PARC Radio & Technology

Step 3 of 5: Prepare

Preparing Your Computer

Computer Requirements

  • A Windows 10 (or later) or Mac laptop or desktop computer. Chromebooks, iPads and other tablets, and Linux computers are not permitted.
  • A camera facing the candidate directly and a working microphone. On a laptop, use the built-in camera.
  • Reliable internet service. VPNs and phone hotspots are not permitted.
  • One screen. Turn off, turn away or cover any additional monitors, and disable virtual screens. A laptop may not be connected to a docking station.
  • Keyboard and mouse. A laptop must use only its built-in keyboard and trackpad; external mice and keyboards are not permitted. A desktop computer requires a wired keyboard and mouse. Adaptive keyboards and switches may be used with a desktop computer when requested as an accommodation.
  • The computer must be fully charged or connected to power.

Zoom Setup

  • Install the Zoom application on the computer and the phone. Zoom in a web browser is not supported.
  • Test both devices before the day of the examination, and become familiar with the use of Zoom.
  • Virtual backgrounds and background blur are not permitted. The examiners must be able to see the entire room.

Zoom Test Meeting

Naming the Devices

Two join screens side by side. On the computer, the name box reads Jane Doe computer. On the phone, the name box reads Jane Doe phone. Each has a Join button.
The examiners admit devices by name. Each device name must consist of the candidate’s first and last name followed by “computer” or “phone”.
  1. Sign out of Zoom on both devices. When signed in, Zoom uses the account name and does not request a name.
  2. Open the Zoom link from the email on each device.
  3. When Zoom requests a name, enter your first and last name followed by computer or phone. Devices cannot be renamed in the waiting room.
  4. On the computer, turn on video and join audio with the microphone unmuted. On the phone, turn on video but do not join audio, as described under Preparing Your Second Device.

Before Joining

  • Close all applications except Zoom, including browsers, email, messaging, Teams, Discord, Steam, remote-desktop tools and VPNs.
  • Turn on Do Not Disturb and turn off Bluetooth. A notification that appears during the examination may be taken as outside assistance, and the examiners are required to act on it.
  • Remove watches, earbuds, headphones, smart glasses and hats, and place them out of reach.
  • Do Not Disturb moon symbol Do Not Disturb, called Focus on newer Macs and on iPhones, is indicated by this moon symbol.
  • Control Center icon On a Mac, Do Not Disturb and Bluetooth are located in Control Center, shown by this icon at the top right of the menu bar.

Examination Window

Diagram of a desktop with one empty browser window that is large but not maximized. Arrows mark the desktop visible above, below and on both sides of the window.
The browser window may be large, but it must not be maximized or full screen. Part of the desktop must remain visible on every side, so that the examiners can confirm that nothing else is open.
  • The examination runs in a browser window, which the Exam Manager instructs you to open after your screen is shared. Before the day of the examination, practice sizing a browser window as shown, and then close it.
  • Answer using the A, B, C and D keys; the next question appears automatically. Do not scroll or touch the trackpad during the examination.
  • Use only the calculator built into ExamTools. A separate calculator application, or a physical calculator in the room, is grounds for ending the examination.