Complete Guide to ISAT Test Day: What to Expect with ProctorU

The ISAT is taken remotely from your own computer, supervised by a live proctor through ProctorU. For many students, this is the first time they have taken a high-stakes exam from home, and the unfamiliar setup can be a source of stress. This guide walks you through every stage of the process so you know exactly what to expect and can focus entirely on performing your best.

One Week Before Test Day

Preparation for test day starts well before the actual exam. In the week leading up to your test, complete the following checklist:

Run the ProctorU system check: Visit the ProctorU website and run their equipment check tool. This verifies that your webcam, microphone, internet speed, and browser are compatible. Do this at least 5 to 7 days before your test so you have time to resolve any issues.
Test your internet connection: A stable internet connection is essential. If your home Wi-Fi is unreliable, consider using a wired ethernet connection. Minimum recommended speed is 1.5 Mbps upload and download, but faster is better. Run a speed test to confirm.
Prepare your ID: You need a valid, government-issued photo ID such as a passport or national identity card. The name on your ID must match your ACER registration exactly. If there is any discrepancy, contact ACER before test day to resolve it.
Update your software: Ensure your operating system and browser are up to date. ProctorU works best with Google Chrome. Install any pending updates so they do not interrupt your test.
Charge your device: If you are using a laptop, keep it plugged into a power source during the test. A dead battery during a 3-hour exam is a preventable disaster.

Setting Up Your Testing Room

ProctorU has strict requirements about the room you test in. Failing to meet these requirements can result in delays, or in extreme cases, your test session being cancelled. Here is how to set up your room correctly:

Choose a quiet, private room: You must be alone in the room for the entire duration of the test. No other people, including family members, are allowed to enter. Choose a room with a door you can close.
Clear your desk: Remove everything from your desk except your computer, keyboard, mouse, and your ID. No books, notes, papers, pens, phones, tablets, or smart devices are allowed. If you have a second monitor, disconnect it or turn it to face the wall.
Check your lighting: The proctor needs to see your face clearly throughout the test. Make sure the room is well-lit, ideally with light in front of you rather than behind you. Avoid backlighting from windows that can silhouette your face.
Remove wall materials: If there are whiteboards, corkboards with notes, or posters with text near your desk, remove them or cover them. The proctor may ask you to clear anything that could be used as a reference.
Inform your household: Tell everyone in your home that you are taking an important exam and cannot be disturbed for 3 to 4 hours. Put a note on the door if necessary.

Logging In and Connecting with Your Proctor

On the day of your test, log into your ProctorU account at least 15 minutes before your scheduled start time. Here is what happens next:

Join the queue: Click the button to start your session. You will be placed in a queue and connected with a proctor. Wait times can vary, so logging in early gives you a buffer.
Identity verification: The proctor will ask you to hold your photo ID up to the webcam. They will verify that your name and photo match your registration details. Hold the ID steady and close enough for the camera to read the text clearly.
Room scan: The proctor will ask you to slowly rotate your webcam (or laptop) 360 degrees to show the entire room. They want to see that there are no unauthorised materials, additional people, or secondary devices. Move slowly and deliberately so the proctor can see everything clearly.
Desk check: You may be asked to show the surface of your desk from above, and sometimes the area under your desk as well. The proctor wants to confirm there is nothing hidden.
Wrist and ear check: The proctor may ask you to show your wrists (to check for smartwatches) and your ears (to check for earbuds or hearing devices).
Browser lockdown: The proctor will guide you through closing any open applications and may install or activate a lockdown browser extension that prevents you from opening other tabs or programs during the test.

This entire check-in process typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, but can take longer if there are technical issues or a backlog of students. Budget at least 30 minutes before your test for the check-in process so you do not feel rushed.

During the Test

Once the proctor clears you, the test interface will load and you can begin. Here are the key rules and expectations during the 3-hour test:

Stay in the camera frame: Your face must be visible to the webcam at all times. Do not lean out of frame, look down for extended periods, or turn away from the screen. The proctor is monitoring you live and will flag any behaviour that looks suspicious.
No external resources: You cannot use calculators, scratch paper, textbooks, phones, or any other materials during the test. The only writing tool available to you is the on-screen notepad provided within the testing interface.
No talking: Do not talk, whisper, or read questions aloud during the test. The proctor can hear you through your microphone, and vocalising can be flagged as a potential integrity issue.
No leaving the room: You cannot leave the room during the test. There is no scheduled break in the ISAT. If you need to use the bathroom, you must communicate with the proctor through the chat function, and your test timer will continue to run. Use the bathroom before the check-in process begins.
Use the chat for issues: If you experience a technical problem during the test, such as a frozen screen or a question that will not load, use the ProctorU chat function to communicate with your proctor immediately. Do not try to fix technical issues yourself by closing and reopening the browser.

