When you're ready to take the test, your test session should be the only thing running on your computer. Before you start the test, close programs including all browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.), telecommunication software (Skype, Discord, etc.), remote desktop software (Teamviewer, Anydesk, etc.), spelling or grammar checkers (Grammarly, etc.). You can also double check that there aren’t any programs running in the background without you knowing.
For Mac users: Do this by right-clicking on the application icons and selecting the "quit" option.
For Windows users: Do this by quitting all programs, then going to the system tray/notification area and closing every program that is visible.
In addition to closing all programs, it is a good idea before the test to completely uninstall any application that can do any of these things:
- Make video or voice calls
- Send messages
- Share or record your screen
- Provide remote access to your computer
- Check your spelling or grammar
- Access your webcam
- Provide predictive text input or word suggestions
After you have taken the test, you can re-install these applications as needed as needed.
Watch this video for more information about closing external programs before taking the test. In addition, the video below walks through closing background programs in the Windows system tray/notification area.