Secure Typing Exam System Development

VB.NET + MS ACCESS
LINE-BY-LINE TYPING EXAM SYSTEM
(WITH LICENSING MECHANISM – SUMMARY)
1. Purpose
A secure, offline desktop-based typing examination system for government or institutional use, developed in VB.NET, to conduct English and Hindi (DevLys font) typing exams with:
Strict exam discipline
Line-by-line controlled typing
Automatic recovery from power failure
Legally auditable PDF outputs
License-based authorised usage only
Hindi typing is DevLys font only (non-Unicode).
Candidates never see evaluation results, speed, or accuracy.
2. Technology Stack
VB.NET (Windows Forms / WPF)
MS Access (.accdb) – local embedded database
ADO.NET (OLEDB provider)
iTextSharp / PDFSharp – offline PDF generation
System.Security.Cryptography (RSA) – license verification
Windows File System for storage
Fully offline system
No internet dependency after installation
3. Core Exam Rules
Candidate language (English / Hindi DevLys) fixed by Admin
Strict line-by-line typing (one line visible at a time)
Arrow keys allowed (↑ ↓ ← →)
Copy / Paste / Drag / Right-click disabled
Typed data stored exactly as entered
No Unicode processing for Hindi
No speed, accuracy, or result shown to candidates
System operates ONLY with a valid license
4. Licensing Mechanism (MANDATORY)
License Characteristics
License file: license.dat
Generated only by Software Owner
Digitally signed (RSA – SHA256)
Time-bound
Machine-bound (PC / CPU / HDD hash)
License File Contents (Before Signing)
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Json
{
"customer": "XYZ DISTRICT",
"machine_hash": "ABCDEF123456",
"valid_from": "2025-01-01",
"valid_to": "2025-12-31",
"allowed_modules": ["TYPING_EXAM"]
}
License Verification (VB.NET)
License is verified on:
Application startup
Admin login
Exam start
If license is:
Missing
Tampered
Expired
Machine mismatch
System locks immediately
Displayed Message:
“System not authorised. Please contact vendor.”
Key Separation (Strict)
Private Key Owner system only (never shared)
Public Key → Embedded inside VB.NET EXE (read-only)
Exam software can only verify, never generate or modify licenses
5. System Modules & Features
Admin Module
Secure login (role-based)
Create exam (office header, exam name, exam date)
Upload passages separately for:
English
Hindi (DevLys – ANSI text)
Passages stored line-by-line
Import candidates (Excel / CSV)
Assign:
Roll No
Language
Photo
Control exam flow:
Practice → Start → Stop
View audit logs
Generate candidate-wise PDFs
Candidate Module
Login via:
Roll No + DOB OR
Roll No + Password
Verification screen:
Photo
Name
Roll No
Language
Practice test:
No saving
No evaluation
Actual exam:
Fullscreen enforced
Countdown timer
Line-by-line typing
Auto-save enabled
Final submit:
No result shown
6. Typing Engine (VB.NET)
Only one line visible
TextBox length locked to current line length
Arrow keys enabled
Clipboard disabled via Windows API
Keyboard hooks to block:
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V
Alt+Tab
Print Screen (optional)
Each line auto-saved immediately
7. Auto-Save & Recovery
Line-level auto-save in MS Access
Power failure safe
Resume typing from last saved line
Admin decides:
Resume exam
Terminate attempt
Zero data loss
8. PDF Generation (MANDATORY)
Auto-generated immediately after submission
Folder structure:
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/exam_pdfs/YYYY-MM-DD/ROLLNO.pdf
PDF Contains
Admin-defined office header
Exam name & date
Candidate details
Line-by-line comparison
Original text
Typed text
DevLys font embedded for Hindi
Candidate never sees PDF
9. Database Design (MS Access)
Key Tables
admin_users
exam_master
passages
candidates
typing_live_data
final_submissions
system_logs
license_status
Optimized for local single-machine or LAN use
Fully auditable
10. Installation & Activation
Setup.exe (VB.NET Installer)
Creates:
Database
Required folders
Initial Super Admin
Generates machine hash
Requires valid license.dat
Locks setup after first successful activation
11. Security & Integrity
Threat
Protection
Unauthorised use
RSA License verification
Power failure
Line-wise auto-save
Result tampering
No edit UI
Candidate manipulation
No stats shown
Legal disputes
Line-by-line PDF
Language misuse
DevLys enforced