CCT Technical Specifications

for Centres Delivering the Pearson Test of English (PTE-A)

Version 18.3.1
March 2018

PearsonVUE.com

Copyright © 2011-2018 Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliate(s). All rights reserved. pvuecopyright@pearson.com
PLT Program: Test Centre Minimum Technical Requirements

PLT Test Centre Technical Requirements

This document, effective March 1, 2018, describes the minimum technical
requirements to which a test centre must adhere, to become a Pearson VUE
Authorized Test Centre Select (PVTC Select) that delivers the PTE-A exam.
It lists the minimum system requirements for running the Pearson VUE Testing
System software via Cloud Control Technology (CCT). It also includes
information on the test centre layout, test centre admissions equipment,
audio/visual equipment, and test center layout overview and
recommendations.

Warning The following items are strictly prohibited:

• Mac hardware running any operating system
• Virtual environments in any form
• Laptops as exam delivery workstations

Any Windows user account that interacts with the VTS software on
the 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.

System requirements
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 as long they meet the minimum Technical
Specification and do not have a Touch screen. Pearson VUE highly
recommends that All-in-one PC’s meet the Recommended Technical
Specifications.

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 PLT Program: Test Centre Minimum Technical Requirements

Software licenses
All test centres are required to have Windows operating systems that have
completed online activation. Application software installed on exam delivery
workstations must also have current licensing. Windows operating systems
must pass Genuine Windows Validation.

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.

The following ports/URLs are also required to be open for the software
to function properly:

sg.pearsonvue.com

4172, TCP/UDP
80, TCP - HTTP
443, TCP - HTTPS

Internet bandwidth
All exam deliveries will require a Broadband Quality Internet Connection.
A minimum base connection speed of 3 Mbps down/1.5 Mbps up
is required.

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PLT Program: Test Centre Minimum Technical Requirements

Monitors – Exam Delivery

Requirements
Monitor • 17” or larger
• Must allow for the following display resolution settings and be set to
the highest resolution:
o 1280 x 1024 (set to this resolution or higher)
o 1024 x 768
• Monitor must be connected to the computer using DVI, DisplayPort, or HDMI
Note: 17" Monitor is the minimum, some exams do require 24" monitors.
In the future, more exams will require enhanced graphics,
therefore any upgrades or purchases should be 24" monitors.

Desktop • Exam delivery workstations must have a graphics adapter that supports
Graphics 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

24” Monitors – Exam Delivery

If your site is required to use 24” monitors for exam delivery, then
the following monitor settings and technical specifications must be met.

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

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Pearson VUE specific hardware

Some exams may require the use of test centre admissions equipment
and/or audio/visual equipment. Please consult with your Pearson VUE
representative to determine if these components are required for your test
centre.

Requirement Administration Workstation DVR Workstation

Internet Connection See Administration and Broadband (DSL,

Exam
Proctor workstations table cable or
Monitoring
below LAN/WAN)

Web Camera Logitech HD Webcam C615 or Not required

Logitech Pro 9000

Admissions Signature Device ePadLink: ePad Signature Pad Not required

– Model VP9801
Palm Vein Device Fujitsu Palm Vein Device Not required

Video Camera Not required ADT camera – or –

mini dome camera
Exam
Microphone Not required ADT camera – or –
Delivery
microphone
Audio/visual collection Not required EZWatch Pro

USB Hub
Many USB devices must be plugged into the Administration workstation. Since
the Administration workstation may not have enough USB ports and due to
the power draw from the Palm Vein device, we recommend that you install
a powered USB Hub. Installation instructions should be provided with each
unit and should involve simply connecting the hub to the Administration
workstation with a USB cable and plugging the hub into a power outlet.

Important information on USB devices

We have encountered a problem with the power draw on the Palm Vein
devices. Currently the Palm Vein device draws the max amount of power
possible from a single USB port, in conjunction with other USB devices
the power draw may exceed more than what a single USB bus can handle.
USB ports come in sets of 2. Each set is considered a single hub. If you find

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PLT Program: Test Centre Minimum Technical Requirements

that the Palm Vein device or other admissions equipment are not working,
use the recommended USB configuration listed below. By splitting up the
mouse and keyboard and matching one with the signature pad and one with
the admissions camera you will achieve the lowest power draw combination.

