PSI remote exam preflight

Will your computer actually run the Illinois PSI remote exam?

A webcam and Wi-Fi are not enough. PSI checks the operating system, memory, screen, connection, camera, microphone, permissions, security software, and delivery method. Use this checklist before you commit to remote testing, then complete PSI's own tutorial on the exact computer and network you will use.

What does PSI require?

Short answer: Use a supported personal computer with enough memory, a suitable screen, a stable two-way internet connection, administrator access, a movable camera, a working microphone, and no network controls that block PSI. The precise setup depends on whether your confirmation assigns the PSI Secure Browser or the PSI Chrome Extension.

Component: Computer
Current PSI requirement: Supported desktop or laptop; limited Surface Pro exception
Safer target: Personal computer you control

Component: Operating system
Current PSI requirement: Supported 64-bit Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu version
Safer target: Confirm your exact version on PSI's current page

Component: Memory
Current PSI requirement: 8 GB RAM minimum
Safer target: 16 GB and at least 50% free

Component: Screen
Current PSI requirement: 1024 × 768 minimum
Safer target: 1920 × 1080 or higher

Component: Internet
Current PSI requirement: 750 kbps minimum upload and download
Safer target: 3 Mbps or faster in both directions

Component: Camera
Current PSI requirement: On throughout and movable for a full room scan
Safer target: One tested camera with a stable view

Component: Microphone
Current PSI requirement: On and working throughout
Safer target: One tested built-in microphone

Component: Permissions
Current PSI requirement: Install software and close prohibited processes
Safer target: Administrator access on a personal device

PSI remote exam technical requirements at a glance
Component	Current PSI requirement	Safer target
Computer	Supported desktop or laptop; limited Surface Pro exception	Personal computer you control
Operating system	Supported 64-bit Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu version	Confirm your exact version on PSI's current page
Memory	8 GB RAM minimum	16 GB and at least 50% free
Screen	1024 × 768 minimum	1920 × 1080 or higher
Internet	750 kbps minimum upload and download	3 Mbps or faster in both directions
Camera	On throughout and movable for a full room scan	One tested camera with a stable view
Microphone	On and working throughout	One tested built-in microphone
Permissions	Install software and close prohibited processes	Administrator access on a personal device

Your PSI confirmation decides the delivery software

PSI currently supports a downloaded Secure Browser and a Google Chrome Extension. Do not choose one yourself. Read the confirmation, use the assigned method, and follow the tutorial available in your Test Taker Portal.

Which operating systems are supported?

PSI's public system page currently lists these supported versions. Check that page again before the appointment because operating-system support can change separately from the Illinois exam booklet.

Platform: Windows
Supported: Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit
Important exclusions: No Snapdragon, S-Mode, Education, or Enterprise

Platform: Mac
Supported: macOS Sonoma 14, Sequoia 15, or Tahoe 26
Important exclusions: Ventura 13 and Monterey 12 are not supported

Platform: Ubuntu Linux
Supported: Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, or 26.04 LTS
Important exclusions: Ubuntu 20.04 and non-LTS releases are not supported

Platform: ChromeOS
Supported: Only with the PSI Chrome Extension
Important exclusions: Not compatible with the PSI Secure Browser

Current PSI operating-system support
Platform	Supported	Important exclusions
Windows	Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit	No Snapdragon, S-Mode, Education, or Enterprise
Mac	macOS Sonoma 14, Sequoia 15, or Tahoe 26	Ventura 13 and Monterey 12 are not supported
Ubuntu Linux	Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, or 26.04 LTS	Ubuntu 20.04 and non-LTS releases are not supported
ChromeOS	Only with the PSI Chrome Extension	Not compatible with the PSI Secure Browser

A virtual machine does not solve an unsupported-device problem. PSI lists VMware, VirtualBox, Parallels, and other virtual machines as unsupported.

Can you use a Chromebook, tablet, or phone?

Chromebook: only if the exam uses the PSI Chrome Extension and the latest version of Google Chrome.
iPad or Android tablet: not supported as the exam computer.
Microsoft Surface Pro:PSI's current tablet exception when it has a forward-facing camera.
Smartphone: cannot run the exam. PSI may direct you to use it for an ID photo during check-in.

If the assigned method is the Secure Browser, plan on a supported Windows, Mac, or Ubuntu computer. Do not assume Chromebook support applies to every Illinois appointment.

How much memory, storage, and screen space do you need?

