Technical Support
Technical Questions
What software do I need to take a test?
What hardware do I need to take a test?
Will the test work over a dial-up connection?
I have an Apple Mac. Can I use it with Practice Online?
I am concerned about my privacy. Do you use cookies?
Is a Microphone required for this test?
How do I check the Microphone?

Technical Problems
The test isn’t launching.
I am unable to record my voice in the test.
Some of the symbols in the test are not displaying properly.
When I try to start my test, nothing happens.
I don't have a pop-up blocker enabled, and my test still won't start.
When I try to start my test, I receive a message that the Audio Browser isn’t installed even though I already installed the Audio Browser.
All my navigation buttons are not appearing or my test is locking up while I am navigating.
My test is slow.
Only the first page of questions is displayed.
I received a “Navigation-02” or “Navigation-03” error during my test.
I cannot find an answer. How do I contact you?

What software do I need to take a test?
Software compatibility is primarily determined by the browser you are using. In order to use this site, you need to use Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. Your computer operating system should be one of the following: Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. In addition, you will need Windows Media Player to listen to audio files.

The TOEFL iBT Complete and Speaking Practice Tests also require the installation of an Audio Browser and requires Internet Explorer 6.0 or later. The audio browser allows you to record yourself speaking during a test, and is only loaded into memory while the test is being delivered. This software does not transfer any information from your machine, nor is it resident in memory when you are not delivering a test.
Click Here to download Windows Media Player.
Click Here to download Internet Explorer 8.0.

What hardware do I need to take a test?
In addition to having a computer that supports one of the required browsers, you will need to have a color monitor capable of displaying 800x600 with 32-bit color. For best results, use a 17" or larger monitor that supports 1024x768 resolution.

Will the test work over a dial-up connection?
If you have a dial-up connection, we recommend that you use our offline test delivery option. This option allows the test to be run on your local machine. The internet is required to download and start the test. Once the test has started the internet is not required until the end of the test.

I have an Apple Mac. Can I use it with Practice Online?
No, TOEFL Practice Online does not support the Mac at this time

I am concerned about my privacy. Do you use cookies?
We value your privacy! Practice Online uses session cookies to track the current test you are taking. Session cookies are deleted from your machine as soon as you close your browser. Although we may collect information through the Practice Test, it will be for research and evaluation purposes only.

Is a Microphone required for this test?
Yes, only for the iBT TOEFL Complete and Speaking Practice Tests. We recommend using a headset with a non-voice activated microphone.

How do I check the Microphone?
We provide you with an easy tool to check your microphone. Go to the "check system" link on your log-in page.
Clicking on above link allows you to verify your system's compatibility with the TOEFL Practice Online site.
Technical Problems
If you are having trouble while accessing this site, please ensure that you are using Internet Explorer 5.01, or later. We have also listed the most common problems below to help you solve your problem.

The test isn’t launching.
Please try the following:
  1. Verify that your system meets the minimum requirements for this site by selecting the "Check System" link on the bottom right of the home page - http://toeflpractice.ets.org/
  2. Verify that you can hear sound by going to the "Check System" link and selecting to hear a sample audio file. Once you verify that you can hear sound, you will be able to hear sound for the practice test. If you are unable to hear sound here, please make sure that your speakers are connected and working and that you do not have the master volume or the wave volume muted.
  3. The hearing of the audio files during the practice test can be interrupted if you select keys on the keyboard or click with the mouse. We recommend that while the file is loading, that you do not click or select any keys.
  4. Additionally, it is possible that this problem is related to firewall software you have. An example would be Norton Internet Security, or Norton Personal Firewall. You can configure it to work with our site, or just disable it completely while you are on our site.
I am unable to record my voice in the test.
You will need a microphone to try the following steps, so please make sure that it is connected.
  1. Click on the "Start" button in the bottom left corner of your screen
  2. Go to "All Programs" then “Accessories”
  3. Find and click on "Windows Explorer"
  4. When the window opens, look under “My Computer” for your C: drive
  5. Click on "Local Disk (C:)"
  6. Find your "Program Files" folder and open it
  7. In there you will have a folder called "ITS", open it
  8. In there you will have a folder called "Audio Browser", open it
  9. Locate the file "Setup Audio Browser.exe" and open it
  10. When the window appears, make sure “Automatic” is selected next to “Configuration” ( you can also select "Default" or “Custom” and see if that works better for your computer)
  11. Get out your microphone and click on "Record" and say something into the microphone
  12. After you say something, click "Stop"
  13. Click on "Playback" and see if you hear what you just recorded
  14. If you can hear what you just recorded, you can resume your exam
Some of the symbols in the test are not displaying properly.
This can happen if your browser is configured to support a specific language. From your browser's view menu, select "Encoding->Auto-Select". This is the default setting for the browser. If that does not fix your problem, please contact technical support. Include in your request the type of computer and the browser version you are using.

