Download the ETS Secure Browser by selecting one of the links below.
Then run the file to complete the installation. While in the browser, click the Equipment Check button to confirm that your equipment is ready for test day.
Learn how to resolve issues and get help if your equipment check has failed for the at home tests for GRE®, Praxis®, SLS or TOEFL® tests, when taking them on a computer with Mac® OS or Windows®. Get troubleshooting tips to help resolve failures with your webcam, microphone, network, system and other equipment when testing at home.
When to run your equipment check
- You should complete the ETS Secure Browser Equipment Check before your test appointment to help ensure you’ll have the best at home testing experience.
- If possible, you should run the Equipment Check on the same day of the week and at the same time as your future test appointment to simulate the bandwidth demands you’ll experience on test day.
Need to run your equipment check? Follow these steps first
View the screenshots below to learn what you can expect when running the ETS Secure Browser.
Once you open the ETS Secure Browser, you’ll be brought to this welcome screen. From here, you can run the Equipment Check.
Upon completion of the Equipment Check, you’ll see the status of your equipment. If any parts have failed, you’ll see a red triangle status indicator, as well as tips for how to resolve the problem.
The equipment check includes a bandwidth check. Since bandwidth differs depending on time of day and network usage, run the equipment check at several different times to see which time works best. Additionally, you should run the check on the same day of the week and the same time of day as your test. That way, you're checking your bandwidth in an environment similar to what you would experience when you test.
When you have successfully passed the equipment check, you’ll arrive at the Congratulations page.
What to do if your equipment check has failed
If your equipment has failed the equipment check, follow these steps to resolve the issue and try running the check again.
Using Microsoft® Windows
- Make sure that the desired webcam device is enabled in the Control Panel > Device Manager > Cameras
- Windows 10 users: Make sure “Allow access to the camera on this device” and ”Allow apps to access your camera” are both turned ON in Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera
- Windows 11 users: Make sure “Camera Access” and “Let desktop apps access your camera” are both turned ON in Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera
- Make sure that the desired audio device is enabled in the Control Panel > Device Manager > Sound video and game controllers
- Windows 10 users: Make sure “Allow access to the microphone on this device” and “Allow apps to access your microphone” are both turned ON in Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone
- Windows 11 users: Make sure “microphone access” and “Let desktop apps access your microphone” are both turned ON in Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone
- Monitor width or height – Adjust your Display Resolution so that both the width and height match or exceed the minimum values specified in the failure message.
- You can access the Display Resolution by selecting Start > Settings > System > Display or by searching for “Display Resolution” from the Windows menu.
- Monitor count – Only one monitor is allowed during the test. Make sure that any additional monitors are disconnected or disabled.
- CPU core count – Failure message: “The CPU chip on your computer system motherboard does not meet the minimum requirements to take this exam.”
- What to do: You’ll need to use a different computer to take the test.
- RAM size – Failure message: “Memory installed on your computer does not meet the minimum requirements to take this exam.”
- What to do: You’ll need a different computer to take the test unless you can add sufficient RAM (hardware memory) to this computer.
- RAM usage – Failure message: “Computer memory usage is above the maximum threshold to take this exam.”
- What do to: Try shutting down all unnecessary applications to reduce your memory use.
- Operating system – Failure message: “Your computer’s operating system does not meet the minimum requirements to take this test.”
- What do to: You’ll need a different computer to take the test unless you can upgrade your operating system to one of the required versions.
- Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi device/router to improve your internet connectivity.
- Reboot your Wi-Fi device/router, if possible, and recheck.
- If other users share your internet service, see if they can reduce their usage to improve your bandwidth.
- Try connecting to the internet using ethernet (with a cable to your router) instead of using Wi-Fi.
- Use an alternate source/service provider for your internet connectivity.
Failure message: “The Equipment Check has detected restricted applications running on your computer.”
Running applications such as remote access, screen sharing, image capturing or virtual systems on your computer while taking the exam is strictly prohibited. If one of these applications is detected at any time while you’re testing, your exam will automatically be terminated, you won’t be able to test and won’t receive a refund.
What to do:
- Make sure all applications are closed so they are not running before or while taking the exam.
- Ensure applications aren’t in sleep mode or scheduled to restart during your test.
- If any applications can’t be turned off for the entirety of your test appointment, fully disable or uninstall these applications ahead of your exam day.
Using Mac OS®
- Choose Apple® menu > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
- Click Camera and turn access to the camera on for the ETS-RP-PROD app in the list.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
- Click Microphone and turn access to the microphone on for the ETS-RP-PROD app in the list.
- Monitor width or height – Adjust your Display Settings so that a value higher than the minimum value specified in System Results column is selected in the computer Display Resolution.
- You can access the Display Resolution setting by choosing Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Displays in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.) When your Mac is connected to an external display, click its name on the right to set options.
- Monitor count – Only one monitor is allowed during the test. Make sure that any additional monitors are disconnected or disabled.
- CPU core count – Failure message: “The CPU chip on your computer system motherboard does not meet the minimum requirements to take this exam.”
- What to do: You’ll need a different computer to take the test.
- RAM size – Failure message: “Memory installed on your computer does not meet the minimum requirements to take this exam.”
- What to do: You’ll need a different computer to take the test unless you can add sufficient RAM (hardware memory) to this computer.
- RAM usage – Failure message: “Computer memory usage is above the maximum threshold to take this exam.”
- What to do: Try shutting down all unnecessary applications to reduce your memory use.
- Operating system – Failure message: “Your computer’s operating system does not meet the minimum requirements to take this test.”
- What to do: You’ll need a different computer to take the test unless you can upgrade your operating system to one of the required versions.
- Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi device/router to improve your internet connectivity.
- Reboot your Wi-Fi device/router, if possible, and recheck.
- If other users share your internet service, see if they can reduce their usage to improve your bandwidth.
- Try connecting to the internet using ethernet (with a cable to your router) instead of using Wi-Fi.
- Use an alternate source/service provider for your internet connectivity.
Failure message: “The Equipment Check has detected restricted applications running on your computer.”
Running applications such as remote access, screen sharing, image capturing or virtual systems on your computer while taking the exam is strictly prohibited. If one of these applications is detected at any time while you’re testing, your exam will automatically be terminated, you won’t be able to test, and you won’t receive a refund.
What to do:
- Make sure all applications are closed so they are not running before or while taking the exam.
- Ensure applications aren’t in sleep mode or scheduled to restart during your test.
- If any applications can’t be turned off for the entirety of your test appointment, fully disable or uninstall these applications ahead of your exam day.
Additional support
If you were unable to resolve your issue, contact the proctor service that you were assigned for additional support. You can find your proctor service in your confirmation email or in your ETS account.
Contact Examity®
| Phone: | 1-855-392-6489 |
|---|
Contact Wheebox
Click here to get redirected to the support page and use Need Help icon to connect with an agent.
Equipment requirements and other at home test information
If you’re looking for at home testing equipment requirements, test day information or how to register, cancel or reschedule your test, visit the links below.