not have a number on it, and right click on it. Then click focus assist followed by clicking priority only. Give me a thumbs up when you have completed this task.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
In the System Tray in the bottom right section of the screen you will see a ^ “carrot or chevron” please right click on the carrot and close down all non-essential items by right clicking each of them and then clicking, “End”, “Quit”, or “Stop”.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
Right click in a blank area on your desktop, then click, “View”. Uncheck, “show icons”. Give me a thumbs up when you have completed this task.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
You should only have on your screen the calculator app and the zoom app. All browsers, emails, notifications, and notes must not only be closed, but they have to be shut down and quit completely.
Turn on Do Not Disturb on your phone.
*PAUSE AND VERIFY THEY FOUND IT*
Show us that you have your driver’s license available. *PAUSE AND VERIFY*
Keep that handy to show to the exam team when you go into your room for your exam.
Please understand that you will only use the keys on the keyboard to take the exam. You will only be clicking the keys A, B, C, or D to select answers. You can NOT move your mouse, trackpad, or cursor during the exam.
We will now put you back in the waiting room while we prepare your exam and your room for the test. Please have your ID ready to show to the examiners in your room. They will also require that you have a place to set your phone so that it views your computers monitor and keyboard. Take this time to remove any items or cover them with blankets or towels. You should also read over the rules again at parcradio.org. See you in a few minutes for your exam.
