Checklist for students taking a Blackboard Test

(With Respondus Lockdown Browser)

Make sure you have a compatible version of Internet Explorer (for Windows) or Safari (for Mac)
Respondus Lockdown browser will take the Internet Explorer settings for Windows PC and Safari settings for Mac. If you use Windows, use Internet Explorer to access this link to see if your IE browser version is supported. If you use Mac, make sure you use Safari to access the above link.
  • If you see a green check for the browser, it is a compatible browser.
  • If you see a red stop sign, your browser is not supported by Blackboard and may cause problems. Please check the matrix here to find what versions of IE and Safari are supported for your operating system and install a compatible browser.
  • For Internet Explorer 8 users, click here to set up the compatibility settings if you haven’t done so.

Close all software applications (e.g. MSN. Google Talk) and web pages.
Use High-speed wired Internet connection if possible.
WiFi (or wireless) connections and dial up connections are less stable or slower that can cause problems.
If you use a wireless keyboard make sure it’s not running out of battery.
Launch Respondus Lockdown browser to access Blackboard and your test.
Do NOT go directly to Blackboard through a regular browser such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, or Chrome. You will not be able to access your test this way.
Once you begin the quiz, click on the “Save” button regularly every 5 minutes or so.
When you finish the quiz, make sure you click the “SUBMIT” button or your answers will not be counted/recorded.
If it’s a timed test, do NOT go overtime. You will see the timer in the upper right hand corner of the quiz screen. Get in the habit of checking your time.

Note: If you have any technical problems, please call Help Desk at (812) 237-2910 or toll free at 1-888-818-5465 right away. Please make sure you tell them the following information clearly, so they can help you to diagnose the problem:

  1. What is the course CRN number and test name?
  2. What operating system are you using? (e.g., Mac, Window 7, Vista, XP)
  3. What browser and browser version are you using? (e.g., IE 8.0, Firefox 3.6)
  4. What type of Internet connection are you using? (e.g. dial up, wireless)
  5. Describe the problem you are having clearly.
  6. Did the same situation happen before?