PVTC Select Technical Requirements

This document, effective March 1, 2024, describes the minimum

requirements to which a test center must adhere, to become a Pearson VUE
Authorized Test Center Select (PVTC Select). It lists the minimum system
requirements for running the Pearson VUE Testing System software. It also
includes information on the test center layout, test center 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.

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PVTC Select Minimum Technical Requirements

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 as they meet the minimum Technical
Specification and the Touch screen is disabled. Pearson VUE highly
recommends that All-in-one PC’s meet the Recommended Technical
Specifications.

Software licenses
All test centers must 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
Pearson VUE strongly recommends 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 these guidelines as part of problem
resolution.

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

80, TCP - HTTP

443, TCP – HTTPS

If your firewall performs DNS or IP egress filtering, contact Pearson for a list
pertinent to your site.

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Warning

Business-level routers that are suitable for a small or

medium enterprise are Required. Consumer model routers
designed for home use must not be used.
Any Router models such as Draytek, Linksys, D-Link or
Netgear intended for business use are suitable.

Internet bandwidth
The minimum connection speed (Base Network) requirement of 5.0 Mbps
down/ 3.0 Mbps up is required for all test centers. Some exam deliveries will
require an internet connection. For Internet Based Tests (IBT), internet
requirements depend on the number of delivery workstations. See the table
below for details.

BASE NETWORK BANDWIDTH + 512 Kbps FOR EACH EXAM DELIVERY WORKSTATION

1 – 15 delivery 5.0 Mbps down/ 3.0 Mbps up base and 512 Kbps up/down
workstations for each workstation

16 – 50 delivery 10.0 Mbps down/ 5.0 Mbps up base and 512 Kbps up/down
workstations for each workstation

50 – 100 delivery 20.0 Mbps down/ 10.0 Mbps up base and 512 Kbps up/down
workstations for each workstation

For IBT exam deliveries, latency should not exceed 150 ms

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24” Monitors – exam delivery

All test centers are required to use 24” monitors.

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 • 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

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Pearson VUE specific hardware

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

ADMINISTRATION DVR
REQUIREMENT
WORKSTATION WORKSTATION

Internet See Administration and proctor Broadband

Exam
connection workstations table below (DSL, cable or
monitoring
LAN/WAN)

Web camera Logitech HD Webcam C615 Not required

or
Logitech Pro C920 Pro HD
Webcam
or
Logitech C920e Business Webcam

Admissions
Signature ePadLink: ePad Signature Pad – Not required
device Model VP9801
or
ePadLink: ePad II Signature Pad –
Model VP9851

Palm vein Fujitsu Palm Vein Device Not required

device

Video camera Not required Mini dome

camera
Exam
Microphone Not required Microphone
delivery
Audio/visual Not required EZWatch Pro
collection

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Administration and proctor workstations

RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

*Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit mandatory)

*Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise 10th generation or higher (64-bit
mandatory)

Operating *If you are using Windows 10 or 11, you must have the latest version OS with all
System patches installed. You should run monthly updates for any OS updates.
**Windows 10 support ends October 2025.

If you are an educational facility, i.e., University, Windows 10

Note:
education is currently supported.

Intel: i5 Generation 4 or higher

i3 Generation 8 or higher
AMD: Ryzen 3 Generation 5 or higher

Note: Processors must support SSE 2.0 or higher.

Processor
*Please refer to the Microsoft website to ensure the i3/i5 or Ryzen 3 processor
is compatible with Windows 11.
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 8 GB of RAM or more

Hard drive 128 GB free disk space

Video Adapter must support DirectX 12 or higher and OpenGL 2.0 or higher. Latest
drivers installed.
The WDDM Driver version must be 2.0 or higher.
128 MB dedicated Video RAM or the ability to increase the dedicated video memory
Graphics
to 128 MB via bios change.
adapter
OpenGL 2.0 or higher is required regardless of whether it is an
Note:
“integrated chipset” or a machine with a dedicated video card.

All computers and monitors must be connected via DVI, DisplayPort, or HDMI.

