What is CBT exam?

In the earlier decades, exam takers used to attempt their exams in the traditional mode, where paper and pen were the tools used for all types of competitive exams. With the evolution of different types of exam-related tools, thanks to the rapidly evolving technology and accessibility to these tech elements at affordable costs.

Exams…The minute students and professionals preparing for certain exams hear that their exams are approaching; the first thought that comes into mind is how will I perform in this exam?

This question comes into mind even when the format of the exam has transformed largely to the online mode via modern-day exams such as the Computer Based Test exam. CBT exam is also known as the Computer Based Test.

Now, let us understand the basics associated with the Computer Based Test exam.

What is CBT exam?

Benefits of the CBT exam for the exam takers (students):

Now, you must be thinking about how students or exam takers. You will be surprised to know several reasons have led to the increase in the use of the CBT exam for a wide range of competitive exams. Some of those reasons or benefits include the following:

• Ease to attempt the exam: Unlike offline exams that are conducted with pen and paper, one does not require these materials to attempt the Computer Based Test exam, except to solve the questions and find out the answers for the same. For instance, if you want to find out the answers to the numerical-based questions, you can add your inputs after adding the answer for the respective question. Apart from this, the customization aspect helps the organization to create tests that serve the particular set of exam takers as per their exam pattern and syllabus.
• Useful for specially-abled students: Students with special needs often find it difficult to attempt their exams with the pen-and-paper method. The Computer Based Test comes to the rescue. Such students and exam takers can attempt the exam with the help of crucial features such as screen reader, voice-to-text and vice versa applications, and magnification features.
• Increased security: This solution system offers next-level security for the CBT exam questions and answers. Therefore, students and professionals taking the exam with the CBT features will not have to worry about the security of their answers in any manner. They need to simply focus on their best-level attempt for their target rank.
• Independent of location: Students or exam takers do not have to rely on the location aspect. The remote system of this solution helps exam takers to attempt their exams in the best possible manner.

Apart from these benefits, the Computer Based Test is useful to conduct the respective examination at a large scale without affecting the exam taker’s experience at the individual level.

Unique features of the Computer Based Test:

Now that we know about the Computer Based Test, let us find out the unique features that offer the above-mentioned benefits to the aspirants who appear for the respective competitive exam.

• Invigilation with CCTV and Web cameras: CCTV surveillance is critical to keep a check on the exam takers at the respective examination center. Both voice and actions of the exam takers are recorded in the CCTV cameras. It provides additional support to the examiners to keep an eye on the actions of the exam takers during the exam duration. Apart from this, web cameras are another popular types of camera that are installed in computer systems. The primary goal is to record the pictures of the exam takers’ faces and verify the exam takers’ identity even before the exam begins.
• Availability of biometric authentication: The biometric facilities associated with the Computer Based Test offer the exam takers verification with measures to prevent cheating during the respective exam.
• Proctored testing environment: The CBT exam, i.e., Computer Based Test makes the testing environment reliable for the exam takers. The respective technology offers a comfortable yet strictly monitored environment for the exam takers, irrespective of the exam type. It is a highly useful feature in the CBT engineering exams.
• Multiple language options: This solution translates the CBT questions and answers present in different languages in the respective exam into the required language. It creates a simplified experience for the ease of the exam takers, examiners, and exam checkers.
• Availability to set and change schedules: Exam schedule is a crucial part of any exam. This solution holds the ability to set and change schedules as per the guidelines that the organizing committees set for the respective exam.
• Anti-cheat system: This system ensures all the CBT online exam takers have the same resources from the start of the exam to the end. No resources are available for the exam takers to cheat during the exam, thanks to the quality anti-cheat system present in the Computer Based Test.

Steps associated with the Computer Based Test:

You must be thinking that the CBT exam or Computer Based Test involves the exam attempting part. It surely includes the main examination part, but apart from the CBT online exam, there are various aspects associated with the Computer Based Test as a complete solution. This includes the following:

• Registration: This is the initial phase of the CBT examination. In this segment, the core activities involved include applicant registration, admit card registration, and creating a schedule and allotment of examination slots.
• QB Development: In this phase, the technical activities are held for the smooth execution of the next two steps to serve students appearing for the CBT exam in the best possible manner.
• Exam Day Activities: This is the main aim of the CBT exam. To ensure that the candidates can take the exams smoothly and examiners can manage them properly, the concerned firm providing the CBT exam facilities conducts several processes in the backend. Some of these processes/activities include QP Delivery with IT Management. Apart from this, it also deals with the proper management (backend) of the center, and security management.
• Result Processing: This is the final step linked with the CBT exam. In this step, the software associated with the CBT exam generates the results of the CBT online exam. In this step, this technology/software checks and rechecks the information in the verification step (for the answers to the respective questions).

If you want to learn about the basic steps regarding how the Computer Based Test engineering exam works commonly, then here is a simple-to-understand and brief explanation.

• In the first step, students register to appear for the respective exam.
• Experts create the respective question paper.
• In the examination hall, the examiners send exam invites to the exam takers.
• The same examiners monitor the respective exam.
• After the exam completion, the solution’s system generates and sends the exam reports.

Now that we know about the crucial information associated with the Computer Based Test (CBT exam), let us find out the answers to some commonly asked questions.

1. What is the GATE exam mode?

Ans.The GATE exam mode is in the CBT exam mode, i.e., Computer Based Test. The organizing committee conducts the GATE exam in the form of a Computer Based Test (CBT) in the respective GATE session.

 

2. What does the CBT exam mean?

Ans. CBT exam full form is Computer Based Test. CBT exam means attempting exams or delivering information via computer systems.

 

3. Are engineering exams held in the CBT exam format?

Ans. Several post-engineering exams in the competitive exam sector are held in the Computer Based Test exam mode.

 

4. When is the GATE 2025 CBT exam?

Ans. This year, IIT Roorkee will conduct the GATE 2025 CBT exam on the 1^th, 2^nd, 15^th, and 16^th of February for the 30 papers specified in the GATE 2025 syllabus.

 

5. Is there a negative marking for the GATE 2025 CBT exam?

Ans. Yes. Negative marking is present for GATE 2025 CBT exam. For instance, in the case of 1 mark questions, the negative marking deduction is 1/3 mark. In the case of MCQ which comprises 2 marks, the negative marking deduction is 2/3 marks.

Hope you found this blog post useful!

Feel free to drop your comments and suggestions in the comments section below!

All the best for your upcoming CBT exam!

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