Refer to the topics below. Click the + sign to expand and view the related info.
Important: ETS Secure Browser or the TOEFL Test App MUST be installed on your computer before you can use the pre-authorized URL received in your email or exam start link in your registration Account to begin the check-in process.
Note: It is recommended to begin your check-in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. You have a 30-minute window after your scheduled test time to check-in. If you haven't checked in within this timeframe, your test will be canceled, and your test fee will not be refunded.
For country specific ID requirements, please use the links below for each program:
Make sure your testing device meets following system requirements:
Computer
- Desktop or laptop computer; you cannot use a tablet/ Microsoft Surface Pro, Chromebook™ or mobile device to launch the test.
- Approved operating system, which must be licensed. Unlicensed or test-mode versions are not permitted:
- PC: Windows® operating system, version 10 64-bit or higher (Version 10 32-bit not supported)
- MAC®: Mac OS X® 10.13 or higher
- Multiple monitors or dual screens are not permitted.
Speaker
- Use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor.
- Headsets or earphones are not allowed.
Microphone
- Use an internal or external microphone that is not part of a headset to communicate with the proctor.
Camera
- Can be a built-in camera in the computer or a separate webcam.
- Camera must be able to be moved to show a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface, before the test.
Mobile Device Second Camera Expectations (If Applicable)
Compatible Devices:
- Use a smartphone. Tablets are not recommended.
- Devices should not be older than 5 years.
- Operating systems prior to iOS 11 or Android 9 “Pie” should not be used.
Connecting Your Mobile Device:
- During the check-in process, a QR code will be provided. Use your device’s camera to scan the QR code. You will be directed to a Wheebox site requesting access to your camera.
Positioning Your Mobile Device:
- Use a stand, dock, or weighted object to prop up and support your mobile camera.
- Ensure your phone is in landscape orientation and you are using the front-facing camera (selfie). You can use a second object in front of the device to prevent it from slipping. Just be sure not to block the camera.
- Viable items include but are not limited to mugs, closed books, clear jars/ water bottles without labels.
- Make sure your device is plugged in for the duration of your exam.
- Position the camera directly to your right or left (3 or 9 o’clock), one to two feet away from your keyboard.
- You will be expected to capture the monitor, keyboard, and yourself within the frame of this camera.
Mobile Device Disconnected:
- If the second camera disconnects while you are checking in, the QR code will automatically prompt you to rescan with your mobile device.
- If the second camera disconnects while you are taking the test, the proctor will temporarily stop your exam and provide directions to reconnect your mobile device. Your proctor will then relaunch your exam from where you left off.
If your testing device meets the system requirements mentioned above and you are experiencing technical issues, refer to the following topics for assistance:
If you have a problem downloading/installing ETS Secure Browser, follow the topics below.
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.
Download the TOEFL Test App 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.
Description: You were unable to download the secure browser application probably due to some security restrictions on your computer or network.
Suggestions:
- Check if you have necessary (admin) privileges to down and install software on the computer.
- Retry after temporarily disabling the desktop firewall or Virus Scan software in computer security settings.
Description: You were unable to launch the secure browser application probably due to some security restrictions on your computer or network.
Suggestions:
- Check if you have necessary (admin) privileges to down and install software on the computer.
- Retry after temporarily disabling the desktop firewall or Virus Scan software in computer security settings.
Description: You were unable to launch the secure browser application because you have an outdated version installed.
Suggestions: Uninstall and then re-install the ETS Secure Browser application as indicated in the message.
If your equipment check has failed, follow these steps to resolve the issue and try running the check again.
- 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. Make sure the scaling is selected as 100%.
- 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.
- 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 Secure Browser 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 Secure Browser 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. Make sure the scaling is selected as 100%.
- 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 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.
Up to 15 minutes before your scheduled test time, select the “At Home Check-In” link in your registration account or the link in your test appointment confirmation email to begin the check-in process.
GRE, Praxis,ParaPro:
- If the ETS Secure Browser is already installed, it will launch to begin your check-in with your test details on screen.
- If the ETS Secure Browser is not installed, the Install-Checker page will guide you to complete the installation and proceed to check-in.
- After the ETS Secure Browser is installed, you can select “Proceed to Check-in” from the Install-Checker page or reselect the link from your ETS account or confirmation email to begin your check-in process.
Launching the ETS Secure Browser directly, will prompt the equipment check. To begin the check in process for your test session, close the browser and select the link from your ETS account or confirmation email.
TOEFL:
- If the TOEFL Test App is already installed, it will launch to begin your check-in with your test details on screen.
- If the TOEFL Test App is not installed, the Install-Checker page will guide you to complete the installation and proceed to check-in.
- After the TOEFL Test App is installed, you can continue to run your equipment check. Whether you pass or fail, proceed to sign in, using your registration credentials or select the Start Test link from either the My TOEFL Home dashboard or your order confirmation email to begin.
- If you're experiencing technical issues running Check-in System Check, please refer to the information above in the Equipment Check section to resolve your issue.
Apple introduced new security features with the release of MacOS Catalina that applies to all later MacOS operating systems. If you are running macOS Catalina or later, you must allow ETS Secure Browser or TOEFL Test App to record your screen to share your screen during your exam.
- Open System Preferences by clicking the Apple Icon and selecting System Preferences.
- Click the Security & Privacy category.
- Scroll down the list of security settings and click Screen Recording.
- Click the selection option next to ETS Secure Browser or TOEFL Test App. Note: MacOS may prompt you to input your password.
When prompted, click Quit Now. The change will not take effect and you will not be able to share your screen until you quit and restart Chrome.
- If you were unable to resolve your issue and are already connected with your proctor in a session, contact your proctor for immediate assistance.
- If you were already connected with a proctor in a test session and got recently disconnected, go back to your registration confirmation email. Follow the directions in this email to launch At-home test to reestablish your session. Reconnection must be established within 15 minutes of disconnection. After which your session will be terminated, and you will be required to reschedule your exam.
- If not connected to a proctor yet and having a technical issue starting your test session, then contact a support agent using the Need Help chat icon in the bottom right corner. Type “Agent” in the search field to directly connect with an agent.
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