What it does
When enabled on an assignment, only one device or browser session can actively work on a student’s submission at a time.
For example, if a student starts a test on Device A, that device controls the submission. If the same student opens the test on Device B, they can view the assignment, but they can’t answer questions or take notes unless the teacher transfers control to that device.
This helps prevent students from working from multiple devices, sharing access, or having someone else log in as them during a test.
How teachers turn it on
Teachers can enable this setting from the assignment settings, alongside the other secure testing options.
It can be turned on when the assignment is created or after the assignment has already started.
If it’s turned on mid-assignment, Formative will lock each student’s submission to the device they were most recently using.
What students see
On the device that has control, nothing changes. The student takes the test as normal.
On any other device, the student can open the assignment, but their response fields are read-only. They’ll see an option to request control from the teacher.
Once they request control, the teacher will see that request in Formative.
What teachers see
In the Responses view, teachers will see any students who have requested control from another device.
The request will show:
The student requesting access
Details about the new session
When the request was made
Options to grant or reject the request
If the teacher grants control, the new device becomes the active testing session. The previous device immediately becomes read-only.
If the teacher rejects the request, nothing changes and the student stays on their current controlling device.
A few things to know
Control does not time out. A device keeps control until a teacher transfers it.
Students cannot move control between devices on their own.
Teachers stay in control of all device transfers.
The setting works even if it’s turned on after students have already started testing.
IMPORTANT: Students logging out and logging back in or shutting down their device/restarting may also trigger a need to request control. Not all requests for control are for cheating purposes, many reasons could be legitimate.