Technical Requirements for Laptops

in Mobile Test Centers

Some test centers may wish to set up a mobile lab for administering and delivering
exams. Examples of this type of test center might include setting up exam delivery
at a conference or following a training session. In a standard test center configuration,
only desktop workstations are permitted. This restriction is inconvenient for mobile
test centers. To accommodate mobile test centers, Pearson VUE has established
minimum system requirements for using laptops in these mobile test centers.
This document describes the minimum technical requirements for installing
the Pearson VUE Testing System (VTS) software on laptops in mobile test centers.
The VTS software may be installed in one of two configurations: Workgroup scenario
or Server scenario. The hardware and software must meet Pearson VUE’s minimum
requirements as shown in System requirements on page 4.

Warning

Laptops are not permitted in standard fixed location Pearson VUE

testing centers. These technical requirements only apply to mobile
testing centers using laptops for administration and exam delivery.
If your site is installing in a Workgroup scenario you are limited to
no more than 15 exam Delivery workstations. If you are installing on
more than 15 exam Delivery workstations you must use a Server
scenario, which requires a Windows server OS.
The following items are strictly prohibited:
• Mac hardware running any operating system
• Virtual environments in any form
• Laptops as exam delivery workstations or as Servers

Any Windows user account that interacts with the VTS software on the Server,
Administration, Proctor, or exam Delivery workstation is required to have local
administrator rights on that workstation. This includes both installing and running
the VTS software.

Pearson VUE Confidential v. 24.1.1 / Jan 2024 Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 1
Copyright © 2008-2024 Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved.
Workgroup scenario installation
In a Workgroup scenario installation, exam Delivery laptops are connected
through a local area network (LAN) or workgroup to the Administration
laptop which provides shared file storage. This is illustrated below.

Warning
A Workgroup scenario may only use up to 15 exam delivery
workstations. If you will be installing more than 15 workstations,
you must use a Server scenario shown on the following page.

Warning
Laptops may only be
used as exam
delivery,
administration and
proctor machines.
Laptop Servers are
strictly prohibited.

2 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

Server scenario installation
In a Server scenario installation, all exam Delivery laptops are connected through
a LAN, and a file server provides shared file storage. This is illustrated below.
(Server scenario refers to a setup type and is not related to an Operating System.)

Warning
You must use a Server scenario if you have more than 15 exam
delivery workstations. A server operating system, such as
Windows Server 2019 or 2016, is required for more than 15
exam delivery workstations.
Laptops may be used in a Server scenario if you connect to
a desktop server. Laptops may only be used as exam Delivery,
Administration and Proctor machines. Laptop Servers are
strictly prohibited.

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 3

System requirements
Effective January 1, 2024, the following pages list the minimum system
requirements for installing and running the Pearson VUE Testing System
on laptops in a mobile test center. Pearson recommends purchasing
equipment that meets or exceeds the Recommended Specifications.
The minimum requirements will change periodically based on the needs of
our exam sponsors.

Hardware configuration
All-in-one PC’s are permitted if they meet the minimum Technical
Specification and the Touch screen is disabled. Pearson VUE highly
recommends that All-in-one PC’s meet the Recommended Technical
Specifications.

Software licenses
All test centers are required to have Windows operating systems that have
completed online activation. Application software installed on all exam
Delivery laptops must also have current licensing. Windows Operating
Systems must pass Genuine Windows Validation. Evaluation copies are not
supported.

Network configuration
It is strongly recommended that all machines with VTS Software installed
remain in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet. Network
configurations that do not follow this guideline may experience decreased
exam delivery performance. You may be asked to make changes to your
network configuration to comply with this guideline as part of problem
resolution.

4 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

 Internet bandwidth
The minimum connection speed (Base Network) requirement of 5.0 Mbps
down/ 3.0 Mbps up is required for all test centers. Some exam deliveries will
require an internet connection. For Internet Based Tests (IBT), internet
requirements depend on the number of delivery workstations. See the table
below for details.

BASE NETWORK BANDWIDTH + 512 Kbps FOR EACH EXAM DELIVERY WORKSTATION

1 – 15 delivery 5.0 Mbps down/ 3.0 Mbps up base and 512 Kbps up/down for each
workstations workstation

16 – 50 delivery 10.0 Mbps down/ 5.0 Mbps up base and 512 Kbps up/down
workstations for each workstation

50 – 100 delivery 20.0 Mbps down/ 10.0 Mbps up base and 512 Kbps up/down
workstations for each workstation

For IBT exam deliveries, latency should not exceed 150 ms

Pearson VUE specific hardware

Some exams may require the use of test center admissions equipment.
Please consult with your Pearson VUE representative to determine if these
components are required for your test center. If required, these components
may be purchased from Pearson VUE or a third-party source.