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RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

Display 24” monitor

Mouse & • English QWERTY Keyboard

keyboard • 2 Button Wheel Mouse

7 available USB 2.0 ports for:

• English QWERTY keyboard
• 2 button wheel mouse
USB ports • Signature Pad admissions equipment
• Camera admissions equipment
• Palm Vein admissions equipment
• 2 spare ports

1 Gbps Full Duplex WIRED connection to the network switch.

Strongly Recommended: All machines with VTS Software installed should remain
Network
in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet.
connection
Wireless Networks are strictly prohibited. 3G/4G/5G
Warning:
connections are prohibited.

Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.

connection

Internet Latest version of Edge, Chrome, or Firefox

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 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.

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Exam delivery workstation

RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

*Windows 10 Professional or Enterprise (64-bit mandatory)

*Windows 11 Professional or Enterprise 10th generation or higher
(64-bit mandatory)

Operating *If you are using Windows 10 or 11, you must have the latest version OS with all
System patches installed. You should run monthly updates for any OS updates.
**Windows 10 support ends October 2025.

If you are an educational facility, i.e., University, Windows 10

Note:
education is currently supported.

Intel: i5 Generation 4 or higher

i3 Generation 8 or higher
AMD: Ryzen 3 Generation 5 or higher

Note: Processors must support SSE 2.0 or higher.

Processor
*Please refer to the Microsoft website to ensure the i3/i5 or Ryzen 3/5 processor is
compatible with Windows 11.
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 8 GB of RAM or more

Hard drive 128 GB free disk space

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RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

Video Adapter must support DirectX 12 or higher and OpenGL 2.0 or higher. Latest
drivers installed.
The WDDM Driver version must be 2.0 or higher.
128 MB of dedicated Video RAM or the ability to increase the dedicated video
memory to 128 MB via bios change.
Graphics
OpenGL 2.0 or higher is required regardless of whether it is an
adapter Note:
“integrated chipset” or a machine with a dedicated video card.

All exam delivery workstations must have a Graphics Adapter that supports GPU
Scaling (sometimes called Maintaining Aspect Ratio).
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 24” Monitor requirements above.

Audio Windows compatible audio playback capability.

Keyboard • English QWERTY Keyboard

& mouse • 2 Button Wheel Mouse

4 available USB 2.0 ports for:

• English QWERTY Keyboard
USB ports
• 2 Button Wheel Mouse
• 2 spare ports

1 Gbps Full Duplex WIRED connection to the network switch.

Strongly Recommended: All machines with VTS Software installed should be

Network
in the same domain or workgroup, VLAN, and subnet.
connection
Wireless Networks are strictly prohibited. 3G/4G/5G
Warning:
connections are prohibited.

Internet See Internet bandwidth requirements above.

connection

Internet Latest version of Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox

browser

Printer 600 DPI Laser Printer

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RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS

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
Administrative rights to install properly.
The Windows account profile logged into the exam delivery workstation must have
Additional Administrative rights to launch the Delivery Manager software.
notes
If there is an approved accommodation for Assistive Technology (such as JAWS
software) the exam delivery workstation requires more advanced technical
requirements, such as 16 GBs of RAM. A Pearson representative will confirm with test
center staff prior to scheduling this type of Assistive Technology.

Prohibited on all workstations and servers

EXAM DELIVERY WORKSTATION

Smartphones are strictly prohibited.

Tablet devices are strictly prohibited (e.g., iOS, Android, and Windows 8)
Portable
Netbooks and Chromebooks are strictly prohibited.
computers
Laptops are strictly prohibited as exam delivery
Warning:
workstations or as Servers.

Devices running Ultra Mobile Processors are strictly prohibited. This includes, but is
Processor
not limited to Intel Atom, AMD NEO CPU lines, and ARM CPUs.

RAM Less than 8 GB on any workstation.

Hard drive FAT32 File System

• Evaluation versions of operating systems are not allowed

• Windows XP, Vista & Windows 7/8/8.1 (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

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EXAM DELIVERY WORKSTATION

Graphics Any Graphics Adapter that does not support DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0
adapter driver or higher.

