1. If you are connecting from a computer, check the setup guides.    https://support.carnegiespeech.com/kb/section/5/
2. Always use earbuds or a headset microphone!  Using the built-in microphone in you device will not produce an optimal recording, and it will be more difficult for you to achieve passing scores.
3. Keep your hands from the microphone boom. Touching the microphone boom will generate noise in your recordings and reduce the accuracy of the speech recognition system.

Click the record button to begin, then record yourself reading the item

Then click the yellow square to stop the recording.

Listen to your recording.  It should sound clean and clear.