What happens during the Illinois real estate exam at home?

Short answer: The remote appointment has four phases: prepare the booked computer and room, launch and pass technical checks, authenticate yourself and the space, then take and close the monitored exam. Most preventable failures happen before the first scored question.

A generic camera test is useful, but it is not the final proof. After booking, open My Tests in the PSI portal and complete the Secure Browser tutorial on the computer and network you plan to use. PSI calls that tutorial the only way to confirm the full setup.

1. Read the confirmation and identify the required delivery software.
2. Run PSI's hardware and connection diagnostic.
3. Complete the full booked tutorial, including installation.
4. Confirm that you have administrator access to the computer.
5. Test the movable webcam, microphone, speakers, and one monitor.
6. Rehearse the room scans without unplugging a cable.
7. Fix every failure while rescheduling remains possible.

The Illinois PSI remote system checklist covers supported systems, memory, resolution, bandwidth, network, camera, audio, and prohibited devices.

Use a private, quiet, well-lit, walled room. No other person, child, or pet can be present. Remove paper, notes, books within reach, calculators, extra electronics, food, drinks, bags, and recording devices. Keep only the equipment required for delivery.

Use the illustrated logic in the remote room setup guide to check desk, lighting, camera movement, doors, windows, and household interruptions.

Start from the link or portal route in the appointment confirmation, not from an old bookmark or a general PSI marketing page. Restart the computer first, connect to power, turn off notifications, and close every program that is not part of the test.

A late login, unsupported computer, or incomplete installation does not create a free grace period. The late and missed appointment guide explains the fee risk.

First-time candidates may need to download, save, run, and accept the secure software agreement. The platform then selects or asks you to select the camera and microphone, checks bandwidth, tests the microphone, and identifies prohibited processes.

1. Allow the required camera, microphone, and screen permissions.
2. Select the single intended camera and microphone if prompted.
3. Speak during the audio check and confirm the input registers.
4. Close flagged software through the prompt or manually.
5. Run the check again until every required process is closed.
6. Read and accept only the terms shown for the booked session.

Do not improvise with a work computer that blocks installation or program closure. Do not unplug the active camera after launch. PSI's current requirements say doing so immediately ends the session.

Have one current, valid, unexpired government-issued ID ready. It needs a photograph and signature, and the first and last name must match the appointment record. Military identification is not accepted for the Illinois remote delivery route.

The workflow asks for a photograph of the ID and a selfie. Center the ID, avoid glare, and check that the name and photograph are readable before accepting the image. Retake a blurry capture when the interface allows it.

Confirm the exact document in the Illinois PSI ID requirements guide. Improper identification can invalidate the appointment and forfeit the fee.

PSI's current check-in sequence uses four views. Move slowly enough to keep each image understandable:

The current platform guide also instructs the candidate to show the cellphone to the webcam and place it out of reach behind them. Follow the live prompt for your session. A cleared room makes this inspection quick because there is nothing ambiguous to explain.

After the automated steps, testing staff review identity and the environment. PSI materials refer to a check-in specialist and then connection to a live proctor. Follow instructions in the chat or video workflow and correct any room or camera issue they identify.

The proctor can help with delivery and security procedures, but not with question meaning, Illinois law, calculations, or which answer to choose. Once admitted, select the scheduled exam in the secure browser and use its tutorial or introduction before the scored items begin.

• Remain alone, seated, and within the webcam view.
• Keep your face, eyes, and hands visible as directed.
• Do not talk, whisper, mouth words, or read questions aloud.
• Do not look repeatedly away from the screen.
• Do not use paper, notes, a physical calculator, or another device.
• Do not open another application or browser.
• Do not leave for a break. Illinois remote delivery has no breaks.
• Use the proctor chat for delivery or technical help.

PSI records the webcam and desktop during the session. A proctor or the platform can pause the exam to investigate an event. A pause is a direction to stop, stay visible, read the prompt, and communicate through chat, not a reason to leave the desk.

PSI tells remote candidates to use the chat tool for assistance and not to use a phone for troubleshooting during the session. The Illinois booklet lists technical support at 844-267-1017. If live staff direct a different action, follow their instruction and preserve the case details.

1. Review and submit answers through the exam interface.
2. Read the result and any displayed instructions.
3. Use the official control to end the proctoring session.
4. Confirm that you intend to permanently end the test.
5. Fully close the secure proctoring application.
6. Only then leave the webcam view or retrieve another device.

PSI says recording continues from check-in until you complete the test and close the application. Leaving the camera view too early can put an otherwise completed session at risk.

The score appears onscreen and is emailed. Save the report and use the Manage tab in the PSI account if you need a printable copy.

1. Running only a camera check and skipping the booked tutorial.
2. Using a managed computer without installation rights.
3. Waiting until the appointment time to download software.
4. Keeping a VPN, second monitor, extra camera, or blocked process active.
5. Using an expired, mismatched, unreadable, or military ID.
6. Discovering that the webcam cannot complete the room scan.
7. Leaving paper, a calculator, headphones, or a smartwatch nearby.
8. Allowing another person or pet to enter the room.
9. Speaking, looking away repeatedly, or moving outside camera view.
10. Walking away after submission before ending the proctoring session.

A good remote candidate has two plans: a tested exam setup and a firm decision to switch to a test center before the rescheduling cutoff if that setup cannot be made reliable.

Remote is not easier or less supervised. It is convenient for the candidate whose technology and room are more dependable than the trip to a center. Compare both routes in the Illinois online exam decision guide.

• PSI Illinois Candidate Information Booklet dated June 24, 2026
• PSI Illinois Real Estate Examination Program
• PSI Online Proctoring Guide
• PSI Online Proctoring System Requirements
• PSI Remote Room Setup Guide

Your Illinois appointment confirmation, live PSI instructions, proctoring interface, and current candidate booklet govern the session.