Time-Limit

Control pacing, lock content after timeouts, and enforce timers for secure, timed assessments.
July, 2025

Why use time limits?

Time limits allow you to control how long a test-taker can spend on the entire test, a specific section, or an individual page. This enables more structured pacing, ensures fairness across participants, and supports a wide range of testing formats—from casual quizzes to high-stakes assessments.

Where to find it:

Test-level time limit: Test Settings → Features tab → Time Limit

Section-level time limit: Section Settings → Time Limit

Page-level time limit: Page Settings → Time Limit

Configurable timer levels

Time limits can be applied independently at three levels. Each timer operates separately and shows a countdown to the test-taker when enabled.

Test-level time limit

Applies to the entire test session. Once the time expires, the test is automatically submitted, and no further actions can be taken.

Use case: setting an overall duration for the test.

Test-level time limit setting location.
Test-level time limit setting location.

Section-level time limit

Limits how much time can be spent on a specific section. Once time runs out, the section is locked, and test-takers cannot return to it.

Use case: allocating different durations to different sections (e.g., 15 minutes for grammar, 10 minutes for listening).

Section-level time limit setting location.
Section-level time limit setting location.

Page-level time limit

Applies a timer to a specific page. When time expires, the test-taker is forced to move to the next page.

Use case: controlling time per question or activity, useful for fast-paced or live challenges.

Page-level time limit setting location.
Page-level time limit setting location.

How timers work

Timers are visible in the top-right corner of the screen for any part of the test where a time limit is set (test, section, or page).

Once a timer expires, the corresponding section or page is locked, and answers cannot be submitted.

Test, section and page-level timers present in the top-right corner of the test interface, visible to the test-taker.
Test, section and page-level timers present in the top-right corner of the test interface, visible to the test-taker.
Even if a test-taker tries to bypass the timer through client-side manipulation, the system validates the timer server-side and discards any late submissions.

Restarting timed sessions

If a session is paused or reinstated:

You can manually assign the remaining time based on elapsed duration or use the Reinstatement Assistant which automatically calculates and reassigns the correct remaining time.

All previously set navigation and timer restrictions remain in effect after reinstatement.
Best practices

Apply a test-level limit to ensure the entire test concludes within a defined period.
Use section-level timers for structured pacing across skill areas.
Add page-level timers for time-boxed challenges or real-time response testing.
Combine with navigation restrictions for controlled, secure assessment flow.
Timer ScopeLocationLock Behavior
Entire TestTest Settings → FeaturesAuto-submit test
Specific SectionSection SettingsLock section
Individual PagePage SettingsAuto-move to next page













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