Lockdown Browser Exams in WISEflow
Note: the information on this page only relates to WISEflow exams using the lockdown browser. If your exam is not using the lockdown browser, refer to our guidance on Assessments in WISEflow.
What is the lockdown browser?
The lockdown browser is a piece of software used to run in-person digital examinations in a secure online environment. During a lockdown browser exam, you will not normally be able to access the broader internet or files on your computer unless this has been permitted under the conditions of your exam.
There are two types of exam that use the lockdown browser:
FLOWlock
Used for written/ essay style exams.
FLOWmulti
Used for exams featuring multiple choice or interactive questions.
Preparing for a lockdown exam
Important: You must have the latest version of the lockdown browser installed on your device in order to take these exams. If you are taking an exam in a cluster room or where a laptop has been provided for you, this will already be installed.
If you are using your own laptop for this exam, follow the Lockdown browser installation instructions.
Lockdown browser installation instructions
The latest version of the lockdown browser can be installed on Windows or Apple devices via UCL’s App Store.
You can also download and install the lockdown browser directly from WISEflow. See the article on WISEflow lockdown browser - installation and testing.
Once you have successfully installed the lockdown browser, it is always a good idea to try out a demo flow or practice assessment to ensure it is working correctly.
Note: the lockdown browser is updated several times a year to ensure it remains secure. If you are installing the lockdown browser on your own device, you should check that it is up to date before each exam period.
Trying out a demo flow or practice assessment
Demo flows
You can access demo flows by clicking the Demo flows button at the bottom of your flow overview.
On the demo page, try out the FLOWmulti or FLOWlock demo to get some experience of the exam environment. These demos are available for you to try out all year round, at any time and can be attempted repeatedly.
You can also try out the FLOWmulti - Advanced demo if you want to get a sense of a multiple choice/ interactive question exam in WISEflow without needing to download and install the lockdown browser.
Practice assessments
You will be notified if your department has set up a practice assessment for you and this will be visible in your flow overview when you log into WISEflow.
Unlike demo flows, these practice assessments are only available for a limited period of time. They may also include material that is relevant to your exam or area of study, so they can be useful for revision as well as an opportunity to get used to the exam environment. You can only submit once to a practice assessment, so if you want to keep accessing the material to practice further then it is better to exit the flow without handing in.
What is a lockdown browser exam like?
For assessments using the lockdown browser, it is strongly recommended that you arrive at least 10 - 15 minutes early to give you plenty of time to prepare.
After you have secured your belongings, find the appropriate seat and ensure that your student ID card is clearly displayed on the desk.
Log into your device and access your WISEflow exam, either by following the link in any emails you have received about your assessment or going directly to https://uk.wiseflow.net/ucl and selecting this from your overview. It is important to aim to access the exam environment before the published start time:
At the bottom of the page, click the green button to Start participation:
The lockdown browser will now launch and a countdown timer will display until the start time of your exam is reached:
Once the timer reaches zero, you may be asked for a password to access the exam content - this will be announced by the invigilators if it is needed:
Note: if you access your exam late, you may be asked for a second password. If this happens, an invigilator will assist you.
The exam content will now be displayed and you can begin reading and answering the questions. While you are working inside the lockdown browser, your progress will be saved automatically at regular intervals. You will not be able to access the internet or any files on the computer (unless permitted by your exam).
The exam environment will look different depending on whether you are taking a FLOWlock or a FLOWmulti assessment (see screenshots below). Once the end time of the exam has been reached, you will no longer be able to answer questions and will need to hand in your work. Once you have submitted, remember to leave the room quietly as others may still be working.
FLOWlock examinations
Exam information: view the current time and any announcements made during your exam.
Paper info: view information about the word count of your submission.
Response area: used to type your answers to the exam questions.
Permitted internet resources: if access to specific websites has been allowed, you can find links to permitted material here (opens in a new tab).
The scheduled end time, time remaining and save status of your assessment: if the countdown timer here makes you feel anxious, it can be hidden by clicking on it.
Pause participation: this option can be used to hide your screen if you need to leave your device unattended. Note that it will not pause the time remaining on your assessment.
Options menus: access the exam questions (pop out in an adjustable window or open in a new tab), view a table of contents if using headings in your answers, create appendix material if this has been permitted (opens in a new tab) or use the revisions feature to return to a previous version of your work.
Submission button: you will need to hand in your work to complete the assessment.
FLOWmulti examinations
Exam information: view the current time and any announcements made during your exam.
Progress counter: if your assessment has multiple sections, this counter will indicate the section you are currently on.
Question area: contains any questions or written instructions that have been included in your assessment.
Appendix manager: if you are permitted to create appendix material (e.g. drawings or diagrams), this button will appear on pages containing the relevant questions.
Permitted internet resources: if access to specific websites has been allowed, you can find links to permitted material here (opens in a new tab).
Pause participation: this option can be used to hide your screen if you need to leave your device unattended. Note that it will not pause the time remaining on your assessment.
The scheduled end time, time remaining and save status of your assessment: if the countdown timer here makes you feel anxious, it can be hidden by clicking on it.
Navigation buttons: used to skip forward or backwards through the assessment.
Tools: tools you may find useful when completing your assessment, such as flagging a question, adding a sticky note, and accessibility settings.
Submission button: you will need to hand in your work to complete the assessment.
Central and Late Summer Assessments
The next central assessment period begins on Monday 28th April 2025.
Digital exams using the lockdown browser in WISEflow will run from Monday 12th May 2025 to Friday 16th May 2025.
Exams will take place at ExCeL London and laptops will be provided. The lockdown browser will already be installed on these devices.
The next late summer assessment period (for students sitting deferred or failed assessments) will begin on Monday 18th August 2025.
Further information
For more general information about examinations at UCL, visit the Exams and assessments page.