SOLAR System Requirements
Delivering Assessments
Standard browser delivery
System requirements for delivering SOLAR assessments using a web browser.
Devices and operating systems
SOLAR works on all major device types and operating systems.
We test SOLAR using Windows 11 laptops, MacBooks, iPads, Chromebooks, and Android tablets. The operating systems that run on these devices are Windows, MacOS, iOS, ChromeOS and Android.
You must keep operating systems up to date to ensure SOLAR functions correctly.
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Safari
You must keep browsers up to date to ensure SOLAR functions correctly.
Internet connection
Your device must have a minimum internet speed of 2 Mbps. If many candidates are completing an assessment at the same time, or if the assessment includes multimedia (images, audio, or video), we recommend using a faster connection.
A wired connection is usually faster and more reliable than a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection. Other online activity on the same network may impact assessments being completed on SOLAR.
RAM
Your device must have at least 1 GB RAM.
Screen
Your device screen must have a minimum resolution of 1280 x 768 px. For assessments with multimedia (images, audio, or video), we recommend a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 px.
Testing
Before delivering any SOLAR assessments, you must check that the devices:
- meet all system requirements
- have been tested to ensure they work correctly
Secure/offline delivery
System requirements for delivering SOLAR assessments using SecureClient.
SecureClient is a standalone application that provides secure, lockdown delivery and supports offline delivery. Access to SecureClient is available on request.
Find out more about SecureClient.
Device and operating system
We test SecureClient using Windows 11 laptops.
Your device must be a Windows laptop or desktop.
Your device's operating system must be Windows 11.
You must keep operating systems up to date to ensure SOLAR functions correctly.
Internet connection
Your device must have a minimum internet speed of 2 Mbps. If many candidates are completing an assessment at the same time, or if the assessment includes multimedia (images, audio, or video), we recommend using a faster connection.
A wired connection is usually faster and more reliable than a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection. Other online activity on the same network may impact assessments being completed on SOLAR.
RAM
Your device must have at least 4 GB RAM.
Screen
Your device screen must have a minimum resolution of 1280 x 768 px. For assessments with multimedia (images, audio, or video), we recommend a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080 px.
Testing
Before delivering any SOLAR assessments, you must check that the devices:
- meet all system requirements
- have been tested to ensure they work correctly
Additional applications
Some assessments contain files such as PDFs, text documents or spreadsheets. You must ensure that the devices used to deliver assessments have the appropriate applications installed.
Surpass
SOLAR runs on the Surpass platform. SOLAR system requirements are based on Surpass system requirements. You can access these at Surpass System Requirements.
Administering Assessments
Administering assessments
System requirements for centre staff administering SOLAR assessments.
Device and operating systems
We manage SOLAR using Windows 11 laptops.
Your device must be a Windows laptop or desktop.
Your device's operating system must be Windows 11.
You must keep operating systems up to date to ensure SOLAR functions correctly.
Web browsers
We manage SOLAR using Google Chrome.
You must use one of the following supported web browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
You must keep browsers up to date to ensure SOLAR functions correctly.
Surpass
SOLAR runs on the Surpass platform. SOLAR system requirements are based on Surpass system requirements. You can access these at Surpass System Requirements.