OET@Home System Requirements: Device, Internet and Room Checklist

Taking OET@Home can be a good option when you have a quiet space and a reliable setup. It can also become unnecessarily stressful when a headset is Bluetooth-only, your webcam cannot move, or a system check is left until the last minute. This guide gives you a plain-English checklist so you can deal with those details before test day.

What does OET@Home involve?

OET@Home is the remote version of OET on Computer. You take all four sub-tests from home using the required delivery platforms rather than travelling to a test venue. The test material, question types and instructions are the same as OET on Computer at a venue, but the practical responsibility for your computer, internet connection and workspace sits with you.

That is why the setup matters. A comfortable laptop and a quiet room are not enough by themselves: you need compatible equipment, a clear camera view and a connection that can cope with a live, supervised test. If you are still deciding between delivery modes, read our OET on Paper vs Computer vs OET@Home guide before booking.

Your OET@Home device and accessories checklist

Set up the actual equipment you intend to use on test day. Borrowing a different laptop or headset at the last minute can create avoidable compatibility problems.

These are not merely suggestions from a preparation provider. Prometric’s current OET@Home requirements specify wired or built-in accessories, a directly powered laptop or desktop, and a movable wired or built-in webcam. Check the official OET@Home system requirements again shortly before your test, because delivery rules can change.

Screen, browser and internet settings

Before installing or opening any test software, make the basic settings boringly predictable. It is much easier to correct a display-scale issue the week before than when you are trying to start a supervised test.

• Browser: use Google Chrome.
• Windows: use 1920 x 1080 screen resolution and 100% display scaling. Put touchscreen devices into laptop mode.
• Mac: use the default display scale. Prometric states that Macs from 2014 or later should exceed the recommended resolution.
• Operating system: Windows 8.1 or later, or macOS 10.13 or later. Prometric excludes macOS 13.0 to 13.2.1.
• Internet: aim for at least 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. Wi-Fi may work, but wired Ethernet is often the more stable option where it is available.

Run an internet-speed test more than once, at the same time of day you expect to sit the test. A fast connection when no one else is online does not tell you much about an evening when several people are streaming, gaming or on video calls. Ask people sharing your connection to keep internet use as low as possible during your test.

Your room and test-day setup

Choose a room you can control. The goal is not to make it look like an exam centre; it is to make it quiet, private and easy for the proctor to check.

• Use a private, well-lit room where you are unlikely to be interrupted.
• Clear your desk of papers, notes, extra screens and anything you will not need for the test.
• Place your computer on a stable desk or table, not on a bed, sofa or your lap.
• Keep your identification document ready and make sure the name in your booking matches it.
• Position yourself near a power outlet and leave enough room to move the webcam when instructed.

Be especially careful with the last point. A wired webcam can be perfectly acceptable but still be awkward if the lead is too short or your desk is jammed against a wall. Test the movement before the day rather than improvising during check-in.

What to do before test day

Give yourself enough time to solve a genuine compatibility issue. Do not wait for the final evening to find out that your browser, operating system or accessory does not meet the current requirements.

1. Read your booking confirmation and timetable. For OET@Home, your schedule is available in your booking confirmation email and OET account. Check the time zone as well as the time. OET explains where to find these details in its official timetable guidance.
2. Use the official system check and install the required software. Follow the instructions OET sends for your booked test, rather than downloading unfamiliar software from elsewhere.
3. Test the exact computer, camera, headset and internet connection you will use. Do this early enough to replace an unsuitable cable, headset or webcam.
4. Turn off potential conflicts. Close background apps, disable VPNs unless OET specifically tells you otherwise, and disconnect Bluetooth accessories you will not use.
5. Practise the computer experience. The test is not easier or harder because it is on a computer, but screen reading, typing and managing time can feel different under pressure.

For preparation, use our free OET sample tests to become familiar with timed Reading and Listening work, then use structured online practice if you need fuller exam-style preparation.

Common OET@Home setup problems

My wireless headphones work well. Can I use them?

No. The current requirements specify wired headphones or a wired headset. A Bluetooth device may connect successfully to your laptop and still be unsuitable for the test. Use a wired alternative and test it in advance.

My laptop has a webcam. Why do I need to check whether it moves?

Remote supervision can require you to show your surroundings. A webcam that works for ordinary video calls is not necessarily practical if it cannot be positioned as required. Check that your built-in or wired camera can provide the view requested in the official instructions.

My internet is usually fine. Is that enough?

Usually fine is not the same as dependable under test conditions. Run a speed test, reduce other household usage, keep your device close to the router or use Ethernet where possible, and have the relevant OET support details available before test day.

Can I use a second monitor?

Do not assume extra equipment is permitted. Follow the equipment and room instructions supplied for your booking. If you use a multi-monitor desk for work, disconnect or remove extra displays unless OET specifically confirms that they are acceptable.

OET@Home questions

Is OET@Home the same test as OET on Computer at a venue?

OET says the two computer-delivered modes use the same test material, question types and instructions. The practical difference is where you sit the test and how your test environment is managed.

Can I book OET@Home anywhere?

Availability can depend on your location. Use OET’s official booking guidance to search your location and filter by test mode. Our OET booking guide can help you prepare the practical details before you start. Before booking, also confirm that your regulator, employer or university accepts OET@Home for your own application.

Does OET@Home make sense if I am not confident using a computer?

It can, but only if you give yourself time to practise on a computer and meet the technical requirements without rushing. If you are mainly worried about the format rather than your English, compare the modes carefully and try computer-based practice before deciding.

Final check: this guide helps you prepare, but your booking confirmation and OET’s current instructions are the final authority for your test. Recheck them before test day.