Safe Exam Browser

Inspera and Numbas can use software called Safe Exam Browser (SEB) to securely "lock down" an exam. This software limits what a student can do on their device and prevents unauthorised access to resources (e.g. websites, applications and system tools) during an exam.

SEB is installed on all centrally-supported PC clusters on campus. If your exam uses a centrally supported PC cluster space, you won’t need to action any installation to use this software. If you plan on using a school-owned cluster, we recommend checking with IT that SEB is installed in that space. You can contact the IT Service via email. 

Some Inspera exams are delivered on students’ own laptops, known as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). If an exam is BYOD, students must install SEB onto their own devices ahead of the exam. Guidance is available for students and they are also invited to attend a drop-in clinic before the exam so they can receive support installing the software if they need it. For the 2024/25 academic year, in-person Inspera exams will take place in a University PC cluster.

Yes. If not using SEB, students will have full access to their device and to the internet. Digital exams not using SEB are non-locked down and would be classed as an 'open book' exam.

No. SEB is only available for on-campus digital exams. All take home digital exams are non-locked down and would be classed as an 'open book' exam.

SEB has a function called allow listing. For Inspera exams, the Digital Assessment Team can allow list PDFs and/or URLs which can be opened while a student is completing a secure, locked down exam.

At present, it is not possible to allow list file spaces or software such as Microsoft Office applications or Canvas. If you need students to access these, we recommend that your exam is not locked down (equivalent to open book).

For PDF’s with multiple pages you may wish to organise them for optimal student view during a Digital Inspera Exam. PDF’s when used as an allow listed resource can be set up with bookmarks, for more information see our guide.

Yes. We have previously used online calculators and these can be allow-listed as a URL. We would recommend you check the URL of any calculator you would like to use and test it has the functionality needed for your exam.

Yes. Inspera has a built-in spell check function which is unaffected by SEB. Spell checking can be enabled for both locked down and non-locked down Inspera exams.