TOEIC Link translator-extension and browser-plugin detection — how Google Translate / DeepL / Grammarly get flagged and how to disable them
The TOEIC Link proctoring client enumerates browser extensions installed in the exam browser and detects translation, dictionary, grammar-assist, and text-to-speech plugins. Even legitimate learning aids like Google Translate, DeepL, and Grammarly are blocked during the exam. This guide covers (i) the detection logic, (ii) plugin categories most often caught, and (iii) the pre-exam disable procedure.
Browser-extension detection logic
At exam start, the proctoring client calls the browser's extension-management API (Chrome's chrome.management, Edge's equivalent) and pulls the IDs and permissions of all enabled extensions.
Extension IDs are matched against a proctoring blocklist (translation, dictionary, grammar-assist, TTS, screen-capture, and auto-input tools other than password managers). Hits halt the exam start.
Beyond ID matching, the extension's "permissions" field is also analyzed. Extensions that request "activeTab," "webRequest," or "contentScripts" *and* whose manifest name contains "translate" / "grammar" / "dictionary" / "tts" are flagged as suspicious even if the ID is unknown.
Dynamic monitoring runs during the exam. Installing or enabling a new extension while the exam page is loaded triggers an immediate flag. Content-script injection (DOM modification, overlays on textareas) is also caught — extensions like Grammarly that intervene on the page cause an immediate exam halt if enabled mid-exam.
- chrome.management API enumerates extension IDs
- Blocklist match + manifest permission analysis
- translate / grammar / dictionary / tts categories caught
- Mid-exam install / DOM-mod also dynamically detected
Plugin categories that are most often caught
*Translators*: Google Translate, DeepL Translate, Mate Translate, ImTranslator, To Google Translate, Reverso, Linguee. They surface translations on right-click or text selection, so they are top-priority detection targets. Installed + Enabled = immediate block.
*Dictionaries / mouseover meaning*: Mouse Dictionary, Weblio popup dictionary, Lingoes, Google Dictionary. They show word meanings on hover, providing direct unfair help in Listening / Reading Parts 5/6/7. Top blocklist priority.
*Grammar / writing assistants*: Grammarly, LanguageTool, ProWritingAid, Outwrite. They auto-correct text input during Speaking / Writing parts and are categorical flags. Grammarly Premium is detected too — paid status is irrelevant.
*TTS / read-aloud*: Read Aloud, NaturalReader, TTSReader. Reading-part text-to-speech defeats the purpose of Listening practice and is blocklisted.
*Screen capture / recording*: Loom, Awesome Screenshot, Nimbus Screenshot, Lightshot. Caught to prevent test-content recording.
*ChatGPT / AI-assistant integrations*: ChatGPT for Google, Merlin, MaxAI, Sider, Monica. They inject AI-answer buttons into pages — the highest-priority new category for the blocklist.
*VPN / proxy extensions*: Hola VPN, ZenMate, NordVPN extension. Caught for IP verification reasons.
Pre-exam extension disable procedure
*1 day before — inventory all extensions*: Open chrome://extensions (Chrome), edge://extensions (Edge), or about:addons (Firefox). List currently enabled extensions. On a work PC, classify them into work-essential (password manager, auth) vs. learning-assist.
*30 min before — disable all learning-assist*: Turn off Grammarly, Google Translate, DeepL, Mouse Dictionary, ChatGPT-style, TTS, and dictionary extensions. Disable is enough — no need to uninstall. Re-enable after the exam.
*30 min before — disable broadly-permissioned others*: Even unrelated extensions with broad permissions (ad-blockers with DOM injection) can cause false positives. Narrow to the minimum set during the exam.
*15 min before — use a dedicated profile or Guest mode*: If individually toggling is tedious, launch Chrome's Guest mode (no extensions) or create a fresh exam-only Chrome profile. Either has zero extensions and is safe by default.
*5 min before — verify zero extensions*: Re-open chrome://extensions and visually confirm everything is off. Check the URL bar for pinned extension icons — none should be present.
*During the exam — install / enable nothing*: Do not think "I want a dictionary right now" mid-exam. Installing or enabling triggers dynamic detection and an immediate halt. Do not touch browser settings during the exam.
Extension category detection map
| Category | Examples | Detection result |
|---|---|---|
| Translation | Google Translate / DeepL | 🔴 Immediate block |
| Dictionary / hover meaning | Mouse Dictionary / Weblio | 🔴 Immediate block |
| Grammar assist | Grammarly / LanguageTool | 🔴 Immediate block |
| TTS / read-aloud | Read Aloud / NaturalReader | 🔴 Block |
| ChatGPT integrations | ChatGPT for Google / Sider | 🔴 Block (new top priority) |
| Screen capture | Loom / Lightshot | 🟡 Detection + warning |
| VPN / proxy | Hola VPN / ZenMate | 🔴 Separate IP-verification block |
| Password managers | 1Password / Bitwarden | ✅ Generally allowed |
* EnglishBlitz observed values. Proctoring engine version and extension updates may change behavior.
Common extension-detection messages
- "Browser extension 'Grammarly' is not allowed during this exam. Please disable and refresh."
- "We detected a translation extension. Please disable all language-assist tools."
- "Your browser has prohibited extensions. Disable them in chrome://extensions and restart the system check."
- "Real-time grammar checking detected on input field. Exam paused."
Frequently Asked Questions
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