Article verified for Release 14.2 on July 28, 2025

This article provides a step-by-step guide on using Safe Exam Browser (SEB) with the YouTestMe platform to ensure a secure and controlled online testing environment.

Safe Exam Browser (SEB) is a secure web browser that locks down the testing environment by restricting access to other applications and websites. When used with YouTestMe, it helps maintain exam integrity by ensuring candidates stay within the test window. This guide explains how to set up and use SEB with YouTestMe.

Technical Requirements For SEB

System requirements are:

• Stable internet connection with a speed of at least 256 kbps (both directions).
• PC Windows 10 or higher (no virtual machines permitted)
• Mac OS:
  • Big Sur (11.7.10) or higher, Safari 16.6.1
  • Monterey (12.7.3) or higher, Safari 17.3.0
  • Ventura (13.6.4) or higher, Safari 17.3.0
  • Sonoma (14.3.1) or higher, Safari 17.3.0
  • Sequoia (15.0) or higher, Safari 18
• Processors: Intel/AMD/ARM

Note: No minimum free RAM is required. Students can use a hotspot if necessary, but it must have a minimum bandwidth of at least 256 kbps.

Enabling SEB

On the Session Level

• You can create a test, as shown in the following article.
• When you finish the test wizard, navigate to the Testing Sessions tab and click the New Testing Session button. While creating a testing session, you should:

1. Choose desired mandatory options.
2. Select if you want to use Proctoring. Proctorio and SEB are not compatible because both attempt to control the test environment in different, mutually exclusive ways. SEB blocks extensions such as the Proctorio Chrome/Edge extension, which is essential for Proctorio to function, as it enables access to the camera, microphone, screen, and activity monitoring during the test. However, SEB can be used with YTM Proctoring by applying the SEB configuration file and using the specific SEB Proctoring configuration.
3. Click on the option Safe Exam Browser.
4. If you are using Proctoring, only SEB Proctoring configuration should be selected.
5. Select the default configuration fro  the list.
6. After adding all desired options, click the Save button to save the session.

After the test is configured with all desired settings, you can publish the test, and candidates will be required to access the test using the Safe Exam Browser (SEB).

Note: Even for the created sessions, you can change these settings afterward.

After completing the test, students will need to type “quit” to exit SEB and return to their regular desktop environment.

Uploading a Custom SEB File

You can upload a custom configuration file if the default SEB configuration does not fully meet your exam requirements. This ensures that SEB is set up correctly with all necessary settings to provide a secure and seamless exam experience. The following configuration has been tested and verified to work as intended.

Note for Mac users: Creating a configuration file on macOS is impossible due to encryption. One effective solution to work around this limitation is to create the configuration file on a Windows OS, where such restrictions do not apply, and then import it into the testing session on macOS.

1. Choose desired mandatory options.
2. Select if you want to use Proctoring.
3. Click on the option Safe Exam Browser.
4. If you are using Proctoring, only SEB Proctoring configuration should be selected.
5. Click on the upload button to add custom configuration.
6. After adding all desired options, click the Save button to save the session.

Configuring a Custom SEB File

To configure a custom Safe Exam Browser (SEB) file, follow these steps:

1. 1. Download and Install SEB:
      • Visit the Safe Exam Browser download page and download the compatible version with your operating system.
      • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
   2. Access the SEB Configuration Tool:
      • After installation, open the SEB Configuration Tool. On Windows, you can find it in the Start menu under “Safe Exam Browser.”
   3. Configure Exam Settings:
      • In the SEB Configuration Tool, set up the following:
        • General tab: Set the Start URL to the exam’s start page. Since a single SEB configuration is used for multiple users and exam attempts, avoid including query parameters in the URL. Instead, pass exam-specific details using the SEB protocol, which will be explained later.
        • Quit/unlock password (optional) – If candidates try to exit SEB before completing the test, they will be prompted to enter this password.
        • Note for iPad users: If SEB is used on an iPad, you must set a Quit/Unlock Password. This is necessary for SEB to enter kiosk mode, preventing candidates from switching to other apps during the exam.
          • Config file tab: Under Use SEB settings file, select Starting exam. 
          • Browser tab: Set the Suffix to be added to any user agent field. This ensures the system can verify exam requests from Safe Exam Browser with the correct configuration.
            • Exam tab: Add a quit link to exit SEB – The application has a button to exit SEB in the personal report or on a redirect page after the exam is finished. In order for this button to work, add the following link to the Link to quit SEB after exam field: https://youtestme.com/quit_seb.html
            • Enable the Query String Parameter option to ensure flexibility and avoid creating a unique configuration for each user or attempt. This allows exam parameters to be passed dynamically through the URL rather than hardcoded in the SEB configuration.
            • Application tab: The Applications tab displays a list of programs categorized as Permitted or Prohibited during the test. You can use the plus (+) button to add new applications to either list.
   4. Save the Configuration:
      • Go to File → Save settings as… and save the configuration file with a .seb extension.
   5. Distribute the Configuration File:
      • Share the .seb file with candidates or integrate it into your exam platform.
   6. Launch the Exam:
      • Candidates should open the .seb file, which will launch SEB with the specified settings, ensuring a secure exam environment.

Managing SEB Configurations Globally

Safe Exam Browser (SEB) configurations can be saved and reused across multiple testing sessions. To manage them:

1. Navigate to System

2. Select System Customization

3. Choose System Preferences

4. Click Safe Exam Browser

5. Upload a new Safe Exam Browser configuration – Choose a Safe Exam Browser configuration file from your computer and upload it to the database.

6. Default configuration – This is the default Safe Exam Browser configuration that is always present and it cannot be deleted

7. Delete Safe Exam Browser configuration – Permanently delete a Safe Exam Browser configuration

   

Candidate’s Perspective