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Find out if Canvas can see your other tabs before a quiz

Standard Canvas quizzes don't watch other browser tabs, but some courses turn on lockdown or proctoring tools. Confirm your settings, then study with practice questions built from your own notes.

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What Canvas can and cannot see during a quiz

A timed Canvas quiz can feel like a black box, so it is fair to ask whether Canvas can see your other tabs. In most courses the default quiz settings do not track tab switching. Some instructors add a lockdown browser or a proctoring tool, which changes what the quiz can detect.

Check the quiz instructions and syllabus for allowed resources before you open anything else.
Ask your instructor whether a lockdown or proctoring tool is enabled for the quiz.
Use practice quizzes to prepare before the exam rather than during it.
Keep study materials in a separate window so they never mix with a graded attempt.

Example Canvas quiz questions about tab monitoring

Does a standard Canvas quiz block other browser tabs by default?No. Default quiz settings do not lock the browser; a lockdown or proctoring tool must be enabled by the instructor for that.

What is Respondus LockDown Browser?A third-party browser that locks the screen during an exam and can be integrated with Canvas, with settings chosen by the instructor.

What does the One question at a time setting do in a Canvas quiz?It shows one question per page, which controls what is visible at once but is not a monitoring tool.

Can an instructor see tab switching in Canvas without extra tools?Usually not directly; what is logged depends on the quiz setup and Canvas version, so confirm with your instructor.

Why check the syllabus before using outside tools during a quiz?Course policies define allowed resources, and using outside help on a graded quiz can count as an academic integrity violation.

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The safest approach is to read the quiz instructions and syllabus before you start, and to ask your instructor if the rules are unclear. Use study tools to prepare before the quiz, not during a graded attempt.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Canvas automatically detect tab switching during a quiz?

Standard Canvas quizzes do not block other tabs by default. Whether tab switching is flagged depends on whether your instructor turned on a lockdown or proctoring tool, so check the quiz settings or ask.

Can DeckOwl be used during a graded Canvas quiz?

DeckOwl is built for studying, and outside help during a graded quiz can break course policy. Use it to prepare with practice quizzes made from your own notes before the test.

How many practice questions should I work through before a Canvas quiz?

There is no fixed number. Many students keep working on the topics they find hardest until they can explain each answer without looking.

What do the paid plans add?

Plus is $39/year or $7.99/month and adds unlimited generations with PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export. Pro is $14.99/month and adds QTI 2.1 and Moodle XML export, and students get 40% off with a school email.

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