Laptop preparation (on-campus exams)

Allow plenty of time to prepare your laptop well in advance of the exam period to avoid technical issues on the day.

Remember, all digital exam desks are powered, so you can bring in your power charging cables.

If you do not know how to check if your computer satisfies these requirements, contact Student IT.

Before SWOT Vac

Estimated time to complete: <1 hour

Step 1 Check your laptop and its operating systems are compatible

Compatibility requirements:

  • Mac: macOS V11 or higher
  • Windows: Windows 10 21H2 or higher
  • Not compatible: Windows 10/11 “S mode” is not compatible and Chromebooks and Linux machines are not currently supported.
Step 2 Download Respondus browser

Respondus is a locked browser. It prevents you from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications during an assessment.

You cannot sit your on campus digital exam without installing Respondus.

Follow the instruction below to download and install Respondus.

Step 3 Make sure you can access your student accounts

Account access requirements:

  • You must be able to log into the LMS. Please ensure you can remember your student username and password (you will not be able to use a password manager).
  • Multifactor Authentication must be working and linked to a mobile device you can use to complete OKTA verification during the exam.
Step 4 Connect to UniWireless

Test that you can connect to UniWireless now to ensure you will be able to access the wi-fi network on exam day.

Recommended: For optimal performance, configure your laptop to prefer Uniwireless instead of eduroam, and 5GHz WiFi instead of 2.4GHz WiFi.

The day before your exam

Estimated time to complete: ~20 minutes

Step 5 Charge your laptop and electronic equipment

While each desk will have access to power, please ensure your devices are fully charged and capable of holding charge for at least 3 hours.

Devices to charge:

  • Laptop
  • Power bank
  • Mouse and keyboard
  • Calculator
  • Mobile phone (for OKTA verification)
Step 6 Ensure you know how to find your exam in Respondus

If your on-campus digital exam is an LMS Classic Quiz, read the instructions on how to find your exam in Respondus.

The day of your exam

Estimated time to complete: ~10 minutes

Step 7 Disable system downloads and updates
  • Disable any Operating System download or code upgrades.
  • Turn off Airdrop & Airplay on MacBooks.
Step 8 Turn off Wi-fi and bluetooth on other electronic devices

Apart from devices you will use during your exam, all other devices must have wi-fi switched off when you arrive at the venue.

Use 3G/4G/5G on your mobile phone for OKTA verification during the exam.

Step 9 Get support if you experience a technical issue

Raise your hand if you need technical support during your exam.

How to install Respondus

Download and install Respondus

  1. Click the yellow “Install Now” button. This will download the .zip file that contains the install file (.exe for Windows or .pkg for Mac).
  2. If the .zip file doesn’t unzip automatically, look in your Download folder and double click the file. The account used for install must have administrator rights on the computer.

Installation videos

Video: Installing LockDown Browser for Windows

Video: Installing LockDown Browser for Macintosh

Taking a quiz in Respondus browser

For Windows, the Respondus Browser shortcut is in the Windows Start Menu, in the Respondus folder. If you can’t see it, use the Windows Search at bottom left of your taskbar (magnifying glass icon), and type Respondus LockDown Browser.

For Mac, the application is in your Applications folder. You can search for Respondus LockDown Browser in Finder at the top right of your screen and typing Respondus LockDown Browser.

  1. Close all other programs before starting LockDown Browser
  2. Click on the LockDown Browser icon to start
  3. LockDown Browser may pop up asking to close other programs before continuing. Click on ‘Close Process’ for each one suggested
  4. LockDown Browser automatically navigates to Canvas LMS
  5. You will be prompted to enter your username and password (you will need to remember these details as you won’t be able to use a password manager)
  6. After logging into Canvas, navigate to your Subject then Assignments
  7. Find and click the link for the LockDown Browser Quiz. Its name will end with “Requires Respondus LockDown Browser”
  8. Click on Take the Quiz button
  9. Enter the answers, then when you are finished the quiz, click Submit quiz
  10. Log out of Canvas
  11. Click X at the top of the LockDown Browser to close the browser.

Back to exams