🧠 MCQ Exam System (Terminal-Based)

A terminal-based MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) Exam System built in C++ using socket programming and file management. This system supports both students and instructors, allowing practice and scheduled exams with detailed performance analysis.

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📁 Project Structure

MCQ_EXAM_SYSTEM/
├── client/              # Client-side code for both students and instructors
│   ├── client.cpp/h     # Client logic
│   ├── main.cpp         # Entry point for client
│   ├── ui.cpp/h         # UI elements for CLI
│   ├── exam_questions.txt  # Sample question file
├── server/              # Server-side logic
│   ├── auth.cpp/h       # Authentication logic
│   ├── exam_manager.cpp/h  # Exam handling logic
│   ├── main.cpp         # Entry point for server
│   ├── server.cpp/h     # Server-side socket handling
├── data/                # Storage for exam and user data
│   ├── exams/           # Uploaded exams
│   ├── results/         # Student result files
│   ├── instructors.txt  # Instructor credentials
│   ├── students.txt     # Student credentials
├── README.md            # Project documentation

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🧑‍💻 Features

👨‍🎓 Student Panel

• Take Practice Test (unlimited attempts)
• Take Scheduled Test (only at scheduled time, one attempt)
• View Dashboard with:
  • Exam score summary
  • Time taken per question
  • Answer review (correct/wrong, selected option)
  • Attempt history
  • Performance in the exam
  • Leaderboard

👨‍🏫 Instructor Panel

• Upload new exams (in structured .txt format)
• Upload seating pattern(not functional)
• View student performance with per-question statistics
• View all uploaded exams
• Schedule exams with a specific date and time

🔐 Authentication

• Register/Login with hashed password storage
• Role-based access (student/instructor)

📊 Exam Types

• Practice Test: Free attempt anytime
• Scheduled Test: Set by instructor with start time, single attempt only

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📄 Question File Format

Each question must follow this structure:

Q: Who was the first President of India?
A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
B) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
C) Jawaharlal Nehru
D) Mahatma Gandhi
A: A

• Q: — marks the beginning of a question
• A) to D) — answer options
• A: — correct answer (must be A, B, C, or D)

Multi-line questions are supported under Q: until an option (A) to D)) begins.

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⚙️ How It Works

1. Instructor uploads an exam file and selects exam type (Practice/Scheduled)
2. Student logs in, views available exams
3. Student takes the exam and submits
4. Immediate result shown after submission
5. Results stored with timestamp and performance metrics
6. Per question analysis and leaderboard shown once exam is over

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🛠 Technologies Used

• C++ (Core logic)
• POSIX Sockets (Client-Server Communication)
• File I/O (No database used)
• Terminal-based UI
• Password Hashing (e.g., SHA or simple hash function)

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🚀 Getting Started

1. Compile Server

cd server
make
./server

2. Compile Client

cd client
make
./client

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📌 Future Enhancements

• GUI with Qt or Web Frontend
• Encrypted file transmission
• Admin dashboard
• Result export to PDF or CSV
• OTP-based exam access

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