Examinations
Complete guide to exam scheduling, question banks, CBT, result processing, and report card generation in Ardent SMS.
Examinations & Assessment
End-to-end exam management — from question bank creation and automated seating arrangements to result processing, broadsheets, and customizable report cards.
Overview
The Examinations module covers the entire assessment lifecycle: defining grading scales, scheduling exams, managing question banks, processing results, and generating report cards that meet GES standards.
Grading Scales
Ardent SMS ships with the standard GES grading scales and allows schools to define custom ones:
| Grade | Marks Range | Interpretation | GPA Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 – 100 | Excellent | 4.0 |
| 2 | 70 – 79 | Very Good | 3.5 |
| 3 | 60 – 69 | Good | 3.0 |
| 4 | 50 – 59 | Credit | 2.5 |
| 5 | 40 – 49 | Pass | 2.0 |
| 6 | 30 – 39 | Weak Pass | 1.5 |
| 7 | 0 – 29 | Fail | 0.0 |
Exam Workflow
Computer-Based Testing (CBT)
The CBT module allows schools to conduct exams digitally:
- Question Types: Multiple choice, true/false, short answer, essay
- Question Bank: Organize questions by subject, topic, difficulty level, and GES indicator
- Auto-Grading: MCQ and true/false questions are graded instantly
- Timer: Configurable exam duration with auto-submit on expiry
- Shuffle: Randomize question order per student to prevent cheating
- Results: Immediate score display for objective questions
Offline CBT: For schools with unreliable internet, the CBT module can run in a local network mode where a teacher's device serves as the exam server.
Automated Seating Arrangement
For paper-based exams, the system generates optimized seating plans:
- Input: Select the exam, venue(s), and capacity per venue
- Algorithm: Students are assigned seats ensuring no two students from the same class sit adjacent
- Output: Printable seating chart with student name, ID, and assigned desk number
Report Cards
Customizable report card templates include:
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Header | School logo, name, address, term, academic year |
| Scores | Subject-wise marks, class average, position |
| Assessment | Class teacher remarks, head teacher remarks |
| Attendance | Days present / total days, percentage |
| Conduct | Behavioral grade and teacher comments |
| Next Term | Reopening date, fees due, promotion status |
Permissions
Examinations Module Access
| Feature | Super Admin | Admin | Teacher | Accountant | Parent | Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create exam schedules | ||||||
| Enter marks | ||||||
| Process results | ||||||
| View report cards | ||||||
| Manage question bank |