International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
Design and Implementation of Secure Computer Based Examination
System Based On B/S Structure
Sanjay Kumar Singh
Assistant Professor,
Department of Computer Science & Engineering,
School of Management Sciences, Lucknow, India.
E-mail: sanjay.lookmax@gmail.com
Abstract
Online Examination System is efficient, fast and reduces the large
amount of material resources. This paper proposed secure
computer based examination system base on B/S structure to
address these aforementioned drawback. The system is designed
to facilitate the exam process, manage surrounding the conduct of
any type of examination (Academic institution, company,
School), support Multilanguage question, random question
display at a time, solution to the issue of security and cheating for
online exams The new system was design and implement using
HTML, JAVASCRIPT, JQUERY, AJAX, JSP and MYSQL
database which may be deployed on either on internet or Intranet.
This system is tested in real environment at School of
Management Sciences, Lucknow.
Keywords: B/S structure, JSP, AJAX, HTML, Central command
Centre, Examination Command Centre.
Introduction
As the growth of technology, the paper base examination is
replaced with computer based examination system and also web-
based examination system. The traditional method of manually
writing exams includes several drawbacks. Some of the drawback
includes Malpractices, waiting for results, wastage of resources
such as pen, paper etc., collecting answer sheet, mistake occurs
during evaluation etc., In recent years, a variety of computer
based systems are developed for the institutions.
The Web-based examination is an effective solution for mass
educational evaluation. Online examination system is designed
for universities, schools, colleges and even Banking and
Government for recruitment purposes. The system utilizes various
open source software framework. In the recent years, there have
been many computer based examination systems with one or
more limitations. Some of which are not being able to
automatically log-off candidates upon expiration of allotted time
and lack of randomization of questions for each candidate. Today
many organizations are conducting online examinations
worldwide successfully and produce the results in online [1].
Literature Review
There is a growing body of research focused on developing better
ways to manage e-exams systems. In literature, various
researchers focused on various sections of the online examination
system. The Schramm [2] looked at a e-learning web based
312
Arvind Kumar Tiwari
Professor,
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
GGSCMT, SAS Nagar Punjab, India.
E-mail: arvind.tiwari1980@gmail.com
system that could simply offer and grade mathematical
questions with infinite patience. Therefore it needs the
capability for in and output of mathematical formulas, the
dynamic generation of plots and the generation of random
expressions and numbers. Al-Bayati and Hussein [3] presents
an applied Generic Software of multiple kinds of e-exam
package; this package of e-exam is oriented to Hearing
Impaired (HI) persons. Therefore the exam material of this
package is translated into language of HI persons like sign
language and finger spelling. The idea of the Generic
software is to present an empty template to the teacher who
would like to develop his required e-exam for the needful
topic such as mathematics, language, science, etc. and desired
set of exam kinds such as multiple choices, matching
between words, fill in blanks, etc... The web-based
examination system is an effective solution for mass
education evaluation.. Zhenming et. al. [4] developed a novel
online examination system based on a Browser/Server
framework DCOM technology which carries out the
examination and auto-grading for objective questions and
operating questions, such as programming, operating
Microsoft Windows, editing Microsoft Word , Excel and
PowerPoint, etc. It has been successfully applied to the
distance evaluation of basic operating skills of computer
science, such as the course of computer skills in Universities
and the nationwide examination for the high school graduates
in Zhejiang Province, China. The system is not reliable
enough. Also it uses a specific technology not open source
technology. The system is designed specifically for computer
science students. It is not designed for general purpose
students. Also it does not support other language. Lie He [5]
presented a web-based educational assessment system by
applying Blooms taxonomy to evaluate student learning
outcomes and teacher instructional practices in real time. The
system performance is rather encouraging with
experimentation in science and mathematics courses of two
local high schools.
The Rashad et. al. [6] proposed a web based online
examination system that carries out the examination and
auto-grading for students exams. The system facilitates
conducting exams, collection of answers, auto marking the
submissions and production of reports for the test. It supports
many kinds of questions. It was used via Internet and is
therefore suitable for both local and remote examination. The
system could help lecturers, instructors, teachers and others
who are willing to create new exams or edit existing ones as
well as students participating in the exams. The system was
built using various open source technologies AJAX, PHP,
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
HTML and MYSQL database. An auto-grading module was
generalized to enable different exam and question types. The
system was tested in the Mansoura university quality assurance
center. The test proved the validity of using this kind of web
based systems for evaluates students in the institutions with high
rate of students.
TheELEmary and Al Sondos [7] presented an online website for
tutoring and e-examination of economic course. The basic aim of
authors of the paper to present a novel software tool can be used
for online examination and tutorial application of the syllabus of
