Candidate Journey — Walkthrough
A step-by-step map of the desktop exam app, from the moment it opens to the moment the candidate's answers are safely submitted — including what happens if something looks suspicious along the way.
1 · Starting Up
While the app quietly prepares itself in the background — checking that everything it needs is ready — the candidate sees a simple splash screen instead of a frozen window.
The candidate enters their roll number and date of birth (or password). The app checks these details with the exam server before letting anyone in.
The server sends down the specific rules for this exam — how long it runs, which security checks are active, and the list of questions — and the app configures itself accordingly.
The app looks for extra monitors connected to the computer. If one is found, it either blocks the second screen or stops the exam from starting, depending on the exam's rules.
2 · Entering the Exam
The app fills the whole screen and stays there. Other applications — browsers, chat apps, code editors — are closed automatically and blocked from reopening for the duration of the exam.
Takes periodic snapshots of the candidate as a visual record.
Confirms every so often that the same person is still sitting the exam.
Captures periodic screenshots to catch anything unusual on screen.
Notices if the candidate clicks away from the exam window.
Watches for USB devices being plugged in or removed mid-exam.
Watches for signs of a VPN or an unusual network setup.
3 · Answering Questions
Questions can be multiple-choice, short written answers, or coding tasks (writing code from scratch or fixing broken code). For coding questions, the candidate can run their code against sample tests before moving on.
Answers are saved on the candidate's own computer as they type, and also sent to the server every 30 seconds — so nothing is lost even if the connection drops or the app closes unexpectedly.
4 · If Something Looks Wrong
Examples: the candidate clicks outside the exam window, an unrecognized face appears on camera, or a new USB device is detected.
The candidate sees an on-screen message telling them what happened and how many more violations are allowed before the exam ends.
If the same issue happens again, or the issue is serious enough on its own, the exam is stopped right away — the candidate does not get to continue.
5 · Finishing Up
Whether the candidate submits normally or the exam is ended early, the app sends the final answers, the full activity log, and any saved photos or screenshots to secure storage.
Candidate submits when ready (or time runs out) → answers and activity log are sent → app returns to the sign-in screen.
A serious or repeated security violation is detected → exam is stopped automatically → whatever was answered so far, plus the full activity log, is still sent for review.