TOEIC Link Internet Connection Requirements: Pre-Test Checks That Stop Disconnections
TOEIC Link is a fully online exam. A mid-test disconnection in the worst case voids your score. This article consolidates the official ETS bandwidth requirements, the Wi-Fi pitfalls most candidates miss, the recovery procedure if you do get disconnected, and the morning-of checklist that catches problems while you can still fix them.
The official bandwidth and latency targets
ETS publishes TOEIC Link minimums of 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, with recommended values of 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, and latency under 150ms. The Speaking module uploads audio continuously, so insufficient upload bandwidth is the single most common cause of disconnection.
A single Speed Test (fast.com or speedtest.net) reading is a snapshot, not a guarantee of stability during the test. Run the test three times at five-minute intervals and confirm that all three readings clear the recommended values, not just the minimum.
- Minimum: 3 Mbps down / 1 Mbps up / latency under 150ms
- Recommended: 10 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up / latency under 80ms
- Speaking-module upload starvation is the most common disconnect cause
- Three measurements at five-minute intervals, not one
Four Wi-Fi pitfalls candidates miss
Wi-Fi is not banned by the rules, but disconnect rates are three to five times higher than with a wired connection. If you must use Wi-Fi, check these four things in advance.
First, no other streaming devices on the same network — a family Netflix session in the next room will out-prioritize your Speaking upload. Second, prefer the 5GHz band; 2.4GHz overlaps with microwaves and Bluetooth. Third, keep the router within 5 meters of your computer with no thick walls in between. Fourth, check router firmware — anything more than three years out of date should be rebooted the night before, ideally updated.
Disconnection recovery — official rules and what actually works
The official rule is that automatic reconnection within 30 seconds preserves your test, while anything beyond that is a proctor decision. In practice, after auto-reconnect the question state is preserved, so do not panic and do not click anything in a hurry.
If you cross 30 seconds, the test screen shows "Reconnecting…" and stalls. The cardinal rule is do not close the browser, do not restart the PC. Wait for the proctor chat to come back and follow the instructions you receive — the proctor decides between extension, partial retake, and full retake.
- Auto-reconnect within 30s → continue, state preserved
- Beyond 30s → do not close browser or restart PC
- Wait for the proctor chat and follow instructions
- Proctor offers one of: extension, partial retake, full retake
Morning-of connection checklist
| Check | Threshold | If failed |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Test #1 | 10 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up | Switch to wired / reboot router |
| Speed Test #2 (5 min later) | Same | Same |
| Speed Test #3 (10 min later) | Same | Reschedule the test |
| Ping to ets.org | Under 150ms | Avoid ISP peak-traffic windows |
| Other LAN devices | Off or disconnected | Phones to airplane mode |
* Complete by 60 minutes before test start. If issues persist, decide on rescheduling by 30 minutes before start.
Three actions in the 24 hours before the test
- Buy or borrow an Ethernet cable (a $1 cable is enough — wired is the cheapest insurance)
- Update router firmware and reboot the router
- Ask housemates to avoid streaming or large downloads during your test window
Frequently Asked Questions
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