Safe Exam Browser (SEB) locks a student's device to a restricted environment during assessments, limiting access to specified programs and websites. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and iOS. Chromebooks are not supported.
Note: SEB does not provide a fully secure environment for remote exams. Students can still access notes on paper or via additional devices, and technical issues are difficult to troubleshoot remotely. For remote exams, screen recording is a more practical alternative.
Step 1: Download and configure SEB
Download SEB here and review the documentation for your target operating system.
Before launching SEB, navigate to the Stile exam Session you want students to complete and copy the full URL from the browser address bar. Open this article and the SEB user manual on a separate device before proceeding. Launching SEB will hide all other programs and windows on your computer.
Create the exam configuration file:
Open SEB's Settings;
In the General tab, paste the exam URL using the Paste from clipboard button;
Create an Admin password to prevent students from modifying the configuration. Make it something students cannot easily guess;
Tick Allow user to quit SEB and Ignore exit keys (Win);
Optionally, set a Quit/Unlock password. This is the password you give students when they have finished the exam so they can exit SEB. Keep it simple;
Click the Config File tab and confirm that Starting exams is selected;
Click Save Settings As and name the file something descriptive, e.g. "7SCI-ForcesTest.seb".
Step 2: Install SEB on student devices (one-time)
Direct students to SEB's Download page to install the version matching their operating system. This only needs to be done once per device. Skip this step if SEB is already installed.
Step 3: Prepare Stile before the exam
Immediately before students sit the exam, hide all other Sessions in the relevant Subject and release only the exam Session. This prevents students from navigating to related Sessions during the exam. See Release and hide Sessions.
Step 4: Distribute the configuration file and run the exam
Distribute the .seb configuration file to students via email or your LMS. When students open the file, SEB will launch, disable external applications and secondary monitors, and restrict the browser to stileapp.com. Students should be taken directly to the exam URL set as the Starting URL.
When students have finished, provide the quit/unlock password to allow them to exit SEB and restore normal device access.
After the exam, check the Markbook to confirm all students have submitted. Collect any unsubmitted exams to lock them and prevent further edits. Then hide the exam Session from the Class so students cannot share their work with other Classes yet to sit it.
Troubleshooting
If students have trouble launching or running SEB, prompt them to reinstall it. SEB does not update automatically, and most issues are caused by an outdated or incompatible version.
For advanced configuration options and up-to-date compatibility information, refer to the documentation on the SEB website at safeexambrowser.org.