diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 3f770c9..1467103 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 def pytest_addoption(parser):
     parser.addoption("--extension", action="store_true", help="Connect to Zemax OpticStudio as extension")
 
+    parser.addoption("--legacy-connection-setup", action="store_true", help="Use legacy method to setup connection")
+
     parser.addoption("--output-directory", type=Path)
 
 
@@ -22,6 +24,11 @@ def connection_mode(request):
     return "extension" if request.config.getoption("--extension") else "standalone"
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope="session")
+def legacy_connection_setup(request):
+    return request.config.getoption("--legacy-connection-setup")
+
+
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
 def system_save_file(request):
     output_directory = request.config.getoption("--output-directory")
@@ -34,14 +41,17 @@ def system_save_file(request):
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
-def zos() -> zp.ZOS:
-    zos = zp.ZOS()
+def zos(legacy_connection_setup) -> zp.ZOS:
+    if not legacy_connection_setup:
+        zos = zp.ZOS()
+    else:
+        zos = zp.ZOS()
+        zos.wakeup()
 
     return zos
 
 
-@pytest.fixture
-def oss(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
+def _oss(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
     if connection_mode == "extension":
         oss = zos.connect_as_extension(return_primary_system=True)
     else:
@@ -54,8 +64,7 @@ def oss(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
         zos.Application.CloseApplication()
 
 
-@pytest.fixture
-def oss_legacy(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
+def _oss_legacy(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
     if connection_mode == "extension":
         connected = zos.connect_as_extension()
     else:
@@ -70,6 +79,14 @@ def oss_legacy(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
         zos.Application.CloseApplication()
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def oss(zos: zp.ZOS, connection_mode, legacy_connection_setup) -> zp.zpcore.OpticStudioSystem:
+    if not legacy_connection_setup:
+        yield from _oss(zos=zos, connection_mode=connection_mode)
+    else:
+        yield from _oss_legacy(zos=zos, connection_mode=connection_mode)
+
+
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
 def optic_studio_version(zos, connection_mode) -> str:
     if connection_mode == "extension":
diff --git a/tests/test_zpcore.py b/tests/test_zpcore.py
index 9f89da6..707f5b1 100644
--- a/tests/test_zpcore.py
+++ b/tests/test_zpcore.py
@@ -2,12 +2,7 @@
 
 
 @pytest.mark.must_pass
-@pytest.mark.parametrize(
-    "oss_fixture",
-    ["oss_legacy", "oss"],
-)
-def test_can_connect(oss_fixture, request):
-    oss = request.getfixturevalue(oss_fixture)
+def test_can_connect(oss):
     assert oss._System is not None
 
 
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 9e4b08c..fab8cde 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -11,8 +11,11 @@ labels =
 env_list =
     format
     lint
+    py39-standalone-legacy-zpcoreonly
     py39-standalone
+    py310-standalone-legacy-zpcoreonly
     py310-standalone
+    py311-standalone-legacy-zpcoreonly
     py311-standalone
 
 [testenv]
@@ -22,6 +25,11 @@ deps = [test]
 description = run unit tests on specific Python versions in extension mode
 commands = pytest tests --extension {posargs}
 
+[testenv:py3{8,9,10,11}-standalone-legacy-zpcoreonly]
+description = run unit tests on specific Python versions in standalone mode with a legacy connection
+passenv = *
+commands = pytest tests/test_zpcore.py --legacy-connection-setup {posargs}
+
 [testenv:py3{8,9,10,11}-standalone]
 description = run unit tests on specific Python versions in standalone mode
 passenv = *