Respondus LockDown Browser
What is Respondus LockDown Browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system.....read more
Introduction to LockDown Browser (video)
Preparing online exams
Instructor Quick Start Guide
Preparing an Exam for use with LockDown Browser (video)
Note: It is recommended that you create a Practice Exam to ensure that the program is working properly on student laptops.
LockDown Browser adds a password to exams in Blackboard.
In Blackboard, LockDown Browser uses the test password functionality to ensure that students are using the LockDown Browser to access the test. When a test is configured to use LockDown Browser, a random password is added under the Blackboard test settings. This internal password is not something the students will need to enter, but rather is used by LockDown Browser to force the LockDown Browser requirement for the exam.
The instructor should NOT delete or change this password once the test has been designated as a LockDown Browser test. If they do, the student will receive a warning message and the test will display a "Fix It" indicator on the Respondus Dashboard. Clicking "fix it" will restore the password in the Blackboard quiz settings.
The instructor should also never provide this password to students.
When a student accesses the test with LockDown Browser, the password is automatically entered. If the student cannot navigate past the password screen, and the password field is blank, it is a good indication that they are trying to access the test with a standard browser instead of LockDown Browser, or that they are using a notification shortcut to go straight to the test instead of navigating to the course and starting the test from the normal location.
If the instructor would like to require students to enter a password to access an exam, this can be set in the LockDown Browser Dashboard > Modify Settings > Password to access exam (optional). "
Informational Resources for LockDown Browser
LockDown Browser System Requirements
Operating Systems Windows: 10, 8, 7, Vista Mac: OS X 10.7 or higher iOS: 7.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration.
Memory Windows: 2 GB RAM Mac: 512 MB RAM
Browser Requirements Mac Users: The Safari browser must be configured to the minimum requirements for the Learning Management System being used (it does NOT have to be the default browser for the computer).
Common Issues
How do I install LockDown Browser?
We have a helpful video that shows how to install LockDown Browser on a Windows computer here
1. Log in as a local administrator with full rights.
( (Windows->Control Panel->User Accounts->"user account"->"Change your account type"->"Administrator"). (read more)
Can LockDown Browser be launched from my regular browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser is a separate application from standard browsers such as FireFox, Chrome, or Safari.
You must first install Respondus LockDown Browser to your computer. Depending on the Learning Management System your institution uses, it may be possible to launch LockDown Browser from a regular browser. Schoology and D2L are examples of LMS's that permit this auto-launch functionality, depending on whether your institution has enabled it.
For other LMS's (Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, etc), you'll need to start LockDown Browser and then log into your online course in order to take your exam.
Blackboard - Adding LockDown Browser to an existing exam.
Within the Blackboard Learn Enterprise Edition (release 9.x and higher) the instructor would go to “Tools” and then select the Respondus LockDown Browser Dashboard link to access the settings.
If you cannot locate the LockDown Browser tool, contact your Blackboard Administrator for assistance with enabling the tool in your Blackboard course.
