Linguaskill Remote | Your Exam Day

Taking the Linguaskill Remote test

Before the test day - What you'll need for Linguaskill Remote

Check each of these before you book — missing any of them on test day means you may not sit the exam.

1 — Equipment

• Laptop or PC with a charger. Tablets and phones are not supported.
• Webcam (minimum 640×480). If you’re on a desktop computer, you need an external webcam to complete the 360° environment check.
• Wired over-ear, closed-back headphones with a boom microphone (USB or 3.5 mm). Bluetooth is not supported. Built-in laptop microphones are not allowed.
• Stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbps (upload and download). For the smoothest experience, we recommend a wired (LAN) connection and a speed above 10 Mbps.
• Valid government-issued photo ID: passport, national ID card, Swiss Ausländerausweis, EU ID card, or photographic driving licence. You must use the same ID you registered with.

2 — Your test room

• You must take the test in a private room in your home, or in a private space within a public building. A booked hotel room or a reserved university study room is fine, provided you won't be disturbed; a café, library, or open-plan office is not permitted.
• Quiet, with no background noise and the door closed.
• Well-lit room, with your surroundings clearly visible.
• No other people present in the room. If anyone else is seen during the test, you will not receive a result.
• Sitting at a proper desk or table. You can’t take the test on a sofa, in bed, or with the laptop on your lap.
• Desk free of clutter — only the following: your laptop and charger, keyboard, mouse and mouse mat, headset, webcam, photo ID, login details, blank paper for notes, a pen or pencil, tissues, and either a label-free water bottle or water in a clear glass. Any approved medicine or medical devices are also permitted.

3 — Not allowed

• AI tools or AI assistance applications running on your computer.
• Notes of any kind, in any language, anywhere in the room – including walls.
• Phones, wrist watches and smartwatches, additional monitors, printers, or any second device in the room. A phone may be kept outside the room for emergency contact only.
• Eating, smoking or vaping during the test.
• Talking or whispering, except during the Speaking module.
• Covering your mouth with your hand or any object.
• Leaving the camera frame at any point during the exam.

4 — Eligibility

You must be 18 or older to take Linguaskill Remote. Candidates under 18 are not eligible for the remote test.

If you're aged 16–17, you can take Linguaskill at one of our test centres in Switzerland instead, with parental or guardian consent.

Technical check - Preparing 48 hours before

Step 1 — Install the Secure Browser (approx. 5–15 minutes)

The Talview Secure Browser prevents other applications from running during your test. You can’t take the test without it.

Download and install here.

Windows users

Download, install, then launch the Secure Browser and run the Diagnostic Check. Grant access to your screen, microphone, and camera when prompted — it won't run without these. The Diagnostic Check confirms everything works and lists any apps you'll need to close or uninstall before test day.

Mac users

After installing, you'll need to grant the Secure Browser the right macOS permissions (screen recording, microphone, camera) in your System Settings — otherwise it won't run correctly on the day. Set this up in advance using Talview's guides:

• Configuring macOS browser permissions
• Secure Browser troubleshooting

Step 2 — Run the Technical Check (approx. 5–10 minutes)

The Technical Check confirms your operating system, browser, internet speed, headset and microphone all meet the requirements. It is freely available and no login needed.

Mandatory before test:

• Go to metritests.com/metrica and click “Technical Check” in the bottom-right corner. Follow the on-screen steps.
• Run the Talview webcam check to confirm your webcam is correctly assigned.

Step 3 — Set up your room

Use the checklist in What you'll need on test day to make sure everything is ready, and remove anything listed under Not allowed items from your space.

Then run through your room one more time:

• Clear your desk
• Check the lighting so you and your surroundings are clearly visible
• Remove any second monitor — none may be present in the room, even if switched off
• Make sure no posters or anything with English writing are visible
• Check that any desk drawers are closed
• Leave your phone outside the room
• Have your Entry statement and login details ready (to be confirmed)
• Set out blank paper for notes (optional)
• Close the door
• Do a final check against What you'll need and confirm no prohibited items are within reach

Test day

When you log in on the day of your test, you’ll go through six short checks before the test itself starts. Here’s exactly what to expect.

Step 1 — Open the Secure Browser and log in

Find the email containing your Entry statement. Save the Entry statement to your desktop so it's easy to access on test day — it includes the correct link to launch your test.

Click the link in your Entry statement. This opens the Secure Browser automatically. Then enter your login details exactly as shown on the Entry statement. You'll need to type them in — copy-paste isn't available.

Step 2 — Accept terms and check your details

Confirm the Terms and Conditions for taking the test. Check your registration details and answer the two questions about your first language and reason for taking the test.

Step 3 — Allow microphone, webcam and screen sharing

You’ll be asked to grant access to your microphone, webcam, and full-screen sharing. Choose “Entire Screen” and click “Proceed ahead.”

Step 4 — Take your Test Day Photo

You'll be asked to take a photo of your face to help verify your identity.

Do: Face forward and look straight at the camera, include your head and shoulders, and keep your face clear (e.g. no hair over your eyes).

Don't: Smile, laugh or frown; tilt your head or look down; wear headphones or dark glasses; or wear a hat or head covering — unless for religious or medical reasons.

On-screen tips will guide you. If your camera isn't detected automatically, select it from the dropdown menu.

Step 5 — Capture or upload your photo ID

Have your ID ready before you start, saved on the computer you're testing on. This must be the same identity document you registered with. When prompted, either hold it close to the webcam so all details are clearly visible, keeping your fingers off any information, or upload a saved copy as a PNG or JPG file.

Candidates can upload an ID, and where the ID is two-sided, they can combine both sides into a single file for upload. However, we strongly recommend that candidates do not upload images showing both sides together, as this can make the details difficult to read.

The primary requirement is that a clear and legible ID is submitted. This is necessary to:

• Match the ID to the candidate
• Verify it against the ID presented at registration

Please note that it will also be displayed on the candidate’s account in Metrica.

We recognise that some IDs (e.g. certain EU cards) include important details such as expiration dates or signatures on the reverse side. In these cases, both sides should be checked during the registration process.

If a candidate is uploading a file instead of taking a photo of the ID, then the upload should ideally contain only one side of the ID which includes their photo, full name and ID number. This information can then be verified against the details recorded during registration.

Step 6 — 360° environment check

Slowly rotate your webcam (or laptop) to show the whole room — desk, doors, floor, ceiling, behind you. Any attempt to hide part of the room will be flagged as malpractice.

Important warning

If you refresh your browser or close the test at any point during the pre-test checks or the test itself, you’ll be required to complete all six pre-test checks again. Don’t close any tabs, hit refresh, or click the browser X until the test ends.

Swiss Exams technical support

Swiss Exams provides full guidance and technical support for Linguaskill Remote candidates throughout Switzerland.

Before the test day

Complete the Secure Browser installation and the Technical Check. Completing these in advance prevents the most common test-day issues, such as equipment, browser, or login problems discovered too late to fix.

If you have general questions about your exam before test day, contact our customer service team.

During the test day

We're available to help if a technical problem occurs during your test. Contact our customer service.

After the test day

Your results will normally be released within 6–8 working days; larger sessions may take slightly longer. If a result is delayed for any reason, we will contact you.

For any questions after your test, please contact our customer service team.