Blackboard
Student TutorialRespondus LockDown Browser
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 1 Some instructors may require the use of Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) to take an online exam. If this is the case, LDB must be downloaded, installed, and used to take the exam in question.
Downloading/Installing LockDown Browser for Windows
Mac-specific instructions are available later in this document.1. Open a web browser and navigate to following web address: http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=291112242 2. When the page loads, select Windows.
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 2 4. On the Installation screen, select either one of the Download Installer links.
5. When prompted, either Save or Run the file as desired.
6. When the download finishes, find the file and run it (or wait for the installer to launch if Run was selected in step 5).
7. If a security warning appears when the installer launches, click Run.
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 3 9. For Windows 7 and Windows Vista, click Yes on the User Account Control screen.
10. When the installer appears, click Next.
11. On the License Agreement page, read the agreement and select I Accept and click Next to continue with the installation.
12. Click Next on the Choose Destination Location screen. The default location typically does not need to b changed.
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 4 14. The installation will now proceed and may take several minutes to complete.
15. When the installation is complete, click the Finish button.
16. LDB will now be accessible by going to the Start Menu > All Programs > Respondus >
LockDown Browser.
Downloading/Installing LockDown Browser for Mac OS
1. Open a web browser and navigate to following web address:http://www.respondus.com/lockdown/information.pl?ID=291112242 2. When the page loads, select Mac.
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 5 4. On the Installation screen, select either one of the Download Installer links.
5. If an applet window appears, select Allow.
6. Once the applet has loaded, click on the Install button.
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 6 8. When the installer begins, click Continue.
9. Click Continue again.
10. Select destination disk and click Continue. 11. Click Install.
12. If a password prompt appears, enter the admin/system profile password and click Ok. 13. Click Close when the installation finishes.
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 7
Using LockDown Browser
1. Open LockDown Browser by finding its location on the computer in question. If LockDown Browser is not present, download and install it using one of the methods outlined above.
NOTE: The LockDown Browser application MUST be launched for exams that require it. Simply
downloading and installing it on your computer will not be enough to complete the process.
2. When LockDown Browser opens, enter a valid Global ID and Password on the login prompt to access Blackboard.
NOTE: If a screen prompt appears indicating other open programs must first be closed, choose Yes to
allow LockDown Browser to automatically close those programs.
3. Once a Blackboard session is active, access the course in which the exam resides. 4. Navigate to the Content Area (i.e. Exams,
Assignments, etc.) where the exam resides. 5. Launch the exam by clicking on the link. Unless
your instructor has provided you with a specific exam password to use, select NO and click
Continue when the Password screen prompt
appears. Regardless of the selection made, the special password field will automatically be filled in on the next screen. Do not modify the
password, just click Submit to continue on to
R e s p o n d u s L o c k D o w n B r o w s e r - P a g e | 8 6. The test will then open. Once the test has been launched with LockDown Browser, you cannot
exit until the test is completed and the Submit button is clicked.
Frequently Asked Question
Q1. I am using Respondus LockDown Browser on a Mac and am having problems with text boxes covering some exam questions. Is there a fix for this?
A1. This is currently a known issue with Respondus LockDown Browser and Mac computers. There is a work-around, however. In LockDown Browser, click on the About button near the top. Then, check the box that says ‘Never Use Font Size smaller than’ and select a value in the drop-down menu that is 14 or larger.
Q2. When I launch an exam in LockDown Browser, I am prompted for a password, even though I’ve not been given a password by my instructor. What do I do?
A2. LockDown Browser automatically prompts if you have or have not received a password from your instructor. If you have received a password, select Yes and enter it into the box. If you have not received one, select No and press Continue. On the following screen, a password will appear to have been entered with either option. Now, click Submit. If you did not enter a password manually and the password prompt appears again, a password has, in fact, been configured. You will need to contact your instructor to obtain the password. If you did enter a password manually and the password prompt appears again, the password is likely not correct. If after several unsuccessful login attempts, contact your instructor.
Q3. My issue is similar to Question 2, as I’m prompted for a password, but I’m not given any option to select “Yes, I did receive a password” or “No, I did not receive a password” as Question 2 indicates. I’m also seeing a red triangle with an exclamation icon in the middle. Is something else wrong?
A2. This usually means that the exam is being accessed outside of the LockDown Browser
environment. Ensure that you are trying to access the exam in LockDown Browser and try again. LockDown Browser is a separate web browser, similar to Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari, that must be launched when it is needed. Refer to the above section entitled Using LockDown Browser.
Q4. My instructor allows us to use notes, external resources, etc. while taking an online exam. Most of these resources are in an online or digital format. Will LockDown Browser prevent me from using these on the same computer during exam completion?
