Safe Exam Browser Student Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Online Exam

If your institution uses Safe Exam Browser for online exams, knowing how the software works before exam day can save you from unnecessary stress. This complete student guide covers everything — from downloading and installing SEB to understanding what it does during an exam, how to handle common issues, and what to expect when the session starts.

Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a free, open-source application that converts your personal computer or tablet into a secure exam workstation. Once active, it locks down your device so that only the approved exam content is accessible. You cannot open other tabs, switch applications, copy text, or access desktop tools during the session. This guide will walk you through the entire process clearly and confidently.

What Safe Exam Browser Does During an Exam

Safe Exam Browser is not spyware — it is a secured browser environment. When you launch an exam through SEB, the software takes control of your screen and enforces the following restrictions as configured by your institution:

• Blocks access to all other websites and applications
• Disables copy and paste functions
• Prevents screen capture and recording
• Disables keyboard shortcuts that could switch or minimize the window
• Blocks browser developer tools and right-click menus
• Prevents system notifications from appearing
• Locks out the Windows Task Manager and macOS Dock

Your institution configures exactly which restrictions apply using a configuration file (.seb or .sebx). Some exams may allow a calculator application or a specific reference document — the configuration file controls all of this. Students do not set these permissions themselves.

What to Do Before Your Exam Day

Preparation is the key to a stress-free exam session. Follow these steps at least 24 hours before your scheduled exam:

How to Download and Install SEB

Always download Safe Exam Browser from a trusted source. This website provides direct links to the official GitHub releases maintained by the ETH Zurich development team.

Windows Installation

1. Visit the Download page and click the Windows installer button.
2. Save the .exe file to your Downloads folder.
3. Right-click the installer and select Run as Administrator.
4. Accept the license agreement and proceed through the installation wizard.
5. Click Finish. SEB is now installed and ready to launch.

macOS Installation

1. Download the .dmg file from the Download page.
2. Open the .dmg and drag the Safe Exam Browser application into your Applications folder.
3. On first launch, macOS may display a security prompt. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and click Open Anyway.
4. SEB will launch and be ready for exam use.

Starting Your Exam with SEB

How you launch your exam depends on how your institution has set things up. There are two common methods:

Method A: Opening the Configuration File

If your instructor provided a .seb configuration file, simply double-click it. SEB will launch automatically, load the exam settings, and open the exam URL inside the locked browser window.

Method B: Using the Exam Link in Your LMS

If your Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard course includes a quiz set up for SEB, clicking the quiz link may prompt your browser to open SEB automatically, or display a button that launches SEB with the correct configuration. Follow the on-screen instructions in your course portal.

In both cases, SEB will take over your screen. Do not panic — this is expected behavior. The browser will fill your entire display and all other applications will be hidden or blocked.

What Happens During the Exam Session

Once SEB is running, your exam environment will look and behave like a standard web browser — but with strict boundaries. Here is what to expect:

• Only the exam website is accessible in the SEB window
• The address bar may be hidden or locked, depending on your institution's configuration
• Attempting to use Alt+Tab, Cmd+Tab, or other shortcuts will have no effect
• The Windows taskbar and macOS menu bar will be hidden
• A clock or timer may appear in the SEB toolbar if your institution enabled it
• Audio may be enabled or disabled depending on your exam type

Work through your exam normally. SEB does not interfere with your ability to read questions, select answers, or type responses. Only external access is blocked.

How to End the Exam and Exit SEB

After submitting your exam, your institution's exam platform will typically display a confirmation page. At that point, you can exit SEB in one of the following ways:

• Quit password prompt: Press a designated keyboard shortcut (commonly Ctrl+Q on Windows or Cmd+Q on Mac). SEB will ask for a quit password provided by your invigilator.
• Automatic exit: Some configurations close SEB automatically after exam submission.
• Invigilator exit: In proctored sessions, the invigilator may send a remote signal to close SEB.

Never force-quit SEB (via Task Manager or Force Quit) unless instructed to do so. Doing so without authorization may flag your session in the proctoring system.

Student Tips for a Smooth Exam Experience

• Restart before the exam: Reboot your computer 30 minutes before the exam to clear any background processes that could interfere with SEB.
• Close all applications first: Some applications (like antivirus real-time scanners or VPN clients) can conflict with SEB. Close them before launching.
• Use a wired internet connection: Wi-Fi dropouts during an exam can disrupt the session. Ethernet is more reliable if available.
• Disable system updates temporarily: Windows Update or macOS Software Update prompts can interrupt SEB mid-exam. Pause updates the day before.
• Keep your charger plugged in: SEB uses more system resources than a standard browser. Prevent battery issues by keeping your laptop connected to power.
• Have your student ID ready: Online proctoring systems may require identity verification before granting exam access.
• Inform others in your household: Avoid interruptions. If possible, use a quiet, private space for the duration of the exam.