Respondus LockDown Browser is designed to prevent access to unauthorized online resources during in-person exams. It is typically used for exams that are taken in the classroom using your personal computer or in a computer lab on campus.
When you take a quiz using Respondus, the testing environment is secure, meaning you won’t be able to open new browser tabs or windows, navigate away from Canvas, or take screen capture images. If your instructor allows you to access certain web resources during the exam, they can configure the browser to allow those pages to open.
This page is intended for students. Instructors should review Respondus for Instructors.
Accessing Respondus
Before your first exam
We recommend completing these tasks at least a week before your first test, in case you encounter problems and need technical support.
Make sure to check the system requirements for Respondus LockDown Browser and confirm it will run on your exam device. If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum specifications, please speak to your instructor.
- Download and install Respondus LockDown Browser on the computer you will bring to class for the exam. Only Mac and Windows versions are available.
- Complete a sample quiz (if applicable) using LockDown Browser. If your instructor did not assign a sample quiz, skip the remaining steps.
- Ask your instructor whether the test uses Classic Quizzes or New Quizzes in Canvas. If using Classic Quizzes, continue following these instructions. If using New Quizzes, see the info box below.
- Using the same computer you will use for your exam, launch the LockDown Browser app. You may be prompted to close some applications that are open in the background. Save any work in progress, then click Kill these applications to continue.
- Log in to Canvas with your PennKey, complete the Two-Step Verification process as needed, and select the relevant course site.
- Locate the sample quiz in the Quizzes or Modules section of your Canvas course.
- Click on Sample Quiz for Respondus LockDown Browser and take the quiz.
- You will NOT be able to take the real exam until you have completed the sample quiz. If you cannot complete these steps, contact your instructor or Local Support Provider.
Your instructor will let you know which Canvas quiz tool you are using. For exams using New Quizzes, open Canvas using your standard browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge). The LockDown Browser will launch automatically when you click Begin. You do not need to open the LockDown Browser app.
The day of the exam
- Bring the same computer on which you installed Respondus LockDown Browser.
- Launch LockDown Browser. You may be prompted to close some applications that are open in the background. Save any work in progress, then click Kill these applications to continue.
- Log in to Canvas with your PennKey, complete the Two-Step Verification process as needed, and select the relevant course site.
- Remember to ask your instructor whether the test uses Classic Quizzes or New Quizzes in Canvas. For exams using New Quizzes, open Canvas using your standard browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge) and navigate to the quiz. For exams using Classic Quizzes, you will need to open the LockDown Browser app.
- Follow your instructor’s directions to locate the exam in the Quizzes or Modules section of your Canvas course.
- Complete the exam in LockDown Browser.
- Do not submit the exam until you are sure that you are finished. Once submitted, you will not be able to re-open the exam.
Accessing grades and feedback
If you encounter an error message when viewing results for a LockDown Browser-enabled exam after grades have been released, please contact your instructor.
Getting Help
Please contact your Local Support Provider or submit a request to canvas@pobox.upenn.edu.