Full Installation Workflow
Follow these steps in order to set up your CBT Examination Software (Version 7.0). Each step must be completed before moving to the next. The entire process takes approximately 20–30 minutes.
1. SQL Server Express 2025 Installation
SQL Server is the database engine that stores all your exam data, student records, and results. It is required before installing the CBT software.
📥 Download Link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloadsScroll down to the "SQL Server 2025 Express" edition and click "Download now".
Installation Steps:
-
Run the installer — Double-click the downloaded file (
SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe). - Choose installation type — Select "Basic" (not Custom).
-
Instance Configuration — Choose "Default instance" and enter:
SQLEXPRESSThis exact name is important — the CBT software connects to this instance.
- Authentication Mode — Select "Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication)".
-
Set the SA password — Enter:
CBT@2026!Secure or any Password of your choice⚠️ Write this password down. You may need it later.
- Add Current User — Click "Add Current User" to give your Windows account administrator access.
- Complete the installation — Click Next through the remaining screens and wait for the installation to finish.
2. CBT Examination Software Installation
The CBT software is the main application for conducting exams, managing students, and viewing results.
📥 Download CBT Software:
⬇️ Download NowClicking this button will start the download immediately. No external page required.
Installation Steps:
- Run the installer as administrator — Right-click the downloaded
CHUVORCBT-SCH_Setup_v7.0.exefile and choose Run as administrator (very important). - SQL Server check — If the installer warns that SQL Server Express was not found, cancel and complete Step 1 first.
- Follow the wizard — Click "Next" through the installation screens. Keep the default installation folder.
- Create desktop shortcut — Ensure the checkbox for "Create a desktop shortcut" is ticked.
- Complete installation — Click "Install" and wait for the process to finish.
ℹ️ What the installer sets up for you:
- A backup folder at
C:\ProgramData\CHUVOR CBT\Backups, with the correct permissions so SQL Server can save backups there. - Permission to save question images and student photos.
- A Windows Firewall rule (port 5000) so student computers on your network can reach the exam server.
3. First Run – Automatic Database Setup
The CBT software will automatically create the database and all required tables on its first run. You do not need to create the database or run any SQL script manually.
Steps:
-
Run the software as Administrator — Right‑click the desktop shortcut and select "Run as Administrator".
⚠️ This is important on the first launch. It gives the software permission to create the database.
- A black console window will open — This is the CBT server. It must remain open for the software to work. The first start may take up to a minute while the database is prepared.
-
Complete the Setup Wizard — Open your browser at
http://localhost:5000. Upload your license file and create an admin account. -
Database is now ready — The software has automatically created the
CBT_SchDBdatabase with all required tables and columns.
⚠️ Important: Do Not Close the Console Window
The black console window that appears is the CBT server. It must remain open at all times while using the software. If you close it, the software will stop working and students will lose connection.
- ✅ You can minimize the console window to keep it out of sight while you work.
- ✅ The console window displays important information like server status and device connections.
- ❌ Do NOT close the console window unless you want to shut down the CBT software completely.
- 🔄 To restart the software, simply double‑click the desktop shortcut again.
4. Group Questions & Reference Passages — Already Enabled
Group Questions (comprehension passages with follow‑up questions) and Reference Passages (non‑scored passages that stay visible during related questions) are enabled automatically when the software creates the database in Step 3.
✅ No action needed
In earlier versions a SQL script had to be run by hand. You no longer need to do this. If you already added these columns by hand on an older installation, the update detects it and leaves your data untouched.
Quick check (optional):
- Log in as admin and go to Questions → Create.
- You should see the Group ID box and the "Reference / Passage only" checkbox.
- If both are there, the setup is complete.
What this enables:
- Group Questions — Comprehension passages followed by multiple questions that stay together during shuffling.
- Reference Passages — Non‑scored passages/charts that remain visible while students answer related questions.
5. Database Backups
Create a backup before every major exam and before updating the software.
- Log in as admin and open Backup & Restore in the menu.
- Click "Create Backup Now". It is safe to do while students are taking exams.
- Backups are saved in
C:\ProgramData\CHUVOR CBT\Backups. Copy this folder to a flash drive or another computer regularly. - Backups are kept when you uninstall the software.
⚠️ Important Notes
- The SQL Server instance name must be exactly
SQLEXPRESSfor the CBT software to connect. - The database name must be exactly
CBT_SchDB. - If you forget the SA password, you will need to use Windows authentication or reinstall SQL Server.
- For schools with more than 100 students taking exams simultaneously, use a server with at least 16GB RAM and an SSD drive.
- Always run the CBT software as Administrator on the first launch to ensure the database is created successfully.
- Upgrading from an older version? Install v7.0 over the old one; your database and settings are kept. Take a backup first.
Need Remote Assistance?
If these steps are unclear or you require a professional setup for your institution, we provide remote database installation services. Contact our technical team, and we will handle the configuration for your servers.
📧 Request Remote Setup📞 Call/WhatsApp: 0706‑3799‑994
Hardware Requirements
For large-scale examinations (200–400+ students), we strongly recommend using Gigabit switches (10/100/1000) for all network connections. Ensure your server is equipped with at least 16GB of RAM (32GB recommended) and an SSD drive to handle the intensive concurrent read/write requests of the exam database.
Minimum Specifications:
- Windows 10/11 (64‑bit) or Windows Server 2019/2022
- Intel Core i3 processor (i5 recommended)
- 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended for 100+ students)
- 256 GB available disk space (SSD recommended)