Last updated: October 30, 2025
Testing Devices
Hardware Requirements
These hardware requirements apply to all device types and operating systems unless noted.
- Processor
- iPad – N/A
- Minimum – CPU benchmark rating of 1000*
- Recommended – CPU benchmark rating of 3000* or higher
- Available Memory
- Minimum – 2 GB RAM
- Recommended – 4 GB RAM or higher
- Available Disk Space
- Minimum/Recommended – 1 GB
- Screen Size – Required – 9.5” or larger
- Actual Screen Resolution – 1024 x 768 or better
- Scale/Display Size – 100%
- Network Connection – Wired or wireless network connection – 3 Mbps or better
- Internet – Required
- Power Supply
- Minimum – Battery powered devices, a fully charged battery with a two-hour life
- Recommended – Device plugged into a power supply
*A processor’s CPU benchmark rating is based on a common set of factors used by PassMark Software to assess relative processor performance. Processors with the same CPU benchmark rating will perform at relatively the same level.
- Use the link www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
for a searchable list of processors with their benchmark ratings and other information. - To determine processor capability on a macOS device, open a Terminal Window and run the following command: sysctl machdep.cpu.brand_string
COS Service Device
Hardware Requirements
These base hardware requirements apply to all device types and operating systems.
- Processor
- 4 CPU
- Available Memory
- 8 GB RAM or higher
- Disk Space Needed for Installation
- Minimum – 25 GB
- Recommended – 100 GB or more
- Free Disk Space
- Recommended – 10 percent of the device’s total hard drive should remain as free space for optimal performance.
- Network
- Connected to the network through a wired connection
Examples of COS Service Device Configurations
The following table lists examples of device processor and memory configurations for a COS Service Device to support various numbers of concurrent testers. Sites are not limited to these configurations—they are listed to provide guidance regarding the scalability of COS Service Devices.
The table also lists the available shared network bandwidth required based on the number of concurrent testers. Shared bandwidth includes the Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Internet Service Provider (ISP) bandwidth. The bandwidth for each network segment should meet or exceed the minimum bandwidth listed in the last column of the table.
Shared bandwidth does not include the minimum bandwidth from the testing device to the network because that bandwidth is not shared by other testing devices. The minimum bandwidth from the testing device to the network is about 3-5 Mbps.
If a significant number of students will be accessing content that contains audio or visual items (Human Voice Audio, Text-To-Speech, Video Sign Language), follow the network-intensive guidelines in the table below.
| Basic Content (Number of concurrent testers) |
Number of Processors | Available Memory | Minimum Available Shared Network Bandwidth for Top End of Concurrent Testers Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 200 | 4 CPU | 8 GB RAM | 150 Mbps |
| Up to 400 | 8 CPU | 8 GB RAM | 400 Mbps |
| Up to 750 | 16 CPU | 8 GB RAM | 600 Mbps |
| Network-Intensive Content (Number of concurrent testers) |
Number of Processors | Available Memory | Minimum Available Shared Network Bandwidth for Top End of Concurrent Testers Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 | 4 CPU | 8 GB RAM | 150 Mbps |
| Up to 200 | 8 CPU | 8 GB RAM | 400 Mbps |
| Up to 500 | 16 CPU | 8 GB RAM | 600 Mbps |