Top Hat

Top Hat is an active learning platform that helps instructors increase student engagement through interactive features like polls, quizzes, discussions and real-time feedback.

  • Beginning Fall 2025, students no longer need to purchase a license for Top Hat. However, they still need to create a Top Hat account.
  • Accounts for UB faculty and staff are still available at no cost.
  • In courses where the instructor uses a Top Hat Textbook or other fee-based content, students will need to pay for the content when registering their Top Hat accounts in their courses, or they can purchase the content directly from the University at Buffalo Bookstore. 

On this page:

Top Hat Accounts

If an instructor is using Top Hat for the course, students must create a Top Hat account. Students no longer need to purchase a license for Top Hat.

You can use your UBITName and password to access your Top Hat account.

If you need to create a Top Hat account

  1. Go to tophat.com.
  2. Create Your Account in the upper-right corner.
  3. Click I’m a Student.
  4. Click Sign-up.
  5. Search for University at Buffalo SUNY.
  6. Click Log in with school account.
  7. Enter your UBITName and password.
  8. Click Sign up as a Student under I'd like to create a new account.
  9. Enter your first and last names.
  10. Click I confirm that I have read and agree to User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
  11. Click Create Account.
Instructions for setting up and configuring an account are available on the Top Hat website

If you already have a Top Hat account

  1. Go to tophat.com using your computer (note: you must use a web browser; you cannot use a mobile app).
  2. Click the Login link in the top-right corner of the page.
  3. You may see University at Buffalo SUNY in the School field. If not, begin typing and click the University at Buffalo SUNY link from the drop-down list.
  4. Click Log in with school account.
  5. Use your UBITName and password to log in.

Top Hat Tests

If you navigate away from the test or interact with other applications, you will be locked out of the test and will only be able to continue with the test if your instructor unlocks you.

There are two types of tests in Top Hat: non-monitored and monitored.

  • Non-monitored tests permit open-book conditions and unrestricted navigation.
  • Monitored tests employ measures to prevent suspicious activities such as screenshots or tab switching, which result in automatic locks.

Top Hat’s documentation covers navigation within the test interface, procedures for taking both types of tests and viewing grades. It also provides answers to frequently asked questions about test conduct and technical issues.

Top Hat Support: Guides and Videos

Instructional Guides 

Videos 

Top Hat Support: Contact

Top Hat maintains a Knowledge Base with product information and best practices.

Questions?

Instructors and students can reach out to Top Hat’s dedicated support team. 

Additional Resource

Top Hat Student Knowledge Base
Web Browser and Mobile App Requirements