Study Essentials

• Ability to use email to correspond with staff and students
• Ability to access, create and save documents in Microsoft Office formats. At a minimum, students must be familiar with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Ability to browse the Web, including downloading and installing common plug-ins (listed below) and configuring common browser options
• Ability to configure and run applications, including an antivirus application, to ensure that the student’s system is secure and transmitted files are virus free
• Ability to make an audio recording using a smartphone, tablet or computer

To enrol, all Kaplan students must have access to a computer with the following minimum requirements:

• A computer running Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS X with the operating system’s minimum requirements for processor, memory, and hard drive (See the Microsoft or Apple website for minimum requirements)
• At least 10.0 GB of free hard-drive space (additional space may be needed for multimedia files)
• 1024 x 768 monitor with a 16-bit or greater video card (24-bit preferred)
• DVD-ROM drive or CD-ROM drive (for some subjects where content is available in this format)
• Headset and/or Sound card with speakers and microphone (for selected courses)

Kaplan recommends the following software be installed.

• Microsoft Windows Operating System (XP, Vista, Windows 7) or Mac OS X
• Microsoft Office 2003 or later
• A current antivirus and antispyware application that is updated regularly
• Internet Explorer 8.0 or later, Google Chrome 32.0.1700.107 m, Firefox 27, Opera 9, or Safari 5
• Adobe Reader 10.0 or later
• Adobe Flash Player 10.0 or later (free download)
• Sun Java 2 SDK (Java 1.3.1) or later for PC (free download)/Classic Java (MRJ 2.2.5) or later for Mac (free download)

Most subject assignments are submitted online. Please refer to the relevant guide in your online environment for further information detailing the technical requirements of this facility.

Students studying at Kaplan require ready access to the Internet. Kaplan recommends as a minimum a dedicated, reliable 128 Kbps or faster Internet connection with .JavaScript and Cookies enabled in their browser.

Students are also required to have an active email account that is not limited by size. By enrolling, students understand and acknowledge that Kaplan will communicate with students via the email account they provide to Kaplan on enrolment and the online Subject Rooms.

The font size throughout the Kaplan website is adjustable. To resize the font go to View > Text Size on your browser toolbar and select a suitable size. You can also use the Ctrl Key + the Mouse Scroll Wheel. We recommend using ‘Medium’.

Students will require a calculator that has, as a minimum, the ability to raise numbers to a power (usually a xy or a ^ button). Some subjects also require processing of numbers to eight (8) decimal places.

A financial calculator is required for some subjects, and is likely to meet your long-term requirements in the financial services industry. There are a range of financial calculators available and while Kaplan Professional does not recommend a specific financial calculator, the list below provides a range of popular options for students to consider based on their needs:

• Casio FC-200V
• Hewlett Packard 12C series
• Insystem IN-F16
• Sharp EL-738 series
• Texas Instruments BAII Plus

Please note: calculators or other electronic devices (e.g. hand-held computers/devices, translation devices, MP3 players, and mobile phones) that have the ability to store and display text are not permitted in examinations. Please see below for further information on calculator standards and restrictions.

Conditions of use in an examination

Calculators are permitted into an examination under the following conditions:

• The examination paper must specify a calculator is permitted
• Calculators must be provided by the candidate and not shared with other candidates
• Before entering the examination area, calculators must be removed from cases and these must remain outside the examination area
• No additional time will be given if a calculator breaks down during the examination

Calculator standards

The following standards apply to the calculators permitted in an examination:

• No hand-held personal computers of any description can be taken into the examination
• Calculators with retrieval or manipulation of text, external communications or dictionaries are not permitted
• Calculators with writing or significant markings on their body are not permitted
• Calculators must be silent, and have visual display only
• Any stored data must be cleared before the calculator is taken into the examination

Calculators that fail to comply with these standards will be confiscated for the duration of the examination. Additionally, any calculator seen to display a string of text on its screen will be confiscated for the duration of the exam.

Restricted calculators

The following calculator types are expressly not permitted in an examination:

• Programmable calculators are not permitted; these calculators have the ability to download and run complex computer programs and usually have an inbuilt QWERTY (or other alphabetic) keyboard
• Graphing calculators are not permitted; these calculators have the ability to build and solve complex mathematical problems and display solutions in a graphical manner. Graphing calculators usually have a large screen for display purposes.

The above calculators will be confiscated for the duration of the examination.  Again, any calculator with retrieval or manipulation of text, external communications or dictionaries is not permitted.

Individuals will need to use a free or paid audio-recording app on their phone, tablet or computer to record and submit their oral assignment. Most devices come with a free built-in audio/voice-recording app. More information should be available in the device manual or on the device manufacturer’s website. Below are help links for some popular devices.

• Apple iOS
• Apple (mac OS)
• Samsung (Android)
• HTC (Android)
• Windows 10

A standard PC or Mac. Network firewalls on public and work computers may prevent access to ProctorU. Use a personal computer to avoid firewall restrictions.

A webcam allows the exam supervisor to monitor your exam. Computers may have a built-in webcam. Alternatively, a webcam can easily be connected via a USB port.

A microphone allows the supervisor to communicate with the student. Many computers, webcams and headphones have a built-in microphone.

PC – Minimum: Windows Vista | Recommended: Windows 10 (10s is not supported)

Mac – Minimum: Mac OS x 10.5 or higher |Recommended: Mac OS x 10.13 High Sierra

Google Chrome (preferred) or Firefox are compatible browsers. These browsers are free and can easily be downloaded

A stable internet connection is required to support screen sharing and remote software. Recommended minimum speeds: Download: 1.5MPS |Upload: 1MPS. Test your internet speed.