What is Online Proctoring?

Online proctoring is software that monitors students via webcam while they take an online exam. The software is used to assist with the academic integrity of online exams. While students in face-to-face courses may sit in a room that has a live proctor, the use of online proctoring software assists with the replication of this situation for the online environment so students can take exams from home, or any other off-campus location.

RCSJ uses a combination of two tools, called Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor, for online proctoring. View the video below for a brief introduction to these tools.

What are the technical requirements for Online Proctoring?

In order to complete an online exam that is proctored, students will need to meet the minimum technical qualifications to run the required software.

If you are using a laptop supplied through the RCSJ Laptop Program, you don't need to worry; your computer meets the minimum requirements.

If you are using a personal device, the technical requirements are listed below:

• Windows Users: 11 and 10*
  • * Includes x86 64 bit processors, ARM 64 bit processors using x86 emulation including CoPilot+PC devices.
  • * Windows 10/11 "S mode" is not a compatible operating system, nor can LockDown Browser be obtained via the Windows App Store.
  • At present, support for Windows 10/11 "S Mode" isn’t on the roadmap for LockDown Browser.
  • *Windows 10/11 "SE" is currently not a compatible operating system for LockDown Browser.
  • 2 GB RAM (A minimum 4gb of available RAM is necessary when using LockDown Browser to take an exam that also uses a webcam.)
  • 300 MB of free hard disk space
• Mac Users: macOS 12+ 
  • 2 GB RAM (A minimum 4gb of available RAM is necessary when using LockDown Browser to take an exam that also uses a webcam.)
  • 400 MB of free hard disk space
• ChromeOS: LockDown Browser for Chromebook minimally requires the version of ChromeOS that Google makes available via their Long Term Support (LTS) channel. For more information, visit: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/search/label/LTS 
  • Respondus recommends keeping your Chromebook updated to the most recent version that is available via Google’s ChromeOS “Stable” channel: https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/search/label/stable
• iPadOS: 12.0+ (iPad only). It is at the discretion of individual instructors to enable a test using Respondus to work on iPads.

How do I download LockDown Browser?

The first thing you will need to do in order to take an online proctored exam is to download and install LockDown Browser on your computer.

Please click here to visit the LockDown Browser download page and be walked through the process.

Note: If you have downloaded LockDown Browser from another institution, you will need to uninstall the application and download it again from the link above. Each institution has its own version of the application.

How do I take an exam with LockDown Browser?

There are two different ways to take an exam that requires LockDown Browser, and it depends on which version of Blackboard your instructor is using. You can visit this page to see screenshots of the two versions of Blackboard, then read below for how to take an exam with LockDown Browser.

Blackboard Original

1. You simply need to launch the LockDown Browser application the same way you would launch Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari to access the internet: find the application on your computer and launch it.

2. When you launch LockDown Browser, it will tell you that you need to close all other applications on your computer; you can either close them yourself and re-launch LockDown Browser, or you can allow LockDown Browser to close the applications for you.

3. After you have closed all the other applications on your computer, you will be directed to the landing page in Blackboard. Navigate to your course just like you normally do, and find your exam.

4. Click to begin the exam and LockDown Browser will walk you through any additional steps to get your webcam and microphone ready.

Blackboard Ultra

1. Click on the exam, and it will take you to a page where you can either download LockDown Browser if you haven't already done so, or launch LockDown Browser to begin the test.
2. LockDown Browser will walk you through any additional steps to get your webcam and microphone ready.

Who do I contact for help with Online Proctoring?

If you run into issues with Online Proctoring, you should first reach out to Respondus so they can assist you. They offer three ways of getting help:

1. Respondus' Student Help - You can visit Respondus' Student Help page to look for an answer to your question.

2. Submit a Support Ticket​ – You can open a ticket with Respondus' Support team, and they will get back to you shortly.

3. 24/7 Live Chat Support – You can take advantage of Respondus' 24/7 live chat feature. Chat support is found from within LockDown Browser.

If you're still having issues, please reach out to the eLearning Team. Call 856-415-2298 and choose the option for eLearning, or fill out this contact form

Student Tutorials and Documentation

We suggest reading through the below documentation to familiarize yourself with the process of using Respondus Monitor:

• LockDown Browser & Monitor: The Student Experience

• Student Support FAQ

• Installing LockDown Browser on Windows

• Using an iPad with Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor​

• LockDown Browser Student Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​