Possible Issues & What Can Go Wrong
Last updated: 2026-08-19
Despite careful planning, computer based exams can run into a range of problems. Being aware of these helps candidates stay calm and helps agencies plan better contingencies. Tap "How it's addressed" on any issue below for details.
Technical issues
System freeze or crash mid-exam, requiring a restart or reallocation to a spare system.
How it's addressed
System freeze or crash mid-exam
Spare systems are kept ready at each center, typically 5–10% of total seats, so an affected candidate can be reseated quickly. Lost time is logged from the server side and usually compensated with extra minutes at the end of the test.
Power failure at the center, especially where backup power (UPS/generator) is inadequate.
How it's addressed
Power failure at the center
UPS backup and generators are mandated at every accredited center, with a defined maximum switchover time in the SOP. Centers are audited for this capability before being approved to host an exam.
Network/server slowdowns when thousands of candidates log in simultaneously across shifts.
How it's addressed
Network/server slowdowns
Servers are load-tested against simulated peak traffic before the live exam and provisioned above expected demand. Login windows and shifts are staggered so candidates aren't all authenticating at once.
Peripheral faults — unresponsive mouse/keyboard, frozen timer, or a blank screen.
How it's addressed
Peripheral faults
On-site technical staff can swap hardware immediately. Affected candidates are moved to a backup system and the time lost is added back to their session.
Clock/timer mismatches between systems, leading to unequal time for different candidates.
How it's addressed
Clock/timer mismatches
Timers are synced to the central exam server rather than relying on each system's local clock. Any detected drift triggers a time correction for the candidates affected.
Process & human issues
Center mismanagement — poor seating layout, inadequate staff, delayed reporting-to-start time.
How it's addressed
Center mismanagement
Centers go through accreditation audits before being approved and surprise inspections during active exam cycles. A pattern of complaints can get a center delisted from future exams.
Biometric mismatch for genuine candidates due to poor scanning equipment.
How it's addressed
Biometric mismatch
Centers keep a manual verification fallback — staff cross-check photo ID and application records — so a failed scan doesn't block a genuine candidate from testing.
Question paper errors — wrong options, translation mistakes in regional-language versions, or ambiguous questions.
How it's addressed
Question paper errors
Papers go through multiple rounds of internal review and moderation before finalization. A post-exam challenge window lets candidates flag issues, and confirmed errors are typically dropped or credited to everyone.
Unequal difficulty across shifts, which agencies try to correct through statistical normalization.
How it's addressed
Unequal difficulty across shifts
Normalization formulas adjust each candidate's raw score based on the measured difficulty of their specific shift, so scores stay comparable across the whole exam.
Integrity issues
Leakage of question content before or during a shift.
How it's addressed
Leakage of question content
Question banks are encrypted and each shift draws from a randomized, shift-specific set, which limits how useful a leak from one shift is for candidates in a later one.
Impersonation of genuine candidates by proxies.
How it's addressed
Impersonation of candidates
Biometric and photo ID verification at check-in, sometimes repeated mid-exam, combined with signature matching against the original application record.
Use of unauthorized devices to receive outside help.
How it's addressed
Unauthorized devices
Frisking and metal detectors at entry, signal jammers or scanners at the center, and live or AI-based proctoring during the test itself.
See the Reported Exam Issues page for real, publicly reported examples and the follow-up analysis for each.