Carnegie Mellon University

Eberly Center

Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation

What are these Respondus tools?

Respondus LockDown browser and Respondus Monitor are tools your instructor may expect you to use when taking a quiz or exam in Canvas. Each tool is designed to establish a secure testing environment in its own way. 

  • Respondus LockDown browser is a specialized browser that temporarily adjusts some of your computer’s functions during the assessment. For example, you may experience some or all of the following:
    • Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized
    • Limited browser menu and toolbar options
    • Loss of access to other applications on your computer
    • Printing and screen capture functions disabled
    • Copy and paste is prevented
    • Right-click, function keys, keyboard shortcuts disabled
    • An assessment cannot be exited until it is submitted

Once you submit your responses and exit the LockDown browser, your computer will be returned to its normal setup.

Respondus Monitor adds on to LockDown browser by setting your webcam to record during the quiz or exam. When the assessment is completed, your instructor can review the recording.


Should I do anything special to use these tools?

Before the quiz or exam: There are two important steps to take when you have been instructed to use these tools for an upcoming quiz or exam:

  1. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment. For example, for Respondus LockDown browser you will need a computer running MacOS 10.12 or higher OR Windows 10, 8, 7. Additionally, for Respondus Monitor, you will need a webcam that works with your computer. (For details, see here.) If you do not have the proper technology setup, contact your instructor as soon as possible. (Note: your Hub liaison is also a helpful point of contact.) 
  2. Install the required Respondus tool(s) well in advance of your quiz or exam, so you can identify any issues with time to resolve them. If your instructor has assigned a “trial run” for you to test out the system, complete it on schedule so you have more experience using these tools. 

During the quiz or exam: During the actual quiz or exam, follow any special instructors provided by your instructor (e.g., how to communicate with your instructor or TA to ask questions during the exam). When you have completed the Quiz, you will need to submit it in order to exit the LockDown browser. 

If you are using Respondus Monitor – i.e., your webcam is recording during the assessment – keep in mind that this is intended as an added precaution to deter cheating for everyone’s benefit. It is not intended to create an extra burden on students. Students’ typical experience is to complete their exam or quiz as usual. However, each student’s experience is unique. If you have questions or concerns about taking your quiz or exam with these tools, please contact your instructor.

And to watch a brief overview about these tools, see https://youtu.be/XuX8WoeAycs

If you have a question or technical issue during the exam. Different instructors are providing their students with different modes of communication during the exam. Ask your instructor what mode of communication they expect you to use. Also note that you can request technical assistance on Respondus tools here: Email: canvas-help@andrew.cmu.edu.


Student How-to: Use Respondus LockDown Browser to take a quiz or exam

NOTE: There are two avenues you can take when preparing to take an exam that requires LockDown browser: 

  1. First enter the Canvas quiz and it will prompt you to download Respondus LockDown Browser as a first step. (You will be able to begin the exam again once you set up LockDown Browser).
  2. Or, you can first download Respondus LockDown Browser, launch it, then navigate to the Canvas exam that requires it.

Steps for preparing to take an exam using Respondus LockDown Browser

Step 1: Download and install Respondus LockDown Browser

If you have not already installed the browser, please download it from here:
[Download Respondus LockDown Browser]

  1. Locate the box to Install LockDown Browser for Carnegie Mellon University and choose the “Install Now” button.
    install box for Respondus
  2. Locate the install package on your computer and run the install package.
  3. Follow the prompts to set up LockDown Browser.
  4. Once installed, locate the LockDown Browser icon to run the application.
     LockDown Browser icon
Step 2: Log into Canvas via the Respondus LockDown Browser
  1. Login to Canvas through the LockDown Browser with your Andrew credentials.
  2. Find your course in the Canvas dashboard.
  3. Locate the quiz and click the title to enter.
Step 3: Take the quiz via Monitor
  1. Use the ‘Take the Quiz’ button and complete the quiz in the LockDown Browser.
  2. When you are finished with the quiz, click the submit button then click the red X in the top left corner of the browser to exit LockDown Browser.
  3. Return to your normal browser setup.
Step 4: View the Respondus support site

Student How-to: Use Respondus Monitor to take a quiz or exam (recorded via webcam)

Here we provide steps to prepare for and take an exam that has Respondus Monitor enabled:

Step 1: Download and install Respondus LockDown Browser
  1. If you have not already installed the browser, please download it from here:
    [Download Respondus LockDown Browser]

  2. Locate the box to Install LockDown Browser for Carnegie Mellon University and choose the ‘Install Now’ button.
    install box for Respondus
  3. Locate the install package on your computer and run the install package.
  4. Follow the prompts to set up LockDown Browser.
  5. Once installed, locate the LockDown Browser icon to run the application.
     LockDown Browser icon
Step 2: Run LockDown Browser Monitor
  1. Close any applications that will inhibit LockDown Browser.
    close applications window
  2. Login using your Andrew credentials, when prompted.
  3. Choose the Canvas course from the dashboard and navigate to the quiz.
  4. Click the “Take the quiz” button.
  5. Select ‘OK’ to allow LockDown Browser to access your camera and microphone.
    microphone / camera access window
Step 3: Check the Monitor setup
  1. Follow the prompts to complete steps 1 through 9 (terms of use, webcam check, instructions, etc).
    Browser Prompts
    • Review and agree to the Terms of Use.
    • Run the Webcam Check to confirm the webcam and microphone are working properly.
    • The remaining steps of the Startup Sequence will depend on your Instructors chosen settings.
    • NOTE: If you experience any issues, Click the ‘It’s not working’ link to get help.

  1. Click the “Begin Exam” button.
    begin exam button
Step 4: Begin taking the exam
  1. While Monitor is running, complete the quiz as normal.
  2. Once you see the prompt “Your webcam recording is complete,” you are finished.
    • You can list any technical issues experienced in the box provided (this is for Respondus only, not your instructor).
  3. Click the “Submit” button.
Step 5: Close and quit LockDown Browser
  1. When you are finished with the quiz, click the red X in the top left corner of the browser to exit LockDown Browser.
  2. Click the quit button in the prompt.
  3. Return to your normal browser setup.