Lockdown Browser Exams in WISEflow
- Claudia Cox
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.
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 should already be installed.
If you are using your own laptop for this exam, follow the Lockdown browser installation instructions.
Preparing for a lockdown exam
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.
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.
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.
Central and Late Summer Assessments
The next central assessment period begins on Monday 12th May 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 in August 2025 (date TBC).
Further information
For more general information about examinations at UCL, visit the Exams and assessments page.