skip to main content skip to footer

 

The School Leadership Series

Demonstrate your knowledge and support your career growth

 

SLS At Home Testing Requirements

The SLS tests at home are a safe and convenient option for test takers who live in the United States, its territories1 or in Canada. They're identical to tests taken at a test center and are taken on your own computer at home or another secure location. All at home tests are monitored by a human proctor online. At home testing is available 7 days a week.

 

Equipment and environment requirements

Be sure that your computer and testing room meet the following requirements before you register for an SLS test at home. If they don't, you won't be able to test.

View the screenshots below to learn what you can expect when running the ETS Secure Browser.

 

Once you open the ETS Secure Browser, you’ll be brought to this welcome screen. From here, you can run the Equipment Check.

 

Upon completion of the Equipment Check, you’ll see the status of your equipment. If any parts have failed, you’ll see a red triangle status indicator, as well as tips for how to resolve the problem.

The equipment check includes a bandwidth check. Since bandwidth differs depending on time of day and network usage, run the equipment check at several different times to see which time works best. Additionally, you should run the check on the same day of the week and the same time of day as your test. That way, you're checking your bandwidth in an environment similar to what you would experience when you test.

 

When you have successfully passed the equipment check, you’ll arrive at the Congratulations page.

If your check fails and you can't resolve the issues yourself, visit Equipment Check Support for troubleshooting tips.

Live Help Desk Technicians are available to assist you prior to test day.

Equipment

  • Desktop or laptop computer; you can't use a tablet, Chromebook™ or mobile device.
  • Approved operating system, which must be licensed. Unlicensed or test-mode versions are not permitted.
    • PC: Windows® operating system, version 10 or higher
    • MAC®: Mac OS® X 10.13 or higher
  • Chrome® browser.
  • Multiple monitors, mice, keyboards, dual screens or remote access software aren't permitted.

  • Download and install the ETS® Secure Test Browser on the computer you'll use to test. To fully install the browser, run the file after downloading it. Close the browser once you see the following message: "Success! You have installed the ETS secure test browser."
  • Download the Windows version. If you receive an error message, please follow these troubleshooting steps (PDF).
  • Download the Mac version.
  • Run the Equipment Check from the computer you'll use to test. If you fail the equipment check, you must fix any issues before test day. Live Help Desk technicians are available to assist you.
  • Work- or school- issued computers are not recommended. Computer firewalls and security applications can interfere with the test delivery software. If you experience this issue, you may need administrative rights to disable or reconfigure your applications prior to the test.

Helpful Tip

The equipment check includes a bandwidth check. Since bandwidth differs depending on time of day and network usage, run the equipment check at a few different times to see which time works best. Be sure to run it at a time and in an environment similar to what you would experience when you test, e.g., your family is home and using many devices, etc.

  • Use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor.
  • Headsets or earphones aren't allowed.

  • Use an internal or external microphone that isn't part of a headset to talk to the proctor.

  • Can be a built-in camera or a separate webcam.
  • Camera must be movable to show the proctor a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface, before the test.

Environment and testing space

  • You must be alone in a room with no one else entering during the test.
  • You can't take the test in a public space such as a park, internet café or restaurant.

  • Your computer and keyboard must be on a desk or other tabletop surface.
  • The tabletop and surrounding area must be clear of all items not approved for use during the test, including cell phones (except when used for check in), cameras, notes and study materials. The furniture and décor in the room do not need to be modified or removed.
  • You must sit in a standard chair; you can't sit or lie on a bed, couch or overstuffed chair.
  • Food and drink aren't allowed during the test.

  • To ensure the security of the test, the proctor must be able to view your face from forehead to chin at all times.
  • Your ears must remain visible throughout the test, not covered by hair, a hat or other items.
  • Face masks may not be worn during check in or any part of the at home testing session.
  • Dress appropriately for your test. You'll be monitored via camera by the proctor.
  • Avoid wearing items such as jewelry, tie clips, cuff links, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands and other hair accessories.

 

  • You may not take notes on regular paper, for security purposes.
  • You may use one of the following to take notes:
    • One small desktop whiteboard with erasable marker
    • One sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker
  • You'll be asked to erase all notes in view of the proctor at the end of the test.

1 Based on the address in your SLS account.