Skip to main content
This guide walks you through every step of taking a CBT exam on Lena, from logging in to submitting your answers.

​
Before the exam

Before your exam starts, make sure you have:
  • A computer or laptop with a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge recommended)
  • A stable internet connection
  • Your Lena account credentials (email and password)
  • The correct school profile selected
  • Knowledge of the exam start time — you can only begin during the exam window
CBT exams are designed for desktop/laptop computers. While they may work on tablets, the experience is optimized for larger screens.

​
Step-by-step: Taking the exam

1

Go to the CBT app

Open your browser and go to cbt.lena.africa.
CBT app login page with email and password fields and a Log In button
2

Log in

Enter your email and password. Use the same credentials you use for the Student App. After logging in, you are taken to the school selection screen (or directly to your dashboard if you only have one school profile).
3

Select your school profile

If you have profiles at multiple schools, select the school where the exam is being held. Your CBT dashboard for that school loads.
School profile selection screen showing available school profiles to choose from
4

Find your exam

Your CBT Dashboard shows all exams assigned to you:
  • Due — Exams you can take now (within the exam window)
  • Upcoming — Exams that haven’t started yet
  • Submitted — Exams you’ve already completed
  • Missed — Exams whose window has passed
CBT dashboard showing available exams with titles, durations, and status tabs
5

Start the exam

Click Start Exam on the exam you want to take. You’ll see:
  • Exam title and instructions
  • Duration (time limit)
  • Number of questions
  • Tab-switch limit
  • Number of allowed attempts
Review the information, then click Begin. The exam enters fullscreen mode and the timer starts.
Once you start, the timer runs continuously. It does not pause if you leave the page or lose internet connection.
6

Answer questions

You’ll see one question at a time with multiple-choice options.
CBT question screen showing question text, multiple-choice options, navigation buttons, and countdown timer
Navigation:
  • Next — Go to the next question
  • Previous — Go back to a previous question
  • Question navigator — Jump to any question directly (usually shown as numbered circles)
Your answers are auto-saved as you select them. You don’t need to manually save.
Don’t spend too long on one question. If you’re unsure, select your best guess and move on. You can always come back to it before submitting.
7

Submit the exam

When you’ve answered all questions (or when you’re ready), click Submit Exam.You’ll be asked to confirm. Once confirmed, the exam is submitted and your score is calculated. You are taken to the results screen (if results are available immediately) or back to your dashboard.
If the timer reaches zero before you submit, the exam is automatically submitted with whatever answers you’ve selected.

​
During the exam: Important rules

​
Tab-switching

The system tracks if you navigate away from the exam (switching tabs, opening other apps, or minimizing the browser).
  • Each time you switch away, a tab-switch counter increments
  • You’ll see a warning when you switch back
  • If you exceed the tab-switch limit set by your teacher, your exam is automatically submitted

​
Fullscreen mode

The exam runs in fullscreen. If you exit fullscreen (e.g., by pressing Escape), your exam is automatically submitted immediately.

​
Developer tools

Opening your browser’s developer tools (F12, Ctrl+Shift+I, right-click → Inspect) triggers a countdown. If you don’t close them in time, your exam is automatically submitted.

​
Timer

  • The timer is always visible on screen
  • It counts down from the exam duration
  • When time runs out, the exam auto-submits
For complete details on all exam rules, see Exam Rules & Policies.

​
After submitting

After submission, what you see depends on the exam settings:
SettingWhat you see
Results shown immediatelyYour score and percentage appear right after submission
Results shown after deadlineYou’ll need to check back after the exam window closes
Teacher controls resultsYour teacher will publish results when ready
To learn more about viewing results, see Viewing Your Results.

​
Troubleshooting

  • Make sure you’re logged in with the correct account - Check that you’ve selected the correct school profile - The exam may not have started yet — check the start time - You may not be assigned to this exam — contact your teacher
  • Try refreshing the page - Use a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) - Disable ad blockers and browser extensions - Check your internet connection
This can happen if:
  • The time limit expired
  • You exceeded the tab-switch limit
  • You exited fullscreen mode
  • You opened browser developer tools
  • A technical issue caused auto-submission
Contact your teacher if you believe the auto-submission was unfair.
For more troubleshooting help, see CBT Troubleshooting.