Compress a PDF for Exam Registration
Exam and test-registration portals almost always cap upload sizes: forms and supporting documents are often limited to ≤200KB, and the ID-photo field is sometimes as tight as ≤30–50KB. The aim is meeting the limit without blurring details. In Compress PDF, set a target in KiB, review each file's method, and click 'Compress files'. Processing is local, with nothing uploaded. Check output bytes against the portal's limit; compression cannot guarantee acceptance. Below: the common limits, how to compress, and how to check legibility.
What size limits do exam portals usually set?
Requirements differ by exam and country, but a few ranges are common. Before you start, read the hint next to each upload field — it usually states the maximum ('no larger than XX KB').
- Forms and supporting documents: commonly ≤200KB, sometimes ≤500KB.
- ID photo (single image): commonly ≤30–50KB, occasionally with a pixel-size requirement too (e.g. 295×413).
- Format: most portals accept only JPG or PDF, with no special characters in the filename.
How do you get a photo or form under the limit?
For a PDF such as a signed, scanned form, set a target that fits the portal's byte limit. For an ID photo that must be ≤50KB, first check the accepted format: compress the image directly if required, or use Image to PDF before trying PDF compression only if PDF is accepted.
- Open Compress PDF and drag in your form or scanned document.
- Enter a target in KiB and check the displayed bytes against the portal's cap. A 200 KiB preset is 204,800 bytes, which may exceed a 200KB cap.
- Review the per-file method, then click 'Compress files'. 'Keep selectable text' is the default; 'Compress as images' removes selectable text and may soften details.
- After downloading, check that the text is legible and the photo's face is clear before uploading.
How do you keep it sharp enough to pass review?
The biggest risk with exam documents is over-compressing until they're rejected. The rule is 'just enough, then tighten': try a looser target first, confirm it's readable, and only push smaller if you must. If a text-heavy page won't reach 200KB, remove blank or irrelevant pages first.
- Try a target within the portal's limit and inspect the result; request a smaller file only if needed.
- Scan black-and-white documents in grayscale — smaller and more stable in quality.
- For multi-page documents, delete blank pages first, then compress — it's far easier to meet the limit.
- Always zoom in before uploading to confirm the photo's face and the form's text are crisp; if it's blurry, loosen the target and re-compress.
Frequently asked questions
The portal wants the photo ≤50KB — can compress cat do that?
You can request a small target, but reaching ≤50KB is not guaranteed. Enter a target in KiB whose displayed bytes fit the portal's limit. Compress a single image directly if that format is required; convert it to PDF only if PDF is accepted. Check output bytes and face detail afterwards.
Could compression get my exam photo rejected?
Yes, a compressed photo can fail review. Check the portal's size, format, dimensions and photo rules as well as face detail. Inspect the output and use a clearer source if needed; compression does not guarantee acceptance.
Are my documents uploaded to compress cat's servers?
No. Compression happens locally in your browser, so your forms and ID photos stay on your device and are never uploaded.
My form is several pages and won't hit 200KB — what now?
Delete blank or irrelevant pages first, or use Split PDF to keep only what you need, then compress. Switching unnecessary color scans to grayscale helps too.
Updated · compress cat team