When scheduling an exam for multiple learners within the same session it is useful to set a PIN to minimise the risk of learners accessing the exam material prior to the official start time. While exams can be unlocked by the invigilator via the Invigilate page in SecureClient, this requires the invigilator to have access to SecureClient during the exam session. Setting a PIN allows you to secure the examinations and unlock them without the session invigilator requiring access.
A PIN is a string of characters that candidates must enter to unlock an invigilated test. PINs are visible to users in the Invigilate page.
PINs can only be set for live exams; PINs cannot be set on practice exams.
If you intend to download an exam for offline use, a PIN MUST be set prior to downloading the content. For more guidance on this process, please refer to the article here: https://intercom-help.eu/EAL-Connect-Support/en/articles/61069-how-do-i-download-an-exam-to-be-taken-later-without-an-internet-connection
How to set a PIN
You can set a PIN from the Invigilate page in SecureClient. PINs can only be set on exams that have not been downloaded to the SecureClient.
Exams will appear in the Invigilate page 5 days prior to the set examination date.
To view the Invigilate page, go to Test Administration > Invigilate.
Use the filters to narrow down the examinations available in the invigilate page.
To set a PIN, select the tests you want the PIN to apply to and click the "Set PIN" button at the bottom of the page.
The PIN will be displayed in the PIN column of the Invigilate page and can be viewed on the invigilation paperwork.
For guidance on how to print invigilation paperwork, please see the following article: https://intercom-help.eu/EAL-Connect-Support/en/articles/61083-how-to-invigilate-an-exam
If you have selected multiple candidates when setting a PIN all the candidates will share the same PIN. You will not be able to set a PIN if you have selected learners booked for different exams or for different dates.
How to remove a PIN
You can remove a PIN code from the Invigilate page in SecureClient. PINs can only be removed from exams that have not been downloaded to the SecureClient.
To view the Invigilate page, go to Test Administration > Invigilate.
Use the filters to narrow down the examinations available in the Invigilate page.
To remove a PIN, select the tests you want remove the PIN from and click the "Remove PIN" button at the bottom of the page.
Once a PIN has been deleted, it can be set again anytime prior to the examination being downloaded to SecureClient. This will generate a completely new PIN for the examination.
If no PIN is set for an exam, then it will need to be unlocked by the invigilator via the Invigilate page.
How to check if an exam has a PIN
You can check if an exam has a PIN from the Invigilate page in SecureClient.
To view the Invigilate page go to Test Administration > Invigilate.
Use the filters to narrow down the examinations available in the Invigilate page.
If an examination has a PIN this will be visible in the PIN column on the Invigilate page.
Once the examination has been downloaded to SecureClient and the keycode has been entered, the following icon in the State column indicates that the test is locked by a PIN (Locked for PIN):
How to unlock an exam using a PIN
If a candidate's test is locked by a PIN, they will see the following page once the learner has entered the exam keycode:
The PIN is available in the Invigilate page of SecureClient. The PIN can be viewed in the PIN column in the Invigilate page. The PIN can also be found within the invigilation documents when generated after the PIN is set.
