Exam Timer with Extra Time – Free Online Exam Clock

Seating Plan’s free exam timer is an online exam clock for classrooms and exam halls. Set the length of the test, add extra time for students with access arrangements, and put a large countdown on the board so everyone can see exactly how long they have left.

It’s built as an exam timer with extra time: run several extra-time countdowns alongside the main one, each set as a percentage (such as 25% extra time) or a fixed number of minutes. There’s nothing to download or sign up for, and it runs in any web browser, including on interactive whiteboards and projectors.

How to Use the Exam Timer

  1. Set the duration – Open Settings and enter the length of the test in hours, minutes and seconds.
  2. Add extra time – Add as many extra-time countdowns as you need, each as a percentage or a fixed amount.
  3. Choose how extra time works – Start together adds the extra time to the end of the test. End together adds it to the start, so students with extra time begin earlier and everyone finishes at once.
  4. Go full screen and start – Each countdown shows its own start and end time. Pause or reset the timer at any point.

An Exam Timer with Extra Time

Many students are entitled to extra time in exams, most commonly 25%. Working out new finish times by hand, for several students with different allowances, is where mistakes creep in. Enter the percentage and the exam timer does the sums: a 1 hour 30 minute exam with 25% extra time becomes 1 hour 52 minutes 30 seconds, shown as its own countdown next to the main timer.

If some students have 25% extra time and others have 50%, add both. Each extra-time countdown is labeled with its allowance, so students can find theirs at a glance.

With Start together, everyone begins at the same moment and each extra-time countdown carries on after the main timer ends. With End together, the extra-time countdowns start first and the main timer shows “Starting in…” until it’s time for everyone else to begin, so the whole room finishes together.

Exam Clock Features

  • Large countdown – Big, clear numbers and a full-screen mode, readable from the back of an exam hall.
  • Several extra-time countdowns – Show the main timer and every extra-time allowance on one screen.
  • Percentage or fixed extra time – Enter 25% or 50%, or a set number of hours, minutes and seconds.
  • Start together or end together – Choose whether extra time comes at the end of the test or the start.
  • Start and end times – Every countdown shows the clock time it started and the time it will finish.
  • Alarm when time is up – A sound and an on-screen message mark the end of each countdown.
  • Screen stays on – On supported browsers, the screen is kept awake while the timer runs.
  • Free on any device – No sign-up and no download: use it on an interactive whiteboard, projector, laptop or tablet.

Why Use an Online Exam Timer?

A wall clock tells students the time, not how long they have left, and it does nothing for students with extra time. A visible exam countdown timer removes the mental arithmetic, cuts down on “How long is left?” questions, and gives students with access arrangements a countdown that is actually theirs.

When to Use the Exam Timer

  • Mock exams – Run mocks in the hall or classroom with the same timings as the real thing.
  • Classroom tests – End-of-topic tests and timed assessments, with extra time handled automatically.
  • Timed practice papers – Help students build exam technique by working to the clock.
  • College and university exams – A countdown large enough for a lecture hall.
  • Timed activities – Use it as a simple classroom countdown timer, with no extra time at all.

Tips for Using an Exam Clock Effectively

  • Plan Ahead: Set up the timer before students enter the room to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
  • Test Visibility: Ensure the exam screen is visible from every seat. Adjust zoom or reposition the display as needed.
  • Practice Runs: Use the timer during practice tests to familiarise students with its functionality.
  • Keep a Backup: Write the start and finish times on the board. No online timer can be fully protected against interruptions such as a laptop going to sleep.

Exam Timer FAQs

Is the exam timer free?

Yes. The exam clock is completely free, with no account or download needed.

How do I work out 25% extra time?

Multiply the length of the exam by 1.25. A 1 hour exam becomes 1 hour 15 minutes, and a 2 hour exam becomes 2 hours 30 minutes. The exam timer works this out for you when you add 25% extra time.

Can I show more than one extra-time allowance?

Yes. Add as many extra-time countdowns as you need, each with its own percentage or fixed amount, and they all appear on screen with the main timer.

Does the exam clock make a sound when time is up?

Yes. An alarm sounds and a message appears when each countdown ends, so check your speakers before the exam starts.

Can I use the exam timer on an interactive whiteboard?

Yes. It runs in any modern web browser. Use full-screen mode to fill an interactive whiteboard or projector screen.

More Free Teacher Tools

Seating Plan also has a free Wheel of Names for picking students at random, and a random group generator for splitting a class into groups.

Looking for a free seating chart maker? Try the free seating plan generator: no login needed.