Technical requirements for running a Linguaskill test
Linguaskill is an online test and the equipment used to run the test must meet a series of minimum technical requirements. Centres and candidates are responsible for ensuring that their equipment meets these requirements in order for the test to function correctly. We recommend that you run a practice test in advance of your exam day.

  • The computer used for the test should not have more than one screen.
  • You must close any other programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Skype), computer windows or webpages before to start the test.
  • It is only allowed to have two windows open in the browser: the one corresponding to the exam and the Proctor Exam one.
Processor
Pentium III 800 MHz or equivalent
RAM
512 MB

Free hard drive space
4GB

Screen resolution
1280 x 1024
  Operating system
Windows 8 or later
Apple
MacOS 10.12.6 (Sierra) up to 12.1 (Monterrey)
Note: The Cambridge English Test portal and any tests run through it are not currently supported on iOS, Android or Chrome OS devices.
Chromebook (ChromeOS 94+)

Internet bandwidth
2 Mbps per candidate.
The minimum bandwidth requirements are for each computer running the test. When running multiple tests concurrently on the same internet connection you should ensure this bandwidth is available to each computer. If less than 2 Mbps is available for each candidate, the test may take longer to run.


Web browser
Chrome or Firefox
Linguaskill with online proctoring:
Chrome

Adobe Reader
Latest version (must be able to read PDFs).
Download Acrobat Reader here...


We are now using HTML5 to run Linguaskill exams and Adobe Flash Player is NOT required anymore
Sound card
Yes

Headphones
Over-ear and closed back – the earpieces of the headphones should cover the entire ear, preferably with good padding for comfort.

Microphone
A microphone should be attached to the headset, via a ‘boom’ (in other words, on the end of a flexible stalk). The microphone should be noise-cancelling (at a minimum, directional), to increase sound pick-up and to minimise noise pollution on the recordings.

Please do not allow the use of your computers’ built-in microphones, these should be disabled, because they are not of the appropriate type nor of sufficient quality. In addition in Chrome if a candidate mutes their headset mic, Linguaskill will continue recording if there‘s more than one mic enabled on the machine.

Headphone and microphone connections
There is no preference on plugs (that is, USB or standard stereo) but please note that the use of USB means that appropriate drivers must be installed and confirmed as working before the test day.

Webcam
For Linguaskill with online proctoring only

Smartphone
For Linguaskill with online proctoring only
Android 5.1+ and iOS 10.0+ smart devices – smartphone or tablet – with a camera are supported. Check your operating system here by using your mobile phone. Note: Huawei P30, Samsung Galaxy A3 and Google Pixel 3 and newer are not compatible with our app


Top