Changing the colour of the font and background
Changing the font and background colour for Secure Client exams can be done from the initial screen.
When Secure Client is loaded up you will have the option to click on the ‘Preferences’ button, which will take you to the screen below.
From there you can select a combination of background and font colours that would best suit the learner.
Using a screen magnifier
Increasing the size of the font is not supported in Secure Client directly, but a learner can use a screen magnifier during an exam. Please see below some guidance showing how to use the 'Windows Screen Magnifier app' through the computer.
Please note: The exam software (Secure Client) locks down the user's computer. In order to use the screen magnifier with on-screen exams you will need to launch the magnifier prior to launching Secure Client.
How to turn the Magnifier on and off
Press the Windows logo key + Plus sign (+) on the keyboard to turn the Magnifier on.
Press Windows logo key + Esc to turn it off.
To turn the Magnifier on and off using touch or a mouse in Windows 7, select the Start button, then select Control Panel > Ease of Access Center > Magnifier, and switch on the toggle under 'Turn on Magnifier'.
To turn the Magnifier on and off using touch or a mouse in Windows 8, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, select Settings > Change PC Settings > Ease of Access > Magnifier, and switch on the toggle under 'Magnifier' to turn on.
To turn the Magnifier on in and off using touch or a mouse in Windows 10, select the Start button, then select Settings > Ease of Access > Magnifier, and switch on the toggle under 'Turn on Magnifier'.
You can also turn off Magnifier by selecting the Close button on the Magnifier toolbar.
How to zoom in and out
When Magnifier is on, zoom in and out by pressing the Windows logo key + Plus sign (+) or Windows logo key + Minus sign (-).
You can also zoom in and out using the mouse by pressing Ctrl + Alt and rotating the wheel on your mouse.
How to use the Magnifier views
You can use Magnifier in three different views: full screen, lens, or docked. To change views, use the Views menu on the Magnifier toolbar.
Full screen view magnifies the entire screen. You won’t be able to see the whole screen at the same time, but you'll see parts of it as you move around.
Lens view is like moving a magnifying glass around the screen. You can change the size of the lens in Magnifier settings.
Docked view works on the desktop. In this view, Magnifier is anchored to your screen. As you move around the screen, parts of the screen are magnified in the docking area, even though the main part of the screen is unchanged.
Change Magnifier settings
Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + M or select the Settings button on the Magnifier toolbar.
Change zoom level: Changes the default magnification amount when you turn on Magnifier.
Change zoom increment: Changes the amount by which Magnifier zooms in and out.
Start Magnifier after sign-in: Turns on Magnifier automatically after you sign into your PC.
Collapse Magnifier: Collapses the Magnifier toolbar to a transparent magnifying glass icon.
Smooth edges: Makes the edges of images and text appear smooth when you zoom in.
Invert colours: Reverses the colours on the screen, sometimes makes text easier to read.
Choose Magnifier view: Selects the default view (Docked, Full screen, or Lens).
Use Magnifier with a touchscreen
Zoom in and out: Tap on the plus (+) and minus (-) symbols on the corners of the screen.
Move around the screen: Drag along the borders of the screen in full screen view.
Instantly zoom out and see where you are on the screen: Tap with one finger on opposite borders of the screen simultaneously.
Close Magnifier: Tap the Close button.
Use Magnifier centering mode
To reduce the amount of distracting movement on your screen, Magnifier can stay centered on your mouse cursor.
To enable this in Windows 7, select the Options button in the Magnifier Toolbar, then select Follow the Mouse Pointer.
To enable this in Windows 8, select the Options button in the Magnifier Toolbar, then select Follow the Mouse Pointer.
To enable this in Windows 10, select the Start button, then select Settings > Ease of Access > Magnifier > Keep the mouse cursor > Centered on the screen.
If you have any additional questions not covered in this article, please contact our Exams Team: exams@eal.org.uk.