Using the On-Screen Notepad

Since you cannot use physical scratch paper, the on-screen notepad is your only tool for working through calculations and making notes. Here are some tips for using it effectively:

Use it to jot down key numbers from data tables or passage details that you need to reference.
For quantitative questions, write out your calculations step by step. This helps prevent errors and makes it easier to check your work.
For critical reasoning questions, note the main conclusion and key premises from the passage. This can help you stay focused when evaluating the answer options.
The notepad is basic. It does not have formatting tools or a calculator function. Practise using a plain text notepad during your mock tests so you are comfortable with the limitations.

Common Technical Issues and How to Handle Them

Technical problems are uncommon but can happen. Here is how to handle the most frequent issues:

Internet disconnection: If your internet drops, the proctor will attempt to reconnect you. Your test progress is saved, and you should not lose any answers. To minimise the risk, use a wired ethernet connection rather than Wi-Fi. If you must use Wi-Fi, sit as close to your router as possible and ensure no one else in your household is streaming video or downloading large files during your test.
Webcam or microphone failure: If your webcam or microphone stops working during the test, the proctor will contact you through the chat function. Have a backup plan in mind, such as a USB webcam you can plug in quickly, although this is rarely needed.
Software conflicts: Close all other applications before starting your test, including antivirus software, VPNs, cloud backup services, and messaging apps. Some of these can interfere with ProctorU or the testing platform. Disable any pop-up notifications that might appear during the test.
Screen freezing: If the testing interface freezes, do not panic. Contact the proctor through chat. They may ask you to refresh the page or may restart the connection on their end. Your answers are saved regularly.
Power outage: If you lose power, reconnect as quickly as possible and log back into ProctorU. Contact the proctor to resume your session. If you are using a laptop, the battery will keep you running temporarily. Having a phone charger nearby (even though you cannot use the phone) can help if you need to contact ProctorU support as a last resort.

What to Do in the Final Minutes

When you have about 5 to 10 minutes remaining, use this time wisely:

Scan for any unanswered questions and fill in your best guess. Never leave a question blank since there is no penalty for wrong answers.
If you flagged questions to review later, quickly revisit any that you have time for. Focus on questions where you had narrowed it down to two options.
Do not second-guess answers you were confident about. Research consistently shows that first instincts tend to be correct more often than changed answers.

After the Test

Once you have answered all 100 questions (or the time runs out), submit your test through the testing interface. The proctor will end the session, and you can close ProctorU. Here is what happens next:

Score release: Your results will be available through your ACER account after the testing window closes. Scores are typically released within a few weeks of the window ending. You will not receive an immediate score on the day of the test.
Score report: ACER will send your scores directly to the universities you nominated during registration. You will also be able to view your scores in your ACER account. The report includes your Critical Reasoning score, Quantitative Reasoning score, and overall score.
If something went wrong: If you experienced a significant technical issue during the test that you believe affected your performance, contact ACER as soon as possible after the test. Document the issue, including any screenshots or notes, and provide them with your case. ACER has a process for reviewing disrupted test sessions.

Test Day Checklist

Use this quick checklist on the morning of your test to make sure everything is ready:

Computer is plugged in and fully charged.
Webcam and microphone are working.
Internet connection is stable (preferably wired).
Room is clean, quiet, and well-lit.
Desk is clear of everything except computer, keyboard, mouse, and ID.
Photo ID is ready and matches your ACER registration name.
All other applications and notifications are closed.
Household members know not to disturb you.
You have used the bathroom.
You have eaten and are hydrated but not overly caffeinated.

Being prepared for every aspect of the test day experience lets you direct all your mental energy toward the questions themselves. The students who score highest are not just the ones who practised the most. They are the ones who eliminated every possible source of stress and distraction on test day.