What is the Pearson LockDown Browser?
A separate browser for locked-down tests. Pearson’s instructor help calls it “a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning system,” and says it “prevents students from printing, copying, accessing other applications, opening other browser windows, or searching the internet during an online test or quiz.” On a PC or Mac it is “a separate application.” On a Chromebook it is an extension.
It is a different install from the LockDown Browser your school may use in Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace or Moodle. Respondus says Pearson’s version “is separate from the version your institution may use within a learning management system,” and “If students take tests in both Pearson and the LMS, they will need to install both versions of LockDown Browser.”
Locked down or proctored: what is the difference?
Your instructor turns LockDown Browser on for the course, then picks a setting for each test or quiz. Pearson describes “Require LockDown Browser only” as: “lock down the test or quiz, but do not enable remote monitoring and recording.” “Require LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor Proctoring” adds “webcam proctoring to remotely monitor and record students.” Respondus Monitor is not available in every course.
| Locked down | Proctored (Respondus Monitor) | |
|---|---|---|
| What runs | Pearson LockDown Browser | LockDown Browser plus Respondus Monitor |
| Webcam | No remote monitoring or recording | “Your computer’s webcam monitors your work and makes a video that your instructor can review after you finish.” |
| Before you start | Install LockDown Browser once and close other apps | Usually a photo of your face, your photo ID and an audio and video check |
| Alerts | None described | “If the application detects anything that might indicate cheating, your instructor gets an alert.” |
| Cost to you | None in Pearson’s help | Depends on your instructor’s license; one option has students pay once per course, which Respondus lists at $10 |
How do you download and install Pearson LockDown Browser?
You don’t need to find it ahead of time. Pearson says “The first time students take a locked-down test or quiz, they are prompted to install LockDown Browser,” and they only install it once. The student steps:
- Open the locked-down test or quiz. You see a warning. Select Download Pearson LockDown Browser.
- On Windows, find PearsonLockDownBrowser.exe in your taskbar or Downloads folder and open it to install.
- On a Chromebook, the Chrome extensions page opens. Install the Pearson LockDown Browser extension, then close all browser tabs before you start.
- Select Start Test, then Open LockDown Browser OEM.
- Select Close Application and Continue as many times as it asks, until every other app is closed. The test then opens.
You need administrator rights. Pearson says students “must have administrative rights to their computer to install LockDown Browser and launch it for subsequent assignments.” Its student help adds that on a computer owned by your company or school, you probably don’t have them. For lab computers, Pearson says LockDown Browser “should be installed before it is needed by students.”
Does Pearson LockDown Browser work on a Chromebook?
Yes, as a Chrome extension. Pearson’s Chromebook article says “Any supported Chromebook will be supported by Lockdown Browser,” and points to Google’s list of supported models. You must close tabs unrelated to the test before you can work on it. On a school-managed Chromebook, Pearson says lab admins “can update settings to allow automatic or manual extension downloads,” so ask your school if the extension won’t install. Phones and tablets can’t run it: Pearson’s older student help puts it as “You cannot take locked-down tests or quizzes on your tablet.”
What can you use during a locked-down test?
- No other windows or apps. You can’t navigate away from the assignment or open your device’s calculator.
- A built-in calculator, if allowed. Your instructor can allow a basic or scientific calculator in the toolbar, and StatCrunch for statistics questions.
- No Show Work. Pearson says students “cannot use the Show Work feature when using the LockDown Browser or Respondus Monitor Proctoring.”
- No learning aids while you test. “Learning aids are not available when you are taking a locked-down test or quiz.” Your instructor can allow question help when you review it afterward.
- No JAWS. “The Pearson LockDown Browser does not work with the JAWS screen reader.” Pearson gives instructors workarounds, so tell yours early.
After you submit, a message tells you your locked-down session has ended. Select OK to continue. For how retries and partial credit work on tests and homework, see MyLab Math attempts and partial credit.
Does MyLab Math use your webcam?
Only on tests with Respondus Monitor. Pearson’s instructor help says it works by “Using students’ webcams and screen-sharing.” The student steps:
- Have your photo ID ready and clear your workspace. “If objects like your cellphone are visible, your session might be flagged for potential cheating.”