USB 2.0 standard supports 500Ma on a single USB port and a total of 900
on a single USB hub. The Palm Vein device draws the max of 500Ma by itself.
Beware of plugging this device into the front USB ports as these are
notorious for having a lower power output than ports or hubs on the back of
the workstation.

Recommended USB configuration without USB Hub

If you choose not to use a USB Hub, the following configuration is recommended.

Back
Signature Pad
Network port (NIC)
Keyboard
Open Admissions camera
Palm Vein Mouse

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Administration and Proctor workstations

Minimum Required Recommended Specifications
Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise (32-bit and 64-bit)
Operating
Windows 7 SP1 Professional or Enterprise (32-bit and 64-bit)
System
All Operating Systems must have current updates and patches.
Intel: i3-series or higher Intel: i5-series or higher

Note: CPU must have a minimum of two cores (dual-core).

Processors must support SSE 2.0 or higher.
Processor
Chipsets that fail:
ATI RS600, Intel G31 Express, Intel G33 Express, Intel G35 Express, Intel G41 Express,
Intel G43 Express, Intel G45 Express, Intel Q33 Express, Intel Q35 Express,
Intel Q43 Express.

RAM 4GB of RAM 8GB of RAM or more

Hard Drive 20GB free disk space in NTFS format 50GB free disk space in NTFS format

Video Adapter must support DirectX 11 or higher and OpenGL 2.0 or higher.
Latest drivers installed.
Graphics 512MB dedicated Video RAM or more.
Adapter Note: OpenGL 2.0 or higher is required regardless of whether it is an “integrated
chipset” or a machine with a dedicated video card.

All computers and monitors should be connected via DVI, DisplayPort, or HDMI.
Display 17” monitor or larger

Mouse & • English QWERTY Keyboard

Keyboard • 2 Button Wheel Mouse

5 available USB 2.0 ports for: 7 available USB 2.0 ports for:
• English QWERTY Keyboard • English QWERTY Keyboard
• 2 Button Wheel Mouse • 2 Button Wheel Mouse
• Signature Pad admissions equipment • Signature Pad admissions
USB Ports
• Camera admissions equipment equipment
• Palm Vein admissions equipment • Camera admissions equipment
• Palm Vein admissions equipment
• 2 spare ports
100Mbps Full Duplex WIRED connection 1Gbps Full Duplex WIRED connection
Network to the network switch. to the network switch.
Connection Strongly Recommended: All machines with VTS Software installed should remain
in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet.

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Minimum Required Recommended Specifications

Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.
Connection
Internet Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11, Chrome, and Firefox current version
Browser

Printer 600 DPI Laser Printer

Additional .NET 4.0 is installed with the VTS software.

Software All workstations must have Anti-Virus software installed with a current update.
Windows 10/7 allows for up to 15 simultaneous exam deliveries.
Candidates must NEVER have free access to the Administration or Proctor
Additional
workstations.
Notes
The Windows account used to install the VUE Testing System Platform must have
Administrative rights to properly install and update the software.

Exam Delivery workstation

Minimum Required Recommended Specifications
Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise (32-bit or 64-bit)
Operating
Windows 7 SP1 Professional or Enterprise (32-bit or 64-bit)
System
All Operating Systems must have current updates and patches.
Intel: i3-series or higher Intel: i5-series or higher
AMD: Phenom II series, FX-4000 series or
newer
Note: CPU must have a minimum of two cores (dual-core).
Processor Processors must support SSE 2.0 or higher.
Chipsets that fail:
ATI RS600, Intel G31 Express, Intel G33 Express, Intel G35 Express, Intel G41 Express,
Intel G43 Express, Intel G45 Express, Intel Q33 Express, Intel Q35 Express,
Intel Q43 Express.
RAM 4GB of RAM 8GB of RAM or more
Hard Drive 25GB free disk space in NTFS format 50GB free disk space in NTFS format
Video Adapter must support DirectX 11 or higher and OpenGL 2.0 or higher.
Latest drivers installed.
Graphics
512MB dedicated Video RAM or more.
Adapter
Note: OpenGL 2.0 or higher is required regardless of whether it is an “integrated
chipset” or a machine with a dedicated video card.

