Preparing your computer for the Middle School Certificate: no access to documents

Revisiting:

If the candidate cannot provide their own equipment or by decision of the administrative authority, the organizing service of the examination or competition, informed at the time of the accommodation request, will make said equipment available to the candidate.

Yet it sounds like an OBLIGATION on their part. I will inquire further on this point.

The computer must be cleared of all folders, files, or software not required for the test. In this regard, the candidate is informed that the contents of their computer will be subject to inspection. If the candidate refuses to comply with this inspection, they will be denied the right to use this equipment during the test.

Well, it’s less harsh, it’s enough to temporarily clear the PC session of all files in common places (mainly my documents). The inspection they can only conduct partially anyway: Visually or through a control F and some random searches on the disk, I doubt they have the knowledge/time to go further. And as your goal is to comply, not really a problem.

The wireless communication functions (for example: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) must be disabled on the equipment. The use of a tool whose wireless communication function cannot be disabled or whose wireless communication function can be restored without identifiable and visible indication is prohibited.


It’s different, we’re talking about deactivation AND visible indication.
So basically, it’s enough to deactivate it and have it certified, then show in a notable way that if we activate it, it’s visible.
(Finally, they are not very clever because a simple app is enough to know the number of connectable devices in the room.)
But I don’t see any issue with that as written anyway.

The use of spell checkers is prohibited for tests aimed at evaluating the candidate's spelling proficiency (e.g.: dictation test of the national diploma of the certificate of aptitude for vocational training). When permitted, this use applies to all written tests and not to part of them.

Here again, it says that it is forbidden to use it, implying that if one is caught WHILE an exam prohibits it, one risks sanction.
Here, the biggest issue is that this kind of verification is part of MS Office (if you have Office) or the suite.
It is of course possible to disable it without issue but generally it is done via the app.
But it's not insurmountable.

Nowhere does it say that one must guarantee with a certificate or an irrefutable technical means that it is blocked. Besides, if it were possible, they would require such a specific technical means. But it’s not.

In short, read as is, it’s much less serious than your description. Moreover, no educational authority (or otherwise) can demand anything beyond what is possible unless they provide the means (PC), the products (references), or the necessary technical information for the requirements.

It’s like requiring to use a speed limiter if it doesn’t exist yet, or is just a simple prototype.

--
"We swallow whole the lie that flatters us and drink drop by drop a truth that is bitter to us."

Hello,
Save your file explorer by folder, on an external drive (USB stick, external hard drive), then empty the folder by folder for the exam! Good luck to Miss ;)

--

“Take your chance, hold onto your happiness and go towards your risk. By looking at you, they will get used to it.” René Char

Hello,

I am not familiar with this type of request/requirement, but it seems almost impossible unless you install a new empty session (a new account) or use kiosk mode (but that's complicated).
I don't understand how they can make this type of demand to the "general public."

The new session with strict parental controls (no access to apps, no internet access, no folder sharing) might look like that and even then, it will be complicated to limit all the applications.

Basically, what will they be allowed to do with the PC?
Personally, it seems quite complicated to guarantee all that for a private PC; it's the kind of restriction that exists in businesses and even there, it's not easy to implement.

Best regards

Basically, the idea is that they can write on a computer (word processing) but without having access to cheat sheets.
Some exam centers have the common sense to provide PCs for the exam, but that is not the case here.

Moreover, she should be able to enable/disable access to the spell checker and the calculator depending on the tests...

So the question is: what can be done to ensure an exam proctor (who is presumably not very tech-savvy) is happy?

Indeed, my first idea was a session... Not accepted. It's the whole machine that must be compliant.

Honestly?

If the session is not accepted, then it's almost impossible; disabling internet access can be easily reactivated. The files are "stupid" because we could even put them on an external drive during the exam, that wouldn't prevent me from hiding a simple text file anywhere and opening it with Notepad or anything else.

Activating / deactivating access to the spell checker and calculator depending on the exams... not even in your dreams; if we can activate it, we can definitely deactivate it on a private PC anyway. (In a company, we could play differently).

In short, even if I'm not a whiz in IT, it would take hours of nitpicking for a result that's not guaranteed.
You can set up parental controls on the session and then suggest to the teacher to set a password himself (and don't forget to ask him afterwards, otherwise everything is lost), but even then, there are limits.

This request/offer is completely impractical for a private PC.

Ouch, we'll have to find out what is compliant according to them even if it makes no sense for a computer scientist...

The official instructions:

The digital equipment

When a candidate is allowed to use digital equipment, the decision regarding the accommodation granted by the organizing authority specifies, in addition to this accommodation, the type or types of software permitted (for example, "voice recognition software" or "word processing software").

The candidate who usually uses specific equipment must plan to use their own equipment (example: Braille typewriter, laptop, etc.) equipped with the appropriate software if necessary.

If the candidate cannot bring their own equipment or based on the decision of the administrative authority, the organizing service of the exam or competition, informed at the request for accommodations, will provide the candidate with said equipment.

The computer must be emptied of all folders, files or software not required for the exam. In this regard, the candidate is informed that the content of their computer will be subject to verification. In case of refusal to undergo this verification, the candidate will be denied the right to use this equipment during the exam.

The wireless communication functions (for example, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) must be disabled on the equipment. The use of a tool whose wireless communication function cannot be disabled or whose wireless communication function can be restored without an identifiable and visible indicator is prohibited.

The use of spell checkers is prohibited for tests aimed at assessing the candidate's competence in spelling (example: dictation test of the national diploma certificate). When allowed, this use applies to all written tests and not just to part of them.

Finally, to facilitate the transmission of the work completed during the exam in the event of a failure of their digital equipment during the exam or for the printing of the exam paper at the end of the exam, candidates may be asked to bring a blank USB key.

It’s impossible to have a computer provided, I checked...

Hello,

when it comes to backing up files, it's essential to avoid a USB key, which is unreliable.
When it's lost or defective, it's permanent and nothing can be recovered.
Just look at the numerous requests on this topic here.
A backup should be on an external drive or in the cloud; a key should only be used to transport a copy.
eric

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By continuously trying, we eventually succeed.
So the more it fails, the more chances we have of it working. (the Shadoks)
In addition to the thank you (yes, it happens!!!), remember to mark it as resolved. Thank you

Thank you for your responses! The USB drive should serve for immediate printing of the copy by the supervisor, and the candidate checks that the printout is correct before leaving the exam room.

I think that for immediate printing, 2 new drives that have been tested beforehand (1 for security) should suffice.