Test Mode Browser (Overview)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 1 Overview
• 2 How It Works
  • 2.1 What Students Can Access During a Test
• 3 Supported Systems and Versions
  • 3.1 Recommended Systems and Devices
  • 3.2 Checking the Installed Version
  • 3.3 Installing on Chromebooks
• 4 FAQs
  • 4.1 Availability for the Entire Site
  • 4.2 Whitelist Filter
  • 4.3 Virtual Machines
  • 4.4 Virus Alerts
  • 4.5 Power Supply and Proper Shutdown
  • 4.6 Updates

1 Overview

The Test Mode Browser is an add-on component that customers can purchase. The Test Mode Browser can be turned on and off without any related changes.

Once enabled, teachers select the Enable Test Mode Browser setting on a test. (If you are using the upgraded Test tool, this setting appears in the side panel along with other options.) It is then available regardless of the device the student uses. Students cannot open any other browser or programs until they have completed the test.

The following video gives an overview of the Test Mode Browser:

2 How It Works

• Tests are displayed full-screen and cannot be minimised
• Browser menu and toolbar options are removed, except for Back, Forward, Refresh and Stop
• Access to other applications is prevented, 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
• A test cannot be exited until the student submits it for grading
• Tests set up for use with the Test Mode Browser cannot be accessed with other browsers

Teachers can review a test both with and without the Test Mode Browser.

2.1 What Students Can Access During a Test

The Test Mode Browser does not affect material such as YouTube videos in the test description or in questions. Students can still access this material.

Links to web pages open in a new Test Mode Browser window for the student. Students cannot navigate away from that original page.

Files most often require an application to open, so attachments will not work.

3 Supported Systems and Versions

The Test Mode Browser is supported for both the older Test tool and the upgraded Test tool on only the following systems and devices:

3.1 Recommended Systems and Devices

• Windows 10 and 11
• Mac OS X 10.12 and above
• Windows Virtual Machine (Lab edition only)
• Chromebooks with ChromeOS 88 and above (K12 only, managed Chromebooks only, separate app, runs in kiosk mode)
• iPad with iOS 11 and above (separate app)

3.2 Checking the Installed Version

To determine which version is installed on a computer:

• Windows: Check the info for the LockDown Browser .exe file.
• Mac: Run the LockDown Browser application; the version you have is displayed in the info dialog.

3.3 Installing on Chromebooks

Chromebook installation is managed centrally by a Google for Education administrator, using a separate app that runs in kiosk mode. See how to install for Chromebook users for the general installation article, and Test Mode Browser – Installing the itslearning LockDown Browser Extension for Chromebooks (Sysadmin) for the current extension-based setup required on newer versions of ChromeOS.

4 FAQs

4.1 Availability for the Entire Site

If the Test Mode Browser is activated for your site, it is made available for the entire site. It is not possible to limit the use to individual schools (hierarchies).

4.2 Whitelist Filter

As of now, the Test Mode Browser has a whitelist filter that includes the following four apps:

• ARDAgent.app (Apple Remote Desktop Agent, for Mac)
• lskhelper64.exe
• lskhelper.exe
• cd-ord.exe

4.3 Virtual Machines

For security reasons relating to the possibility of switching to the host operating system or another operating system, the Test Mode Browser usually does not run when an application for virtual machines (such as VMWare, Parallels, Citrix or MS Virtual PC / Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) or a Windows emulator (such as Linux Wine or CodeWeavers CrossOver) is found. The Test Mode Browser is also not supported for clients with modified or stripped versions of Windows.

4.4 Virus Alerts

Some users have reported that their antivirus software warns that the Test Mode Browser is infected.

If a student reports that the Test Mode Browser is "infected", check the security settings for the antivirus software. If they are set very high, the software could mark the few changes that the Test Mode Browser makes to the Windows group security policy at system startup as a "threat". Since there is no actual threat, this is considered a "hoax". To prevent this, you can set LockDown Browser OEM.exe (Windows) or LockDown Browser [.app] (Macintosh) as a "trusted application", with the address of the school's study management system server as a "trusted site", or add something similar in another security product.

4.5 Power Supply and Proper Shutdown

Improper shutdown of the computer while using the Test Mode Browser can cause problems when using the computer later. Do not just close the laptop cover, and do not do a "hard" restart of the computer. If using a laptop, make sure students have a fully charged battery or that the power cord is connected. Always complete the test in the prescribed manner first, to minimise the chance of such problems.

4.6 Updates

For Windows and Mac, itslearning generally updates the version about once a year, trying to avoid exam periods. Exceptions are made for critical updates.