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Computer-Based Testing (CBT) on Lena provides a secure, timed exam environment for schools. Students take exams through a dedicated web app, teachers create and manage exams, and school admins oversee the entire process.

The CBT app

Lena has a dedicated CBT app at cbt.lena.africa — separate from the Student and Teacher apps. This app is purpose-built for taking exams with:
  • Fullscreen mode to minimize distractions
  • Tab-switch detection to maintain exam integrity
  • Real-time timer synced with the server
  • Auto-save so answers aren’t lost if connectivity drops
  • Auto-submission when time expires or rules are violated
Students log in with the same credentials they use for the Student App.

Who does what

Students

  • Log in to the CBT app - Find and start assigned exams - Answer multiple-choice questions - Submit when done (or get auto-submitted) - View results when published

Teachers

  • Create exams in the Teacher App - Add multiple-choice questions - Configure exam settings and rules - Assign students to the exam - Monitor submissions and publish results

School Admins

  • Approve exams before they go live - Manage which classes are assigned
  • Assign proctors to monitor exams - View submissions across all exams - Preview questions for quality control

The exam lifecycle

1

Teacher creates the exam

The teacher creates a new CBT exam in the Teacher App, adds multiple-choice questions, configures settings (duration, tab-switch limit, etc.), and assigns students. The exam is saved as a draft.
2

Admin reviews and approves (optional)

Depending on the school’s workflow, a school admin may need to review and approve the exam before it becomes available to students. The exam status changes to approved.
3

Exam is published

The teacher publishes the exam. It becomes available to assigned students during the exam window (between the start and end times). The exam appears on student dashboards.
4

Students take the exam

Students log in to the CBT app, find the exam on their dashboard, and begin. The browser enters fullscreen mode, the timer starts, and tab switches are monitored.
5

Exam is submitted

Students submit manually when they’re done, or the exam is auto-submitted when time expires or the tab-switch limit is exceeded. The submission is recorded with score and metadata.
6

Results are available

Depending on the exam settings, students can see their results immediately, after the exam window closes, or when the teacher publishes them.

Security features

CBT exams include several security measures to maintain exam integrity:
FeatureDescription
Fullscreen modeThe exam fills the entire screen, hiding browser UI and other apps
Tab-switch detectionThe system detects when you navigate away from the exam
Tab-switch limitTeachers set a maximum number of tab switches before auto-submission
Server-side timerThe countdown runs on the server — it can’t be paused or manipulated
Fullscreen enforcementExiting fullscreen immediately auto-submits the exam
Developer tools detectionOpening browser dev tools triggers a countdown and then auto-submission
Auto-submissionExams are automatically submitted when time expires or rules are violated
Submission trackingTeachers and admins can see whether each exam was submitted manually or auto-submitted
Tab-switch countThe number of tab switches is recorded and visible to teachers

Guides by role

Taking an Exam

For Students — How to log in, find your exam, take it, and submit

Viewing Your Results

For Students — How to check your scores and review your answers

Creating an Exam

For Teachers — How to create exams, add questions, and publish

Managing Exam Results

For Teachers — How to monitor submissions and publish results

Admin CBT Oversight

For School Admins — How to approve exams, assign proctors, and oversee CBT

Exam Rules & Policies

For Everyone — Fullscreen, tab-switch policies, auto-submission, and time limits

CBT Troubleshooting

For Everyone — Solutions to common CBT issues
New to CBT terms? See the Glossary for definitions of exam window, duration, tab-switch limit, and more.