United States
Hong KongTaking it at home: what the room actually has to be like
Yes, with a private room nobody enters for two hours, a completely clear desk, a working webcam and microphone, a stable connection, and photo identification. The room is scanned on camera before the exam begins.
The exam is easy to book remotely. The room is what people underestimate.
The room
- A door that closes, and a household that knows not to open it for two hours.
- No other people, no pets that will demand attention.
- Walls you are happy for a proctor to inspect.
- Enough light that the camera can see you and your identification clearly.
- Somewhere you can sit still for two hours without leaving the frame.
A kitchen is often the worst choice available, and not only because of foot traffic. Temperature charts and food safety posters on the wall are exactly what a proctor will ask you to remove.
The desk
Completely clear. Not tidy - clear.
No papers, no notebooks, no phone, no second screen, no coffee cup with writing on it in some cases. You will be asked to show the desk surface and often underneath it.
The technology
A computer with a working webcam and microphone, on a stable connection. Run the provider system check days ahead, not on the morning.
Wired ethernet beats wifi where you have the option, and a laptop on battery is a risk worth removing by plugging it in.
The five things that end a session
- Someone entering the room.
- Leaving the camera frame.
- Talking, including reading questions under your breath.
- A second monitor detected, even if switched off.
- A connection loss the proctor cannot recover.
Reading aloud is the one that catches people, particularly candidates working in a second language who mouth the words. Practice reading silently before the day.
When to use a test center instead
Unreliable internet. A household you cannot guarantee. A previous terminated session. Or simply finding a camera in your home more intrusive than a supervised room.
The center costs about twelve dollars more. A terminated session costs the whole fee.
Common questions
What do you need to take the exam at home?
A private room nobody will enter for two hours, a completely clear desk, a working webcam and microphone, a stable connection, and government photo identification.
Does the desk have to be empty?
Completely clear, not merely tidy. No papers, notebooks, phone or second screen, and you will be asked to show the surface and often underneath it.
Can you take it in a kitchen?
It is often the worst room available - foot traffic, plus temperature charts and food safety posters on the wall that a proctor will ask you to remove.
What ends a remote session?
Someone entering the room, leaving the camera frame, talking including reading under your breath, a second monitor detected even if off, or an unrecoverable connection loss.
When should you use a test center instead?
Unreliable internet, a household you cannot guarantee, or a previously terminated session. The center costs about twelve dollars more; a terminated session costs the whole fee.