> ## 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.

# Taking an Exam

> Step-by-step guide for students on how to take a CBT exam on Lena — logging in, starting the exam, navigating questions, and submitting.

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

<Warning>
  CBT exams are designed for **desktop/laptop computers**. While they may work
  on tablets, the experience is optimized for larger screens.
</Warning>

***

## Step-by-step: Taking the exam

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the CBT app">
    Open your browser and go to [cbt.lena.africa](https://cbt.lena.africa).

    <Frame caption="Screenshot: CBT app login page">
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=8aa659c894fa0cbcd69dca2937f31d5d" alt="CBT app login page with email and password fields and a Log In button" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=d8ebf01c18a25cc2bcf05b022a7d47a1" alt="CBT app login page with email and password fields and a Log In button" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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).
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Frame caption="Screenshot: School profile selection screen">
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=8aa659c894fa0cbcd69dca2937f31d5d" alt="School profile selection screen showing available school profiles to choose from" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=d8ebf01c18a25cc2bcf05b022a7d47a1" alt="School profile selection screen showing available school profiles to choose from" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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

    <Frame caption="Screenshot: CBT dashboard showing available exams with titles, durations, and status">
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=8aa659c894fa0cbcd69dca2937f31d5d" alt="CBT dashboard showing available exams with titles, durations, and status tabs" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=d8ebf01c18a25cc2bcf05b022a7d47a1" alt="CBT dashboard showing available exams with titles, durations, and status tabs" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-dark.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Warning>Once you start, the timer runs continuously. It does not pause if you leave the page or lose internet connection.</Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Answer questions">
    You'll see one question at a time with multiple-choice options.

    <Frame caption="Screenshot: CBT question screen showing question text, options, navigation buttons, and timer">
      <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=8aa659c894fa0cbcd69dca2937f31d5d" alt="CBT question screen showing question text, multiple-choice options, navigation buttons, and countdown timer" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-light.png" />

      <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/lenaafrica/ISsABwDXCBX0o69d/images/placeholder-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ISsABwDXCBX0o69d&q=85&s=d8ebf01c18a25cc2bcf05b022a7d47a1" alt="CBT question screen showing question text, multiple-choice options, navigation buttons, and countdown timer" width="1600" height="938" data-path="images/placeholder-dark.png" />
    </Frame>

    **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.

    <Tip>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.</Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Note>If the timer reaches zero before you submit, the exam is **automatically submitted** with whatever answers you've selected.</Note>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## 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](/cbt/exam-rules).

***

## After submitting

After submission, what you see depends on the exam settings:

| Setting                          | What you see                                            |
| -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Results shown immediately**    | Your score and percentage appear right after submission |
| **Results shown after deadline** | You'll need to check back after the exam window closes  |
| **Teacher controls results**     | Your teacher will publish results when ready            |

To learn more about viewing results, see
[Viewing Your Results](/cbt/viewing-your-results).

***

## Troubleshooting

<Accordion title="I can't see my exam on the dashboard">
  * 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
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="The exam page is blank or not loading">
  * Try refreshing the page - Use a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, or
    Edge) - Disable ad blockers and browser extensions - Check your internet
    connection
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="My exam was auto-submitted">
  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.
</Accordion>

For more troubleshooting help, see [CBT Troubleshooting](/cbt/troubleshooting).