Network Bandwidth Too Low 0Kbps Error When Using PSI Secure Bridge For Online Testing
Many
people graduated from school thinking they do not need to worry about exams
anymore. Guess what? Even adults face many different exams, for example,
certain professions like accountants require licenses to practice and that
means you have to study and pass their professional exams. For other industries
like tech, you can acquire the latest skills without going for exams, but if
you wish to show proof of your expertise, many technology companies offer their
own set of progressive certifications or "tracks", which you can
attempt and become better at. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google certifications
have been leading due to the popularity of their cloud-related certifications.
Traditionally, these technology companies work with exam providers
such as Pearson Vue and PSI to have their exams conducted at the testing
centres of these exam providers. The rationale being that these testing venues
and equipment have been pre-vetted for exam security. Participants can schedule
their exams at one of these venues and arrive to take the exam without any
hiccups.
In the past, some companies have also experimented with online
testing, where candidates could access the exams remotely from locations of
their choice. Results were mixed, as it was difficult to ensure these
candidates were taking the exams under the same conditions as those taking from
testing centres. Hence, exam-taking at testing centres remained mainstream and at
times, the only choice available.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies were
forced to revisit online testing once more so that candidates can continue
getting new certifications or renewing existing ones. Advanced technologies and better network bandwidths now support advanced online proctoring, with additional rules deployed so that online testing can become more secure. The confidence
from these technology companies shows as they try to push for online testing.
For example, Microsoft had been giving out low-cost and even free exam vouchers
in the name of helping those that had been affected by the pandemic.
I recently signed up for Microsoft's $15 exam initiative which had
the condition of being online testing only. It was conducted in conjunction
with PSI. While I eventually managed to complete the exam, my experience still
showed flaws that I hope to share with other fellow tech enthusiasts so
that you can better prepare, or decide if it's worth the risk.
Overview of the Registration Process
During the registering process, Microsoft places prominent
disclaimers to remind candidates of their responsibilities to verify their
systems meet the online test requirements. For this, Microsoft and PSI offer
two system checks, one is an online version where you have to install a plugin
and run some online system tests. I was using a PC with an external webcam.
From what I could see, the checks were quite straightforward, testing your
network bandwidth and webcam capabilities (audio and video). Your browser will
prompt you to give rights for the testing, I just turned my webcam to the wall
and the simulation was still completed successfully. If you had not done
this when you registered, you can log in to your Microsoft Certification Dashboard, click
on the exam that you have scheduled, and you should get the chance to run the
online system check again.
Now, don't get your hopes too high up yet. After completing the
online system check, you will get a message encouraging candidates to ensure
their systems pass the system compatibility checks at least 24 hours before the
scheduled exam time or risk forfeiting their exam fees if they cannot start the
exam on time. At the end of that statement is an innocent link to download a
software. If you were like me and got confused, the statement is referring to the
software system check and not the earlier online system check. And this
software test was where my issues came from.
This software test is based on the actual PSI Secure Browser
interface that you will be using on the actual day of the exam and is a good
approximation of the check-in process during the actual exam and any potential
issues that may arise.
The
software starts with checking for any illegal software running which includes
browsers and will ask you to terminate those processes. Next, it will do some
video and audio tests. The next step is to check for how many monitors are
connected to the system which you are using. During my testing, it was here
that I encountered the "Network Bandwidth Too Low" error, with these
additional details:
Insufficient Bandwidth: You do not have the required bandwidth to
continue. We measured 0Kbps, which is under the minimum requirement
of 300Kbps. Please find an internet connection with sufficient bandwidth in
order to complete your exam and try again.
Network Bandwidth Too Low 0Kbps Error During System Compatibility Checks |
It complained I had low bandwidth, but measured it at 0Kbps, which was impossible since I was on a wired connection and just downloaded the software online. Restarting my system did not help and there was not much useful information online.
I
then went to the PSI webpage and opened a live chat with their support. The
support went through additional bandwidth checks using Twilio and
Speedtest. I suspect the PSI software does the bandwidth test against Twilio,
but running the actual test from Twilio showed my bandwidth to be more than
sufficient. Having checked all the SOP tests, the support suggested I did the
test too early (6 days before) and that the software I downloaded was a
"practice browser" which had such errors all the time. Everything
would be fine on the actual date when using the "actual browser".
Frankly, at this stage, it showed two things: either the PSI
support does not know what she is talking about, or the PSI tech team is
incompetent in uploading buggy software and does not even care enough to
resolve issues, even though candidates are supposed to use the software to
verify their systems. Regardless, I was given a ticket number, which I only found
out after the exam to be meaningless because the ticket got closed immediately
and there was not going to be any follow-up from any of the PSI team.
I was skeptical of the support's reply but since it was
only $15, I decided to try my luck. On the actual day, the exam only opened 30
minutes before the scheduled time. True enough, even with an updated link to
download the actual browser, I still got prompted the same Network Bandwidth
Too Low 0Kbps error. When I tried to connect to live chat to PSI support, I was
number 6 in the queue. I tried calling their hotline and listened to 5 minutes
of music while the live chat queue did not move. All this while, time was
running out to start the exam and there was no way to communicate to my online
proctor because I had not even finished the check-in process.
Pro Tip: Perform the PSI Secure Browser System Compatibility Checks Before Choosing and Paying for Online Testing
So my advice to anyone who managed to stumble upon here, to not only
rely on the online system compatibility check but also do the PSI Secure
Browser test as well. For any issues that you encountered, PSI support is
unlikely able to give you a satisfactory response. So your options are either
to try the actual browser on the day itself and risk forfeiting your exam fees,
or find another system and try the system checks again.
As for me, I had to rely on a backup laptop that could pass the
PSI Secure Browser checks and then proceeded with the rest of the check-in
steps, which were a lot considering the exam only opens up 30 minutes before.
So again, evaluate your options and decide is it easier to get your hands on another
system or postpone/cancel the exam and go for the tried and tested testing
centre option, most likely after the pandemic subsides.
As for Microsoft, I had some minor issues with the proctor during the exam. At the end of the exam, there was a message that I might receive an email for feedback, which never came. I do hope Microsoft can work with PSI to do better in both their software and their support.
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