SOLAR System Requirements
SOLAR System Requirements – Delivering Assessments
Standard (HTML) Assessments – Web Delivery
System requirements for standard SOLAR (HTML) assessments delivered via a web browser. SQA tests standard HTML web delivery on Windows 10 laptops, MacBooks, iPads, Android-based devices and Chromebooks using Google Chrome or Safari and our recommended system requirements are based on this.
| Device Type | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Desktop/laptop devices |
Windows-based devices Macs iMacs MacBooks Chromebooks |
Windows-based devices MacBooks Chromebooks |
|
Tablet devices |
Android-based devices iPads |
Android-based devices iPads |
| Operating system | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System (Desktop/Laptop Devices) |
Chrome OS macOS Windows 10 Windows 11 |
Chrome OS macOS Windows 10 Windows 11 |
|
Operating System (Tablet Devices) |
Android iOS iPadOS |
Android iOS iPadOS |
Operating systems must be up to date and must always be upgraded to the latest release to ensure continuing compatibility.
| Web browser | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Web browser |
Google Chrome Safari Microsoft Edge Mozilla Firefox |
Google Chrome Microsoft Edge
Safari |
Web browsers must be up to date and must always be upgraded to the latest release to ensure continuing compatibility.
| Device requirements | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor speed | 2.33 GHz | 2.33 GHz |
| Graphics memory | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Screen resolution | 1280 x 720 pixels | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Internet speed | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet speed |
512 Kbps |
512 Kbps |
Testing
Before scheduling and delivering any live SOLAR (HTML) assessments, you must check that any devices being used to deliver assessments meet the minimum requirements and have been tested to ensure they function correctly.
Secure/Offline Assessments – Desktop/Laptop Delivery(SecureClient)
System requirements for assessments delivered using SecureClient on a desktop or laptop. SecureClient is a standalone delivery app which provides options to deliver assessments securely in lockdown mode or to download and deliver assessments offline. SQA tests SecureClient desktop/laptop delivery on Windows 10 laptops and our recommended system requirements are based on this. You must request access to SecureClient. Find out further information and request access to SecureClient.
| Devices | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Desktop/laptop devices |
Windows-based devices |
Windows-based devices |
| Operating system | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Windows 10 Windows 11 |
Windows 10 Windows 11 |
Operating systems must be up to date and must always be upgraded to the latest release to ensure continuing compatibility.
| Device requirements | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Processor speed |
1.80 GHz |
1.80 GHz |
|
Graphics memory |
64 MB |
64 MB |
|
RAM |
4 GB |
4 GB |
|
Disk space |
1 GB |
1 GB |
|
Screen resolution |
1024 x 720 pixels |
1920 x 1080 pixels |
|
Microsoft .NET Framework |
4.7.2 |
4.7.2 |
|
Redistributable Package (Visual C++) |
X86 (X86 Redistributable package download) |
| Internet speed | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet speed |
2 Mbps |
2 Mbps |
Configuration
SecureClient may require configuration of your device and/or network to ensure it functions correctly.
Testing
Before scheduling and delivering any live assessments via SecureClient, you must check that any devices being used to deliver assessments meet the minimum requirements and have been tested to ensure they function correctly.
Additional Apps
Some assessments may contain media or attached files eg PDFs, text documents, spreadsheets, audio, and video that require additional apps to open these files, eg Adobe Reader, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel.
Surpass
SOLAR runs on the Surpass platform. SOLAR system requirements are based on Surpass system requirements. Access Surpass system requirements at Surpass System Requirements.
SOLAR System Requirements – Administering Assessments
Administering Assessments
System requirements for administering SOLAR assessments in a web browser and in the Surpass Viewer app. Some administrative functions in SOLAR require the use of the Surpass Viewer app. SQA manages SOLAR on Windows 10 laptops and our recommended system requirements are based on this.
| Devices | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop/laptop devices | Windows-based devices | Windows-based devices |
| Operating system | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system |
Windows 10 Windows 11 |
Windows 10 Windows 11 |
Operating systems must be up to date and must always be upgraded to the latest release to ensure continuing compatibility.
| Web browser | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Web browsers |
Google Chrome Microsoft Edge Mozilla Firefox |
Google Chrome |
Web browsers must be up to date and must always be upgraded to the latest release to ensure continuing compatibility.
| Internet speed | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Internet speed | 512 Kbps | 512 Kbps |
Additional apps
When administering assessments, some functions generate files, eg PDFs, and external apps are required to open these files, eg Adobe Reader.
Surpass
SOLAR runs on the Surpass platform. SOLAR system requirements are based on Surpass system requirements. Access Surpass system requirements at Surpass System Requirements.