Remote eExams

To ensure a smooth exam experience, your device must meet the minimum standards:

• Windows 10 and 11 or
• MacOS 11 to 15.0+
• Web camera (internal or external) and microphone. (If you are using LockDown Browser for the first time on your Mac, please follow these instructions to allow LockDown Browser to access your camera and microphone).
• Stable and reliable broadband internet connection.

• Find a quiet, private and well-lit space suitable to complete your exam. 
• Avoid public or shared spaces. 
• Clear your workspace of unauthorised exam aids and electronic devices. 

• Murdoch University Student ID 
• Passport 
• Driver’s Licence
• Singapore NRIC (if applicable). 

• Follow the Download instructions. 
• Perform a one-time installation of Respondus LockDown Browser using the official Murdoch link. (You will need to have the administrative rights to your device for installation.) 
• iPad / Smartphone / tablets are NOT allowed. 
• Watch download videos for Windows/Mac/Chromebook

You’ll access your Remote eExam the same way you access your unit in LMS.

On the day and time of your scheduled exam:

• Open the Browser, log into Moodle and go to your unit’s LMS page.

(The exam link will only appear once the exam window begins.)

• Navigate to your exam. It will be clearly listed under its own heading. (e.g. Final Exam).
• Complete the Startup Sequence, and your exam will begin.

Please note:

The exam timer starts only after you complete the Respondus Startup Sequence. If you begin your exam late, you will not get the full exam time, event though the timer will still show the full duration. Your exam will automatically close and submit at the scheduled end time, regardless of when you start. 

• Unable to Log in LMS or LMS not responding

If general technical issues arise during an exam and you require assistance, please raise a ticket for assistance with the IT Service Desk. The IT Service Desk will be able to provide basic troubleshooting support for internet access and browser issues. If required, they will escalate your request via the appropriate channels accordingly.

• Respondus LockDown Browser

If Respondus launches but you encounter issues (e.g. webcam not detected), select the “Help Center” button from the toolbar in LockDown Browser, or use Respondus Live Chat Help Agent, available 24/7 to get real-time assistance.

If Respondus doesn’t launch at all or the Live Chat option doesn’t appear, visit the Respondus Support Portal on a browser to log a support.

You must have a reliable and stable internet connection to complete your exam.

If your internet connection drop out briefly during an exam, you can continue working on your exam. The Respondus LockDown Browser will attempt to reconnect automatically once. There may be gaps in the video, or video that is shorter than the duration of the exam.

To maintain a stable Internet Connection, we would recommend:

• Using a wired connection where possible.
• If using Wi-Fi, sit close to the router as possible.
• Asking others on your network to avoid streaming or large download during your exam.
• Restart your device and close any unnecessary applications before your exam.

Respondus LockDown Browser freezes during my exam — What can cause it and how can I resolve it?

Such disruptions may be caused by:

• Dialog boxes from other applications running in the background e.g. background application pop-ups
• Unstable or temporarily internet disconnection which result in an interruption with the LMS server

In such cases, the following steps are recommended:

1. Exit Respondus LockDown Browser

   You will then be prompted to provide a reason for exiting, and the reason will be provided to the Unit Coordinator.

2. Reconnect your internet connection
3. Re-launch the Respondus LockDown Browser and re-enter the exam
   • You will need to go through the startup sequence again.
   • If you re-enter the exam during the scheduled exam window, you will be able to resume from where you left off. For example, if your exam is timetabled to start at 9:00 AM and for a 2 hrs 10 mins exam, you will be able to re-enter the exam during 9:00 AM and 11:10 AM.
   • The timer will continue counting down from the start time of your initial attempt.
4. Contact Respondus Support Portal or IT Service Desk Immediately if issues persist

   If the recommended troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem, please contact the available support channels immediately. This allows us to offer timely assistance and escalate the matter appropriately before the exam concludes.

   • Respondus Support Team

   If Respondus launches but you encounter issues (e.g. webcam not detected), please visit the Respondus Support Portal on a browser to log a support.

   • Murdoch IT Service Desk

   If general technical issues arise during an exam and you require assistance, please raise a ticket for assistance with the IT Service Desk. The IT Service Desk will be able to provide basic troubleshooting support for internet access and browser issues.

