Integrated and secure web-based examination management system

A web-based examination management system that is implemented in-house is discussed in this paper. It is designed based on the Java enterprise edition three-tier architecture. It also allows defining and setting up exams according to a flexible tree-based exams structure. Moreover, it integrates a rich text editor for composing exams suitable for different engineering and language disciplines. In addition, it automates the scheduling, grading, and reporting processes to relieve instructors from such cumbersome tasks. Furthermore, its capabilities and integration with different databases enable it to offer several security schemes that support strong multifactor authentication and authorization, detect impersonation, and prevent cheating. Besides, it provides an easy to use and informative wizard that enables students to take exams. Not to mention, the deployment results illustrate that the system has been successfully used to organize online exams in several semesters over the past 3 academic years. Finally, the conducted user surveys responses assert that the system is also user-friendly, cutting edge, capable, reliable, fast, and highly available.