The Equipment Check is a practice exam that teaches you how to use the ScioLink application and checks whether your Equipment is functioning properly. It helps you avoid technical problems and stress during the actual exam.

You will go through the same steps as during the official exam: confirming your identity, granting access to your camera and microphone, testing your internet speed, taking a photo of your ID, and checking how the room scan works. You will then complete a practice test, where you will learn how to use the testing interface.

Computers may change between exam dates (e.g., program updates). The Equipment check verifies that everything is working correctly, so if a problem arises, you have time to resolve it before the real exam.

You can perform the device check from anywhere, but make sure to use the same device on which you will take the exam, and the same smartphone that you will use as the second camera. During the check, go through all the steps you will perform during the actual exam to ensure everything works correctly.

On-line exams require that your device meets these (or better) specifications:

Hardware

• Desktop or laptop computer
  (no tablet or phone!)
• Webcam and microphone
• At least 2GB free space on your hard drive
• Processor dual-core 2.0 GHz or better
• 8GB RAM
  

Software

• Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (x64 only); macOS Sierra 10.12 (or newer)
• Browser: only Chrome (the latest version)
• Screen resolution: at least 1024 x 768px
• Javascript: Enabled
• Cookies: Enabled
• HTML5: Enabled

Internet connection

• Download: 8 Mbps (1 MB/s)
• Upload: 1 Mbps (0,125 MB/s)
• Check your speed

If you have a problem, please write to us at scio@scio.cz or call (+420) 234 705 555. We will be happy to assist you.

You will miss the chance to try out everything without stress, and we cannot guarantee technical support during the exam. However, you can still participate in the exam without the Equipment Check.

In the ScioLink application, you will see “COMPLETED” next to the “Equipment Check” exam.

All exams take place in Central European Time (CET), which is the time zone of the Czech Republic.

Minimum requirements: 💻 Computer

Hardware

• Desktop computer or laptop (tablets, iPads and mobile phones are not supported)
• Webcam and microphone
• Free disk space: 2GB
• Dual-core processor with a clock speed of at least 2.0 GHz
• RAM: 8GB

Software

• Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (only x64); macOS Sierra 10.12 or newer
• Browser: latest version of Google Chrome
• Screen resolution: 1024×768px
• Javascript: Enabled
• Cookies: Enabled
• HTML5: Enabled

Connection

• Download speed: 8 Mbps (1 MB/s)
• Upload speed: 1 Mbps (0.125 MB/s)
• Using a virtual private network (VPN) may cause technical complications.

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Minimum requirements: 📱Smartphone - Second Camera
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• Smartphone with a working camera (the phone must be connected to a charger/power bank)
• Stable internet connection (at least 1 Mbps upload)
• At least 1 GB of free storage
• Android 9.0 or newer / iOS 14 or newer
• Google Chrome (recommended, latest version) / Safari (on iOS)

The exam will only be available to you at the official start time, when the “Start” button activates in the exam list. In the application, you will see your exams, and the “Start” button will activate at the official start time.

After clicking the “Start” button, you will go through initial checks (microphone setup, ID photo, room scan, etc.). The timer for the test will start only after these checks are completed.

No, the exam can only be taken on a desktop computer or laptop. Tablets and mobile phones are not supported.

You need a place where you will be alone and not disturbed by anyone—having other people present is against the rules. The vast majority of students take the exam at home.

To check if your browser is up to date, follow these steps:Click on the three dots in the upper right corner, select “Help,” and then “About Google Chrome.” The browser will automatically check for and install updates.

The most common causes of technical problems include:

• Unstable or slow internet connection
• Outdated browser or operating system
• Not meeting the minimum technical requirements
• Problems caused by other applications or running processes on your computer.

To optimize your computer before the exam:

• Close all unnecessary applications and browser windows.
• Ensure that your operating system and browser are up to date.
• Make sure your Equipment is plugged in.

After the start of the exam, including during the initial checks, do not leave the camera view. Prepare your desk with a cleared surrounding area and only allowed items (computer or laptop, camera, microphone, phone as a second camera, ID, drink, and any other materials permitted for the specific exam). Make sure you are visible on both camera views and read the exam rules carefully.

The second camera is a recording from the camera of your smartphone, which allows the evaluators to have an overview of your workspace during the exam. Thanks to it, we can see the monitor, keyboard, your hands, and chest, so we can better ensure that the test is conducted according to the rules and fairly.

The initial checks will guide you through the process step by step. At a certain stage, a unique QR code will appear, which you scan with your smartphone. A page will open where you simply allow camera and microphone access – and the phone will be connected. You will see a preview from the camera on your computer screen. Remember that the phone (and computer/laptop) must remain connected to a charger or powerbank throughout the session.

This is very rare, but if the QR code cannot be scanned, a link will also appear that the QR code would have redirected you to. Enter this link in your smartphone’s web browser, and you will connect in the same way.

You can see the camera preview directly on the screen during connection and throughout the exam. Regularly check the camera previews.

• Place the phone horizontally on a stable object – for example, a stand, mug, flowerpot, or another sturdy object.
• Adjust the angle so that the camera displays the monitor, keyboard, both hands, and chest throughout the exam.
• It is best to place the phone in an elevated position – for example, on a shelf next to the desk or on a shoebox.
• Make sure the camera’s view is not obstructed during the exam (for example, by your hand while writing notes).
• If notes are allowed during the test, please place them on the desk so that they are clearly visible in the second camera’s view.