Monitors smaller than 24" are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.
Dual monitors are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.
Monitor
display KVM switches are strictly prohibited on exam delivery workstations.

Touch Screen monitors must be disabled on all workstations.

Portable computing devices such as, but not limited to, smartphones and tablets are
strictly prohibited from being connected to the exam delivery workstation during
USB 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

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
Additional that 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 test centers

To meet the needs of high stakes testing and professional licensure clients,
Pearson VUE has implemented a testing network model called the Pearson
VUE Authorized Testing Center Select channel (PVTC Select). This channel
delivers exams in over 90 countries globally. This network provides
professional licensure exams and requires special equipment and higher
security than IT certification exam sponsors.
Pearson VUE has identified ‘premiere’ authorized test centers in locations
where candidate demand warrants a need:
❖ To meet the added security requirements of exam sponsors, state-of-
the-art candidate admissions equipment for verifying candidate
identity is required, (e.g., digitized photograph, palm vein, and
signature) as well as audio/video monitoring and recording 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.
Heart—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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PVTC Select test center layout

The diagram below identifies where the test center equipment should be
placed in your facility. More detailed information can be found in the About
admissions and audio/visual equipment and Test center layout 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 admissions information

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 centers 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 center administrator to collect (digital palm vein, signature
and/or photo). Most sponsors choose all three.

❖ To collect this data, test center 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 13 for desired test center setup.
❖ Exam delivery room

• All exam delivery 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 and visual
monitoring such as GMAT® or Pearson Test of English Academic
(PTE-A).

• 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.

• GMAT® and other professional exam candidates are required

to scan their palm each time they ENTER and EXIT the exam
delivery room.

• The exam delivery room should be arranged to prevent a line

of sight to the exam delivery workstation monitor screens
from outside the room. In some cases, this might require
partitions on the ends of rows (if, for instance, the end of
the row is near a door or window). See the Partitions – exam
delivery room section below for additional guidelines
on partition setup.

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

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❖ Partitions – exam delivery room

• Partitions should separate lateral candidates (seated side-by-

side or corner-to-corner). These solid privacy partitions or
walls must be at least 1.5 m (5’) in height and extend outward
from the wall at least 1.2 m (4’).

Note

All Partitions must be 1.5 m (5’) in height and extend

outward from the wall at least 1.2 m (4’). Partitions
that do not meet these requirements will not be
approved.

• Desktop partitions are acceptable if height measured from

the floor is at least 1.5 m (5’) and measures outward from
the wall 1.2 m (4’).

• Exam delivery room setup should also take into consideration

that ceiling mounted cameras should have sufficient viewing
area into the cubicles.

• Candidates seated at the end of a row do not need a partition

at the end of the table/row unless
1) a candidate is seated nearby or
2) the end of the row is near a door or window.

• Sites with only one exam delivery workstation are not

required to have partitions, if the exam delivery room
is enclosed and any viewing windows would not allow others
to pass by and view exam items on the screen.

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❖ Partitions – classroom

In addition to the exam delivery room partition items listed

above, the following guidelines should be considered when
installing partitions in a classroom setup:

• Temporary partitions may be used in a classroom if installing

permanent partitions would conflict with classroom activities.

• Front row candidates do not need partitions in front of them

(behind their computer monitor) since no candidates are in view
in front of them.

• Candidates in rows seated behind other candidates should

have a partition in front of them (behind their computer
monitor) to prevent viewing of candidates seated in front.

• Candidates seated at the end of a row do not need a partition

at the end of the table/row since no candidate is seated next
to them unless the end of the row is near a door or window.

❖ Admissions area

• Having the admissions area and/or exam delivery room

on different floors or in different buildings is NOT desirable.
They should be on the same floor, in the same building, and
in the same general area. 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 scheduled and unscheduled
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.

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• 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 at any time. It must remain
powered ON at all times. 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.

❖ 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 do not need to be in the check-in area but must be

outside of the exam delivery Room.

• If your site has only one exam delivery workstation,

then one cabinet/drawer is acceptable, if the key is provided
to the candidate (the Administrator cannot keep the key while
the candidate is using the locker).

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