ARRL/VEC Exam Generating Software
Log-in Instructions · Install and Download Instructions · Generating Exams · Updates and Support
Log-in Instructions · Install and Download Instructions · Generating Exams · Updates and Support
This new software is capable of receiving updates to questions pools and specifications, and software updates as well, directly on-line, easing the difficulties of staying up-to-date with changes as they occur.
Note: The new VE Exam Maker Software can only be downloaded by VEs that are registered with ARRL/VEC. If you are not a VE or are not registered with ARRL/VEC then you will not be able to download the software. Also regular ARRL members who are not VEs will not have access to the software.
ARRL VEs who are ARRL Members. To access the VE Support Page you can log-in using your ARRL Website Members Only log-in username (usually your current call sign) and password. If you are already logged-in to the ARRL Website, you will automatically be granted access to the VE Support page. Follow the install and download instructions shown below.
ARRL Members not registered online or who have forgotten their online password should use the ARRL Members Only Registration page to obtain a password. Log-in to the VE Support page with your username (your current call sign) and password, then follow the install and download instructions shown below.
ARRL VEs who are NOT ARRL Members. Click on the VE Support Page link, then click the “cancel” button located in the log-in box. This action will redirect you to the “Log-In Required” page, where you will “Request a Password” using your call sign and email address. The email address you use for the request must be the email address on file with the VEC department! After you receive the password via email, you will then be able to log-in to the VE Support page with your username (your current call sign) and password. Follow the install and download instructions shown below.
Error Message. After a failed attempt to “Request a Password” a message will appear at the top of the “Log-In Required” page that states: Failure - There is no matching ARRL VEC record. Contact ARRL VEC for assistance.
If you have not informed ARRL/VEC of your e-mail address or if your record is out-of-date, you will have to contact ARRL/VEC (vec@arrl.org) to update your information.
24 to 48 hours after we verify and update your VE email address record, you will be able to submit the online password request and receive a password via email.
Log-in to the VE Support page with your username (your current call sign) and password. Follow the install and download instructions shown below.
Logging in to the VE Support Page permits access to the ARRL VE Exam Maker Software and ARRL/VEC test session forms. The software requires Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR runtime. You may be prompted to upgrade Flash Player if you do not have a recent version. It's safe, and doesn't interrupt the installation process.
Click “Install Now” and then choose “open” and then “install” to install the program on your computer OR “save” to install the program at a later date. Some operating systems will not offer a choice and will immediately install the program on your computer.
Once installed, ARRL VE Exam Maker will need to “download” the current Amateur Radio question pools and specifications from the ARRL Website. You will have to supply your VE logon username and password to do this. If not prompted automatically by the program, select "Update", and then "Initialize Database" on the pull-down menu. You must download the question pools database to initialize the exam database.
VE Teams who plan to use our blue overlay grading templates must also “download” the template files from the ARRL Website. This is done by selecting "Update", and then "Initialize Templates" on the pull-down menu. Logon is required. The template file database must be downloaded to utilize the template designs with the exam database. Reminder: The blue plastic overlay grading templates, used to grade exams at test sessions, should never be thrown away or destroyed when new exam versions are introduced. We specifically designed the plastic templates so that they will always be useful, no matter what exams are created. They will never become obsolete.
For additional information, notes or instructions, click the “Help” button.
After installing the ARRL VE Exam Maker Software and downloading the question pools (and template designs if needed), you can create an exam by clicking the “Generate” button. The “Exam Specification” box will appear.
Click the “OK” button. The generated exam will display in the ARRL VE Exam Maker window, where you can review it. To highlight the correct answers, check the “Show Answers” box. This feature will highlight the correct answers in the display window not on the printed exam.
You can print the exam by clicking on the “Print” button.
In the “Exam” section of the program, choosing “Batch” will generate and print multiple test design versions of one chosen exam type.
Automatically update question pools, specifications and software in the “Update” section of the program. VEs that routinely check for these updates safeguard against using outdated exams at their test sessions.
Additional information, notes and instructions are located in the “Help” section.
ARRL/VEC test session forms are available in both PDF and Word file formats from the VE Support Page. Download all available forms in a ZIP file (1.5 MB) or download and print individual forms as needed. All ARRL/VEC forms, except for the Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination (CSCE) form, may be duplicated. Contact the ARRL/VEC for a supply of CSCE forms.
Questions or concerns should be directed to the VEC Department. Contact us by email at vec@arrl.org or by phone on the toll-free VEC Hotline (for ARRL VEs only).