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Minimum Required Recommended Specifications

All exam delivery workstations must have a Graphics Adapter that supports
Graphics GPU Scaling (sometimes called Maintaining Aspect Ratio).
Adapter All exam delivery workstations must have the GPU Scaling feature enabled.
All computers and monitors must be connected via DVI, DisplayPort, or HDMI.
Display See Monitors or 24” Monitors requirements above.
Audio Windows compatible audio playback capability.
Mouse & • English QWERTY Keyboard
Keyboard • 2 Button Wheel Mouse
2 available USB 2.0 ports for: 4 available USB 2.0 ports for:
• English QWERTY Keyboard • English QWERTY Keyboard
USB Ports
• 2 Button Wheel Mouse • 2 Button Wheel Mouse
• 2 spare ports
100Mbps Full Duplex WIRED connection 1Gbps Full Duplex WIRED connection
Network to the network switch. to the network switch.
Connection Strongly Recommended: All machines with VTS Software installed should be
in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet.
Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.
Connection
Internet Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11, Chrome, and Firefox current version
Browser
Printer 600 DPI Laser Printer
Additional All workstations must have Anti-Virus software installed with a current update.
Software
The Windows account used to install the VUE Testing System Platform must have
Additional Administrative rights to install properly.
Notes The Windows account profile logged into the exam delivery workstation must have
Administrative rights to launch the Delivery Manager software.

Prohibited on all workstations

Exam Delivery Workstations
Smartphones are strictly prohibited.
Portable Tablet devices are strictly prohibited (e.g., iOS, Android, and Windows 8).
Computers Netbooks and Chromebooks are strictly prohibited.
Note: Laptops are strictly prohibited as exam delivery workstations.
Devices running Ultra Mobile Processors are strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not
Processor
limited to Intel Atom, AMD NEO CPU lines, and ARM CPUs.

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PLT Program: Test Centre Minimum Technical Requirements

Exam Delivery Workstations

RAM Less than 4GB on any workstation.
Hard Drive FAT32 File System
• Windows Server 2016 is strictly prohibited
• Windows XP, Vista, & Windows 8/8.1 (all versions) are strictly prohibited
• Windows Server Operating System strictly prohibited on the exam delivery
workstations and not supported on Administration workstations
Operating
• Virtual environments are strictly prohibited
System
(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 11 or higher.
Adapter Any Graphics Adapter that has less than 512MB of Video RAM.
Monitors smaller than 17" are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.
Monitor Dual monitors are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.
Display KVM switches are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.
Touch Screen monitors are strictly prohibited on all workstations.
USB 1.0/1.1 is strictly prohibited.
Un-Powered USB Hubs are strictly prohibited.
Portable computing devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones and tablets are
USB
strictly prohibited from being connected to the exam delivery workstation during exam
deliveries.
USB Hubs are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.
Wireless Networks of any kind are strictly prohibited.
IPv6 is not currently supported.
Network
Novell Netware is not supported.
Network Hubs are strictly prohibited.
Internet SSL VPNs are strictly prohibited. (e.g., Hotspot Shield)
Connection Dial-Up Internet Connections are strictly prohibited.
Additional Software that can be used to remotely access the exam delivery workstations during
Software exam delivery is strictly prohibited.
It is strictly prohibited to install the VUE Testing System Platform on any computer that
Additional
does not have Anti-Virus software installed on it.
Notes
PVTC Selects are prohibited from installing in a Workgroup scenario configuration.

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About PVTC Select PLT test centres

To meet the needs of high-stakes testing clients, including Pearson Language
Tests (PLT), Pearson VUE has implemented a testing network model called
the Pearson VUE Authorised Testing Centre Select (PVTC Select) channel.
This channel delivers exams in over 90 countries globally. This network
is dedicated to providing professional licensure exams, and requires special
equipment and higher security measures than IT certification exam sponsors.
Once approved as a PLT-only test centre your Pearson VUE representative
will work with you in determining what equipment is needed and how much
this will cost.

The additional equipment required at these authorised test centres includes

state-of-the-art candidate admissions equipment (i.e., signature pad and digital
photograph) and biometric checking equipment (i.e., palm vein) for verifying
candidate identity as well as audio/visual collection equipment for enhanced
exam delivery room security.

Symbols used
The symbols used throughout this document are described below.

Padlock—Used when security measures are discussed

in the guide.