From experience, the ideal placement is at least the length of a stretched arm. This way, almost everything necessary is visible.

An elevated position often ensures the best visibility and a stable angle throughout the exam. It minimizes the risk that the camera will be covered by your hand while writing or that an object will block its view.

Ideally, the phone should be set stably at the start of the exam so that you do not need to adjust its position during the test. However, if it is necessary to adjust it during the test, it is possible.

Yes, the recording in the camera preview may appear choppy because it is transmitted from the smartphone. Do not worry – the recording is fine and will be evaluated correctly.

No, it must be a smartphone (i.e., a phone with a camera and internet connection).

You may only use the phone to contact the customer center. After the call, you must reconnect it as the second camera. You may not use it for any other purpose.

During the exam, you can see the preview from both cameras on the screen. If the mobile camera loses connection, a QR code for reconnection will appear – simply scan it again. If the internet drops, you will see a warning in the preview, and after the connection is restored, the camera will reconnect. If you cannot reconnect the camera, contact customer support immediately.

And don’t forget to complete the Device Check before the exam to detect possible issues in advance.

This must be prevented – the phone (and computer/laptop) must remain connected to a charger or power bank throughout. The camera consumes energy faster than normal use, so do not neglect this step.

Immediately contact the customer center by phone or email. The Device Check before the exam will help you identify and resolve most issues in advance, so complete it before each exam session you attend.

You can contact our customer center by email or phone. You can use either the phone set up as the second camera or another phone.

• If you use the phone set up as the second camera, after the call you must reconnect it. The QR code will appear in the camera preview, which you scan again to set the phone as the second camera.
• If you use another phone, after the call place it clearly outside the workspace and out of your reach.

In that case, proceed as if it were any other test error that costs you time. Contact the customer center immediately.

The rules are strict to ensure that exams are fair for everyone. You can always find the full rules on the information website for your particular exam.

The most common mistake is not familiarizing yourself with the exam rules. If the rules state that no other items except permitted ones can be on the table, it really means a completely cleared table, including opened shelves under the desk.

You can use a national ID card, driver’s license, or passport. The ID needs to be in latin script.

If there is a problem with your ID after the official exam, we will contact you and resolve the identification with you after the exam.

Yes, you can use external equipment, but only one must be active at a time. The external camera must allow manipulation to complete all steps of the room scan (e.g., a 360° rotation). However, a mobile phone cannot be used instead of the camera.

Immediately contact our customer service by phone at (+420) 234 705 555 or by email at scio@scio.cz. If you write to us, please describe the specific problem as accurately as possible. You can attach screenshots and/or information about your computer (operating system version, Google Chrome version, or, depending on the nature of the problem, the type of webcam, etc.). If you do not do this, the entire communication may be prolonged, and we may not be able to assist you in time.

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An internet outage does not affect the course of the exam. During a two-hour exam, a short-term connection drop affects a significant percentage of participants. ScioLink continuously saves unsent data to the web browser’s memory during the exam—even during an internet outage. Once the connection is restored, the data is securely sent to the server. However, data will not be saved if you use the browser’s incognito mode.

Refresh the page (e.g., by pressing F5). If the camera does not turn back on, immediately contact Scio customer support. You can reach us by phone at (+420) 234 705 555 or by email at scio@scio.cz.

You risk having your exam results blocked due to rule violations, as evaluators will not see what is happening in the room. We recommend properly preparing your computer/laptop for the exam and keeping your laptop plugged in, so you don’t have to deal with it during the exam.

If you cannot move the webcam, use a mirror to scan the room, the area under the desk, and the surface of the desk. All scans using the mirror must be thorough, clear, and not blurry. The minimum mirror size is 15×20 cm (A5 format). Using a smaller mirror to record the entire room scan is insufficient.

The evaluation always depends on the assessment of a human evaluator. At the same time, not knowing the rules is no excuse. In your own interest, familiarize yourself with the rules in advance, and if anything is unclear, contact technical support. They are available to assist you both before and during the exam.

A web application operated by Scio for taking online exams with remote proctoring (e-proctoring). ScioLink runs exclusively in the Google Chrome browser.

Our remote proctoring solution utilizes features that are only available in the Google Chrome browser.

During the entire exam, the webcam image, microphone audio, and screen recording are captured. Additionally, running processes and connected devices are monitored through the Proctoring Desktop application. These recordings are evaluated in real-time by artificial intelligence (AI). If any rule violations are detected (e.g., a prohibited item or another person in the room), a record of the violation is saved in the ScioLink application. All recordings are then reviewed by trained evaluators.

It is a desktop application that needs to be installed on the computer. The application monitors running processes and connected devices. It does not have permission to store any data and does not have access to any information other than the list of running programs and connected devices. The candidate is prompted to download and install the application on their computer after logging in for the exam.

AI algorithms in ScioLink are just a tool. They assist human evaluators in detecting unusual moments during the exam. The final decision is never made by AI. The exam is always assessed by a trained specialist. Up to three independent evaluators may be involved.