Hardware Requirements
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Minimum: 2.0 GHz dual‑core CPU, 8 GB RAM, 4 GB free disk space.
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Recommended: 2.5+ GHz quad‑core CPU, 16 GB RAM, 10 GB free disk space (for smooth performance when multiple apps or monitoring tools are running).
Display
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Minimum resolution: 1366 × 768 at 32‑bit color (1024 × 768 is considered legacy and not recommended for new deployments).
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Recommended resolution: 1920 × 1080 or higher.
For planning purposes, a 17″ or larger monitor for desktops and 13″ or larger display for laptops is typically sufficient, but display resolution is the controlling requirement.
Peripherals (for proctored and/or video‑monitored exams)
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Built‑in or external webcam required; 720p minimum, 1080p recommended.
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Microphone required (built‑in or external).
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External USB webcams and wired headsets are supported and recommended in larger rooms; Bluetooth peripherals may be used but should be tested in advance for stability and battery life.
Browser Requirements
Aquifer’s exam platform is built using modern web standards and is designed for current, fully updated browsers.
Use the latest stable version of:
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Google Chrome
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Mozilla Firefox
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Microsoft Edge
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Apple Safari (macOS only)
Best practice is to use the current or previous major browser release and keep automatic browser updates enabled. Legacy browsers (including Internet Explorer and very old versions of major browsers) are not supported.
Internet and Network
- Connection type: Broadband (DSL, Cable, Fiber).
- Minimum per workstation: 3 Mbps download / 1 Mbps upload.
- Recommended per workstation: 10 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload or higher, especially when using live proctoring or running multiple concurrent exams.
- Wired Ethernet is preferred for reliability; high‑density Wi‑Fi can be used if signal strength and access point capacity are adequate.
Exam Compatibility Check (Students Using Personal Laptops)
Students using personal laptops should be instructed to arrive early and complete a pre‑exam System Check on the same network they will use for testing.
Students should verify:
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Operating system and browser versions meet the requirements above.
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Webcam and microphone access are enabled and working in the browser.
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Internet connection is stable with sufficient bandwidth and acceptable latency.
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Any required secure/lockdown browser, extension, or plugin is installed and launches correctly (if applicable for your institution).
Advise students to:
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Close or exit other applications that use the camera or microphone (Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, etc.).
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Temporarily disable VPNs, or ensure the VPN/proxy allows WebRTC and HTTPS traffic to all Aquifer exam endpoints.
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Grant camera and microphone permissions to the browser for the domains used by Aquifer Exams (for example, *.aquifer.org and exam delivery subdomains your institution has been given).
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Restart the computer after installing updates or drivers if hardware is not detected.
Additional Workstations
Institutions should maintain spare, fully configured workstations or laptops that can be used immediately if a primary device fails during an exam session.
Backup devices should:
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Meet or exceed the hardware, OS, browser, and network requirements above.
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Be enabled for both wired and wireless LAN use, where possible.
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Be joined to the same network and security configuration as primary exam machines.
- Be tested with the System Check and, if applicable, any secure/lockdown browser prior to the exam date.
Technical Support Staff Responsibilities
Technical support staff at your institution are critical to delivering Aquifer Exams securely and reliably. They ensure that all computers used for exam administration are correctly configured and ready before exam day.
In advance of administering the exam, technical support staff should:
- Identify and prepare all testing rooms and workstations that will be used for Aquifer Exams.
- Set up at least one dedicated proctor workstation in each testing room.
- Confirm that institutional workstations meet OS, browser, and hardware requirements and that all relevant updates are applied.
- Verify that Internet connectivity and internal network performance are adequate in each testing room, including peak‑load conditions.
On or near exam day, technical support staff are responsible for:
- Being familiar with the operating system, antivirus, endpoint protection, and browser versions installed on exam devices.
- Understanding the local network architecture (firewalls, proxies, VPNs, content filters) that could affect exam delivery or proctoring.
- Verifying that required ports and domains for Aquifer Exams are allowed through any institutional firewalls or web filters.
- Being available onsite (or immediately reachable) during the exam window to diagnose and resolve technical issues.
If your institution would like to run a sample or test exam session to confirm that secure exam delivery is working as expected, please contact Aquifer Exam Support (exams@aquifer.org) to request a test login.
Exam Support
If an issue arises during the exam:
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Contact your institution’s technical support staff or on‑site exam proctor first.
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Use your institution’s internal troubleshooting steps and any Aquifer exam troubleshooting materials your team has configured.
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If the issue cannot be resolved locally, contact Aquifer Exam Support during business hours.
Aquifer Exam Support is available on weekdays during posted support hours (excluding noted holidays) to assist with exam administration questions and technical issues.
For the latest contact details and support hours, see: Exam Support Contact.
Contact exams@aquifer.org or (603) 727-7002 ext. 2 with any questions about test administration activities.