Before you book - including system tests and equipment checks

To run a remote session exam successfully you'll need to meet certain requirements, which are explained on this page. Please make sure you understand these requirements and ensure you can meet them before you book.

1. Check remote exams are permitted in your location
2. Check your equipment and internet connection
3. Meeting room and desk setup requirements

1. Check remote exams are permitted in your location

Only students located in countries with no exam centre provision can take remote exams. Please visit our exam availability and booking page for information on whether taking remote exams are offered in your location.

2. Check your equipment and internet connection

The video "Remote session exams - your required setup" outlines what you'll need in order to run a remote session exam successfully. You should watch the video, and then complete the equipment and technical checks below.

Successfully carrying out these checks will greatly reduce the risk of you experiencing a technical disruption on exam day. Please be aware that taking the exam using a VPN connection is not permitted and you will not be able to have any non-exam related application running on your device whilst you are taking the exam.

Video: remote session exams - your required setup

Video corrections

Minimum operating system is now:

Windows 11 and 10 (64-bit) – (excluding ‘S Mode’)
macOS 14 and above – (excluding beta versions).

Minimum internet connectivity speed is now 6Mbps download and 3Mbps upload.

Pre-booking equipment and technical checks

You need to ensure you meet the minimum technical requirements to run the exam the successfully.

Check the minimum technical specifications

If you can confirm your device and connectivity can meet these requirements you should then complete a mandatory system test via Exam Planner.

Perform mandatory system test via Exam Planner

Need help performing the mandatory system test?

Learn how to complete the mandatory system test

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To be eligible to sit a remote session exam you must successfully pass the mandatory system test which we recommend completing before booking your exam.

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All mandatory system tests must be carried out from your exam planner and if only centre based exams are available in your chosen location, the Run System Test for Remote Session exams button will not appear.

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However, if remote session exams are available, select Run System test for remote session exams then select Perform System test.

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To be successful you must confirm you'll be using the same testing space, computer and Internet connection you'll use on exam day.

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Then copy your access code and download the On View exam software.

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After you download and open the On View Exam software, select next to start the system test.

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You must receive a green tick on all your equipment, including your microphone, speakers, and webcam.

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Your Internet connection or network check must reach 100% to meet the mandatory system test requirements.

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You'll have to download and launch the exam simulation as part of the system test.

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Once the exam files have downloaded, select Next.

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You must close all open and background applications to be able to launch the exam simulation.

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Your webcam must have stable video streaming capabilities.

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If on view detects an issue with your video stream, select the Troubleshoot Streaming link on screen for troubleshooting support to resolve the issue before selecting Test Video stream again.

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Once you can see yourself in the video stream, select Yes, then select Next to Continue.

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Finally, to pass the mandatory system test, you must successfully launch the exam simulation.

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After you've run the mandatory system test, your results will appear in the blue box on your exam planner.

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All new system test results will be updated every 72 hours.

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If you failed the mandatory system test, you may wish to try again.

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Alternatively, if you do not meet the mandatory system requirements to sit a remote exam, then you may wish to book your next exam at an exam centre.

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We recommend you complete the mandatory system test before booking your remote session exam.

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If you forget, we'll remind you to complete this task before your exam takes place.

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Failure to successfully complete and pass the system test will impact your exam experience and performance.

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Should you experience technical difficulties during your exam, and if you have Internet or connection problems or you don't pass the required system test, you will not be eligible for an exam cancellation.

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Visit the Before You Book page on the Remote Ready Hub to learn more about the system and technical requirements to sit a remote session exam and to learn more about our exam rules and regulations.

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Good luck with your remote session exam.

The system test checks your compatible with some, but not all, of the technical requirements at a distinct point in time. You should therefore perform the test using the same network, computer and location you will use on exam day.

If you can't meet these pre-booking entry requirements you should not enter for the exam as the exam may not run successfully.

3. Meeting room and desk setup requirements

There are some room and desk setup requirements which students need to adhere to. These include:

Taking your exam in a private and quiet room for the full duration of the exam. Walls must be 'solid' i.e. cloth or curtain room dividers/partitions are not acceptable.
No scrap paper for notes or secondary monitors are permitted to be used.

It is important that you check that you'll have access to a room and desk setup which can meet the full setup regulations.

View the our visual guide on how you must setup your desk and room

Additionally, before entering for your exam you're advised that:

You are only permitted one 5 minute bathroom break from when you start the check-in process until the conclusion of the exam.
You will be filmed throughout the exam and these and other data will be shared with 3rd parties for the sole purposes of running the exam and for other related post-exam activities.

View the full rules and regulations for remote exams or watch our video below for more information.