REQUIREMENT ADMINISTRATION WORKSTATION

Web camera Logitech HD Webcam C615 or

Logitech Pro C920 Pro HD Webcam
Logitech C920e Business Webcam

Signature device ePadLink: ePad Signature Pad – Model VP9801 or

ePadLink: ePad II Signature Pad – Model VP9851

Note
Pearson VUE strongly recommends purchasing 2 web
cameras. If the first camera breaks down, you will not be able
to deliver any more exams until a replacement is in place.

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 5

 Monitors – exam delivery
Pearson VUE recommends using 24” monitors.

REQUIREMENTS

• 15.6” or larger for laptops /17” or larger for external monitors

• Must allow for the following display resolution settings:
• 1280 x 1024
Monitor
• 1024 x 768
• External monitor must be connected to the computer using DVI,
DisplayPort, or HDMI

• Exam Delivery workstations must have a graphics adapter that

Desktop supports GPU Scaling (ability to Maintain Aspect Ratio)
Graphics • Exam Delivery workstations must have the GPU Scaling feature
Adapter enabled in the graphics adapter software
• The latest version of graphics drivers must be installed

24” Monitors – exam delivery

Pearson VUE recommends using 24” monitors.

REQUIREMENTS

Monitor • Must allow for the following display resolution settings and be set to
the highest resolution:
o 1920 x 1080 (set to this resolution)
o 1280 x 1024
o 1024 x 768
• Monitor must be connected to the computer using DVI, DisplayPort,
or HDMI

Desktop • Exam delivery workstations must have a graphics adapter that

graphics supports GPU Scaling (ability to Maintain Aspect Ratio)
adapter
• Exam delivery workstations must have the GPU Scaling feature
enabled in the graphics adapter software
• The latest version of graphics drivers must be installed

6 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

 External peripherals for laptops

External mouse

Because many candidates are not comfortable using a touchpad

mouse, this could negatively affect the results of their exam.
Therefore, an external mouse is required for every exam Delivery
laptop.

External keyboard

Some candidates are not comfortable typing on a laptop keyboard,

and this could negatively affect the results of their exam. Therefore,
external keyboards must be available to candidates if they
request one.

Note
If a candidate has Font Accommodations, they must
automatically be provided with an external keyboard.

External monitor

Candidates that have Font Accommodations must automatically

be provided with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 7

 Administration and proctor laptop

MINIMUM REQUIRED RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

*Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit)

**Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit)
Operating *You must have the latest version of Windows 10 or 11 with all current patches
System installed. You should run monthly updates for any OS updates.
Note: If you are an educational facility, i.e., University, Windows 10 education
is currently supported.

Intel: i5 Generation 4 or higher Intel: i7 Generation 2 or higher

i3 Generation 8 or higher
AMD: Ryzen 5 or higher
Processor AMD: Ryzen 3 Generation 5 or higher

**Please refer to the Microsoft website to ensure the i3/i5/i7 or Ryzen 3/5
processor is compatible with Windows 11.

RAM 8 GB of RAM 16 GB of RAM or more

64 GB free disk space 128 GB free disk space

Hard drive
Minimum 7200 rpm HDD required Solid-State Disk (SDD)

Video Adapter must support DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver or higher.
Latest drivers installed.
Graphics 128 MB of dedicated Video RAM or the ability to increase the dedicated video
adapter memory to 128 MB via bios change.

All computers and monitors must be connected via DVI, DisplayPort, or HDMI.

Display must be 14” or larger. 17” external monitor or larger

Display
24” external monitor recommended

Mouse & • Built in English QWERTY Keyboard • External English QWERTY Keyboard
keyboard • Built in Touch Pad Mouse • External 2 Button Wheel Mouse

8 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

 MINIMUM REQUIRED RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

2 available USB 2.0 ports for: 4 available USB 2.0 ports for:
• Signature Pad admissions • English QWERTY Keyboard
equipment
• External 2 Button Wheel Mouse
USB ports
• Camera admissions equipment
• Signature Pad admissions
equipment
• Camera admissions equipment

100 Mbps Full Duplex WIRED 1 Gbps Full Duplex WIRED connection
connection to the network switch. to the network switch.

Network Strongly Recommended: All machines with VTS Software installed should remain
connection in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet.
Note: Wireless Networks are strictly prohibited. 3G/4G/5G connections are
prohibited.

Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.

connection

Internet Latest version of Edge, Chrome, or Firefox

browser

Printer 600 DPI Laser Printer

.NET 4.0 is installed with the VTS software.

Additional If installing on Windows 10, .NET 3.5 must be enabled on Administration/Proctor
software laptop to complete the VTS installation.
All workstations must have Anti-Virus software installed with a current update.

• The Administration laptop must always be physically secured via Cable Lock or
another locking device
• The Test Administrator should be the only one that can remove the locking
device from the Administration laptop
Additional
notes • Candidates must not have free access to the Administration laptop at any time
• Windows 10 allows for up to 15 simultaneous exam deliveries
• The Windows account used to install the VUE Testing System Platform must
have Administrative rights to properly install and update the software

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 9

 Exam delivery laptops

MINIMUM REQUIRED RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

*Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit)

**Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit)
Operating *You must have the latest version of Windows 10 or 11 with all current patches
System installed. You should run monthly updates for any OS updates.
Note: If you are an educational facility, i.e., University, Windows 10 education
is currently supported.

Intel: i5 Generation 4 or higher Intel: i7 Generation 2 or higher

i3 Generation 8 or higher
AMD: Ryzen 5 or higher
Processor AMD: Ryzen 3 Generation 5 or higher

**Please refer to the Microsoft website to ensure the i3/i5/i7 or Ryzen 3/5
processor is compatible with Windows 11.

RAM 8 GB of RAM 16 GB of RAM or more

64 GB free disk space 128 GB free disk space

Hard drive Minimum 5400 rpm HDD required 7200 rpm HDD or Solid-State Drives
(SDD) preferred

Video Adapter must support DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver or higher.
Latest drivers installed.
128 MB of dedicated Video RAM or the ability to increase the dedicated video
Graphics memory to 128MB via bios change.
adapter
Widescreen Laptops: must have a Graphics Adapter that supports GPU Scaling
(sometimes called Maintaining Aspect Ratio).
Widescreen Laptops: must have the GPU Scaling feature enabled.

See Monitors requirements above.

Display
Note: External 17" monitor or larger for candidates with Font Accommodations.
24” external monitor recommended.

Audio Windows compatible audio playback capability

10 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

 MINIMUM REQUIRED RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

• English QWERTY Keyboard

• External 2 Button Wheel Mouse
Mouse &
keyboard
Note: An external keyboard is required for candidates with Font Accommodations.
Note: Sites must provide an external keyboard if candidate requests one.

2 available USB 2.0 ports for: 3 available USB 2.0 ports for:
• External 2 Button Wheel Mouse • External 2 Button Wheel Mouse
USB ports
• English QWERTY Keyboard (if • English QWERTY Keyboard
requested or required by
• 1 spare port
candidate)

100 Mbps Full Duplex WIRED 1 Gbps Full Duplex WIRED connection
connection to the network switch. to the network switch.

Network Strongly Recommended: All machines with VTS Software installed should be
connection in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet.
Note: Wireless networks are strictly prohibited. 3G/4G/5G connections are
prohibited.

Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.

connection

Internet Latest version of Edge, Chrome, or Firefox

browser

Printer 600 DPI Laser Printer

• .NET 4.0 is installed with the VTS software.

• If installing on Windows 10, .NET 3.5 must be enabled on exam Delivery laptop
Additional
to complete the VTS installation
software
• All workstations must have Anti-Virus software installed with a current
update.

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 11

 MINIMUM REQUIRED RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

• Delivery laptops MUST NOT be moved or mobile during exam delivery –

a locking device may be necessary to prevent laptops from walking away.
• An external Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse are required for candidates with
Font Accommodations.
• The Windows account used to install the VUE Testing System Platform must
have Administrative rights to install properly.
Additional
notes • The Windows account profile logged into the exam Delivery laptop must have
Administrative rights to launch the Delivery Manager software.
• If there is an approved accommodation for Assistive Technology (such as
JAWS software) the exam delivery workstation requires more advanced
technical requirements, such as 16 GBs of RAM. A Pearson representative will
confirm with test center staff prior to scheduling this type of Assistive
Technology.

Server: file storage

The file storage server must be accessible to the Administration laptop,
Proctor laptop, and all exam Delivery laptops. These requirements apply to
Administration workstations with 1 – 15 exam delivery laptops, and to
Servers with 15 – 30 exam delivery laptops.