economic course.The main interests of authors of the paper is to
produce a software through it we make sure that students have
studied all the concepts of economics. So, the proposed software
is structured from two major modules: The first one was an online
website to review and make self-test for all the material of
economic course. The second part is an online examination using
a large database bank of questions through it the level of students
can be evaluated immediately and some statistical evaluations can
be obtained. Electronic exam is a difficult part of e-learning
security.The Huszti and Petho described a cryptographic scheme
that possesses security requirements, such that authenticity,
anonymity, secrecy, robustness, correctness without the existence
of a Trusted Third Party. The authors of the paper proposed
protocol that provides students a receipt, a proof of a successful
submission, and it is based on existence of anonymous return
channels. The Ayo et.al. [8] proposed a model for e-Examination
in Nigeria where all applicants are subjected toonline entrance
examination as a way of curbing the irregularities as proposed by
the Joint AdmissionsMatriculation Board (JAMB), the body
saddled with the responsibility of conducting entrance
examinationsinto all the Nigerian universities. This model was
designed and tested in Covenant University, one of theprivate
universities in Nigeria. Their findings revealed that the system has
the potentials to eliminate someof the problems that are
associated with the traditional methods of examination such as
impersonationand other forms of examination malpractices. The
Akinsanmi et. al. [8] seeks to solve a part of that problem by
designing and developing a web application where tests
inmultiple choice formats will be taken online and graded
immediately. The webapplication relies solely on Microsoft
developed technologies. It runs on the Microsoft.net framework,
uses the ASP.NET web server, C# as the intermediate language,
ADO.NET to interact with the relationaldatabase and Microsoft
SQL server as the relational database. The Hoffman et. al. [9]
proposed an exam system for testing student in the software
engineering courses and that system is used offline. The
McGough et. al. [10] proposed a browser-based exams system to
prove of concept. That system does not support full interactivity
and it does not support different languages it's also designed for
computer science students.Ji-hoon Lee et. al. [11] proposed exam
generator program which helps both users and instructors. The
system is built for generating exams for fundamental engineering
students. The exam is designed taking into consideration one type
of exams which is Multiple Choice Questions.
Raymound et. al. [12] proposed a web based Multiple Choice
Exams. This exam supports only this type of questions and does
not support Arabic as an exam language. Jelica protice et. al. [13]
proposed a system that provides teachers with efficient means of
generating and scoring tests with multiple choice answers. This
system is inevitable in evaluating student's knowledge at massive
313
examinations. Jordi et. al. [14] presented a secure electronic
examination protocol. Using wireless technology, they
propose a trade-off solution between examination security
and examination flexibility. Mikel et. al. [15] proposed an
exam tool that is based on multiple choice questions. This
tool is designed for only computer science students. Zhang et.
al. [16] proposed a web-based operational skills examination
and evaluation system for computer courses. The Chien Lin
et. al. [17] designed a prototype automatic quiz generation
system for a given English text to test learner comprehension
of text content and English skills. After the emergence of
modern technologies in the field of Information Technologies
(IT), virtual learning has attained a new form. The way of
announcing exams grades is an important topic in e-learning.
For announcing exams grades on the web, various methods
have been proposed. Shirali-Shahreza M [18] introduced
three new methods for announcing exams grades and the
result of implementing these methods for announcing the
grades of some courses at the some Iranian universities are
provided. Also these methods and their results are analyzed.
Finally these three new methods are compared with other
methods. Pascual-Nieto et. al. [19] proposed a web-based
application which automatically and adaptively assesses
students' free text answers written in Spanish and English. It
is intended to help students review concepts outside of class,
and provides an alternative assessment method. Hernn-
Losada et. al. [20] addressed the combined use of automatic
grading and the test-driven approach from a pedagogical
view. Horea et. al. [21] presented the main aspects and
implementation of an online multiple choice examination
system with general chemistry issues for student evaluation.
The testing system was used to generate items for a multiple-
choice examination for first year undergraduate students in
Material Engineering and Environmental Engineering from
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, which all
attend the same General Chemistry course.
Presented approaches have certain drawbacks. In this paper,
we developed and proposed a toolthat provide a solution to
mitigate all of them such as Multilanguage facility, cheating
prevention using secure browser, timing function, server
failure, conduct all type of examination
Proposed System
The proposed computer based system the following essential
component. The detailed architecture of proposed system is
shown in Figure-1.
(a)Central command Centre (CCC)
(b)Examination Command Centre (ECC)
(a) Central Command Centre:
It is the main part of examination system which manages and
controls the entire operation of conducting examination. It
has Replication Exam Server (RES) which enhance the
reliability. The Central Command Server (CCS) is connected
through Internet.The Central Control Centre includes the
followings functions.
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

