Formative Secure Testing & Proctoring
Formative’s built‑in security tools add friction against cheating, but the strongest defense is still active, in‑room proctoring combined with the Live Responses dashboard. Use the quick workflow below to blend both approaches and protect every exam.
Academic Integrity Expectations & Consequences
Remind students that any attempt to access other apps, websites, or communicate answers constitutes cheating.
District policy applies: infractions may result in a zero on the assessment, parent notification, disciplinary referral, and/or loss of technology privileges.
Display or read aloud before the test:
“By starting this assessment you affirm that all work is your own and acknowledge the consequences of academic dishonesty outlined in our Student Handbook.”
Accessibility & Approved Tools
Enable Formative’s Calculator, Spell Check, or Accent Keyboard tools instead of external apps.
Provide paper copies of reference sheets as approved instead of links.
Configure Extended‑time, TTS, or Choice reduction in assign settings before test day.
Use the following checklist in order every time you assign an exam in Formative.
🔲 Prepare Devices (Day Before)
🔲 Verify LockDown Browser is installed on every student device.
🔲 Launch a 5‑minute practice quiz to confirm students can open, answer, and submit.
🔲 Remind students to restart devices the morning of the test and close all other apps.
🔲 Configure the Assignment (Assign ➜ Additional settings)
🔲 Set Open/Close dates and, if needed, a Time Limit.
🔲 Choose After Submission → Make Hidden to remove the test from student view after submission.
🔲 Display Questions in Random Order and/or enable Shuffle answer choices on questions.
🔲 Toggle Secure Browser (Respondus LockDown Browser) ON.
🔲 Highly recommended: Choose High Security
🔲 Set a Quit Password for emergencies or approved breaks.
🔲 Add an Entry Password
🔲 Highly recommended: Update the entry password AFTER students begin the test
🔲 In‑Class Proctoring Best Practices
Before students begin
If possible, Seat students so screens are visible to you but not to neighbors.
Instruct students to clear desks of all materials except those you explicitly allow.
Collect or power‑off phones, smart‑watches, earbuds, and any secondary devices.
At the moment of launch
Ask students to close all apps including any additional desktops.
Ask students to display a clear desktop including any additional desktops.
Remind students that leaving the browser or switching apps pauses their test and flags you.
Provide the Entry Password ONLY after all screens are verified.
While students work
Actively circulate; observe screens, body language, and room noise level.
Redirect off‑task behaviour immediately and document any incidents.
Wrapping up
Students remain seated until “Submission/Completed” checkmark icon is shown on every student row on the responses page.
Use the Quit Password yourself if an emergency exit is required. Check for opened tabs or apps after exiting.
Collect scratch paper and verify it contains no assessment content.
🔲 Wrap‑Up & Post‑Exam Audit
Review score distribution, timestamps, and copy‑paste flags on the Responses tab.
Investigate anomalies (rapid submissions, identical answer patterns) the same day.
For class review, temporarily switch Return Correct Answers to After submission and revert to Don’t show once discussion ends.