Does IXL have a lockdown browser?
Yes, for certain assessments. IXL calls it IXL SecureTest, and its overview guide says “IXL SecureTest is powered by LockDown Browser® from Respondus.” IXL’s February 2026 product update announced that “IXL SecureTest is now available for LevelUp™ Benchmarks, Universal Screeners, and Common Assessments!”
IXL says the purpose is to protect test results: SecureTest “helps ensure the integrity of IXL assessment results by limiting devices to approved testing functions.” IXL’s guide calls these “high-stakes” assessments.
Which IXL assessments use SecureTest?
| IXL work | On IXL’s SecureTest list? | How it gets turned on |
|---|---|---|
| LevelUp Diagnostic Benchmark | Yes | For every assessment of that type, by the school |
| LevelUp Diagnostic Snapshot | Yes | For every assessment of that type, by the school |
| LevelUp Universal Screeners | Yes | For every assessment of that type, by the school |
| Common Assessments | Yes | One assessment at a time, chosen when it is created |
| Flex Diagnostic | Not listed | None |
| Skill practice (SmartScore questions) | Not listed | None |
IXL’s guide puts the rule this way: “For Common Assessments, administrators can choose to enable SecureTest for specific assessments during creation. For others, enabling SecureTest applies to all assessments of that type.” The Flex Diagnostic and ordinary skill practice do not appear on IXL’s list of supported assessments.
What does IXL SecureTest block?
When it is enabled, IXL says SecureTest “prevents students from accessing tools that could compromise test validity—including additional browser tabs; copy, paste, and screenshot controls; AI-powered extensions; and other non-essential programs.”
The February 2026 update adds a rule that matters on test day: “Once enabled, students on the account can only access supported assessments on devices with SecureTest installed.” A covered assessment won’t open on a device that doesn’t have it.
What happens when you start a SecureTest assessment?
You start the same way as always. IXL’s guide says students “begin by signing in to IXL as usual using their system’s default browser.” When you start the assessment, “it opens automatically in SecureTest, which launches in full-screen mode and closes any unapproved programs.”
Two practical points follow. Save anything you have open in another program before you start, because unapproved programs close. And use the device your school set up for testing, since a covered assessment opens only where SecureTest is installed.
Does IXL SecureTest work on a Chromebook, Mac or iPad?
IXL lists three supported systems: Chromebook, Windows and macOS. It adds that “because of installation requirements, SecureTest works best on school-managed devices rather than student-owned devices.” iPads and phones are not on IXL’s list, so plan on a school computer or Chromebook for a SecureTest assessment.
Who turns SecureTest on?
The school. IXL’s guide says: “To enable SecureTest, contact your IXL Account Manager. They’ll confirm device compatibility, help determine where it’s needed, and guide setup and activation.” Changes after activation also go through the Account Manager. The guide describes no student setting for it.
If a SecureTest assessment won’t open for you, tell your teacher before the testing window ends. Activation and installation are handled by the school, so your teacher and the school’s IT staff are the people who can fix it.
What are the IXL diagnostics called now?
IXL renamed its diagnostics in 2025: the Classic and Real-Time Diagnostics are now the IXL Flex Diagnostic, and the LevelUp Math Benchmark Assessment is now the IXL LevelUp Diagnostic. What each name means, and how the scores work, is in IXL Flex Diagnostic, LevelUp and Real-Time: what the names mean.
SecureTest’s supported list names the LevelUp Diagnostic, in Benchmark and Snapshot form. It does not name the Flex Diagnostic.
Where Silent Student fits
Silent Student, which we make, is a desktop app for Mac and Windows that works IXL skill practice when a Canvas course links to it. It does not take IXL diagnostics, assessments that open in SecureTest, or any proctored test. Silent Student cannot run inside SecureTest, and those assessments are yours to take.
IXL’s Terms of Service, last updated September 30, 2026, say “You will not use, allow, enable, or cause the deployment of an Agent” to “access, use, or interact with the Service.” In our reading, that reaches Silent Student, so read the Terms before you decide. Plans start at $11.99 a month, with no free plan. Details are on our IXL answer bot page.
Sources
Every quotation on this page was checked against its source on October 20, 2026.
IXL skill practice from Canvas, tests left to you
Silent Student works IXL skill practice linked from your Canvas course and leaves diagnostics and SecureTest assessments alone. Read IXL’s Terms first.
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Frequently asked questions
Does IXL use Respondus LockDown Browser?
Yes, for SecureTest. IXL’s overview guide says “IXL SecureTest is powered by LockDown Browser® from Respondus.”
Is IXL skill practice locked down?
IXL’s SecureTest list does not include skill practice. It covers the LevelUp Diagnostic (Benchmark and Snapshot), LevelUp Universal Screeners and Common Assessments.
Does IXL SecureTest work on a Chromebook?
Yes. IXL lists Chromebook, Windows and macOS, and says SecureTest works best on school-managed devices because of installation requirements.
Why won’t my IXL assessment open?
If your school turned on SecureTest, IXL says covered assessments open only on devices with SecureTest installed. Use the device your school set up, and tell your teacher if it still won’t open.
Can I take an IXL SecureTest assessment on an iPad?
IXL’s guide lists Chromebook, Windows and macOS as supported systems. It does not list iPad.
Does Silent Student work in IXL SecureTest?
No. Silent Student cannot run inside SecureTest, and it does not take IXL diagnostics or proctored tests. Take those yourself.