Claro and Exams

[Simcfc73]

Morning,

 

Bit of a S show today as the exams papers were password protected and Claro didn't read them.

 

Has anyone had this issue with the latest version? We are on an older version which they've said is the reason why. The pdf is secured and can't be copied and pasted makes me think nothing will work but I'm usually wrong.

[Julian]

Ouch - that was bad. Which exam board provided the .PDF? I currently have a .pdf from WJEC which was not protected, and is working fine.

[Linfit]

Its AQA - caused issues in loads of centres. Not just Claro read.

AQA will have to sort it. Big Science exam tomorrow which will be impossible unless its sorted.

[mavhc]

Can it be printed? If so: print it to pdf

[Linfit]

I think most centres have ended up doing that. EO's are already under pressure as the time allowed for them to download all the various electronic copies in the morning has been shortened, and on top of that the Exam Boards web sites are not always working correctly, files not where they should be etc. There have also been a lot of issues with MFA and such not working correctly - all down to last minute poorly tested changes at the exam board end. Its just one more thing they don't need at what is already a stressful time, especially when they don't realise the issue until the exam has started and the hands start going up.

[Simcfc73]

I only had 10 minutes to sort it but I imagine print it, scan it, ocr it then read it which would be against the rules.

 

The nice lady at Claro did a great sales pitch for 20 minutes saying paying them money would solve it.

[Brax]

I'd strongly suggest looking into exam reader pens. The window for claro papers is so short now it gives the EO little time.

[Simcfc73]

I only had 10 minutes to sort it but I imagine print it, scan it, ocr it then read it which would be against the rules.

 

The nice lady at Claro did a great sales pitch for 20 minutes saying paying them money would solve it.

 

Actually the print and export functions are locked out.

[Simcfc73]

Actually the print and export functions are locked out.

 

Actually actually just found a website to remove the lock.

[mavhc]

Script it to run through qpdf https://superuser.com/a/584710/58832

[Julian]

Thank you for the tip about breaking the protection, we had the same issue this morning.

Personall I wish to inform a news website, nothing forces a change faster than being on the front page of a site like the BBC for the wrong reasons.

[MrIlly]

Microsoft Print to PDF worked for me on the Biology papers today from AQA!

[Primus]

Has anyone managed to speak to AQA?

[ICT-Joe]

Glad I logged into Edugeek this morning as we have been experiencing the same issues but with Read and Write Gold! Both AQA papers we had have had this issue (yesterday, it was Drama. Today it was Biology). I did remember years ago that RWG does have a scan feature so this was a workaround but not best during the quick turnaround in the morning.

[badders]

If Microsoft Print to PDF doesn't work, open in Chrome and Save as PDF.

[k9mjl]

Just downloaded the Biology paper for this afternoons exam and again it is passworded and not readable with digital reader. Exams officer cannot share the password with the students in order for them to open the PDF!

[MrIlly]

Just downloaded the Biology paper for this afternoons exam and again it is passworded and not readable with digital reader. Exams officer cannot share the password with the students in order for them to open the PDF!

 

Are you not able to open in Adobe Reader then ctrl+p and print to Microsoft PDF?

[k9mjl]

Are you not able to open in Adobe Reader then ctrl+p and print to Microsoft PDF?

 

Just tried that and it prints the document as an image.

[MrIlly]

Just tried that and it prints the document as an image.

 

Hmm, that's quite interesting... Seemed to work for me while also keeping all the text highlightable (usually indicative that it'll read it via DocsPlus). Does it do the same if you print to PDF via Chrome/Edge?

[k9mjl]

Found a way to make it work -

 

1. download exam paper from AQA website

2. drag pdf into a new Google chrome tab - enter password when prompted

3. print the document and select 'Save as PDF'

4. open document in Acrobat and read normallywith R&W

[MrIlly]

Found a way to make it work -

 

1. download exam paper from AQA website

2. drag pdf into a new Google chrome tab - enter password when prompted

3. print the document and select 'Save as PDF'

4. open document in Acrobat and read normallywith R&W

 

Sounds good, think people are coming up with their own workarounds. The best would be for AQA to walk this change back, not sure they will do that though...

[WannabrewUK]

Our exams officer has spoken to AQA. Apparently AQA have no intention in changing things.

[Primus]

Our exams officer has spoken to AQA. Apparently AQA have no intention in changing things.

 

Even though it's a potential breach of the Equality Act as it disadvantages people with a disability?

[DrBeaker]

And yet they want to do all exams online by 2030!

 

Don't me me laugh.

 

 

The boards can't even get the paper-systems and current electronic systems working properly.

[Primus]

They’ve sent an email this evening to exams officers. It’s total nonsense as the accessibility software won’t do what they say it will.