(i) Management of system information of all regions ensures the scalability for the system. All transactions are
Each terminal is having an IP address and a MAC address this performed after double authentication to prevent masquerade,
information is stored in a table into the fields such as Region stealing of the questions and test sheets.
Wise Examination Centre code, Examination Centre Name,
Terminal number,IP address ,MAC address, Exam Start Password
sending Time, Student sending detail Time, Login Time, Logout
Time, Continuous monitoring time, Login/Logout Status,
Question set number assigned, Question set sending time, Answer
received Time and Exam start Time. Since the entire exam related
information is stored in CCS. IP address cannot be changed
without prior information Central command Centre (CCC), as this
is warranted to maintain security related issues.

(ii) Preparation and Management of Exam schedule

The Central Command Centre maintains the region wise
computer centers details, number of computers each computer
center has and the candidates information, such as which center
has been allotted to, date of examination, session. From this, it
prepares the examination schedule. Management of candidates
information. The candidates personal information, examination Figure 1: Architecture of proposed system
information such as examination venue, date and time of
(b)Examination Command Centre (ECC)
examination are managed & effectively maintained. The copy of
The operations of the examination Command Centre are:
the personal information of the candidates is then uploaded to the
(i) Initiating the communication with central server
required regional server for authentication in local examination
(ii) Requesting candidates information for that particular
halls. The mark of the candidate is also maintained.
Examination Command Centre region.
(iii) Requesting for question set at time of exam.
(iii) Management of examinations question bank
(iv) Automatically generate the four question set at exam
This unit is the heart of the entire EES where the question bank
time on the basis of received set from Central
for entire examination is maintained.
Command Centre (CCC).
(v) Uploading the answers to the central Command Server
(iv) Generation of question sets
after exam completion.
Our e-Examination system proposes to use same question sets
(vi) Monitor the each terminal with following field with the
with different order .It assign the set number (set1, set2, set3,
help of exam monitoring system is shown in Figure-2.
set4) to each candidate according to seating plan layout.

System Number /Terminal Number, Student Name, IP

(v) Secure Distribution of questions set
Address, Exam Time, Login/Logout, Lock/Unlock
The Examination Command Centre initiates the request for
question set with the central command center. Based on the
request, question set is encrypted and sends to the Examination
Command server that prevents the question set and answer set
from altering.

