Overview
Instructors may require the use of Respondus LockDown Browser with zyBooks assessments. LockDown Browser is a widely-used secure browser that restricts access to other applications and websites during an exam to maintain academic integrity. This article walks students through downloading, testing, and using LockDown Browser for zyBooks assessments.
If an assessment requires LockDown Browser, students will see a note on the assessment section that says:
"This assessment requires a LockDown Browser. Please download, install and test your installation before attempting the assessment."
LockdownBrowser Installation and Use
Students can access the Download LockDown Browser and Test LockDown Browser links once the instructor enables lockdown browser on a published assessment. Students should download the Respondus Lockdown browser using the link on the zyBooks assessment page to ensure they have the official version of the download compatible with zyBooks assessments.
zyBooks LockDown Browser integration currently requires a Windows or Mac computer. Students who only have access to other devices, including Chromebooks, should contact their instructor or the school's computer lab about options for borrowing a compatible device.
We recommend that students download, install and verify Lockdown Browser installation in advance of the assessment start time.
Step 1: Download and install LockDown Browser
LockDown Browser is free to download and install.
- On the assessment page, click "Download LockDown Browser".
- Allow the software download and follow the instructions to install the application appropriate for your operating system (Windows or Mac).
- No need to select the operating system. When selecting “Download” the Respondus installer detects the operating system and provides the appropriate download file.
Note: Chromebooks and tablets are not currently supported. You must use a Windows or Mac computer.
Step 2: Test LockDown Browser installation
We strongly recommend that students test their LockDown Browser installation ahead of the assessment to ensure it is working correctly.
- On the assessment section page, click "Test LockDown Browser".
- Allow the browser to open LockDown Browser OEM.
- LockDown Browser will launch and verify your setup.
- If any restricted applications or screen sharing tools are detected, LockDown Browser will alert you. Click "Close Applications and Continue" to automatically close them, or quit and close them manually before restarting.
- If any restricted applications or screen sharing tools are detected, LockDown Browser will alert you. Click "Close Applications and Continue" to automatically close them, or quit and close them manually before restarting.
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If verification is successful, you'll see: "LockDown Browser test successful. The browser is installed and working properly."
- If verification is unsuccessful, you will be prompted to close the browser and relaunch the verification step, repeating Step 2 instructions.
- Click "Exit LockDown Browser" to return to your regular browser.
Step 3: Begin your assessment
When you're ready to take your assessment:
- Navigate to the assessment section in your zyBook and click "Begin assessment".
- Allow the browser to open LockDown Browser OEM (see screenshot from Test step above).
- LockDown Browser will launch and verify your setup.
- This step may take a minute or two to run. If any restricted applications or screen sharing tools are detected, LockDown Browser will alert you. Click "Close Applications and Continue" to automatically close them, or quit and close them manually before restarting.
- This step may take a minute or two to run. If any restricted applications or screen sharing tools are detected, LockDown Browser will alert you. Click "Close Applications and Continue" to automatically close them, or quit and close them manually before restarting.
- If verification is successful, your assessment will be prepared. You will see the following messages
- "Verifying LockDown Browser"
- "Getting assessment ready."
- If verification is unsuccessful, you will receive an error message and be prompted to close the browser. Once you've resolved the issue, select Begin assessment again, repeating Step 3 instructions.
- If your instructor has set a passcode on the exam, you'll be prompted to enter it before your assessment begins.
- Your instructor will provide this passcode to you. If you don't have it, contact your instructor directly.
- Once verified, your assessment will load and the assessment timer will begin.
Completing and submitting your assessment
- Use the question navigation panel on the left to move between questions.
- If you need to exit the exam before you are ready to submit, you may close the exam if your instructor has allowed students to exit before submission. Close the Respondus browser and the exam by selecting the 'x' in the upper right corner of the browser tab.
- If you receive the "You must complete this activity first." message when attempting to exit the browser, then you will need to request the Respondus Proctor Password from your instructor. This password is not the same passcode you may have used to enter the exam.
Once you have the Proctor Password click the Info icon ⓘ and select Proctor Exit to enter the password provided by your instructor to exit the browser and the exam.
If you exit the browser and exam, you may re-enter your in progress assessment attempt If there is still time remaining. Navigate back to the assessment section in the zyBook and click "Resume assessment" to relaunch LockDown Browser and your assessment attempt to continue where you left off.
- Once you've answered the questions, click "Review" to see a summary of your answer count and check for any incomplete questions.
- Click "Submit assessment for grading" to submit your attempt. Once submitted, you'll see a confirmation: "Assessment complete. Congratulations, you completed the assessment and your answers were submitted."
- If time runs out before you submit, the assessment will be automatically submitted with the answers you've completed to that point.
- Click "Exit LockDown Browser" to close the LockDown browser. If your instructor has enabled visibility to your assessment scores, you can now navigate back to the assessment section in your book to view your scores under My Activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use LockDown Browser on a Chromebook or iPad? No. LockDown Browser requires a Windows or Mac computer. Contact your instructor or your school's computer lab about borrowing a compatible device.
If I already have LockDown Browser installed on my computer, do I need to complete the browser download and install steps? zyBooks uses a custom version of LockDown Browser that is specific to our platform. If you previously installed LockDown Browser for a different course or institution, that version may not be compatible with zyBooks assessments.
To confirm you have the correct version installed, click Test LockDown Browser on the assessment page before your exam. If the test completes successfully and you see "LockDown Browser test successful. The browser is installed and working properly," you're all set and do not need to reinstall. If the test fails or prompts you to download, use the Download LockDown Browser link on the assessment page to install the correct version.
When in doubt, we recommend downloading from the assessment page. It only takes a few minutes and ensures you have the right version.
The browser is asking for an exit password. What do I do? The exit password is controlled by your instructor. If you need to exit LockDown Browser before completing your exam, contact your instructor or a proctor for the exit password.
I don't have the passcode for my assessment. Contact your instructor. zyBooks support cannot provide exam passcodes.
What if I accidentally close LockDown Browser during the assessment? If time remains on the assessment, you can navigate back to the assessment section in the zyBook and click "Resume assessment" to relaunch LockDown Browser and resume where you left off. If the assessment duration or availability window has passed, the assessment will have been auto-submitted with answers completed up to that point.
Do I need to install and test lockdown browser before every zyBooks assessment? No. Once LockDown Browser is installed, you do not need to reinstall it before each assessment. However, we recommend using the Test LockDown Browser link on the assessment page before your first zyBooks exam to confirm everything is working correctly.
If your computer receives a major software update between exams, it's a good idea to run the test again to make sure LockDown Browser is still functioning properly.
Still having trouble? Use the link below to submit a request to zyBooks Support or visit the Respondus Help Center.