When I try to start my test, nothing happens.
Check to see if you have a utility installed that blocks pop-up advertisements. These utilities may stop the test window from opening. If you do have a utility installed, either remove it, or turn it off while you are using the site. If you are not sure, hold the control key down when you click to start the test. Many of the utilities will temporarily turn off using this method.

I don't have a pop-up blocker enabled, and my test still won't start.
Dual monitor systems using a laptop LCD panel as an extended desktop will have a problem opening pop-up windows (which is how the test is displayed). You will need to configure the operating system to only have one active video monitor. A symptom of this problem is that the test window will show in the tasks running, but the window cannot be opened. This is an Internet Explorer limitation only.

When I try to start my test, I receive a message that the Audio Browser isn’t installed even though I already installed the Audio Browser.
Please try the following steps:
  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click on the “Tools” menu at the top right of the page
  3. Then click on “Internet Options”
  4. Click on the “Security” tab
  5. Select the globe icon that says “Internet” under it
  6. Then click the “Custom Level” button at the bottom
  7. Scroll down until you see “ActiveX controls and plug-ins”
  8. Then scroll down to “Download signed ActiveX controls”
  9. Then select “Enable”
  10. Then scroll down to “Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins”
  11. Then select “Enable”
  12. Then scroll down to “Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting”
  13. Then select Enable
  14. Click OK to close the Security Settings window
  15. Then click “Yes” to verify that you want to make the changes
  16. Click “Apply”
  17. Then click “OK” to close the Internet Options window
  18. Then login to your account again and start your test
*** Even if you already have it installed, please go through the steps to install the Audio Browser again.***
  1. Just follow the steps that are given to you, so if it tells you to uninstall it then do that
  2. Then if it tells you to install it, please follow the steps to install it again
All my navigation buttons are not appearing or my test is locking up while I am navigating.
If you have anti-virus or firewall software installed on your machine, it may be interfering with the test delivery. This software may be a stand-alone application such as Norton or may be part of your browser. Most of these packages allow you to configure them to allow access to sites you approve as safe.

My test is slow.
If you are using the online test delivery option with a broadband Internet connection and questions are taking more than five seconds to load, please verify that you do not have performance problems connecting to other sites. If you believe it is a problem with our site, please let us know by sending a message to technical support.

If you have an unreliable internet connection, we recommend that you use the offline test delivery option to take your test. The TOEFL Practice Tests are bandwidth intensive and the tests will lag on a slow internet connection.

Only the first page of questions is displayed.
You probably have a caching problem. Make sure that your browser is configured to automatically check the server for the latest page. From the Internet Explorer options menu called "Tools" select "Internet Options." With the "General" tab selected, click the "Settings" button under "Temporary Internet files." Configure the software to automatically check for newer versions of stored pages. This is the default setting for the browser.

I received a “Navigation-02” or “Navigation-03” error during my test.
This error occurs whenever the connection to the Internet slows down, causing the session to time out or disconnect.

If this error occurs during your test, please try the following steps:
  1. Clear the browser cache by going to Internet Options>General Tab>Temporary Internet Files>Delete Files
  2. Restart the computer and restart your test. No information will be lost, and the test should resume from where it was interrupted.
  3. If the same error message occurs again, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider. Please note: If you have an unreliable internet connection, we recommend that you use our offline test delivery option.


I cannot find an answer. How do I contact you?
If you cannot find an answer, please contact technical support and we will be happy to assist you.