TCExam Review 2026: Features, Pricing & Verdict

TCExam is a free, open-source computer-based assessment and exam platform for creating quizzes, tests and exams with question banks, timers and result tracking. It suits schools, colleges, training providers and employers that want to run online assessments on their own hosting.

What is TCExam?

TCExam is an open-source platform for creating and delivering electronic exams. It supports the full assessment process, including question authoring, exam scheduling, candidate access, automatic marking and result reporting.

The software is web-based, so candidates can access assessments through a modern browser rather than installing a dedicated programme. It is designed to run on standard web hosting and does not require expensive specialist hardware. The platform’s own documentation also highlights support for several languages, right-to-left languages and accessibility requirements.

You can learn more about the project on the official TCExam website. For a small organisation, the main appeal is control: your assessment data and application sit on hosting that you manage, rather than inside a closed software-as-a-service platform.

Pricing needs a little context. The core application is free and open-source, with no typical per-candidate subscription charge. You still need to budget for web hosting, backups, security, maintenance and any technical support or custom development. As of 2026, the practical cost is therefore the infrastructure around the software, rather than a licence fee for every learner.

5 Best Features of TCExam

1. Question banks for reusable assessments
   You can build a library of questions and reuse suitable items across different quizzes, tests and exams. This is useful for training providers that assess the same learning outcomes regularly, because staff do not need to recreate every paper from the beginning.

2. Timed exams and controlled sessions
   Timers help you set a defined duration for an assessment. This supports formal tests, knowledge checks and certification exercises where candidates need to work within a clear time limit.

3. Question and answer randomisation
   Random selection and ordering can create different versions of an assessment for different candidates. That does not replace proper invigilation, but it can reduce simple copying and make shared answers less useful.

4. Automatic scoring and reporting
   Objective questions can be marked automatically, helping administrators produce results more quickly. Reports also give tutors and managers a clearer view of performance, recurring weaknesses and candidates who may need additional support.

5. Browser-based, multilingual access
   Candidates can use a modern browser on a suitable computer or device. Language support, right-to-left writing support and attention to accessibility make the platform more suitable for organisations serving varied audiences in the UK, EMEA and North America.

TCExam in Action: 3 Examples

1. College revision and end-of-module tests

Example scenario: A college creates a question bank for an introductory business course. Tutors use a smaller selection for weekly revision quizzes, then create a longer end-of-module test using questions from the same bank.

The college can keep assessment content organised by subject and topic. Automatic marking also reduces routine administrative work, allowing tutors to focus on feedback and student support.

2. Professional training and certification

Example scenario: A training provider delivers online courses to learners in the UK, Germany and Canada. At the end of each course, learners complete a timed knowledge assessment before receiving a completion decision from the provider.

A browser-based system makes access simpler for remote learners. The provider can also standardise its testing process instead of relying on emailed documents and manually collated answer sheets.

3. Internal staff knowledge checks

Example scenario: An employer introduces a new data protection procedure. Employees complete a short online test after reading the updated guidance, while managers review overall results to identify topics that need clearer explanation.

This type of assessment is not the same as a high-stakes examination. It is a practical way to confirm that staff have seen and understood important information, with a record that can be reviewed later.

3 Things That Could Be Better

1. Self-hosting still creates technical responsibility
A one-click installer can simplify the initial setup, but it does not remove the need for sensible administration. Someone must still manage passwords, updates, backups, user permissions, database health and security settings. Organisations without in-house technical confidence should choose managed hosting or arrange ongoing support.

2. The wider review and support ecosystem is smaller
Large commercial assessment platforms often have extensive tutorial libraries, active user communities and large partner networks. Public feedback about TCExam is more limited, so prospective users may need to test it themselves and read the documentation carefully before committing to a major assessment programme.

3. Assessment security depends on more than software
A timer and randomised questions can improve control, but they cannot prove who is sitting an exam or prevent every form of assistance. High-stakes use may require identity checks, invigilation, accessibility adjustments, clear candidate rules and a documented process for technical interruptions.

If the candidate-facing experience needs substantial branding or a more modern conversion journey, a professionally planned website design service may also be useful around the assessment platform.

Top 2 Alternatives to TCExam

Moodle is a broader learning management system. It includes courses, lessons, assignments, forums and a large extension ecosystem, so it is better when exams are only one part of a complete online learning environment.

FormaLMS is another learning management system in Zest City’s app library. It focuses on structured training administration, course delivery and learner management, whereas TCExam is more narrowly centred on computer-based assessment.

3 Tips to Get More From TCExam

1. Design the question bank before scheduling an exam
   Group questions by subject, difficulty and learning objective. Write clear instructions and review every answer before publishing. A carefully maintained bank improves the quality of both short quizzes and formal exams.

2. Run a complete test with representative users
   Test the candidate journey on the browsers, screen sizes and internet connections your audience is likely to use. Check the timer, question order, submission process, result calculations and confirmation messages before inviting real candidates.

3. Document the operating process
   Decide who creates questions, approves exams, manages candidate accounts and reviews results. Set a backup routine and define what happens if a candidate loses their connection. If your assessment site needs wider content, branding or support, connect it with your website hosting and digital services plan.

Free with Zest City Web Hosting

TCExam is one of 79 apps available free with Zest City Web Hosting : included on every shared hosting programme and platform we offer, with genuine 1-click installation (no server admin, no manual setup, live in minutes). No extra licence fees, no separate app-store account.

Zest City Web Hosting makes supported applications easier to start. You can use the TCExam one-click installer as the starting point, then configure your users, question banks and assessment settings.

This is particularly useful for a small business or training provider that wants more control than a hosted subscription platform offers, without manually preparing a server. Hosting, backups, permissions and the suitability of your chosen plan still need to be reviewed before a high-stakes assessment goes live.

FAQs

Is TCExam free?

Yes. The core application is free and open-source, so there is no standard per-user licence charge for creating or sitting assessments. You still need to pay for suitable hosting and may need to budget for maintenance, support, security and customisation.

Can TCExam run timed exams?

Yes. TCExam includes timed assessment functionality, allowing administrators to set a defined duration for a test or exam. Always run a complete candidate test first, particularly if your assessment has strict completion rules.

Is TCExam good for online testing?

It can be a good fit for schools, colleges, training providers and employers that need self-hosted online tests. It is strongest when you value control, reusable question banks and automatic reporting, but organisations should assess the user experience, support requirements and security process before using it for high-stakes exams.

Can TCExam track results?

Yes. The platform can automatically score supported question types and produce result information for administrators. The depth and usefulness of your reports will depend on how you structure questions, users, exams and review procedures.

Not sure TCExam is the right fit : or want to see the other 78 apps you get free? Talk to Zest City about your web hosting and we'll help you pick the right app, the right hosting plan, and show you what else we can do for your site, from design to ongoing support.