Items API Initialization

Specifies parameters related to the assessment timer such as countdown and expiry settings.

You would want to specify this option so that you can set a time limit for the assessment, for example.

This option can also be set inside sections to define the time parameters of each section.

Important Supported with rendering_type: "assess" only.

From v2026.2.LTS, learners can show or hide the main assessment timer during an assessment by clicking it, or by pressing Space or Enter when it has focus. This can help reduce test anxiety caused by a constantly updating timer display.

Note The timer can only be hidden while more than 5 minutes remain in a timed session. This threshold is not configurable.

When 5 minutes remain in a timed session, the following happens automatically regardless of learner preference:

• The timer reappears if it was hidden.
• The ability to hide the timer is disabled for the rest of the session.
• Screen readers announce the remaining time through an aria-live region.

Examples

// Set various assessment timer options:
// 1. Set the maximum time for the assessment to 10 minutes
// 2. Enable the warning indicator when 60 seconds remains
// 3. Force the assessment submission when the time has run out
// 4. Show the timer counting down from the total assessment time
var initializationOptions = {
    "config": {
        "time": {
            "max_time": 600,
            "warning_time": 60,
            "limit_type": "hard",
            "countdown_option": true
        }
    }
    // ...
};

Values

Attribute path config.time

Type object

Properties

• countdown number

  Set the amount of time before the learner's session ends, in the context of proctored assessments.

• countdown_option boolean

  Setting this option to true causes the assessment player timer to count down from the max_time value.

• limit_type string

  Specify the action taken when the time limit max_time expires.

• max_time number

  The total time allowed for learners to complete the assessment, in seconds.

• start_time object

  Defines the initial commencement time of a learner's assessment.

• warning_time number

  Specifies whether to warn the learner that time is running out by showing them a visual cue (red background) in the timer element of the assessment player, when the session has reached a certain amount of seconds left.

Caveats

• If you override the time configuration for any section using the SectionObject config option, this time configuration will be ignored.
• The automatic timer reappearance, hide restriction, and screen reader announcement behavior apply only when max_time is configured.
• For assessments with unlimited time, learners can continue to hide or show the main assessment timer throughout the session.
• Only the main assessment timer can be hidden. The timer shown in the Submit, Pause, and Accessibility modal windows is always visible.

Related articles

• The sections initialization option, which can be used to set up sections for the assessment.