Dos

• Read instructions and ask questions before the exam.
• Plan for a quiet location with no distractions.
• Plan for the time necessary to complete the test.  If interrupted you may not be able to get back into the exam.
• If your exam is proctored – be sure to confirm arrangements ahead of time.
• Make sure that your computer is technically capable and has the appropriate connection speed.
• Use a compatible browser, such as Chrome.
• Disable pop-up blockers on your computer – they may prevent you from saving your answers.  
• If you have a firewall on your computer – temporarily disable it or take your exam using a computer that does not have a firewall.
• Re-boot your computer before you start the exam to make sure there are no applications running in the background that may interfere with your exam.
• Keep track of time – watch the timer if your instructor enabled it.
• Save your individual answers frequently; Canvas will time out after a period of inactivity.
• Review your results in My Grades or by clicking the exam link again.

Don'ts

• Do NOT take your exam on a mobile device.  Phone calls or other notifications may interrupt the exam and the exam may close as a result.
• Do NOT take an exam over Wi-Fi – it is an unstable internet environment and you may lose connection with your exam. 
• Do NOT have any other browser windows or other programs open.
• Do NOT click back, refresh, or forward arrows or re-size your browser. Use the navigation provided within the test.
• Do NOT wait until the last moment to take the test and avoid possible technical issues.
• Do NOT press ENTER to complete the exam. Click the SUBMIT button. Canvas will display a message confirming your submission.

Online Test Proctoring with Honorlock

Your instructor may choose to use HONORLOCK® for remote online test proctoring.  Take some time to visit the Honorlock Prep Guided Tour and familiarize yourself with the authentication process.

Get ready for the proctored exam:

• Read the Preparing for a Proctored Exam & What to Expect information. 
• Watch the Completing a Room Scan Using Honorlock

All costs for proctoring exams are the responsibility of the student.

Resources

The Honorlock Test Taker Resources page helps with all your Honorlock questions such as:

• Installing the Honorlock Extension
• Minimum System Requirements
• Exam Payment
• In-Exam Flags
• End of Exam Procedures

Support

Honorlock 24/7/365 support

Top Student FAQs

Minimum System Requirements

Honorlock can be installed on devices meeting the following requirements:

Operating System:

• Windows 10
• Windows 11
• MacOSX 10.14 and higher
• ChromeOS 

Browser

• Google Chrome version 120+ 

Internet Speed

• 1.5 Mbps download, 750 Kbps upload
• Determine your Internet speed by running a test at fast.com

 Note: Currently, Honorlock is incompatible with: 

• iPads
• Walmart Branded Camera (Onn / Surf Onn)
• Amcrest Cameras
• Nexigo Cameras

Tutorials

How to Use Honorlock – a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to begin an exam using Honorlock.

Quick Fixes – Helpful troubleshooting topics just in case you get stuck.

Respondus LockDown Browser 

LockDown Browser® is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas, TAMU-CC's official learning management system. The LockDown Browser used is very specific to an institution, therefore, students should only use the LockDown Browser provided by the Division of Information Technology to take exams for TAMU-CC courses.

• Download TAMU-CC's Respondus Lockdown Browser. 

To obtain the latest version, use the "Check for Update" feature or run the full installation program. For more information or to submit a ticket visit the Respondus support page.  

• An overview [video: 2 minutes]
• Student Quick Start Guide

Important: 

•  Once an exam is stared using the LockDown Browser:

  • Assessments are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimized.
  • Browser menu and toolbar options are removed, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop.
  • Prevents access to other applications including messaging, screen-sharing, virtual machines, and remote desktops.
  • Printing and screen capture functions are disabled.
  • Copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment is prevented. Right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts and task switching are disabled.
  • An assessment cannot be exited until the student submits it for grading.
  • Assessments that are set up for use with LockDown Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers.
  • When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until they submit it for grading.
  • Available for both Windows and Mac.

Technical requirements:

• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Mac: MacOS 10.12 to 12.0+
  • iOS: 11.0+ (iPad only) 
  • Windows 11 & 10 Details
• Memory requirement:
  • Mac: 120 MB permanent space on the hard drive.
  • Windows - 75 MB permanent space on the hard drive.

TAMU-CC computer labs have LockDown Browser installed.

OEM Lockdown Browser for tests in a third-party platform (ALEKS, MyLab, etc.)

Your instructor may ask you to use the Respondus LockDown Browser for tests in the third party platforms. If this case, the link to download a second, "OEM" platform specific, edition of the Lockdown browser will be provided. Both browsers can be installed on the same device. The two editions will not conflict with one another. Review these instructions if you need to use the Lockdown Browser with multiple institutions.

On student personal devices:

• Windows/Mac 

Students should navigate to the test from a standard browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and use the link to install the OEM version of LockDown Browser. Once installed, the browser will automatically launch when students begin a test.

• iPad/Chromebook

Students must verify that the third-party platform supports their devices and contact the instructor to activate this option. 

NOTE: TAMU-CC computer labs and library laptops have LockDown Browser installed.

Respondus Lockdown Browser + Monitor

Respondus Monitor is a companion to the Respondus Lockdown browser. You may be required to use Respondus LockDown Browser and use a webcam, which will record you during an online proctored exam. The webcam feature is referred to as "Respondus Monitor." Your computer must have a functioning webcam and microphone. A broadband connection is also required. 

You would need to have the Respondus LockDown Browser installed and then access exams as they normally would. Then you will be guided through a pre-exam sequence, including a webcam check. Exams can be taken with Respondus Monitor without advanced scheduling and without additional registration by the student.

Guides & Tutorials:

• Respondus Monitor overview

• A broadband internet connection
• Memory requirement:
  • Windows - 75 MB permanent space on the hard drive.
  • Mac: 120 MB permanent space on the hard drive.
• Operating system:
  • Mac: OS X 10.10 or higher
  • iOS: 10.0+ (iPad only).
  • Windows: 10, 8, 7
• Web camera (internal or external) & microphone

If your instructor permits, you may have to find an alternate test site for online test proctoring. Below are some suggestions:

The list provided below is not exhaustive. These are simply resources for finding test sites for proctored exams. You can go online to find others. This is just a helpful start.

1. TAMU-CC Office of Academic Testing
2. Testing Centers at universities, colleges, schools -
   • National College Testing Association is dedicated to the promotion of professionalism and quality in the administration of testing services and programs, including issues relating to test administration, test development, test scoring, and assessment.
   • Kryterion Testing Centers - A global network of High-stakes Online Secured Testing (HOST) locations through strategic partnerships with professional organizations such as colleges and universities, and testing and training companies.
3. Participating libraries, Sylvan Learning Centers, etc.
4. Individual proctors (with instructor's approval):
   • Supervisors, directors, military officers, law enforcement officers, judges, deans and department chairs, school administrators, and teachers. Proctors MAY NOT BE relatives, friends, other students, or persons residing at the same address.

All costs for exams and proctoring services are the responsibility of the student.