The Benefits of Using TCExam for Your Educational Institution

A Comprehensive TCExam Tutorial: Setting Up Your First Exam### Introduction

Setting up online examinations can be a complex task, but with TCExam, it becomes significantly easier. TCExam is an open-source software designed for creating, administering, and managing electronic exams. This guide will provide a step-by-step tutorial on setting up your first exam using TCExam, making the process straightforward and efficient.

What You Need to Get Started

Before diving into the setup process, ensure you have the following:

• A server or local environment to host TCExam
• Basic knowledge of PHP and MySQL
• A text editor for configuring files
• Access to the internet for downloading TCExam

Step 1: Downloading TCExam

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to TCExam’s official site.
2. Select the Latest Version: Find the latest stable release of TCExam.
3. Download the Installation Package: Click the download link, and save the package to your local machine.

Step 2: Setting Up the Server Environment

Preparing Your Server

• Install a Web Server: You will need a server like Apache or Nginx.
• Install PHP: TCExam requires PHP, so ensure you have version 7.2 or above.
• Install MySQL: Set up a MySQL database, as TCExam uses it for storage.

Configuring Your Server

1. Upload TCExam Files: Extract the downloaded package and upload it to your web server directory.
2. Set Permissions: Ensure that the data, config, and plugins directories have the correct permissions (usually 755 or 775) to allow proper functioning.

Step 3: Creating the Database

1. Log into MySQL: Use a tool like phpMyAdmin or MySQL Workbench.
2. Create a New Database: Name it something relevant (e.g., tcexam_db).
3. Import Database Structure: Navigate to the install directory in TCExam and find the SQL scripts to create the necessary tables, usually named initial_schema.sql. Execute this script in your newly created database.

Step 4: Configuring TCExam

Setting Up Configuration Files

1. Locate the Configuration File: Go to the config directory within your TCExam installation.
2. Edit the Configuration File: Open config.php and fill in your database connection details:

   $DBHost = 'localhost';  // Your database host    $DBName = 'tcexam_db';   // Your database name    $DBUser = 'root';         // Your database username    $DBPass = '';             // Your database password 

1. Save Changes: After updating, save the configuration file.

Completing the Installation

1. Access the Installation Page: Open your web browser and navigate to your TCExam installation URL (e.g., http://yourdomain.com/tcexam/install).
2. Follow On-Screen Instructions: The setup wizard will guide you through the remaining steps, including creating an administrator account.

Step 5: Setting Up Your First Exam

Creating a New Exam

1. Log in to the Admin Panel: Use the credentials you created during installation.

2. Navigate to the Exam Management Section: Find the option labeled “Exams” in the sidebar.

3. Create a New Exam: Click on “Add New Exam” and fill out the required details:

   • Title: Give your exam a name.
   • Description: Briefly describe what the exam covers.
   • Duration: Set a time limit if applicable.
   • Type of Questions: Decide whether to include multiple-choice, essay, or true/false questions.

Adding Questions

1. Access the Questions Section: After saving your exam, navigate to the “Questions” tab.
2. Add New Questions: Click on “Add New Question” and choose the type of question you want to include.
3. Fill in Question Details: Provide the content, options (for multiple-choice), correct answers, and any other relevant information.

Step 6: Customizing Exam Settings

• Appearance: You can customize the appearance of the exam by adjusting themes and styles in the settings.
• Security Settings: Implement security features, such as question randomization and timed restrictions.
• Notifications: Set up notifications to inform participants about exam schedules and results.

Step 7: Conducting the Exam

1. Enrollment: Ensure participants are enrolled for the exam.
2. Launching the Exam: On the exam date, log in to the admin panel and launch the exam.
3. Monitoring: Monitor the exam progress through the admin interface, allowing you to manage timings and see participants’ responses in real-time.