Desktop Suite Guide

Download, install, and run SchoolEdge CBT

A step-by-step walkthrough for exam centres: set up the Admin server, connect Client PCs, activate your subscription, manage candidates and exams, then deliver live CBT sessions.

Download Desktop Suite Start with requirements
SchoolEdge CBT Admin dashboard
Admin dashboard — your exam centre control panel

1. System requirements

Prepare one dedicated Admin PC and as many Client (candidate) PCs as you need for the exam hall.

Admin (Server) PC

  • Windows 10 or later
  • Stable LAN connection to exam PCs
  • Enough disk space for question banks and results
  • Should stay powered on during exams (server must remain running)

Client (Candidate) PCs

  • Windows 10 or later
  • Same network as the Admin PC (LAN recommended)
  • Client app installed on each exam seat
  • Unique seat number per machine
You will need the Admin PC’s IP address (shown on the Admin dashboard) so every client can connect.

2. Download and install

  1. Click Download Desktop Suite on this website and save schooledge-cbt-setup.exe.
  2. Run the installer on the Admin PC first. Follow the setup wizard until installation completes.
  3. When setup finishes, you should see the success screen confirming the Admin app and database are ready.
  4. Leave Launch SchoolEdge CBT Admin checked, then click Finish.
  5. Repeat the client installation on each candidate PC (or deploy the Client component as provided in your package).
Installation successful wizard screen
Installer completion screen — Admin setup finished successfully
Default Admin login (first install): Username admin · Password admin123. Change this password immediately after your first login.

3. Sign in to the Admin application

Open SchoolEdge CBT Admin. On the Administrator Login screen, enter your username and password, then click Login.

SchoolEdge CBT Admin login
Admin login window

4. Activate your subscription account

Full centre features require a valid SchoolEdge subscription account (created on this website). After install, the Admin app may prompt you to initialise that account before continuing.

Subscription account required dialog
Subscription required prompt
Subscription account login form
Login with your web subscription email
  1. If you already registered on the website, click Login and enter your subscription email and password.
  2. If you are new, click Register and complete the registration form (or register on this website first, then return to Login).
  3. Confirm the account when prompted. A successful login unlocks licensed features for your centre.
Subscription registration form
In-app registration form
Subscription login confirmation
Confirm subscription login

Prefer the website? Create an account, choose a plan, then return to the desktop app and log in with the same credentials.

5. Understand the Admin dashboard

After login you land on the Admin dashboard — an overview of tests, candidates, and this PC’s network identity.

Admin server dashboard overview
Dashboard with Server toggle, IP address, and live stats
  • Server toggle (top right): Keep this On whenever candidates need to connect.
  • IP Address: Shown in the Settings summary card — use this on every Client PC.
  • Sync Data: Refresh catalogues and records when you update questions or candidates.
  • Sidebar: Candidate, Staff, Client Device, Test, Virtual Class, Subscription, Settings.
  • Footer: Shows server status and how many clients are connected.

6. Manage staff and candidates

Use the Admin sidebar to register exam officers and candidates before exam day.

Staff management screen
Staff management — add exam officers and roles
Candidate management screen
Candidate management — register and organise candidates
  1. Open Staff to create accounts for invigilators or centre officers.
  2. Open Candidate to add candidates individually or in bulk (where supported).
  3. Assign classes/groups so you can filter candidates when scheduling tests.

7. Configure exams and client devices

Exam / test management screen
Test management — create and schedule exams
Client device management screen
Client Device — monitor connected exam PCs
  1. Under Test, create or import question papers, set duration, and publish the exam.
  2. Under Client Device, review which seats are online and ready.
  3. Confirm the Admin server remains Running before admitting candidates.

8. Connect Client PCs to the Admin server

On each candidate machine, open the SchoolEdge CBT Client app and point it at the Admin IP.

  1. Note the Admin IP from the Admin dashboard (example format: 10.x.x.x).
  2. On the Client, open Settings and enter the Server IP Address.
  3. Enter a unique Seat Number for that PC (e.g. 001, 002).
  4. Click Save. When successful, the header shows Connected and a confirmation toast appears.
Client settings server IP and seat number
Client Settings — Server IP and Seat Number
Client successfully connected to server
Client home — Connected status confirmed
Client dashboard modes
Client dashboard — Local Test, Online Test, and Virtual Class
If status stays Not Connected, check that the Admin server toggle is On, both PCs are on the same network, and the IP was typed correctly (no firewall block on the Admin PC).

9. Candidate exam flow

Once the hall is connected and an exam is published, candidates work through this sequence on the Client.

Candidate login screen
1. Candidate login with assigned credentials
Candidate exam dashboard
2. Exam dashboard — available tests
Candidate exam instructions
3. Read instructions before starting
Live examination question screen
4. Live exam — answer, navigate, submit
  • Use Previous / Next or the question grid to move around the paper.
  • Watch the countdown timer in the header.
  • Click Submit when finished — remind candidates not to close the PC mid-exam.
  • Results sync back to the Admin server while the connection remains active.

10. Exam-day checklist

  • Admin app installed, default password changed, subscription logged in
  • Server toggle On; note the IP address
  • Candidates, staff, and exam paper prepared
  • Every Client connected with a unique seat number
  • Sample login + one dry-run question completed on a spare PC
  • Power and network backups ready for the Admin PC