Last updated: October 30, 2025
Listed below are various testing device setup and configuration guidelines and requirements. For more information, consult your site’s Technology User Guide (TUG) from the General Information section of your portal.
Scale and Display Settings
Operating systems allow for some level of customized display scaling that adjusts the size of what is displayed on the screen. This results in allowing the screen to mimic a different screen resolution. Given that this can result in a large number of screen resolution variations, DRC recommends that display settings be set to the device’s default display resolution and that the scaling or display setting be set to 100%. This will reduce the chance of any distortion or mis-rendering of questions during an assessment.
To ensure testing content displays correctly, DRC recommends using the following device scale and/or display settings:
- Windows and ChromeOS – 100%
- macOS – Default
- iPadOS – Standard
Disable Background Processes
The DRC INSIGHT Secure Application secures the device and prevents students from leaving the assessment to access other resources that may give them an unfair advantage. As testing devices may be used for other instruction, the application’s ability to alter the device configuration or turn off device software or processes is very limited.
For both test security and device performance, DRC recommends that unnecessary background processes and software be removed, turned off or disabled. DRC also recommends prior to testing sites review which processes and software are running in the background and have a procedure for disabling them before the assessment and enabling them after the assessment.
Note: The list and examples provided are not comprehensive. Sites may have additional software, applications, and features that are not included that should be disabled. Be sure to review technical documentation on other products to be proactive in planning for conflicts.
Test Security
Testing devices may have applications that could assist students during the assessment, such as typing assistant applications. Others may allow for screen capture or recording that will compromise the test content for future use. To ensure the integrity of the testing content and student responses services like these should be disabled before the assessment.
Test Performance
Software and processing running in the background consume CPU and memory. Managing these services helps ensure the maximum amount of device resources are available for testing. This includes services such as Bluetooth (unless a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse is needed), GPS, and power-saving modes that maximize battery life but results in reduced performance. DRC also recommends sites consider rebooting devices before testing.
Background Services
The following are types of applications sites should review before devices are used for testing:
- Instructional Software
- Automatic Updates
- Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA)
- AI features and Chatbots
- iPadOS and ChromeOS Devices
- Collaboration Tools
- Screen Capture Software
- Assistive Technologies
Instructional software
Testing devices that are used during classroom instruction may have software that could compromise student responses and/or affect the performance of the device during the assessment. For example:
- Typing assistant or grammar checking application (e.g., Grammarly, Ginger Software, ProWritingAid)
- Classroom monitoring tools (e.g., Linewize Classwize, Impero Wellbeing, GoGuardian, Securly)
- Remote access/remote control tools (e.g., TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Remote PC, LogMeIn)
Automatic Updates
Both operating systems and software on the device can be configured to automatically update when there are newer versions available. These update processes running in the background on testing devices consume CPU and memory and can affect the testing experience. For example, audio playback may be choppy and speaking test responses may be distorted. At times, these updates can also force an automatic reboot of the device. To avoid these situations during testing, if a testing device is set to accept updates automatically, either verify that it has the most current supported version already installed before the test session starts or turn off automatic updates until testing is complete.
Intelligent personal assistant (IPA) Software
Intelligent personal assistant (IPA) software, such as Siri for iPadOS and macOS, or Cortana for Windows 10 and Windows 11, should be disabled during testing for the appropriate devices. In some cases, this functionality can be disabled automatically using administrator controls such as group policies or Mobile Device Management (MDM) software.
If IPA software is not disabled, the testing site is responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the test by actively monitoring that students are not using this capability during the test.
AI features and Chatbots
Artificial intelligence (AI) features and chatbots, such as Microsoft Copilot, Apple Intelligence, Google Gemini, and ChatGPT, should also be disabled during testing.
If AI features are not disabled, the testing site is responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the test by actively monitoring that students are not using this capability during the test.
iPadOS and ChromeOS Devices
iPadOS and ChromeOS devices are not easily configurable for additional memory and storage upgrades. DRC recommends that these devices be streamlined for the DRC INSIGHT Secure App, and that all unnecessary applications and features be removed or disabled to free up as much memory and CPU as possible for testing.
Collaboration Tools
Microsoft Teams App
The Microsoft Teams App is embedded into Windows 10 and Windows 11. If it is not already disabled as part of the standard image policy, it should be disabled before testing on Windows devices. This functionality can be disabled by managing the deployment/installation of the testing device’s Microsoft suite or refer to the “Use Group Policy to prevent Microsoft Teams from starting automatically after installation” section in the “Deploy Microsoft Teams with Microsoft 365 Apps” guide
to learn more about how Microsoft recommends disabling Microsoft Teams.
If the Microsoft Teams App is not disabled the student will receive an error message and will not be able to continue testing.
Other Collaboration Tools
DRC recommends disabling other collaboration tools like Google Chat, Google Meet, Zoom, and WebEx before testing. If collaboration tools are not disabled, the testing site is responsible for ensuring the security and integrity of the test by actively monitoring that students are not using this capability during the test.
Screen Capture Software
Software that allows for the capture of screenshots and video, if not already disabled as part of the standard image or group policy, should be disabled before testing.
Assistive Technologies
When not being used, assistive technologies (screen reading software like ChromeVox, NVDA, VoiceOver, and JAWS) should be disabled. Sites should also verify students who need assistive technologies have the appropriate accommodations.
Wi-Fi Recommendations
When testing using a wireless network, DRC recommends a wireless site survey be completed to ensure that there is enough unobstructed wireless coverage in testing areas. This survey should address coverage and verify that the anticipated number of testers can take the test in the same area of the building at one time (device density).
The survey should also verify that there is adequate Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Internet bandwidth to support the number of testers expected to be testing at the same time. It should also account for other traffic in the building that will be occurring at the time of testing.
Online Tools Training/Practice Test
On Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, or Linux devices, Online Tools Training (OTT)/Practice Tests must be taken using either the DRC INSIGHT Secure Application or a Google Chrome browser.
On iPads, they must be taken using either the DRC INSIGHT Secure App for iPad or a Safari browser.