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Equipment and Environment Requirements

Confirm these requirements for your computer and testing room before registering.

Complete Your Registration with ProctorU

From the email link, select a test date and time, and complete your registration.

The Testing Experience

Learn what is expected of you and what you should expect when taking the test.

After the Test

Receive your scores and learn about retesting if needed.

Equipment and Environment Requirements

Be sure that your computer and testing room meet the following requirements before you register for the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition test. If they don’t, you will not be able to test.

Equipment

Computer

  • Must be a desktop or laptop computer, not a tablet or mobile device.
    • PC: you must use the Windows® operating system, versions 10, 8 or 7.
    • MAC®: you must use Mac OS X 10.5 or higher (10.13 High Sierra is recommended). It is no longer required for candidates testing on a Mac computer to have Windows software loaded.
  • Must use Chrome™ or Firefox® browser.
  • Download and install the ETS Test Browser on the computer you will use for the test. To fully install the browser, you must run the file after downloading it.
  • Run the ProctorU® System Check from the computer you will use for the test.

Speaker

  • Must use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor
  • Headsets or earphones are not allowed

Microphone

  • Must 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 the proctor a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface, before the test

Environment and Testing Space

Privacy

  • You must be alone in a room with no one else entering during the test.
  • Testing in a public space such as a park, internet cafe or restaurant is not allowed.

Tabletop and seating

  • Your computer and keyboard must be on a desk or other tabletop surface.
  • The tabletop and surrounding area must be clear of all items not approved for use during the test.
  • You must sit in a standard chair; you may not sit or lie on a bed, couch or overstuffed chair.
  • Food and drink are not allowed during the test.

Clothing and appearance

  • Your ears must remain visible throughout the test, not covered by hair, a hat or other items.
  • You must be dressed appropriately for your test. You will be monitored via camera by the proctor, and your photo will be shared with institutions that receive your scores.
  • Avoid wearing such items as jewelry, tie clips, cuff links, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands and other hair accessories.

Note-taking Materials

  • You may not take notes on regular paper, for security purposes.
  • You may take notes using 1 of the following:
    • Whiteboard with erasable marker
    • Paper with transparent sheet protector and erasable marker
  • You will be asked to erase all notes in view of the proctor at the end of the test.

If all of these criteria are met, you can register for your at home test appointment.