(vi) Evaluation of answers

The answer for the questions is available in central Command
Server and the evaluation is done at the central server. The Exam
server upload the candidates answers along with the registration
number and set number and center code number to the central
command center for evaluation. After evaluation the candidates
marks are updated in central Command center and the regional
server.
Since, the roll number and the answer for the questions are
uploaded to the central server (minimal network traffic. This Figure 2: Exam Monitoring System

314
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
Process Flow
The process flow of the online examination process before
examination starts has been shown in Figure 3
Figure 3: Process Flow
Process flow on the day of exam is shown in figure 4.
Figure 4: Process flow on one day Exam
315
Security and Reliability of EES
Security is the most important factor of an examination
system, and it is much more sensitive for an online
examination system. It needs to ensure the security and
reliability of not only the data transmitting but also the data
in the database. We have taken the following measures to
achieve the target.
(i) Data security of system
The system authorizes different authorities to different users,
and the users use the system within their own authorities.
With the perfect authentication and authorization, the users
are limited to the authorized functions, so the security of data
in the system can be guaranteed.
(ii) Data security of transmission
The data transmission is base on the TCP/IP protocol; the
three way handshake in the TCP protocol can ensure the data
integrity and reliability. In order to prevent the test package
and answer package from peeking or altering, all the data
packages are encrypted with 3 DES and a time label is added
to every data package to limit the data package used within
the time permitted. For that particularly sensitive data, such
as the test sheets and answer sheets, 3DES encryption is used
again to ensure the security.
(iii) Data Security of Usage
In order to prevent the users from cheating, every test
package is added with a time label. The test package cannot
be decrypted beyond the time even if the user has enough
authorities. Because of the high-strength encryption strategy
and prefect authorization strategy, the security of data is
ensured at any node and the process of transfer. In the answer
tool, the questions are displayed with different order. If there
are more than one test sheet used in one examination, the
candidates closed to each other will receive different test
sheet. At the time when the candidate logged in, its personal
information is banded with the IP of the PC he used, that can
prevent the candidate from changing PC optionally.
(iv)Facticity of Examination:
The candidate examination system set itself on the top of the
desktop and full-screen display when it runs, at the same
time, the shortcut keys are all shield to prevent the candidates
from using the information stored in the examination PC. In
addition, the system kills other user processes especially the
instant messaging to prevent candidates from cheating via the
Internet.
(v) Terminal Failure
When a candidate logon to the system at the beginning of the
examination in a terminal, the IP address, the MAC address
and the terminal number are captured and this terminal
number is updated in the candidates examination
information table. Since the choice opted by the candidate is
stored at Regional Control Centre, for every choice selected,
when a terminal fails, the candidate will be allotted another
terminal by the co-coordinator, and he will be allowed to
continue beyond actual time, with allowance for the loose of
time for the shifting.
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

Experimental Results (ii) Candidate enters a password and clicks submit button. If
(i) Designed a launcher which install on each client machine. authentication is successfully it display Instruction page is
Instructor gives server IP, System and select exam start is shown shown in Figure-7
in Figure-5.

Figure 7: Instruction page

Figure 5: Launcher
It launches examination system and displays the candidate Login
page with Photo System Number, Candidate Name and entered
roll no is shown in Figure-6
Where candidate read information related to exam and all
candidate IP Address stored in exam monitoring system on
Exam Server.
(iii) After fixed time automatically exam start message
appear You are ready to start examination on each
candidate machine is shown in Figure-8

