TOEIC Link Test Environment Guide — PC, Network, Headset, and Day-of Checklist
TOEIC Link is a fully PC-based online test with audio playback, voice recording, and typed input across Listening, Speaking, and Writing. This page consolidates recommended hardware, network requirements, and a 30-minute pre-test checklist so a microphone glitch never costs you a Speaking module.
PC and OS requirements
TOEIC Link runs in modern Chromium browsers (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge). Phone or tablet-only setups are not supported because Speaking and Writing require a physical keyboard.
Use Windows 10 / 11 or macOS 12 or later. Linux and ChromeOS are outside the official support matrix and may fail the day-of system check.
- CPU: Intel Core i3 / Apple M1 class or better
- RAM: 4GB minimum, 8GB recommended
- Free disk: 2GB or more
- Browser: latest Chrome or Edge (Safari is unreliable for Speaking)
- OS: Windows 10/11 or macOS 12+
Network — stability beats raw speed
A 90-minute uninterrupted connection matters more than raw bandwidth. Listening streams audio and Speaking uploads recordings, so a single dropout during the Speaking module can cost an entire item.
Wired ethernet or a stable 5GHz Wi-Fi link is the safe path. Mobile tethering and public Wi-Fi are common failure modes — avoid them for the live test.
- Recommended download: 10 Mbps or more
- Recommended upload: 5 Mbps or more (Speaking uploads)
- Connection: wired LAN or 5GHz Wi-Fi
- Avoid: public Wi-Fi, mobile tethering, restrictive VPNs
Headset, microphone, camera
A USB headset with built-in microphone is required for both Listening and Speaking. Built-in laptop speakers paired with a separate microphone tend to leak playback audio into the recording and lower scores.
A webcam (720p or better) is mandatory for proctored public-test seats. IP (institutional) seats may waive proctoring depending on the contract — confirm at registration.
- USB headset (with mic) — Bluetooth not recommended due to latency
- Webcam: 720p+ for proctored seats; IP varies by contract
- Pre-test: run the official system check for mic levels and camera framing
- Backup gear: a spare headset removes the worst-case failure
30-minute pre-test checklist
Running this list 30 minutes before start time eliminates almost every preventable Speaking-module mishap.
- 1. Reboot the PC to clear background processes
- 2. Update Chrome or Edge to the latest version
- 3. Run the official system check for audio, mic, and camera
- 4. Reseat the USB headset to confirm device recognition
- 5. Quit Slack / Zoom / Teams and any audio-grabbing app
- 6. Silence your phone and place it out of frame
- 7. Copy your test ID and password to a local note (do not rely on autofill)
- 8. Adjust room lighting so your face is clearly visible to the proctor camera
Recommended vs minimum vs known-bad
| Item | Recommended | Minimum | Known-bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browser | Latest Chrome | Latest Edge | Safari (Speaking glitches) |
| Network | Wired LAN | 5GHz Wi-Fi | Mobile tethering |
| Audio in | USB headset | Wired earbud + mic | Built-in mic + speakers |
| OS | Windows 11 / macOS 14 | Windows 10 / macOS 12 | Linux / ChromeOS |
| RAM | 8GB+ | 4GB | Under 4GB with heavy apps |
* Compiled from official requirements plus failure patterns reported in the field.
Three things that prevent 90% of test-day issues
- USB headset + wired or 5GHz Wi-Fi solves the bulk of hardware failures
- Run all 8 items on the 30-minute pre-test checklist in order
- Practice the audio + typing flow on EnglishBlitz Try-it before the live seat
Frequently Asked Questions
TOEIC® and TOEIC Link™ are registered trademarks of ETS. EnglishBlitz is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with ETS. Hardware and network expectations reflect publicly listed information as of April 2026 — confirm current requirements on your admission ticket and the official site.