Respondus Monitor vs LockDown Browser Alone (What Changes for Mac Students)
The two products explained
LockDown Browser alone
The kiosk-mode app. Locks down macOS during the exam: no Cmd-Tab, no copy/paste between apps, no Spotlight, hidden menu-bar clock, blocked screenshots. Records nothing about you. Your exam experience is just LMS + LDB.
Respondus Monitor (add-on)
Adds on top of LDB:
- Pre-exam webcam check + ID photo + environment scan.
- Continuous webcam recording during exam.
- Continuous microphone recording.
- Periodic screen captures (uploaded to Respondus).
- Behavioral AI flags (face missing, second face, audio anomaly).
- Instructor review interface for the recordings.
How to tell which your exam uses
- Your LMS exam page shows the LDB-required notice. Look for additional text about webcam / Monitor / proctoring.
- Pre-exam launch: if you see a webcam check screen, ID photo prompt, or environment scan - Monitor is enabled. If LDB launches straight to the exam questions - LDB-only.
- Practice exam: if your instructor provided one, it should match the real exam's configuration.
Privacy comparison side-by-side
| What's captured | LDB alone | LDB + Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | - | Continuous recording |
| Microphone | - | Continuous recording |
| Screen contents | Periodic frames (kiosk enforcement) | Continuous + uploaded |
| Process list | Yes (blacklist enforcement) | Yes |
| Pre-exam ID + environment | - | ID photo + room scan |
| Behavioral AI | - | Face presence, audio anomaly, etc. |
| Recording uploaded to Respondus | - | Yes |
| Retention on Respondus servers | None (no recording) | 5 years default |
Performance comparison on Mac (M2 Air baseline)
- LDB alone: ~340 MB RAM, ~5% CPU sustained, ~5% battery/hr.
- LDB + Monitor: ~720 MB RAM, ~17% CPU sustained, ~10% battery/hr.
Monitor more than doubles the resource cost - webcam encoding + continuous upload is the dominant factor.
Why some courses use just LDB
- Multiple-choice / short-answer formats where typing speed isn't suspicious.
- Lower-stakes quizzes / formative assessments.
- Instructors who trust their students or have other integrity measures.
- Privacy-conscious institutions (some have policies preferring kiosk-only).
Why some courses use Monitor
- High-stakes finals / midterms.
- Essay-heavy exams where typing-pattern analysis adds value.
- Past integrity issues in the course.
- Default Respondus Dashboard config left enabled.
If your exam uses Monitor
- Plan for ~15 min pre-exam overhead (system check + ID + environment scan).
- Plan for higher battery cost.
- Set up your environment (lighting, plain background, no distractions).
- See facial detection page for tips.
If your exam uses LDB only
- Faster pre-exam: ~3 min total.
- Lower battery cost.
- Lower stress (no continuous recording).
- Standard pre-exam checklist still applies.
Frequently asked questions
Can my instructor switch from LDB-only to Monitor mid-semester?
Yes, the Respondus Dashboard configuration can be changed per assessment. The first exam might be LDB-only; the next might add Monitor. Each exam's LMS page should indicate.
Is LDB-only legally easier to consent to than Monitor?
Generally yes - LDB alone records no biometric data, just enforces kiosk mode. Most jurisdictions don't consider kiosk-mode software an "invasive" tool. Monitor's biometric recording triggers BIPA, GDPR, etc.
Can I take a Monitor-required exam without granting Camera permission?
No - the system check requires Camera + Microphone + Screen Recording. Refusing means LDB won't launch the exam. If you have an accommodation reason, request alternative arrangements with your disability office.