Respondus records your webcam, microphone, and screen during exams, but not your entire computer
Respondus is proctoring software that schools use to monitor students taking tests online. When you use it, the program captures video of your face and desk, audio of sounds in your room, and everything on your screen. It does not record your keyboard input, your files outside the test window, or background processes running on your computer. What gets recorded depends on which version your school uses and how they configure it.
The software runs locally on your device — meaning it installs on your laptop or desktop — and sends a video file to your instructor or a proctoring service after the test ends. You can usually see the red recording indicator at the top of your screen while it is active. The recording stays on your school's servers, not on your device, once the test is submitted.
Key Takeaways
- Respondus records your face, microphone audio, and screen display during the test window only.
- The software does not monitor your keyboard, files on your hard drive, or other programs running in the background.
- Your school controls what happens to the recording and how long it is kept.
- You can request to see or delete your recording in most cases, depending on your school's policy.
What the camera and microphone actually capture
The webcam records your face and the area directly behind you — typically your desk and the wall or background behind it. Respondus is designed to detect when you look away from the screen, when someone else enters the frame, or when you appear to be reading from something off-screen. The microphone picks up all sounds in your room: your voice, background noise, other people talking, or music playing.
Neither the camera nor the microphone records continuously before or after your test. Recording starts when you open the test and stops when you submit it. If your school uses a live proctor (a person watching in real time), they see the same camera and audio feed you are sending. If your school uses automated review, the recording is analyzed by software after the fact, looking for patterns that might suggest cheating.
What Respondus does not record
Respondus does not see your keyboard strokes, your browser history, your email, your files, or anything else on your hard drive. It does not monitor other programs running in the background — your music player, messaging apps, or other browser tabs are not captured. The software is designed to watch what you do during the test, not to spy on your entire computer.
This is an important distinction because many students worry that proctoring software is invasive. Respondus is narrower than that: it is watching your test-taking behavior, not your life. However, your school can see everything you do within the test window itself — every answer you change, how long you spend on each question, and whether you copy and paste text.
The difference between Respondus Monitor and Respondus LockDown Browser
Respondus LockDown Browser is the older version. It locks down your entire screen so you cannot access other programs or browser tabs during the test. It records your screen and webcam. It does not require a proctor — the recording is reviewed later.
Respondus Monitor is the newer version. It also records your screen and webcam, but it adds AI-powered analysis that flags suspicious behavior automatically. It can be used with a live proctor or without one. Some schools use Monitor because it is faster to review — the software flags potential issues instead of making a human watch hours of video.
Both versions require you to show your desk, your room, and sometimes your ID before the test starts. Both prevent you from opening other windows or applications during the test. The main difference is that Monitor uses artificial intelligence to detect cheating patterns, while LockDown Browser relies on human review or basic rule-breaking (like opening another tab).
How your school controls what gets recorded
Your school decides whether Respondus records at all, which parts are recorded, and how long the recording is kept. Some schools record everything. Others record only the screen, not the webcam. Some delete recordings after a set period — 30 days, 90 days, or one semester. Others keep them indefinitely.
Your school also decides who can see the recording. Usually it is your instructor and the testing center staff. Some schools allow students to request access to their own recording. A few allow students to request deletion. Check your school's testing policy or ask your instructor what happens to your recording after the test is graded.
What happens if Respondus detects something suspicious
If you are using Monitor with live proctoring, the proctor can pause your test and ask you to explain what you are doing — for example, if you look away from the screen repeatedly or someone walks behind you. If the proctor thinks you are cheating, they can end the test and report it to your instructor.
If you are using automated review, the software flags behaviors like eye movement away from the screen, multiple faces in the frame, or sudden changes in lighting. Your instructor then reviews the flagged recording and decides whether to investigate further. Being flagged does not automatically mean you are accused of cheating — it just means the recording gets a closer look.
The threshold for what counts as "suspicious" varies by school. Some schools are strict about any glance away from the screen. Others only care about obvious violations like having another person in the room or using your phone. Ask your instructor what the specific rules are before you test.
Your privacy rights and what you can do about it
When you enroll at a school that uses Respondus, you usually agree to its use as a condition of taking online tests. That agreement is part of your student handbook or testing policy. You have the right to read that policy before you test, and you have the right to ask questions about what is recorded and how it is used.
In some states and countries, you may have the right to see your own recording, request that it be deleted, or opt out of proctoring altogether (though opting out might mean taking the test in person instead). Contact your school's testing center or student privacy office to find out what rights explore to you. If you have concerns about the recording, raise them before the test, not after — it is much harder to delete a recording once it exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Respondus see my other browser tabs or programs?
No. Respondus records only what is on your screen within the test window. Other tabs, programs, and files on your computer are not visible to the software. However, if you switch away from the test window or try to open another program, that action may be flagged as suspicious behavior.
Does Respondus stay on my computer after the test?
The software itself stays installed on your computer until you uninstall it. The recording file is uploaded to your school's servers and does not remain on your device. You can delete the Respondus process after you finish testing, but check with your school first in case you need it for future exams.
Can I request to see my recording?
That depends on your school's policy. Some schools allow students to view their own recordings. Others do not. Contact your testing center or instructor to ask whether you can access your recording and what the process is.
What if someone else is in my room during the test?
Respondus will record them. Most schools require you to test alone in a quiet space. If someone enters the frame during your test, it will be flagged as suspicious, and your instructor may ask you to explain. Plan ahead to make sure you have a private space for the full length of the test.
Does Respondus record audio of my typing?
The microphone records all sounds in your room, including typing noise. However, Respondus does not record which keys you press — it only captures the audio of the sound itself. Your keystrokes are not logged or analyzed by the software.