- Open the test or quiz, and install LockDown Browser if asked.
- Follow the start-up steps: usually a photo of your face, your photo ID, and a check of your webcam’s audio and video. Your instructor can add others, such as panning the room with your webcam.
- Do the entire test. When you submit, a video of your session saves for your instructor to review.
The “It’s not working” and “Need More Help?” links during start-up open a live chat. Pearson also points students to web.respondus.com/support for problems opening a proctored test.
How can you tell before you start?
The “Are you ready to start?” page tells you. Pearson says a test that needs LockDown Browser shows “a warning icon and a Check Your Browser button.” To test your setup, click Check Your Browser, then View a test page. A “success” message means LockDown Browser is installed; a blank page or an error means you need to install it. A practice test from your instructor is the safest way to try the whole start-up, and Respondus recommends one so students “can complete the purchase step and familiarize themselves with the proctoring system.”
Where Silent Student fits
We make Silent Student, a desktop app for Mac and Windows from El Dorado Ignition LLC that works MyLab homework from your Canvas course. Tests that need the Pearson LockDown Browser, Respondus LockDown Browser or a proctoring service do not open in its browser, and it does not hide from or get around any of them. Those tests are yours to take, under your school’s academic-integrity policy. More: Silent Student on MyMathLab.
Questions people ask
Is MyMathLab proctored?
Only when your instructor sets a test or quiz to require LockDown Browser, or LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor Proctoring. MyMathLab is the older name for MyLab Math.
Can you take a MyLab Math test on an iPad or phone?
Not a locked-down one. Pearson says the LockDown Browser cannot be used with mobile devices. Use a PC, Mac or Chromebook.
Is Pearson LockDown Browser the same as Respondus LockDown Browser?
They are separate installs. Respondus says Pearson’s version is separate from the one your school may use in its LMS, and students who take tests in both need both versions.
Do you have to pay for Respondus Monitor in MyLab?
It depends on how your instructor licensed it. One Pearson option has students pay once for the whole course, and Respondus lists that student purchase at $10.
Why won’t Pearson LockDown Browser install?
Pearson says you need administrator rights to install it, and on a computer owned by your company or school you probably don’t have them. On a managed Chromebook, your school’s admins control extension installs.
Does Pearson LockDown Browser work with JAWS?
No. Pearson says it does not work with the JAWS screen reader, and it gives instructors workarounds, such as a copy of the test without the lock.
Sources
All fetched and checked October 20, 2026 unless a line says otherwise.
- Take locked-down tests (Pearson MyLab and Mastering Student Help, last updated May 14, 2026)
- Take proctored tests (Pearson MyLab and Mastering Student Help, last updated May 14, 2026)
- Use the Pearson LockDown Browser (Pearson MyLab instructor help, last updated September 18, 2026)
- Use Respondus Monitor Proctoring (Pearson MyLab instructor help, last updated April 27, 2026)
- MyLab and Mastering: Using the Pearson Lockdown Browser With a Chromebook (Pearson Support, November 13, 2025)
- Take locked-down tests and quizzes (Pearson MyLab student help for Blackboard courses)
- Take tests and quizzes (Pearson MyLab student help for Blackboard courses)
- Run the Browser Check (Pearson MyLab student help for Blackboard courses)
- Take locked-down tests or quizzes (Pearson MyLab Foundational Skills student help)
- Respondus Monitor + Pearson MyLab (Respondus)
How this guide was made. We read each Pearson and Respondus page listed above on October 20, 2026 and quote them directly. Some are written for instructors, which is where Pearson documents the two test settings and the install rules. The Blackboard-course student help is an older Pearson help set; we use it only where it matches the current pages. We wrote the guide with AI assistance and checked each quote against its source.
Related guides: Is McGraw Hill Connect proctored? · Is WebAssign proctored? · MyLab Math attempts and partial credit · Is there a MyLab Math answer key? · Respondus LockDown Browser: what to expect · Pearson MyLab: log in, register and get your homework · All guides · MyMathLab
Written by the company that makes Silent Student. Silent Student is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson or Respondus. Pearson, MyLab and MyMathLab are trademarks of Pearson Education, Inc. LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor are trademarks of their owner.