Item: RAM
Minimum: 8 GB
Recommended or practical target: 16 GB with at least half free at launch

Item: Free storage
Minimum: 500 MB for Secure Browser installation
Recommended or practical target: More free space for updates and normal system operation

Item: Screen resolution
Minimum: 1024 × 768
Recommended or practical target: 1920 × 1080 or higher

Item: Power
Minimum: Computer must remain running
Recommended or practical target: Plug in the computer and prevent automatic sleep

PSI hardware thresholds and practical targets
Item	Minimum	Recommended or practical target
RAM	8 GB	16 GB with at least half free at launch
Free storage	500 MB for Secure Browser installation	More free space for updates and normal system operation
Screen resolution	1024 × 768	1920 × 1080 or higher
Power	Computer must remain running	Plug in the computer and prevent automatic sleep

Restart before the exam and close every program not required for testing. Browser tabs, sync tools, meeting apps, screen recorders, cloud backup, messaging, and background utilities can consume memory or trigger the security check.

What internet connection does PSI require?

PSI currently lists a minimum of 750 kbps upload and download and recommends 3 Mbps or faster in both directions. Upload matters because your camera and microphone feed must reach the proctor throughout the session.

Prefer ethernet, cable, fiber, or stable private broadband.
Test in the exact room and on the exact network you will use.
Ask others to stop streaming, gaming, and large downloads.
Do not use a VPN or a corporate firewall.
Avoid a mobile hotspot as the primary plan.
Keep the router and computer powered for the full appointment.

A generic speed-test result is useful, but it is not the official PSI check. Run the hardware and connection diagnostics linked by PSI because it checks communication with the recording platform.

What camera, microphone, and audio setup works?

Equipment: Camera
Required behavior: On from check-in through the final question
Common failure: Privacy shutter, blocked permission, or disconnect

Equipment: Room scan
Required behavior: Camera can show the full room
Common failure: Fixed desktop camera cannot be moved

Equipment: Microphone
Required behavior: On and available for the full session
Common failure: Wrong default input or another app controls it

Equipment: Speakers
Required behavior: Built-in computer audio when required
Common failure: Depending on prohibited earbuds or headphones

Equipment: Extra devices
Required behavior: Disconnect extra cameras and microphones
Common failure: Secure software detects conflicting devices

Remote proctoring camera and audio checklist
Equipment	Required behavior	Common failure
Camera	On from check-in through the final question	Privacy shutter, blocked permission, or disconnect
Room scan	Camera can show the full room	Fixed desktop camera cannot be moved
Microphone	On and available for the full session	Wrong default input or another app controls it
Speakers	Built-in computer audio when required	Depending on prohibited earbuds or headphones
Extra devices	Disconnect extra cameras and microphones	Secure software detects conflicting devices

A laptop can be turned to complete the room scan. A desktop user needs an external webcam that can move freely. Never unplug the active camera while the exam is open because PSI warns that doing so ends the session immediately.

Why administrator access matters

The Secure Browser must install, inspect running processes, and close prohibited applications. If you cannot authorize those actions, the exam may never launch.

Before booking remote delivery, confirm that you can:

Install the software named by PSI.
Grant camera, microphone, and screen permissions.
Close background programs flagged by the security check.
Adjust privacy, firewall, and antivirus settings if instructed.
Restart the computer without another person's credentials.

A company laptop is not a dependable shortcut

Even when you can install normal apps, enterprise security, network filtering, or administrator policies may still block secure testing. A supported personal computer that passes the booked tutorial is the safer choice.

Which PSI checks should you run?

Check: Requirements review
What it proves: Your listed operating system, RAM, screen, and device qualify
When to run it: Before choosing remote delivery

Check: Public diagnostics
What it proves: Camera, microphone, bandwidth, and recording connection respond
When to run it: Before booking and again on the exam setup

Check: Booked-exam tutorial
What it proves: Assigned software installs and the real check-in flow works
When to run it: As soon as it appears in My Tests and again if setup changes

The three remote exam preflight layers
Check	What it proves	When to run it
Requirements review	Your listed operating system, RAM, screen, and device qualify	Before choosing remote delivery
Public diagnostics	Camera, microphone, bandwidth, and recording connection respond	Before booking and again on the exam setup
Booked-exam tutorial	Assigned software installs and the real check-in flow works	As soon as it appears in My Tests and again if setup changes

PSI expressly says its public hardware check does not test RAM or software installation. The Secure Browser tutorial in My Tests is the only end-to-end check. Use the same computer, operating-system account, browser, webcam, microphone, internet connection, and room that you will use for the appointment.