Star—Used to indicate best practices. Best practices are

procedures that Pearson VUE does not necessarily require
but encourages you to follow. These procedures are
intended to help you provide the best possible services
at your test center and to help you run your center
efficiently.

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PLT Program: Test Centre Minimum Technical Requirements

PLT test centre layout

The diagram below identifies where the test centre equipment should
be placed in your facility. More detailed information can be found in
the About admissions and audio/visual equipment and Installation overview
& recommendations sections of this document.

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About admissions and audio/visual equipment

Biometrics refers to technologies for measuring and analyzing human
characteristics such as voice patterns, facial patterns and hand
measurements, typically for authentication purposes.

 Palm vein and other biometric devices consist of a reader or scanning

device and software that convert the scanned information into digital
form. The biometric data is then stored in a database along with other
data about a person.
 When the person’s identity must be verified, the newly-captured
biometric data can be compared to the stored biometric data.
The software uses sophisticated algorithms to compare the two sets
of data and determines if it matches.
Some exam sponsors require Pearson VUE to collect candidate admissions
information, including biometric data, from candidates when they are
admitted for exams, and to video record them while they take their exams.
To facilitate this requirement, Pearson VUE provides test centres with
a system of hardware and software that allows administrators to capture
the necessary data.

 Sponsors choose which admissions information they would like

the test centre administrator to collect (digital palm vein, signature
and/or photo). PLT requires all three.
 To collect this data, test centre administrators admit a candidate using
Admissions Manager, which is the normal procedure for all Pearson
VUE exams. If a sponsor requires admissions data, Admissions
Manager automatically incorporates the necessary steps into
the admission process.
 The devices used to capture the data are controlled from within
the Admissions Manager software. It is not necessary to manipulate
the hardware or launch any other software applications.
 The admissions data is automatically sent to Pearson VUE with
the candidate's exam results.

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Test Center layout overview & recommendations

Refer to the diagram on page 11 for desired test centre setup.

 Exam Delivery room

• All exam workstations must be configured with a video camera
for candidate monitoring.

• The video camera must be installed on or near the ceiling

to view workstations for exams that require audio/visual
collection.

• Audio and visual monitored workstations should be installed

as far away from the entrance to the exam delivery room
as possible to provide a less disruptive environment
for candidates.

• The video camera is connected to the video server (DVR) and

monitor where the Test Administrators monitor candidates.

• PTE-A exam candidates are required to scan their palm each

time they ENTER and EXIT the exam delivery room.

• The PTE-A exams must be delivered on workstations set up

with audio/visual equipment.

• We recommend you attach labels to the side of the monitor

on workstations that are equipped with a Video Camera.

• Each exam delivery workstation must be placed on a flat,

clean workspace 1.2m (4’) wide with no obstructions overhead
or underneath. Each workstation should have a comfortable,
height-adjustable, office-style chair.

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 Admissions area
• The admissions area and/or exam delivery room must be next
door to each other (or in very close proximity, for example, two
rooms opposite each other). This ensures higher testing
security.

• The admissions equipment should be located as close to

the exam delivery room as possible, since candidates MUST
have their palm vein captured each time they ENTER and EXIT
the exam delivery room; including unscheduled and scheduled
breaks.

• All admissions devices including the signature pad, palm vein

device, admissions camera, and scanner should be connected to
the Administration workstation or a USB hub connected to
the Administration workstation.

• The USB hub should connect to the workstation or computer

in which the Test Administrator will use Admissions Manager
to admit candidates.

• The video server (DVR) and video monitor must be installed

where the Test Administrator will be seated for CONSTANT
candidate monitoring. DO NOT install the DVR and monitor
in an area where the Test Administrator does not spend
the majority of his or her time.

• Do NOT turn off the Video Server unless performing

a maintenance reboot, and never during testing. It must always
remain powered ON. We recommend you attach a label to
the DVR box instructing others to always leave it on.

• Do not turn off the Monitor for the Video Server at any time.
It must always remain powered ON. We recommend you attach
a label to the Video Monitor near the power switch instructing
others to always leave it on.

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 Lockers
• PVTC Select sites are required to have one locker per exam
delivery Workstation for storage of candidates’ personal
belongings. It is not acceptable to use a shared locker or drawer,
where multiple candidates use the same locker/drawer.

• Each locker must have its own key and locker number,
which will be provided to the candidate.

• Lockers should ideally be in the admissions room.

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