Locked mode is a Google Forms quiz setting that teachers use on school-managed Chromebooks. While it’s on, you can’t open other tabs or apps until you finish. It’s meant to keep tests fair, but it can be confusing if you’re not sure how to get out, if the quiz seems stuck, or if you accidentally left early. This guide explains how locked mode works, the right way to exit, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Quick Answer
The normal way out of locked mode is to answer the questions and click Submit. Once the quiz is submitted, locked mode ends and you can close the quiz and use your Chromebook normally. You can exit early, but your teacher is notified by email, and in Google Classroom the quiz may stay locked until your teacher unlocks it.
How Locked Mode Works
- It works only on Chromebooks managed by your school, with a Google Workspace for Education account.
- While the quiz is open, other tabs, apps, some extensions, and many keyboard shortcuts are blocked.
- If you exit the quiz or open another tab, your teacher gets an email. They’re also notified if you reopen the quiz later.
- On a personal computer or a non-school account, a locked quiz usually won’t open at all; you’ll see a message that it requires a managed Chromebook.
How to Exit Locked Mode the Right Way
- Answer every required question (marked with a red asterisk).
- Click Submit at the bottom of the last page.
- After the confirmation screen appears, close the quiz window or use the exit option shown. Your Chromebook returns to normal.
If the quiz has several sections, use Next to reach the last page. You can’t submit from the first page if there are more sections.
Leaving Before You Submit
There’s an option to exit before submitting, but think before you use it:
- Your teacher receives an email saying you left the quiz.
- If the quiz was assigned through Google Classroom, leaving may lock you out. Your work shows as locked, and your teacher has to unlock it before you can continue.
- Answers you didn’t submit may not be saved.
If you need to leave for a real reason (a technical problem, or you’re feeling unwell), tell your teacher first if you can.
Locked Mode Seems Stuck? Try These Steps
- Check for missed questions: Scroll through each section. The Submit button may not work until all required questions are answered, and errors appear in red.
- Wait a moment after submitting: A slow Wi-Fi connection can delay the confirmation. Don’t refresh repeatedly.
- Check your connection: If Wi-Fi drops, the quiz may show an error. Stay on the page until it reconnects, then submit.
- Restart as a last resort: If the Chromebook is completely frozen, holding the power button restarts it. This counts as leaving the quiz, so let your teacher know right away.
- Ask your teacher to unlock it: In Classroom, teachers can unlock a student’s quiz so they can continue or retake it.
For Teachers: Unlocking a Student and Common Settings
- Unlock a student in Classroom: Open the quiz assignment, view student work, find the student marked as locked, and choose the option to unlock their quiz.
- Turn locked mode on or off: In the Form, open Settings > Quizzes (or, in Classroom, the quiz assignment’s Locked mode on Chromebooks toggle).
- Students on non-managed devices: They can’t take a locked quiz. Turn off locked mode for them or provide a school Chromebook.
- Accessibility: Locked mode blocks many extensions. Check that students who need accessibility tools can use them, or make an unlocked copy for those students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get out of locked mode without my teacher knowing?
No. Leaving the quiz or opening another tab automatically emails your teacher. The honest option is to submit, or talk to your teacher if something is wrong.
Why can’t I open the quiz at home?
Locked quizzes require a school-managed Chromebook signed in with your school account. Personal laptops, phones, and tablets can’t open them.
Can I use a calculator or notes in locked mode?
Only if your teacher provides them another way, such as a physical calculator or a question that includes the reference material. Other apps and tabs are blocked.
Summary
- Locked mode blocks other tabs and apps on school Chromebooks during a quiz.
- Answer all required questions and click Submit to exit normally.
- Leaving early notifies your teacher and may lock you out in Classroom.
- If the quiz seems stuck, check for missed questions and your Wi-Fi, then ask your teacher to unlock it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.