The education landscape has experienced a significant transformation in the last five years. Online learning and assessments have gained importance, becoming the norm rather than the exception in the industry. While online entrance assessments have offered convenience, accessibility, and scalability to educational institutes, they also present challenges related to exam security and integrity. A secure exam browser (SEB) is a crucial solution to address these challenges in online entrance examinations.
A secure exam browser creates a controlled testing environment by restricting access to unauthorized resources during an entrance examination. It improves the integrity of assessments and reduces instances of cheating by locking down the testing device and monitoring the online exam environment.
This article will explore the importance of secure exam browsers in online entrance assessments, focusing on their role in maintaining academic integrity, fostering trust, and addressing evolving technological challenges.
Academic integrity is a cornerstone of any examination system, but it can be challenging as students use various unauthorized resources such as websites, apps, or communication tools during the test.
A secure exam browser minimizes the risk of unauthorized access by locking down the browser during an assessment. It restricts access to external websites, disables shortcuts, prevents the use of multiple screens, and blocks communication tools like messaging apps or screen-sharing software. By creating an environment where students can only access the exam content, secure exam browsers uphold the credibility of the assessment process.
Technology has opened up new avenues for academic dishonesty. From using virtual machines to bypass security measures to using GenAI tools for real-time exam assistance, students have become increasingly creative in finding ways to gain an unfair advantage.
Secure exam browsers stay ahead of these challenges and disable system functions like screen capture, copy-pasting, or opening new tabs. This restricts students from getting unauthorized help during an online entrance exam.
Online entrance exams are often conducted on a large scale, involving thousands of candidates across various locations. Managing security in such scenarios is essential. Secure exam browsers make it possible to scale assessments securely by providing a standardized platform that ensures consistency in exam delivery and monitoring.
For instance, features like lockdown modes and remote invigilation can be uniformly implemented for all test-takers, minimizing security gaps and ensuring that every candidate adheres to the same set of rules.
A secure exam browser has a range of features designed to create a secure and seamless testing experience:
One of the primary concerns for online entrance assessments is their lack of credibility compared to traditional in-person exams. By implementing secure exam browsers, educational institutions can reassure stakeholders, including students, parents, and academic bodies, about the objectivity and integrity of the assessment process.
Online entrance exams may involve the use of sensitive question banks and candidate information. Secure exam browsers add an additional layer of security by preventing unauthorized access to these resources. They can be configured to encrypt exam data, ensuring that it remains protected even in the event of a cyberattack.
Traditional entrance exams require significant resources, including physical infrastructure and invigilators. Secure exam browsers eliminate many of these requirements by enabling remote testing. This reduces costs and makes assessments accessible to a broader audience, including those in remote or underserved areas.
These browsers are compatible with a variety of assessment formats, including multiple-choice questions, essays, coding tests, and simulations. This flexibility allows institutions to design exams that accurately evaluate candidates’ knowledge and skills while maintaining security.
While SEBs offer various benefits, their implementation is not without challenges. Institutions need to address these challenges to ensure a seamless and secure assessment process:
Not all devices or operating systems may support secure exam browsers, leading to accessibility issues for some students. Institutions must ensure that the chosen browser is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms.
Secure online exams require a stable internet connection, which may not be available to all candidates. To address this, secure exam browsers should include offline functionality or mechanisms to handle connectivity interruptions without compromising examination progress.
Students and proctors may encounter technical issues while using the browser, such as software installation problems or device malfunctions. Providing robust technical support before and during the exam is essential to minimize disruptions.
Candidates may be unfamiliar with or resistant to using secure exam browsers due to concerns about privacy or usability. Institutions must invest in clear communication and training to ensure that all stakeholders understand the purpose and functionality.
As technology continues to evolve, so will the capabilities of secure exam browsers. Here are some trends that could shape the future of SEBs:
The integration of artificial intelligence with SEBs is becoming more sophisticated. AI can analyze candidate behavior in real time and identify patterns that may indicate instances of cheating. For example, AI facial recognition technology can detect a candidate’s eye movement to know when they are engaging in suspicious activities.
Blockchain technology can be used to enhance the security of online exams. By creating immutable records of exam data and candidate actions, blockchain can ensure that assessments are tamper-proof and transparent.
Future SEBs may offer improved customization options, allowing institutions to change security settings as per specific exam requirements. Additionally, efforts to improve accessibility for candidates with disabilities or limited resources will gain more attention in the future.
The Mercer | Mettl Secure Browser (MSB) is a safe exam lockdown browser that delivers scalable, credible, and secure online entrance examinations.
Features of the Mercer | Mettl Secure Browser:
Lockdown mode
The browser enables a lockdown mode that prevents test-takers from accessing any unauthorized websites or unapproved software and tools on the machine. It restricts access to additional browsers, tabs, virtual machines, developer tools, and custom applications. The test-taker can’t access external ports, device connections, and external drives during the exam. Additionally, copy-paste, print commands, screen capture, and right-clicks are locked at the time of the assessment.
Limited access
Test-takers are only allowed to access applications and websites that have been approved by the test administrator beforehand.
Multiple OS support
The Mercer | Mettl Secure Browser is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems, ensuring a smooth test-taking experience.
Secure exam browsers play a vital role in maintaining academic integrity, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring a credible assessment process. As the demand for online education and assessments continues to grow, secure exam browsers will remain a cornerstone of academic integrity and innovation, shaping the future of education in the digital age. Institutions that prioritize the implementation of SEBs will uphold the credibility of their assessments and foster trust among students, educators, and stakeholders, ensuring a brighter future for online learning and entrance exams.
Originally published February 10 2025, Updated July 4 2025
Vaishali has been working as a content creator at Mercer | Mettl since 2022. Her deep understanding and hands-on experience in curating content for education and B2B companies help her find innovative solutions for key business content requirements. She uses her expertise, creative writing style, and industry knowledge to improve brand communications.
Online examination, also known as virtual examination, is conducted remotely on a computer with high-speed internet. Like a classroom exam, it is time-bound and usually supervised through a webcam and proctor, making it cheating-free, secure and easily scalable.
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