Figure 8: Instruction page with exam start message

After click Ok button I AM READY TO BEGIN appear on

screen is shown in Figure-9

Figure 6: Login page

Figure 9: Candidate Login

316
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
Candidate click I AM READY TOBEGIN then exam start page
open with timer as shown in Figure-10
Figure 10: Exam page
If timer reaches to zero automatically open the exam summary
page is shown in Figure-11
Figure 11: Exam summary Page
(iv) Finally candidate close the exam or automatically system
close the program after fixed time is shown in Figure-12
Figure 12: Exam Completed Successfully
317
v) Exam monitoring system on Exam Center is shown in
figure-13 which synchronized with Central Command
Center.
Figure 13: Exam monitoring system
Result of test quizis shown in Figure-14.
Figure 14: Result of the candidates
Conclusion
A secure online examination system without paper has been
designed and proposed for examinations to be conducted at
different places. By deploying efficient OES, resources like
time, energy to evaluate every single answer sheet and the
need to use paper is reduced. As of now most of the
competitive examinations are online, so the need to train
students to get used to an online testing environment is
essential and CES is an excellent platform for this. Online
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 11, Number 1 (2016) pp 312-318
Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
Examination System is efficient, fast and reduces the large
amount of material resources. Here, in this paper we proposed a
secure computer based examination system based on B/S
structure to address these aforementioned drawbacks. The
proposed system is designed to facilitate the exam process,
manage surrounding the conduct of any type of examination such
as academic institution, company, school etc... The proposed
system also support Multilanguage questions, random question
display at a time, solution to the issue of security and cheating for
online exams. In this paper, the proposed system was design and
implemented using HTML, JAVASCRIPT, JQUERY, AJAX, JSP
and MYSQL database which may be deployed on either on
internet or Intranet. The proposed system has been also tested in
real environment at School of Management Sciences, Lucknow. It
was observed that the proposed system is efficient, robust and
secure computer based online examination system based on B/S
structure.
The future work of this paper is to add additional security
functionalities like finger print recognition or face recognition to
the login module. In addition to it, apart from just testing the
students on an objective basis, the theoretical knowledge can also
be tested with adding brief answers to the test portal. With the
addition of these functionalities the CES becomes an effective
online portal for conducting mass examinations.
References
[1] Chi-Chien Pan et al, Secure online examination architecture
based on distributed firewall, e-Technology, e-Commerce and e-
Service, 2004 IEEE International Conference on , 28-31 March
2004 ,533 - 536 .
[2] Thomas Schramm (2008), E-Assessments and E-Exams for
Geomatics Studies, Department ofGeomaticsHafen City
University Hamburg Hebebrandstrae 1, 22297 Hamburg,
Germany.
[3] Maha A. Al-Bayati, Karim Q. Hussein (2008) Generic
Software of e-Exam Package for HearingImpaired Persons
(Mathematics as Case Study), 2nd Conference on Planning &
Development ofEducation and Scientific Research in the Arab
States, page 955-962.
[4] Yuan Zhenming1, Zhang Liang2, Zhan Guohua3, " A novel
Web-Based online examination system for computer science
education ",33rd ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference
, 2003.
[5] Lei He (2006), A novel web-based educational assessment
system with Blooms Taxonomy, Current Developments in
Technology-Assisted Education. Page 1861-1865.
[6] Magdi Z. Rashad, Mahmoud S. Kandil , Ahmed E. Hassan, and
Mahmoud A. Zaher (2010), AnArabic Web-Based Exam
