Cheating is as old as the classroom itself. But when schools moved to 1:1 device programs, the "cheat sheet" moved from a crumpled piece of paper in a sleeve to a quick command-tab over to a Wikipedia page. That’s exactly why google form locked mode exists. It’s Google’s attempt to turn a standard Chromebook into a digital proctor. If you’ve ever sat in a room of thirty teenagers and tried to monitor thirty different screens at once, you know why this matters.
It's basically a digital straitjacket for a browser.
Once a student starts a quiz in locked mode, their Chromebook effectively freezes on that specific tab. They can’t open a new search window. They can’t check their email for answers from a friend. They can't even take a screenshot to send the questions to the next period's class. It’s a specialized feature designed specifically for the Google Workspace for Education ecosystem, and honestly, it’s changed the way teachers handle high-stakes assessments.
How Google Form Locked Mode Actually Functions
You need a managed Chromebook. That’s the catch. If a kid is sitting at home on a MacBook or a custom-built PC, google form locked mode isn't going to do a thing for you. This is because the feature relies on the ChromeOS management layer. When the "Turn on locked mode" toggle is flipped in the settings menu of a Google Form, the browser communicates directly with the device's administrative policy.
It’s pretty seamless.
The student clicks the link, and a warning pops up. It tells them that their tabs will be hidden and that they can’t leave the form until they submit. If they try to bail out—say, by hard-resetting the device or trying to find a loophole—the teacher gets an email notification. It’s not just a passive barrier; it’s an active reporting system. Educators like Alice Keeler have often pointed out that while no system is 100% foolproof, these hurdles are usually enough to discourage the "casual" cheater who just wants to verify one quick date or formula.
The Technical Requirements You Can't Skip
Don't expect this to work on a personal Gmail account. It won't. You need a Google Workspace for Education account. Furthermore, the students must be signed into their school-issued accounts on school-managed Chromebooks.
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Wait, what if a student’s Chromebook is broken and they use a library computer? If that computer isn't a managed Chromebook, the form will simply tell them they can't access the quiz. This creates some logistical headaches for IT departments, but it ensures the integrity of the "lock." The hardware and software have to be shaking hands for the whole thing to stay secure.
The Real-World Friction of Digital Testing
Technology fails. We've all been there. Sometimes, a student’s Wi-Fi drops halfway through a quiz. In google form locked mode, this can be a nightmare. Because the student can't easily navigate away or refresh without potentially triggering a "left the quiz" notification, it creates a high-stress environment for kids who are already anxious about testing.
Teachers have to be ready to "unlock" or provide a workaround.
There's also the issue of accessibility. If a student relies on certain Chrome extensions for text-to-speech or screen reading, locked mode might block them. Google has made strides in allowing certain "whitelisted" accessibility features to function, but it's still a bit of a dance. You have to check the individual extension compatibility in the Google Admin Console. It’s not always a "set it and forget it" situation.
Why Students Hate It (And Why That's the Point)
If you look at Reddit threads or TikToks from 2024 and 2025, you'll see students complaining about how "unfair" the mode is. They call it "spyware" or "overkill." But from a pedagogical standpoint, it’s about leveling the playing field. If one student is using ChatGPT in a hidden tab and another is relying on their memory, the data the teacher gets back is useless.
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It’s about data integrity.
When a teacher looks at a spreadsheet of results, they need to know if the 80% represents actual knowledge or just efficient googling. Locked mode provides a baseline of trust. It doesn’t replace the need for good instruction, but it does protect the validity of the summative assessment.
Setting It Up Without Breaking Everything
Setting this up is simple, yet easy to mess up if you’re rushing.
First, open your Google Form. Head to the "Settings" tab. Under the "Quizzes" section, you’ll see the "Locked Mode" toggle. Flip it. That's the easy part. The hard part is ensuring your students are actually prepared.
- Ensure every student has a charged, managed Chromebook.
- Make sure they are logged into their school profile, not a personal one.
- Warn them that they cannot open other tabs.
One common mistake is forgetting to turn it off for practice quizzes. You don't want to lock a kid out of their resources when they're supposed to be learning. Reserve this for the big moments. The finals. The unit tests. The stuff that actually hits the gradebook.
The Limitations: It Isn't Magic
Let's be real for a second. Google form locked mode won't stop a kid from writing notes on their palm. It won't stop them from looking at a phone hidden in their lap or under their thigh. It only locks the device, not the room.
Proctoring is still a physical job.
You still have to walk the rows. You still have to watch for the "crotch-stare"—that classic tell that a student is looking at a phone under the desk. Some teachers try to solve this by using external cameras or "GoGuardian," but at some point, the tech becomes a bit much. Locked mode solves the most common problem (browser-based cheating), but it isn't a substitute for a teacher's eyes.
Practical Next Steps for Educators
If you're ready to implement this, don't start with a final exam. That's a recipe for a tech support disaster.
- Run a "zero-stakes" test run. Create a one-question form called "Can You See This?" and have every student try to open it. This identifies who has a weird sync issue or a broken Chrome profile before the real test begins.
- Audit your extensions. Talk to your IT lead to ensure that essential tools like Read&Write or Equatio aren't being inadvertently killed by the lock.
- Have a paper backup. Always. If the school Wi-Fi goes down, google form locked mode becomes a brick. Having 30 copies of the quiz in a folder in your desk will save your sanity.
- Check the "Left Quiz" logs. After the test, don't just look at the scores. Look at the timestamps and any notifications you received about students exiting the form. It’s often a tech glitch, but sometimes it’s a pattern worth investigating.
Using this tool effectively is about balance. It’s a powerful deterrent, but it works best when it’s one part of a broader strategy that includes good test design and an environment of academic honesty. You aren't just locking a browser; you're setting a standard for the digital classroom.