How to Check Computer Compatibility

To check if your computer is compatible with the Online Testing Website, click on this System Compatibility Check link. You will then need to download the Secure Exam Browser (Mettl Secure Browser or MSB) to open the test. During the system check, click on the “Download MSB.”

Make sure that you use the above link to check your computer’s system.

Once the MSB has been successfully installed follow the onscreen instructions to perform the compatibility check for your computer. This will determine if the configuration or set-up of your computer will allow the online test to run. It will check if your internet browser, webcam and your microphone are working. If all goes well, it will show a message “Looks Great, the test will run just fine on this computer.” Once you see this page, you may click the power icon on the lower right corner of your computer screen to exit. If the compatibility check gives an error message, please proceed as per the error message on the screen or contact the IT-Help Desk for troubleshooting of technical issue.

What are some possible reasons for encountering errors in the System Compatibility Check? Errors could be due to:

1.   Internet browser is not up-to-date. If you have another internet browser on your computer, you can also try switching to it to run the compatibility check.

2.   Pop-up blocker setting of your internet browser. Your Internet Browser may be blocking the MSB.

Try the following:

a.    Use the “allow once/always” pop-ups function from your browser settings to allow test window to open

b.   Optionally, you may disable the pop-up blocker for the duration of the compatibility check, as well as, the actual test. Here is how you can do it:

b.1.)    For Mozilla Firefox on Windows: Go to ‘Tools’ --> select ‘Options’ --> click ‘Content’ tab and then uncheck ‘Block Pop-up windows’ check box.

b.2.)    For Google Chrome: Go to ‘chrome://settings/’ --> click on ‘Show advanced settings’ (at the end of the page). Under ‘Privacy’, click on ‘Content Settings’ --> under ‘Pop-ups’, select ‘Allow all sites to show pop-ups’ --> click on ‘Done’.

After performing the above steps, please exit the internet browser and start again, and continue with the compatibility check.

3.     Security settings of your computer. Your antivirus program may be blocking the MSB from running, thinking that it is malware. We recommend that you set your antivirus program to recognize the MSB as a safe/trustworthy software or you disable/uninstall the antivirus program to allow the MSB to run.

4.   Other applications accessing your webcam are open or running in the background or the drivers for your webcam or microphone are not up-to-date or are unresponsive.

Important Note: The System Compatibility Check tests the fit of your computer settings with the requirements of the Online Testing Website at the time it is conducted. However, changes made to your computer’s configuration or set-up after doing the compatibility check, as caused by updates in the operating system or software, may lead to incompatibility on the actual test date.

Thus, once you have done a successful system compatibility check close to the date of your exam, we recommend for you to disable further security patches, updates of the antivirus software and updates of other applications and the operating system (e.g. Windows updates). Disable these until after you have taken the online exam in order to avoid any interference while taking the actual test. You are also advised to disable or reschedule automatic system updates for the duration of the test. Automatic System Updates may lead to heavy downloads during the test and auto-system restart will hamper your test-taking experience.

 To disable System Auto updates:

For Windows, go to ‘Start’ --> ‘Run’ --> type ‘services.msc’ --> look for ‘Windows Update’ --> and then Stop the service.’ After finishing the test, you can turn-on the same by doing the following: ‘Start’ --> ‘Run’ --> type ‘services.msc’ --> look for ‘Windows Update’ --> and then Start the service.’