Taking an exam on Synap?
Don't worry — you're in the right place to get help. Synap is the exam software used by universities, awarding bodies and training providers. Your exam itself is run by your exam provider on their own exam portal, and the steps below will get you to it.
Find your exam portal link
Check your email (including spam) and any instructions from your exam provider. Every provider has their own unique exam address — it usually ends in .synap.ac (for example, yourprovider.synap.ac), though some providers use their own web address instead. That page has everything you need, including logging in and resetting your password.
Can't find it? Look up your account
Enter your email address on our account lookup page. If it matches any accounts on Synap, we'll email you a link to the right place with instructions on how to log in.
Still stuck? Chat with us
As a last resort, . Tell us as much as you can — your exam provider's name, the email address you registered with, and your exam date — and we'll try to point you in the right direction.
A quick note on who does what
Synap provides the exam software, but we don't administer exams ourselves — your exam provider controls your account, your exam schedule, your results and any special arrangements. That means for anything about your exam (dates, extensions, resits, results), your exam provider is always the fastest — and often the only — route to an answer. If you've landed on this website, it's probably by mistake, but since you're here we'll do our best to help.
Troubleshooting
Common problems and questions
Find quick answers below.
Still not sure?
Tell us what you need to assess and we will point you to the right answer.
Search your email (including spam and junk folders) for messages from your exam provider — their unique exam link usually ends in .synap.ac (for example, yourprovider.synap.ac), though some providers use their own web address instead. If you can't find it, use our account lookup to have it emailed to you, or contact your exam provider directly — they manage your registration and can resend your instructions.
Log in and reset your password on your exam provider's portal (your unique URL), not on synap.ac. On your portal's login page you'll find a password reset option. If you're not sure which portal you're registered on, use our account lookup.
For most exams you just need an up-to-date web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari) and a stable internet connection — Synap works across desktops, laptops, tablets and phones. Proctored exams have extra requirements: check your exam portal's system check and our Synoptic or Rosalyn proctoring guides. Your exam provider may also restrict which devices you can use, so always follow their instructions first.
Try these in order: refresh the page; close other tabs and apps; switch to a reliable network (or a phone hotspot); try a private/incognito window or a different browser; disable browser extensions. Brief disconnections don't normally lose your work, but if problems continue during a live exam, note the time and what happened and tell your exam provider as soon as possible — they can see your attempt and make arrangements.
If candidates are sitting exams on a managed network (school, university, workplace), allow HTTPS traffic to *.synap.ac, plus the organisation's own exam domain if they use one instead of a synap.ac address. Proctored exams may additionally require the proctoring provider's domains — see the Rosalyn guide. For a full, current whitelisting reference for your exam, contact the exam provider or message us via live chat.
These are all managed by your exam provider — Synap doesn't administer exams, so we can't discuss results, change schedules or grant extensions. Contact the organisation that registered you for the exam.
Is your exam proctored?
Some exams on Synap are proctored (monitored) for security. If yours is, your exam provider will have told you in advance, and your exam portal is the best place to check the exact requirements, system checks and downloads for your exam. We also have step-by-step candidate guides:
Can I trust Synap with my data?
Yes. Synap is ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant, and we're trusted to deliver millions of high-stakes exams worldwide. Your exam provider controls your data; Synap processes it securely on their behalf. Read our plain-English guide to privacy & data protection or learn about the safeguards behind every Synap-delivered exam.
Still need help?
This website isn't a formal candidate support channel — your exam provider remains responsible for your exam — but if you've tried the steps above, message us and we'll do our best to help. We're available 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday (UK time). Please include your exam provider's name, the email address you registered with, and your exam date.