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Exam Timer

Press start — it keeps counting even if you switch tabs, and chimes when time’s up. Tap the ring to pause.

Embed this timer on your website, blog or LMS — free

Copy the code below and paste it into any web page, Google Site or learning platform. Add &theme=light or &theme=dark to the link to change the colours.

Exam Timer — Practice Exam Timer with Reading Time

A free exam timer for practice papers. Choose the length of your exam above — with 5, 10 or 15 minutes of reading time added on if your paper has it — switch the sound off if you like, go full screen and start writing. It keeps accurate time in the background and shows the time left in the browser tab.

How to Run a Practice Exam

  1. Find the real conditions — check how long your exam runs and whether it has reading time. Many senior school exams in Australia include reading time — commonly 5 or 10 minutes for HSC papers and 15 minutes for VCE exams — but it varies by subject, so check your paper's cover and your exam timetable.
  2. Set up like the exam room — clear desk, phone in another room, only the equipment you're allowed. Print the past paper and keep it face down.
  3. Pick the preset and press start. Use reading time to read only — plan your answers in your head, but don't write.
  4. Don't stop the clock — if you finish early, check your answers like you would in the real thing.
  5. Mark it straight after, and note where time ran short. That's the section to practise next.

Plan Your Time Before You Start

A good rule is to give each section time in proportion to its marks. For a 3-hour paper worth 100 marks, that's roughly 1.8 minutes per mark — so a 20-mark extended response deserves about 35 minutes. Write your planned finish times on the paper during reading time, then glance at the timer as you go.

For Teachers and Tutors

Running a trial or mock exam? Put this timer full screen on the projector so the whole room can see the time left, with the sound off. The classroom timer works the same way for shorter tasks, and you can embed either timer in your LMS for free using "Embed this timer" under the clock.

Other Exam-Length Timers

Need a plain countdown instead? Try the 1 hour, 90 minute, 2 hour or 3 hour timer. For revision between papers, our printable study planner maps out a study timetable, and a silent desk exam timer lets you practise with no screen at all.

Exam Timer Video with Reading Time

This video version chimes once when reading time ends and again when time is up — ideal on a classroom projector. There is also a 2 hour version with 5 minutes of reading time.

3 Hour Exam Timer with 5 Minute Reading Time – HSC Practice Paper Timer — video preview

Opens the YouTube player only when you press play. More free timer videos on our YouTube channel.

Exam Timer — FAQ

Can I add reading time to the exam timer?

Yes. Pick one of the presets with 5, 10 or 15 minutes of reading time, or type the total length into the box (for example 130 for a 2-hour exam with 10 minutes of reading time) and press Set.

Can I write during reading time?

In most exams, no — reading time is for reading the paper and planning in your head. Check the rules for your own exam.

Can I use it without sound in a quiet room?

Yes. Press Sound on to switch it off. The ring turns gold and the clock flashes when time is up.

Does the timer keep running if I switch tabs?

Yes. The countdown is based on the clock, not the tab, so it stays accurate in the background and the alarm is scheduled to sound on time. The time left also shows in the browser tab title.

Is it free?

Completely free, with no sign-up, no app and no ads.