Offline GATE Mock Test App: Edge CBT & AI Coaching with Gemma

Hacktoberfest Open-Source AI Challenge: Ghost in the Machine Submission 👻🌼

This is a submission for the Hacktoberfest Open-Source AI Challenge Week 4: Ghost in the Machine

Preparing for competitive examinations like GATE often means downloading hundreds of static question-paper PDFs. While past papers are the best study material, a flat PDF cannot reproduce real exam pressure: it cannot track a 180-minute countdown, enforce negative marking rules, or give instant feedback on conceptual mistakes.

For the Ghost in the Machine challenge, I interpreted the theme as breathing life into "dead", inert test papers. I built the Offline GATE Mock Test App —a lightweight desktop Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment powered by a local, open-weight Gemma 3 1B model running via Ollama.

It renders official question-paper PDFs on a high-contrast canvas alongside an interactive palette and response panel. Once submitted, it deterministically evaluates the responses against official answer keys and uses local Gemma to act as an offline study coach—classifying missed syllabus topics, identifying likely misconceptions, and providing targeted 3-step revision advice.

Note on Project Status: This project is a working prototype and proof-of-concept built in a bit of a rush right before the deadline. While the core test runner, official evaluation logic, and local coach integration work, it is still a work-in-progress (WIP) and not a fully finished commercial product.

Because this is a locally run desktop utility and I was racing against the clock, I don't have a video recording ready. Here are two direct screenshots from the active app running on my machine:

A 180-minute countdown timer, 65-question state palette (Blue: current, Green: answered, Amber: review), and dynamic response controls for MCQ, MSQ, and NAT types alongside the original PDF page:

Deterministic scoring header (-1/3 MCQ penalty, zero-penalty NAT/MSQ) paired with local Gemma 3 1B providing topic classification, misconception analysis, and actionable revision steps:

You can explore the full source code and setup instructions on GitHub:

Edge AI / Offline Open-Weight Intelligence: Transforming static official examination artifacts (PDF question papers and answer keys) into an active, air-gapped Computer-Based Test (CBT) environment powered locally by Gemma via Ollama —without cloud dependencies, subscriptions, or telemetry.

Submitted to the Hacktoberfest 2026 Open-Source AI Challenge (Week 4) on the DEV Community for the Best Use of Gemma partner category.

Active Prototype / Proof of Concept This project is an auditable, working proof-of-concept built for the Hacktoberfest 2026 challenge. While the core test engine and offline AI coach are operational, certain advanced analytics and historical paper adapters remain in active development.