Complete Guide

CBTHost Offline Complete Guide

Complete guide for administrators and students to set up the server, navigate the interface, take exams, view results, and manage students.

CBTHost Server Setup Instructions

Final, Clear, and Concise Setup Guide

Follow these steps to get your CBTHost offline server running quickly.

1

Download the Server

  • Download cbthost-server.zip
  • Extract it to a folder you can easily locate on your PC
2

Start the Server

  • Open the extracted folder
  • Run main.exe to start the server
  • A command prompt window will open showing logs and the port number
3

Download the Helper Script

  • Download ip.zip
  • Extract it into your xampp/htdocs folder
  • Or any other PHP/web server directory you are using
4

Using the Helper Script

  • Launch your XAMPP server
  • Open the helper in your browser: http://localhost/ip
  • The helper displays server IP address dynamically
  • If port number is incorrect, edit index.php and student.php

Automatic Setup & Features

Automatic Setup

Required folders and configuration files are created automatically when server starts

Customization

Modify the helper script to add your school logo or other branding

Key Notes

  • Always start main.exe first so the server is running
  • The helper script is only for displaying the server IP
  • Port number edits are only needed if it changes from the default

How CBTHost Offline Works

Local Server

Software creates a local server on your machine

LAN Connection

Students connect via browser using server IP address

Automatic Database

SQLite database created automatically - no setup required

Quick Start Guide

Installation & Setup

1

Download & Install

Download from our website and run the installer

2

Automatic Server Start

Software automatically starts local server and creates database

3

Access Admin Panel

Open browser and navigate to displayed URL (e.g., http://127.0.0.1:8080)

4

Enter Admin Code

Use the admin access code from config.json to unlock admin features

System Configuration

Port Configuration

If port is occupied, use System Config modal to change port number

  • • Default port: 8080
  • • Alternative ports: 8081, 5000, 9000
  • • Changes take effect after restart

Automatic Database

SQLite database created automatically at C://CBTHost

  • • No manual database setup required
  • • All data stored locally
  • • Upgrades don't affect existing data

Data Storage

All data, logs, and imported files stored in C://CBTHost directory

Student Management

Student Data Format

Use Excel format with these columns:

email                    student_id
ft22acmp0001@cbthost.com ft22acmp0001
ft22acmp0002@cbthost.com ft22acmp0002
ft22acmp0003@cbthost.com ft22acmp0003

Automatic Account Creation

Students don't need existing accounts. System creates accounts automatically when imported.

Student Access & Features

Browser-Based Testing

Students use any modern browser to access tests via server IP address

Student ID Login

Students login with their assigned Student ID (Test ID)

Activity Tracking

View all student activities, test history, and submitted answers

Student Access URL

Students access tests via: http://[SERVER_IP]:[PORT]

Example: http://192.168.1.100:8080

1

Overview

CBTHost Offline allows schools to conduct computer-based examinations on a local network without requiring internet during the examination. This guide covers the administrator and student interfaces.

Admin / Staff

Create exams, manage students, view results

Student

Take exams, view results

Default Credentials

Admin: admin / admin123 Access Code: 123456 Student: Student ID / 12345678

Change default passwords immediately!

2

Admin Dashboard

Admin Dashboard
Overview of all exams and quick actions

[Screenshot: admin-dashboard.png]

Dashboard Sections

Quick Resources

Manual, Download, Analytics, Support

Create Exam

Button to start a new exam

Stats Cards

Total Exams, Active, Students

Exam List

All exams with status and actions

3

Creating a New Exam

Create Exam Page
Fill in exam details and advanced settings

[Screenshot: create-exam.png]

Basic Information

FieldDescriptionExample
Exam TitleName of the exam"Mathematics Final Exam"
DurationTime limit in seconds3600 (1 hour)
DescriptionExam details / instructions"Answer all questions carefully"

Advanced Settings

Shuffle Questions

Randomize order per student

Show Results

Display results immediately

Max Attempts

Number of tries allowed

Question Bank

Use existing questions

Click Create Exam to save — you'll be redirected to the Exam Details page.
4

Importing Students

Import Students Page
Upload Excel file with student data

[Screenshot: import-students.png]

File Format

ColumnRequiredDescription
Column AYesStudent ID (e.g., FT22ACMP0355)
Column BNoFull Name (optional)
Example:
FT22ACMP0355, John Doe
FT22ACMP0356, Jane Smith
Supported formats: .xlsx, .xls, .csv
5

Importing Questions

Import Questions Page
Upload a .cbthost package

[Screenshot: import-questions.png]

How to Import

  1. Go to Exam Details → Import Questions
  2. Click to select or drag & drop your .cbthost file
  3. Click Import CBTHost Package
The .cbthost file is exported from cbthost.com and contains questions, options, correct answers, and marks.
6