To help prevent such issues, we recommend our students to:

• restart their device and close unnecessary applications before starting the exam
• use a strong and stable internet connection (preferably wired)
• ensure the Respondus LockDown Browser is up to date.

As part of the Startup Sequence for your Remote eExam using the Respondus Monitor and LockDown Browser, you will be asked to complete an Environment Check in Step 6 of Startup Sequence. You are required to record a short video of your workspace and surroundings to ensure your exam environment is without any unauthorised materials and electronic devices.

During this environment check, you are required to click “Start Recording” and follow these steps:

1. Show allowed materials on camera:

• If your exam allows notes, calculators, or blank paper, hold up them in front of the camera.
• Show both sides of each allowed material(s).
• Place the allowed material(s) on your desk.

2. Record a video of your workspace:

• Slowly move your webcam to record a brief video of your workspace to show:
• • Your entire desk and surrounding area (including underneath the desk)
  • The walls around you
  • The allowed material(s) you placed on your desk

Tips for a successful Environment Check:

• Move the camera slowly and steadily to avoid blurry footage.
• If you are using a desktop computer with a built-in camera and it cannot be moved, you can use a mirror to help show your room.

If your Environment Check is incomplete or unclear, your exam recording may be flagged for review.

You are expected to:

• Remove earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, etc.  
• Dress appropriately, as if attending a face-to-face exam.  
• Remove all headwear unless worn for religious/cultural reasons.  
• Always keep Your face visible within the camera frame. 

Avoid:

• Having exam in noisy environment or the presence of others.  
• Completing your exam on the bed or sofa.  
• Having your mobile phone and electronic devices beside you.  
• Having your unit materials on the table for reference in a closed book exam where no exam aids are permitted.  

• External webcam: Ensure it is properly connected and functioning. 

• Click the Start button or press the Windows key. 
• Scroll down to find Camera app to open it. 
• Check that your webcam is connected and functioning. 

• Check that you've granted permission for Respondus LockDown Browser to access your camera and microphone. 
• Please visit Mac webcam not detected for further troubleshooting information. 

Respondus LockDown Browser does not support multiple monitors.  If you prefer to use a larger monitor for your Remote eExam, it must be set as the primary display before launching the LockDown Browser.  Please also note that if you are using your laptop’s built-in webcam for your Remote eExam, you must ensure your webcam is positioned in line with your primary monitor and that the webcam captures your face from a front-facing angle. This ensures your face remain centered within the camera frame and is clearly visible, which can help avoid being flagged by Respondus.

Please follow the steps below to set your primary display:

For Windows devices:

1. Right-click on your desktop and select Display settings.
2. In the display diagram, select your preferred monitor.
3. Scroll down to the Multiple displays section.
4. Tick "Make this my main display".

For Mac devices:

1. Go to Apple Menu> System Preferences > Displays.
2. Click Arrange.
3. Drag the white menu bar onto your preferred monitor.
4. Close System Settings.

Respondus Monitor with LockDown Browser will automatically exit if it detects multi-finger swipe gestures on your device’s trackpad.  To prevent being removed from your exam, we recommend disabling multi-finger gestures before beginning your exam using Respondus. 

How to disable Swipe Gestures on your device

For Windows devices:

1. Open Start menu and go to Settings. 
2. Click Devices > Touchpad. 
3. Scroll down to the Gestures & interaction or Three-finger gestures section. 
4. Set the gestures (e.g. “Switch apps” or “Multitasking”) to “Nothing” from the dropdown menus. 
5. Close the settings window. 

For Mac devices:

1. Open System Settings
2. Click Trackpad. 
3. Go to the More Gestures tab
4. Uncheck the following gestures if they are enabled
5. Swipe between pages
6. Swipe between full-screen apps
7. Close the settings window

• Visit the Respondus Help Center to troubleshoot technical issues.
• Use Respondus Live Chat Help Agent, available 24/7 to get real-time assistance.
• Browse Knowledgebase: Student Support FAQs for answers to common issues and guides.

No, you are not being watched live during your exam. Respondus Monitor is a fully automated proctoring system that records your exam session using your webcam and microphone. After the exam, the recordings will be available to the instructor for review. It’s normal to feel unfamiliar with the setup at first. Just focus on your exam. The system runs quietly in the background and only records for academic integrity purposes.

• Murdoch University  
• Respondus