REQUIRED FOR 1 – 15 REQUIRED FOR 15 – 30

EXAM DELIVERY SEATS EXAM DELIVERY SEATS

All Servers must be Desktop machines All Servers must be Desktop

machines
*Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise
(64-bit) Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
**Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise Windows Server 2016 (64-bit)
(64-bit)
Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
Operating
System Windows Server 2016 (64-bit)

(Windows Server Core is not currently supported)

*You must have the latest version of Windows 10 or11 with all current patches
installed. You should run monthly updates for any OS updates.
Note: If you are an educational facility, i.e., University, Windows 10 education
is currently supported.

12 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

 REQUIRED FOR 1 – 15 REQUIRED FOR 15 – 30
EXAM DELIVERY SEATS EXAM DELIVERY SEATS

Intel: i5 Generation 4 or higher Intel: i7 Generation 2 or higher

i3 Generation 8 or higher
AMD: Ryzen 5 or higher
Processor AMD: Ryzen 3 Generation 5 or higher

**Please refer to the Microsoft website to ensure the i3/i5/i7 or Ryzen 3/5
processor is compatible with Windows 11.

RAM 8 GB of RAM or more. 16 GB of RAM or more.

SATA II Interface Standard or faster Interface Standard.

Hard drive
50 GB available disk space.

100 Mbps Full Duplex WIRED connection 1 Gbps Full Duplex WIRED
to the network switch. connection to the network switch.

Pearson VUE strongly recommends that the server be dedicated to the VTS
software to ensure the highest quality experience for candidates during exam
Network delivery.
Pearson VUE strongly discourages that the server provides additional services
such as: domain controller, DHCP, SQL Server, WINS, etc.
Note: Wireless networks are strictly prohibited. 3G/4G/5G connections are
prohibited.

Power UPS is recommended.

Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.

connection

Internet Latest version of Edge, Chrome, or Firefox

browser

Additional Server must have Anti-Virus software installed with a current update.
software .NET 3.5 framework must be enabled.

The Windows account used to install the VUE Testing System Platform must have
Additional Administrative rights to install properly.
notes
Candidates should never have free access to the Server machine at any time.

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 13

 Prohibited on all laptops

ADMINISTRATION DELIVERY
LAPTOPS LAPTOPS

Smartphones are strictly prohibited.

Tablet devices are strictly prohibited (e.g., iOS, Android, and Windows 8).
Portable Netbooks and Chromebooks are strictly prohibited.
computers
Note: Laptops are strictly prohibited as servers.
Note: Laptops with a “Tablet” mode are strictly prohibited from delivering exams
while in Tablet mode.

Devices running Ultra Mobile Processors are strictly prohibited. This includes,
Processor
but is not limited to Intel Atom, AMD NEO CPU lines, and ARM CPUs.

RAM Less than 8 GB on any workstation

FAT32 File System

Hard drive
Hard drives that spin at less than 5400 rpms (SSD are exempt)

• Evaluation versions of operating systems are not allowed

• Windows XP, Vista & Windows 7/8/8.1 (all versions) strictly prohibited
• Windows Server 2008 (all versions)
• Windows Server 2012 (all versions)
• Windows Server Operating System strictly prohibited on exam Delivery
Operating
laptops and are not supported on Administration laptops
System
• Virtual environments are strictly prohibited
(e.g., VMWare, Virtual PC, Citrix, Parallels, VirtualBox, etc.)
• Mac OSX is strictly prohibited
• Mac hardware running any Operating System is strictly prohibited
• All Linux/Unix based Operating Systems are strictly prohibited

Graphics Any Graphics Adapter that does not support DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0
adapter driver or higher.

Less than 14” External monitors smaller than 17" are strictly prohibited.
display
Dual monitors are strictly prohibited.
Monitor
display Laptops: Any 16:9 aspect ratio display smaller than 15.4".

Touch Screen monitors must be disabled on all workstations.

14 ❖ Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements Pearson VUE Confidential

 ADMINISTRATION DELIVERY
LAPTOPS LAPTOPS

Portable computing devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones and tablets
are strictly prohibited from being connected to the exam Delivery laptop during
USB exam deliveries.

USB Hubs are strictly prohibited on exam Delivery laptops.

Wireless Networks of any kind are strictly prohibited.

Network IPv6 is not currently supported.

connection Novell Netware is not supported.
Network Hubs are strictly prohibited.

Internet SSL VPNs are strictly prohibited (e.g., Hotspot Shield)

connection

Additional Software that can be used to remotely access the delivery workstations during
software exam delivery is strictly prohibited.

Additional It is strictly prohibited to install VUE Testing System Platform on any computer that
notes does not have Anti-Virus software installed on it.

Pearson VUE Confidential Mobile Lab Laptop Requirements ❖ 15