Live Status (Exam Monitoring)

Live Status Page
Monitor student progress in real-time

[Screenshot: live-status.png]

Statistics Cards

Total Students

All assigned to the exam

Completed

Students who finished

In Progress

Currently taking the exam

Average Score

Mean of all attempts

Student Attempts Table

ColumnDescription
StudentName and Student ID
StatusCompleted In Progress Not Started
ProgressQuestions answered / Total
Time UsedTime spent so far
ScoreCurrent score (if completed)
ActionsForce Submit, Delete Attempt

Exam Controls

Publish

Allow students to start

Pause

Stop new students from starting

Force Submit All

Submit all in-progress attempts

Refresh

Update the data

7

Student Portal

Student Dashboard
View assigned exams

[Screenshot: student-exams.png]

What Students See

Welcome Header

Name and Student ID

Exam Cards

Each assigned exam with details

Status Badge

Available, Completed, Upcoming

Start/Continue

Begin or resume an exam

Students can also view exam instructions before starting.
8

Taking an Exam

Exam Interface
Question panel with navigation

[Screenshot: exam-taking.png]

Interface Components

ComponentFunction
TimerShows remaining time (turns red when < 5 mins)
Progress BarOverall completion percentage
Question PanelCurrent question with options
Navigation GridQuick jump to any question
Stats PanelAnswered, Remaining, Flagged, Total

Flagging Questions

  • Click the ⚑ (Flag) button on any question
  • Marks the question for later review
  • Flagged questions show a dot in navigation
  • Click again to remove the flag

Submitting the Exam

  1. Click Submit Exam button
  2. Review the confirmation modal — shows answered vs total
  3. Click Submit Exam to confirm
Warning: Once submitted, answers CANNOT be changed!
9

Viewing Results

Results Page
View and export exam results

[Screenshot: exam-results.png]

Summary Cards

Total Students

Number who took the exam

Average Score

Mean score of all students

Highest Score

Top score achieved

Pass Rate

% of students who passed

Student Results Table

ColumnDescription
Student RegStudent ID
Student NameFull name
ScoreExam score
10

Exporting Results to Excel

How to Export

  1. Go to Exam Details → View Results
  2. Click the Export to Excel button
  3. The file downloads automatically
File name format: [Exam_Title]_results_[Date].xlsx

Excel File Contents

ColumnData
Student RegStudent ID
Student NameFull name
ScoreExam score
Use Cases: Upload to school management systems, print for records, share with departments.
11

Student Management

Student Analytics Page
View all students and their progress

[Screenshot: student-analytics.png]

Features

Search Bar

Find students by name or ID

Student Cards

Click to view exam progress

Stats

Exam count and progress

View Answers

See detailed answers per exam

Click any student card to view their assigned exams, completion status, best scores, and attempt history.
12

Quizzes (Practice Mode)

What Are Quizzes?

Quizzes are practice tests that allow students to learn through repetition.

Multiple Attempts

Retake as needed

Show Answers

See correct answers immediately

Explanations

Learn from detailed feedback

No Grades

Practice without pressure

Creating a Quiz

  1. Click Quizzes in the sidebar
  2. Click Create Quiz
  3. Fill in Title, Description, and settings
  4. Click Create Quiz

Assigning to Students

  1. Go to Quiz Details
  2. Click Assign to Students
  3. Select students from the list
  4. Click Assign to Selected
13

Quick Reference

Common Tasks

TaskNavigationAction
Create ExamDashboard → Create New ExamFill form → Create
Import StudentsExam Details → Import StudentsUpload Excel file
Import QuestionsExam Details → Import QuestionsUpload .cbthost
Monitor ExamExam Details → Live StatusView progress
View ResultsExam Details → View ResultsSee scores → Export
Create QuizSidebar → Quizzes → CreateFill form → Create
View StudentsSidebar → StudentsClick student card

File Formats

Student List

.xlsx, .xls, .csv

Exam Package

.cbthost

Results Export

.xlsx

URL Reference

PageURL
Admin Login/admin/login
Admin Dashboard/admin/dashboard
Create Exam/admin/create-exam
Exam Details/admin/exam/:examId
Live Status/admin/exam/:examId/status
Results/admin/exam/:examId/result
Import Students/admin/exam/:examId/import-students
Import Questions/admin/exam/:examId/import-questions
Student Login/student/login
Student Exams/student/exams

Ready to Conduct Exams Offline?

Download CBTHost Offline and start conducting secure, internet-free computer-based tests today

Need Assistance?

Our support team is ready to help you set up and use CBTHost Offline

! Chat with us