System Requirements & Technical Specifications®

The Criterion Online Writing Evaluation v21.0.0 service is a web-based application. The instructional tool
helps students plan, write and revise essays, and provides an instant holistic score and annotateddiagnostic feedback.

WHENEVER YOU ACCESS the Criterion service, the following configuration requirements must be met:
Browser Settings:
Browsers should be set to “accept all cookies” and security settings should be set no higher than medium.
Internet Port Settings:
If you are accessing the Criterion service from behind a firewall or other network security device, let theprotocols http and https go outbound.
Firewall Timeout Settings:
Make sure that none of the security devices is set to automatically disconnect a user’s session prematurely.
It is recommended not to set any disconnect settings for less than 60 minutes
Filter Settings:
If using content filtering, the following URLs must be permitted through the filters:
http://criterion.ets.org

https://criterion.ets.org

Proxy Server Settings:
If your network utilizes a proxy server, please ensure Criterion web page data coming in from the following
URLs are not cached:
http://criterion.ets.org

https://criterion.ets.org

Available Bandwidth:
The Criterion service is a web-based application and its performance could be affected by improperly
configured network settings or using hubs instead of network switches. Additionally, the number ofsimultaneous users as well as overhead produced by other applications could affect the Criterion service
performance. In short, it is recommended that the network bandwidth utilization levels should be maintained
below 70 percent.

Contact Criterion Technical Support for questions and assistance:
877-909-6442

Criterionsupport@ets.org

ETS — Measuring the Power of Learning.®
Copyright © 2021 by Educational Testing Service. All rights
reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
6/22/2021

System Requirements & Technical Specifications
Network Specifications
Below is the recommended minimum network guideline for your local network infrastructure. The Criterion
service is an online interactive application; overall performance could be affected during periods of highnetwork traffic.
Network Attribute

Minimum

Recommended

Lan Connectivity

10MBps100MBps

Building/Facility Bandwidth

10Mbps

20MbpsDesktop Bandwidth

Wireless connection 802.11b

LAN Connection: Cable, DSL

Routers and Switches

Network Hubs

Cisco 2600 and 2900 Series
Routers/Hubs (or equivalent)

CAT-5

Fiber Backbone to Switches

Wiring and Cables

Note: One Mbps or megabit per second equals 1000 Kbps or one million bps, one MBps equals one megabyte per second or1000KBps, and eight Mbps equals one MBps.

Windows® Client PC Specifications
The Criterion v21.0.0 website will operate on the following personal computers, provided that they meetthe standards below.
Hardware/OS/Browser

Minimum

Recommended

Desktop PC or LaptopPentium® IIIPentium® III or greater

Keyboard Mouse

Keyboard Mouse

Input Device
Operating SystemWindows 10.0

Browser: Enable Java Scripting
and Cookies

Internet Explorer® 11..0; IE Edge
Firefox 18.0; Chrome 60.0

Graphics Adapter

SVGA 1024x768 Resolution

Windows 10.0
IE 11; IE Edge; Firefox 55.0; Chrome 60.0
SVGA 1280x1024 Resolution

Note: Support for Internet Explorer will go away, June 15, 2022, and be replaced with Edge.

Macintosh Specifications
The Criterion v21.0.0 website will operate on Power Macintosh and G3/G4 systems, provided that theymeet the recommended minimum standards below.
Hardware/OS/Browser

Minimum

Recommended

Mac OS X 10.6

Mac OS® X 10.6 or higher

Firefox 18.0.x & Safari 5.0.x (compatible
only with Mac OS X, not OS 9)

Firefox 54.0.x and higher & Safari 6.0.x
and higher

Graphics 1024x768

Graphics 1024x768

Operating System
Browser: Enable Cookies
Graphics Adapter

Tablet Specifications: Apple iPad, iOS 5.1 or higher. External keyboard recommended for ease of use.
Devices Supported: Chromebook 60.0.
ETS — Measuring the Power of Learning.®
Copyright © 2021 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

6/16/2021