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  1. TestGorilla Candidates
  2. Additional Assessment Resources

Before you start: The Assessment Equipment Guide

Updated

Prepare your setup for a seamless assessment experience and show your best work to your potential employer.

Were you invited to take one of our assessments by a company looking to hire? This article provides information about the equipment you need and the permissions you must provide, to ensure that your assessment will run smoothly. This article applies to candidates who have been invited to take an assessment on TestGorilla.

Note: TestGorilla is not a personal testing service. You must be invited by a company to take an assessment.

  • No account needed: If you are a candidate, you do not need to create an account. Simply click the link in your invitation email to begin.

  • Test integrity: To ensure a fair process for everyone, we do not provide previews of questions or answers.

  • Candidate Profile: You can optionally set up a Candidate Profile to showcase your skills to recruiters, track your applications, and view your assessment results.

Approx. reading time: 6 minutes

 

In this article

  1. Quick Checklist: Equipment & Browsers
  2. Camera and Microphone: Why they matter
  3. How to enable permissions
  4. Privacy and Cookies
  5. Troubleshooting & FAQs

 

Quick Checklist: Equipment & Browsers

Using the correct setup prevents technical interruptions during your timed tests.

 
Desktop vs. Mobile

  • Highly Recommended: Use a laptop or desktop computer.

  • Avoid Mobile: While possible, the small screen makes answering difficult and time-consuming.

  • Warning: Do not use a mobile device for assessments containing coding tests.

 

Supported Browsers

Update your browser to the latest version to avoid bugs.

  • Google Chrome: Version 109+ (Recommended).

  • Mozilla Firefox: Version 112+.

  • Safari: Version 15.6+.

  • Microsoft Edge: Version 112+.

  • Not Supported: Internet Explorer.

Camera and Microphone: Why they matter

While you can technically take an assessment without them, having both connected is highly recommended.

  • Video Questions: Some companies require a recorded video response; you cannot do this without a working camera/mic.

  • Identity Verification: Snapshots are taken every 30 seconds to ensure the person taking the assessment is the one being hired.

  • Candidate Advantage: Without a camera, the company cannot verify you took the test alone, which may put you at a disadvantage.

Note: Your privacy is incredibly important to us. We will explicitly ask for your consent to take these pictures before you start the assessment.

How to enable permissions 

To take an assessment, your browser and device need permission to use your camera and microphone. This guide shows you how to grant access at every level.

 

1. Quick fix: The browser address bar

The fastest way to grant access is usually directly within your browser's address bar.

  1. The Icon: Look for a Camera icon or a Lock icon 🔒 at the top of your browser window, next to the website address.

  2. The Action: Click the icon and toggle the switches for Camera and Microphone to On (or select Allow).

  3. The Refresh: Always refresh your page after changing these settings to apply the update.

 

2. Desktop browser settings

If the quick fix doesn't work, you may need to adjust your browser’s privacy settings manually.

🌐 Google Chrome & Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Three Dots (⋮ or ...) in the top right corner.

  2. Go to Settings > Privacy and security.

  3. Click Site settings.

  4. Under Permissions, click Camera or Microphone.

  5. Ensure the site is listed under Allowed to use.

🧭 Safari (macOS)

  1. Open Safari and go to Settings (or Preferences).

  2. Click the Websites tab.

  3. Select Camera or Microphone from the left sidebar.

  4. Locate TestGorilla in the list of open websites and set the access to Allow.

 

3. System-level settings

Sometimes your computer’s operating system blocks the browser from using hardware entirely.

💻 Windows 10 & 11

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & Security.

  2. Scroll down to App permissions and select Camera.

  3. Toggle Camera access to On.

  4. Ensure Let desktop apps access your camera is also toggled On and that your browser is included in the list.

  5. Repeat these steps for the Microphone.

🍎 macOS

  1. Open the Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences).

  2. Go to Privacy & Security > Camera.

  3. Find your browser (e.g., Chrome or Safari) in the list and toggle the switch to On.

  4. Repeat these steps under the Microphone section.

 

4. Mobile device settings

If you are taking your assessment on a mobile device, follow these steps:

📱 iOS (iPhone & iPad)

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Scroll down and tap on your browser (e.g., Safari or Chrome).

  3. Toggle Camera and Microphone to On.

  4. Note for Safari users: Go to Settings > Safari > Camera and ensure it is set to Ask or Allow.

🤖 Android

  1. Open Settings and tap Apps.

  2. Find and tap on your browser app (e.g., Chrome).

  3. Tap Permissions.

  4. Select Camera and choose Allow only while using the app.

  5. Repeat for Microphone.

 

⚠️ Important Note

If you are using a work computer, your company’s IT department may have "Administrative Blocks" on the camera. If you cannot change these settings, you may need to use a personal device to complete the assessment.

💡 Still having trouble?

Close other apps: Ensure other programs (like Zoom, Teams, or FaceTime) aren't using your camera or mic in the background.

Privacy and cookies

We prioritize your data security and comply with GDPR.

  • Data Access: Only the company you applied to can see your snapshots and videos.

  • Cookies: We use cookies to monitor technical performance. While you can decline them, we cannot provide technical support if you do.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why do I need to enable my camera to start an assessment?

Your camera is used for video questions and as a proctoring measure to ensure the integrity of the assessment. We perform a quick check of your camera and microphone before you begin to ensure everything is working correctly.

Can I take an assessment without a camera or microphone?

Yes, you can still complete the assessment without them. However, we highly recommend having both connected. Without them, you cannot answer video-based questions, and the hiring company will not be able to verify your identity through snapshots, which may put you at a disadvantage.

How do I change which camera is being used?

You can change your default camera within your browser’s Privacy & security settings. For Google Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three dots icon (More) in the top right corner.

  2. Select Settings.

  3. Click Privacy and security, then select Site settings.

  4. Under Permissions, click Camera.

  5. Use the drop-down menu to select the specific camera you wish to use.

 

🚀 Next steps

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