A practical seven-day preflight

Seven days before:compare your exact device and operating-system version with PSI's current requirements.
Six days before: run the public hardware and connection diagnostics in the intended room.
Five days before: complete the booked-exam tutorial from My Tests.
Four days before: fix permissions, camera, microphone, network, or installation warnings.
Three days before:decide whether to keep remote delivery or change within PSI's deadline.
One day before: rerun the tutorial and remove anything that changed the tested setup.
Exam day: restart, plug in, close programs, disconnect extras, stop household streaming, and launch early.

PSI's Illinois booklet requires appointment changes at least two days before the scheduled exam. Do not leave an unresolved compatibility problem inside that window.

What if your setup fails?

Record the exact warning or error.
Restart and close all unnecessary applications.
Confirm camera and microphone permissions and default devices.
Disconnect extra monitors, cameras, and microphones.
Remove the VPN and move to a stable private connection.
Try a supported personal computer with administrator access.
Contact official PSI support while time remains.
Change to a test center within the current deadline if reliable remote testing is not realistic.

Do not upgrade an operating system, replace a router, or change computers immediately before the exam unless you have time to rerun the full booked tutorial afterward.

Should you choose remote after passing the checks?

Technical readiness is necessary, but it is not the whole decision. Remote Illinois candidates also give up scratch paper, a physical calculator, and breaks. The room must remain private, lit, quiet, camera-visible, and uninterrupted.

Compare those conditions in the Illinois PSI online versus test-center guide. A test center may be the better exam strategy even when your computer qualifies.

Prepare the knowledge side too

A clean system check protects a prepared attempt

Find weak topics before technical prep takes over

Pass Illinois separates national and state readiness and gives you original questions, explanations, flashcards, and Math Coach. Use the free readiness check first, then target the areas that can still cost points.

Check exam readiness Get Pass Illinois

Illinois PSI system requirements FAQ

What computer do you need for the Illinois PSI remote real estate exam?

Use a supported personal desktop or laptop that can run the delivery method named in your PSI confirmation. Current PSI requirements support specified 64-bit Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu versions. A Chromebook works only when the exam uses the PSI Chrome Extension, not the PSI Secure Browser.

Can you take the PSI remote exam on a phone or tablet?

No smartphone or ordinary iPad or Android tablet can serve as the exam computer. PSI currently lists a Microsoft Surface Pro with a forward-facing camera as its tablet exception. A phone may be used during check-in for an ID photo only when PSI instructs you to do so.

How much RAM does PSI require?

PSI currently lists 8 GB as the minimum and 16 GB as recommended. PSI also advises having at least half of the computer's memory free before launch, so close unnecessary programs and restart the computer first.

What internet speed does the PSI remote exam require?

PSI currently lists 750 kbps upload and download as the minimum and recommends 3 Mbps or faster in both directions. A stable wired, cable, or fiber connection is safer than busy Wi-Fi. Do not use a VPN or corporate firewall.

Do you need a webcam and microphone?

Yes. Both must work for the entire remote session. The camera must support the required room scan, and a desktop setup needs a movable external webcam. The microphone must remain on. Extra cameras and microphones should be disconnected before launch.

Can you use headphones or earbuds during the PSI exam?

Do not plan to use them. PSI's current system page says most exams prohibit headsets and earbuds and directs candidates to use the computer's built-in speakers when audio is required.

Can you use a work or school computer?

It is risky. The PSI Secure Browser requires installation and administrator-level access. Work, school, and government devices often have restrictions, antivirus policies, or firewalls that block installation or the secure connection.

Is passing the PSI hardware check enough?

No. PSI says its public hardware and connection check does not test RAM or software installation. After booking, run the Secure Browser tutorial in My Tests because it exercises the actual check-in and can expose installation, permissions, camera, microphone, software, and connection problems.

When should you run the PSI system checks?

Run the public diagnostics before choosing remote delivery, complete the booked-exam tutorial as soon as it appears in My Tests, rerun the checks on the same setup before test day, and restart and check again just before launch.

What should you do if the computer fails a PSI check?

Do not wait for the appointment. Save the error details, follow PSI's official troubleshooting guidance, test a supported personal computer and reliable network, or change to a test-center appointment within PSI's current deadline. Contact official PSI support if the problem remains.

Primary sources

The PSI system page, your Test Taker Portal tutorial, appointment confirmation, launch interface, and proctor instructions govern the booked remote session.