Respondus LockDown Browser

What is Respondus LockDown Browser?

Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom web browser used by schools and universities to secure in-class exams administered through Canvas. When a student launches a “locked down” exam in Canvas, this in turn will send the student into LockDown Browser, which:

• prevents opening other browser tabs or applications
• blocks copy–paste, screen capture, and printing
• disables right-click and certain keyboard shortcuts
• prevents access to local files or other websites
• The idea is to reduce opportunities for academic dishonesty during in-class Canvas tests
• Please note that Dartmouth is not licensing the Respondus Monitor tool - only LockDown Browser

Instructions:

Here are full instructions on how to use Repondus LockDown Browser as an instructor:

• Video: Overview (2:36)
• Video: Preparing a Canvas Exam for use with LockDown Browser (1:58)
• Instructor Quick Start Guide

Practical considerations:

In a nutshell, here are the steps:

1. You will need to create your exam as a "New Quiz" (not Classic) in Canvas and designate and mark it as a "Respondus" quiz.
2. In order to take such an exam, students will need to first download and install Respondus Lockdown Browser. This can take several minutes, and some configuring. It is therefore essential to do a 1-question practice quiz with students in class well before administering any actual exam.
3. The LockDown Browser approach is only meaningful for in-class exams. It is nothing but a pointless barrier for take-home exams.

Best Practices for success using Respondus LockDown Browser:

1. Always administer a 1-question Respondus practice quiz in class, as an opportunity for students to download the software. Do this well before the actual exam day. Do not assign this as homework - do it in class.
2. The Respondus LockDown Browser software is customized to work with Dartmouth's Canvas instance - it has to be downloaded through a Canvas quiz to work. A generic install obtained elsewhere will not work.
3. Leave your practice quiz available all term, and set to "unlimited attempts". That way students who are changing computers can use that quiz to download the software again onto their new machine.
4. Allow only laptops for your exams, not tablets or mobile devices.
5. Always use "New Quizzes" (not Classic Quizzes) for Canvas exams.
6. Set up quizzes for "one question at a time" for best results
7. Quizzes that have been set up to require Respondus LockDown Browser will have "Requires Respondus LockDown Browser" appended to the quiz name. Do not edit or remove this text - doing so will disable the Respondus LockDown Browser connection.
8. Expect some technical difficulties and be prepared. Always bring several paper copies of the test to class at exam time, as an option for students who run into technical difficulties with Respondus LockDown Browser. Printing from "New Quizzes" is easy (not so from "Classic Quizzes").
9. If you have students with accommodations or special time, contact SAS as soon as possible to let them know that you are using Respondus LockDown Browser. Follow the steps set out in our complete guide to accessibility considerations and requirements when using Respondus LockDown Browser. This ensures that your students will be able to successfully take the test in the Testing Center, and that Testing Center staff will be in a position to offer alternatives should students run into technical difficulties.
10. Adjust your expectations. All of your students laptops are configured personally and differently, and occasional technical difficulties for some student's laptop can occur.  Be ready with your plan B (paper copies being the easiest). Dartmouth faculty who have piloted Respondus LockDown Browser during spring term 2026 reported that, even with an occasional failure, they much preferred grading only a handful of handwritten exams, rather than a whole stack of blue books.