> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.lena.africa/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Exam Rules & Policies
> Universal CBT exam rules on Lena — fullscreen requirements, tab-switch policies, auto-submission triggers, time limits, and allowed attempts.
CBT exams on Lena have specific rules and security measures to ensure a fair
testing environment. These rules apply to all CBT exams unless your teacher or
school has configured them differently.
***
## Fullscreen mode
When you start a CBT exam, the browser enters **fullscreen mode**. This removes
distractions and ensures you're focused on the exam.
* The exam interface fills your entire screen
* Browser toolbars, tabs, and other elements are hidden
* If you exit fullscreen, your exam is automatically submitted
Exiting fullscreen will **automatically submit your exam**. Stay in
fullscreen mode for the entire duration of the exam.
***
## Tab-switch policy
The CBT system monitors whether you navigate away from the exam. This includes:
* Switching to another browser tab
* Opening a new browser window
* Clicking on the taskbar or dock
* Using Alt+Tab or Cmd+Tab to switch applications
* Minimizing the browser
### How it works
1. Each time you switch away from the exam, a **counter increments**
2. When you return, you see a **warning message** showing how many switches
you've used
3. If you reach the **tab-switch limit** set by your teacher, the exam is
**automatically submitted**
### Tab-switch limits
The limit varies by exam (set by your teacher):
| Limit setting | What it means |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **0 switches** | No tab switching allowed — any switch triggers auto-submission |
| **3 switches** | You get 3 chances before auto-submission (recommended setting) |
| **5 switches** | More lenient — 5 switches before auto-submission |
| **Unlimited** | No restriction on tab switching |
Even accidental tab switches count. Before starting your exam, close all
other browser tabs and applications to avoid accidental switches.
***
## Auto-submission
Your exam can be automatically submitted (without you clicking Submit) in these
situations:
| Trigger | What happens |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Time expires** | The duration runs out and the exam is submitted with your current answers |
| **Tab-switch limit exceeded** | You switch away from the exam too many times |
| **Exiting fullscreen** | You exit fullscreen mode (e.g., pressing Escape) — the exam is submitted immediately |
| **Opening developer tools** | You open your browser's developer tools — a countdown appears, and the exam is submitted if you don't close them in time |
When auto-submission happens:
* All answers you've selected up to that point are saved and submitted
* Your score is calculated based on the answers you provided
* The submission is marked as **auto-submitted** in your results
Auto-submitted exams are final. Your teacher can see whether you submitted
manually or were auto-submitted.
***
## Time limits
Every CBT exam has a **time limit** set by the teacher (e.g., 30, 60, 90, or 120
minutes).
### How the timer works
* The timer starts when you click **Begin**
* It counts down continuously — it does **not pause** if you leave the page or
lose internet
* The remaining time is always visible on screen
* When time runs out, the exam is auto-submitted
### Exam window vs duration
These are two different things:
| Concept | Meaning |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Exam window** | The time range during which you can **start** the exam (e.g., 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) |
| **Duration** | How long you have once you **begin** the exam (e.g., 60 minutes) |
You can start the exam at any point during the window, and you'll get the full
duration from that point.
***
## Allowed attempts
Your teacher sets how many times you can take the exam:
| Setting | Meaning |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **1 attempt** | You can take the exam only once (most common for formal exams) |
| **Multiple attempts** | You can retake the exam up to the allowed number |
If multiple attempts are allowed, your best or most recent score is typically
used (depends on teacher settings).
***
## Preparing for your exam
Follow these tips to avoid issues during your CBT exam:
Close all other browser tabs, applications, and background programs.
This prevents accidental tab switches. Your desktop should show only
your browser.
Use the latest version of **Chrome**, **Firefox**, or **Edge**. Safari
may have limited fullscreen support. Verify your browser is up to date
in its settings.
Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If possible, use a
wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. Test by loading a web page to confirm
connectivity.
Turn off system notifications, pop-ups, and alerts that might pull you
away from the exam. Your notification center should be empty or in Do
Not Disturb mode.
Some extensions can interfere with fullscreen mode or trigger tab-switch
detection. Disable them before the exam. You can re-enable them
afterward.
Don't let your laptop die during the exam. Plug in your charger before
starting. Confirm your battery is charging.
***
## Related guides
* [Taking an Exam](/cbt/taking-an-exam) — step-by-step guide to taking a CBT
exam
* [CBT Troubleshooting](/cbt/troubleshooting) — solutions to common CBT issues
* [Creating an Exam](/cbt/creating-an-exam) — how teachers configure exam rules