Before your exam: System Check, webcam and microphone setup

Modified on Mon, 8 May, 2023 at 12:06 PM

Before your exam: System Check, webcam and microphone

For: candidates taking a proctored exam or AI interview

Proctored exams check your webcam, microphone and (if the exam uses it) screen sharing before you start. Do this setup 10–15 minutes early so a permission problem does not eat into your exam time.

Quick checklist

Laptop or desktop with a working webcam and microphone (see supported devices and browsers).
Latest Google Chrome (some institutes allow only Chrome). Microsoft Edge works where Chrome is not enforced.
Close Zoom, Teams, Skype, the Camera app or anything else that uses the camera.
Stable internet — a wired connection or a strong Wi-Fi signal. Avoid switching networks during the exam.
Charger plugged in, notifications off, quiet well-lit room, face clearly visible.
Your login details and the exact exam link from your institute.

System Check 2.0 — step by step

Log in and open your exam. The System Check page appears before the exam starts.
Click Start Testing.
When the browser asks, click Allow for camera and microphone.
The webcam records for 15 seconds. Look at the camera and say a few words.
Watch the playback. If you can see and hear yourself clearly, click Yes, video is clear - Continue. Otherwise click Retake Webcam.
Only if your exam uses screen sharing: a screen test follows. In the sharing dialog choose Entire Screen — a window or a browser tab is not accepted. It records for 15 seconds; check the playback and click Yes, screen recording is clear - Continue or Retake Screen Recording.
When you see System Check completed successfully, click Proceed. You go to ID / face verification (if your exam uses it) or straight to the exam.

If you already passed the System Check for the same exam in the same browser, it is skipped automatically when you log in again.

Next step: ID and face verification at exam start.

System Check messages and what to do

Message	What to do
Camera or microphone permission was denied. Please allow access and retry.	Allow camera and microphone for the exam site (steps below), then click Retry.
No camera or microphone was found on this device.	Connect a webcam / headset, or check that the built-in camera is enabled in your OS settings. Then Retry.
Your camera or microphone is already in use by another application.	Close Zoom, Teams, the Camera app and other browser tabs using the camera, then Retry.
Screen recording requires you to share your entire screen...	You picked a window or tab. Retry and choose Entire Screen.
Screen sharing permission was denied.	Retry and allow sharing. On a Mac, also allow Screen Recording for Chrome (see macOS below).
The recording could not be uploaded. Please check your network connection and retry.	Move closer to the router or switch to a more stable network, then Retry.
Your browser does not support this system check.	Open the exam link in the latest Chrome or Edge.

Webcam Test / troubleshooting page

Your candidate dashboard and the face-verification page show a Webcam Troubleshooting link. It opens a page where you can test your webcam and microphone (with playback) and see permission steps for your browser and device. The same steps are summarised below.

Allow camera and microphone in the browser

Browser	Steps
Google Chrome	Click the lock icon in the address bar → set Camera and Microphone to Allow → reload the page.
Microsoft Edge	Click the lock icon in the address bar → Permissions for this site → set Camera and Microphone to Allow → reload the page.

Allow camera and microphone in your operating system

Device	Steps
Windows	Press Win + I → Privacy & Security → Camera → turn on Camera access and make sure your browser is toggled on. Repeat under Microphone. Close and reopen the browser, then reload the exam page.
macOS	Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → tick Google Chrome. Repeat under Microphone. For screen-sharing exams also tick Chrome under Screen Recording. Quit the browser completely (Cmd + Q) and reopen it. More: exams on a MacBook.
Android	Settings → Apps → Google Chrome → Permissions → set Camera and Microphone to Allow → go back to the exam page and reload.
iPhone / iPad	Settings → Safari (or Chrome) → allow Camera and Microphone. iPhone security restrictions can still block or limit the camera during exams, so a laptop/desktop or Android phone is recommended.

Network tips

Your connection speed is measured regularly during the exam. Slow or dropping connections can cause gaps in the proctoring video that your institute may review.
Stop downloads, streaming and video calls on the same network.
If you use a mobile hotspot, keep the phone close and charged.
If the System Check upload fails repeatedly, fix the network before starting the exam.

Still stuck? Email [email protected] with your roll number, the exam name, your device and browser, and a screenshot of the message. You can also connect over phone. If your exam is running, contact your institute or proctor first.