Online proctoring system requirements
Check that your computer meets these requirements before test day. Most issues that delay exams can be avoided by reviewing this page in advance.
System requirements
Everything you need to know before launch day — organized for quick lookup.
Two testing options — most requirements are the same. PSI offers two ways to take your exam: the PSI Secure Browser (a downloaded application) and the PSI Chrome Extension (runs inside Google Chrome). Your exam confirmation email will tell you which one to use.
This page covers both. Where a requirement applies to only one option, it is labeled. If there is no label, the requirement applies to both.
Before Test Day
The only way to know for sure: run the Secure Browser tutorial. This page tells you what your system needs — but no checklist can confirm that your camera, microphone, software, and connection will all work together on exam day. The Secure Browser tutorial does. It runs you through the real check-in process, live, and will surface any issues while you still have time to fix them. Log in to the Test Taker Portal, go to My Tests, and run it after you book your exam.
PSI Secure Browser You must be able to install software on your test day computer. The PSI Secure Browser requires installation and admin-level access. Work, school, and government-issued computers often block this. The best way to find out before test day is to attempt the Secure Browser tutorial — if it installs, you're set. If it doesn't, contact PSI Support with time to resolve it.
Your Computer
- Use a personal computer - work or school computers often have security restrictions that block the testing software.
- Restart your computer just before launching your exam
- Make sure at least 50% of your computer's memory is free before starting.
- Close all programs you aren't using for the exam before launching.
- Set your screen resolution to 1920 × 1080 (recommended). Minimum is 1024 × 768.
- Mac users: Turn off Bluetooth before launching the exam.
- Ubuntu (Linux) users: Launch the software from your desktop — do not open it from a terminal window.
Your Internet Connection
- Use a stable broadband connection (cable, fiber, or wired). Recommended speed: 3 Mbps or faster, upload and download.
- Ask others in your home to pause streaming or heavy internet use during your exam — shared bandwidth can cause disruptions.
- Do not use a VPN or corporate firewall — these block the secure connection required for testing.
- Test your connection ahead of time at video-diagnostics.twilio.com — it checks your bandwidth, camera, and microphone together.
Your Testing Space
- Test in a private room — no other people are allowed during the exam, including children and pets.
- Clear your desk of everything not needed. Only exam-permitted materials should be within reach.
- Make sure your lighting is good — the proctor needs to clearly see your face throughout.
- Dress as you would in public. Your video feed is monitored for the full duration of the exam.
Supported Operating Systems
Check your version before test day. Using an unsupported operating system means the software may not work — and support cannot help if that's the cause. When in doubt, update first.
- Windows — Supported
- Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Windows — Not Supported
- Windows with Snapdragon
- Windows 10 or 11 in S-Mode
- Windows Education edition
- Windows Enterprise (all versions)
- Mac — Supported
- macOS Sonoma (14.x)
- macOS Sequoia (15.x)
- macOS Tahoe (26.x) — from Oct 14, 2025
- Mac — Not Supported
- macOS Ventura (13.x) — support ending Dec 2025
- macOS Monterey (12.x) — support ended
- Linux (Ubuntu) — Supported
- Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
- Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
- Linux (Ubuntu) — Not Supported
- Ubuntu 20.04 — support ended May 2025
- Non-LTS (odd-year) Ubuntu releases
Chromebook users Chrome Extension only Chromebooks running ChromeOS are supported with the PSI Chrome Extension only. You must use the latest version of Google Chrome. Chromebooks are not compatible with the PSI Secure Browser — if your exam requires the Secure Browser, you will need a Windows, Mac, or Ubuntu computer instead.
Chrome Extension users: Google Chrome is required. Chrome Extension only You must use the latest version of Google Chrome. Other browsers — Edge, Firefox, Safari — are not supported.
Hardware & Connection Requirements
Screen Resolution
Minimum 1024 × 768 · Recommended: 1920 × 1080 or higher
Memory (RAM)
16 GB recommended · 8 GB minimum
Disk Space
Internet Speed
3 Mbps or faster, upload and download · 750 kbps minimum
Network
No VPN or corporate firewall — these block the secure testing connection
- Camera
- Must be able to do a full 360° scan of your room during check-in
- Must stay on for the entire exam — from check-in through the last question
- Do NOT unplug your camera while the exam is open — this immediately ends your session
- Laptop users: point your whole laptop around the room for the scan
- Desktop users: you need an external webcam that can be moved freely
- If you have more than one camera, unplug the extras before launching
- Mobile phones may be used to take your photo ID — not as a webcam
- Microphone
- Must be on and working for the entire exam
- Do NOT use a headset or earbuds — most exams prohibit them
- If you have more than one microphone, unplug the extras before launching
- Your laptop's built-in microphone is usually the simplest choice
- Speakers & Audio
- Some exams require audio — use your computer's built-in speakers
- Do NOT use headphones or earbuds — you may be asked to remove them, which delays your start time
If your exam requires second camera monitoring, our setup guide walks you through everything.
Devices That Won't Work
The following devices are not supported and cannot be used to take your exam.
Mobile phones
Smartphones are not allowed
Virtual machines
Including VMware, VirtualBox, Parallels
Most tablets
iPads, Android tablets — Surface Pro with front camera is the only exception
Chromebooks
Not supported with the Secure Browser. Use the Chrome Extension instead.
Surface Pro exception: The Microsoft Surface Pro tablet is supported — but only if it has a forward-facing camera.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Try these steps first. If the problem continues, contact PSI Support.
The exam won't launch or is running very slowly
Temporarily disable your antivirus software while taking the exam. Some antivirus programs interfere with or block the testing software entirely. Re-enable it after your exam is complete.
"Not enough internet bandwidth" message
Test your connection at video-diagnostics.twilio.com. You need at least 3 Mbps upload and download.
If your speed is too low: close other browser tabs, pause any downloads, ask others in your home to stop streaming, or switch from Wi-Fi to a wired (ethernet) connection.
My microphone isn't being detected
Test your microphone at video-diagnostics.twilio.com.
If you have a combo device (2-in-1 or 3-in-1 mic), go into your sound settings and set a specific default microphone. This usually resolves the detection issue.
My camera isn't being detected (Windows)
First, test your camera at video-diagnostics.twilio.com.
Surface Pro 6 or 7 (two cameras): Disable the rear camera so only the front camera is active.
HP, Dell, or Acer (purchased before 2015): Update your camera drivers. For 2018–2020 models, make sure the auto-update driver feature is turned on.
Lenovo: Open the Lenovo Vantage app and check for software updates. If you have a ThinkPad or IdeaPad, also disable the touchscreen feature.
Windows Desktop: Unplug any extra monitors, microphones, or cameras that are not being used.
My camera isn't being detected (Mac or Linux)
Mac: Go to video-diagnostics.twilio.com and also try opening the built-in FaceTime app to confirm your camera works.
Linux: Go to video-diagnostics.twilio.com to test your camera and microphone. If that fails, open the built-in Cheese app — if Cheese can’t see the camera either, the issue is a driver problem rather than a browser issue.