Management System, International Journal of Electrical &
ComputerSciences IJECS-IJENS Vol: 10 No: 01. Page 48-55.
[7] Ibrahiem M. M. EL Emary and Jihad. A. A. Abu Al Sondos
(2006), An Online Website for Tutoring and E-Examination of
Economic Course, American Journal of Applied Sciences 3 (2):
Page 1715-1718, ISSN 1546-9239.
[8] Ayo C. K., Akinyemi I.O. `, Adebiyi A.A.and Ekong U.O.
(2007), The Prospects ofEExamination Implementation in
Nigeria, Department of Computer and Information Sciences,
Covenant University, Ota, NIGERIA. Turkish Online Journal of
Distance Education-TOJDE October 2007. ISSN 1302-6488
Volume: 8 Number: 4 Article 10, page 125-135.
BabatundeIpaye (2009), E-Learning in a Nigerian Open
University, National Open University of Nigeria, page 1-11
318
[9] Daniel Hoffman, Paul Strooper, and Peter Walsh,
"Teaching and Testing", Proceedings of the 9th Conference
on Software Engineering Education, Page: 248 ,1996
ISBN:0-8186-7249-8 IEEE Computer Society Washington,
DC, USA.
[10] McGough, J.; Mortensen, J.; Johnson, J.; Fadali, S., "A
web-basedtesting system with dynamic question
generation", Frontiers inEducation Conference, 2001. 31st
Annual Volume 3, Issue, 2001Page(s):S3C - 23-8 vol.3.
[11] Ji-hoon Lee, Kurt Gramoll. "Internet-based Exam
Generator forPractice Review of the Fundamentals in
Engineering Exam". Athesis Submitted To The Graduate
Faculty in partialfulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of MASTER OFSCIENCE BY JI-HOON LEE
Norman, Oklahoma 2000, and School of Aerospace and
Mechanical Engineering.
[12] Raymond Lister, Peter Jerram, "Design forWeb-Based On-
DemandMultiple Choice Exams Using XML Proceedings
of the IEEEInternational Conference on Advanced Learning
Techniques (ICALT01), 2001 IEEE.
[13] JelicaProticeI, DraganBojie ', and Igor Tartalja, " test: Tools
forEvaluation of Students' Tests- A Development
Experience", October10 - 13,2001 Reno, NV 31''
ASWIEEE Frontiers in EducationConference.
[14] Jordi Herrera-Joancomart, JosepPrieto-Blazquez,
JordiCastell`a-Roca EstudisdInform`atica i Multimedia, "A
secure electronicexamination protocol using wireless
networks", Proceedings of theInternational Conference on
Information Technology: Coding andComputing
(ITCC04).
[15] MikelKerejeta, MikelLarraaga, Urko Rueda, Ana Arruarte,
Jon. A.Elorriaga, " TOKA: A Computer Assisted
Assessment ToolIntegrated in a Real Use Context",
Proceedings of the Fifth IEEEInternational Conference on
Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT05).
[16] Liang Zhang, Yue-ting Zhuang1, Zhen-ming Yuan2, Guo-
hua Zhan2,A Web-Based Examination and Evaluation
System for ComputerEducation ", Proceedings of the Sixth
International Conference on Advanced Learning
Technologies (ICALT'06), 2006 IEEE.
[17] Li-Chun Sung, Yi-Chien Lin and Meng Chang Chen, "An
Automatic Quiz Generation System for English Text
Seventh IEEE International Conference on Advanced
Learning Technologies (ICALT 2007).
[18] Shirali-Shahreza, M., "Design and Implementation of Three
Different Methods for Announcing Exam Grades on the
Web", Advanced Learning Technologies,
2008.ICALTapos;08. Eighth IEEE International Conference
on Volume, Issue, 1-5 July 2008 Page(s):335 337.
[19] Pascual-Nieto, I., Prez-Marn, D., O'Donnell, M., &
Rodrguez, P. (2008, July). Enhancing a free-text adaptive
computer assisted assessment system with self-assessment
features. In Advanced Learning Technologies,
2008.ICALT'08. Eighth IEEE International Conference on
(pp. 399-401). IEEE.
[20] Hernn-Losada, I., Pareja-Flores, C., & Velazquez-Iturbide,
A. J. (2008, July). Testing-based automatic grading: A
proposal from Bloom's taxonomy. In Advanced Learning
Technologies, 2008.ICALT'08. Eighth IEEE International
Conference on (pp. 847-849). IEEE.
[21] Horea Iustin NACU, Lorentz JNTSCHI, "Multiple
Choice Examination System 2. Online Quizzes for General
Chemistry", Leonardo Electronic Journal of Practices and
Technologies, 3(5), 26 - 36. YEAR: 2004.