> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.timelygrader.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.timelygrader.ai/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/oral-response.md).
# Response settings: answer modes, timing and retries
Decide how students answer, how long they get, and how retries work. The same settings apply to Oral Quiz and Oral Defense.
Response settings decide how students answer, how long they get, and how retries work. You set them in the **Student experience** step of setup, and can change them later on the **Response Settings** tab under **Edit**. They work the same way for both types, except that only an Oral Quiz can swap in new questions on a retry.
## Before you start
* Decide whether you need to see students (video) or only hear them (audio).
* Know which students, if any, have an accommodation for written answers.
* Decide whether retries are for practising one question or for redoing the whole activity.
## How students answer
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Choose the response modes
Tick any of:
* **Video with audio:** students record themselves on camera.
* **Audio only:** students record their voice, with no camera.
* **Written response:** students type their answer. Only students you approve see this option.
If you allow one mode, students must answer that way. If you allow more than one, students choose before the first question and use that mode throughout. At least one mode must be allowed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Approve students for written responses
On the **Response Settings** tab, turning on **Written response** shows **Approved for written response**. Click **Add students**, search for each student and tick them, then click **Done**. Approved students appear as chips. Click a chip’s remove icon to take a student off the list.
{% hint style="warning" %}
If **Written response** is on but no one is approved, no one sees the written option. If it’s the only mode allowed, only approved students can answer at all, so allow video or audio for everyone else.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Tell the AI what to flag
On the **Response Settings** tab, each allowed mode has **What the AI flags**. Click it to open two boxes: **Should the AI flag these items?** (for example, claims with no evidence, or contradicting their submission) and **What the AI should not flag** (for example, filler words, speaking pace or accent). Click a suggestion to add it, or type your own, then click **Done**.
{% hint style="info" %}
These settings decide what the AI points out to you as evidence when you grade. They never decide the score; the rubric does.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Timing
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Set the preparation time
Enter **Preparation time per question** in seconds. Students read the question and think before answering. Answering starts automatically when the time runs out, or earlier if the student clicks **Start answering now**. Enter 0 and answering starts right away.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Set the answer time
Enter **Answer time per question** in seconds. When it runs out, the answer stops and is submitted.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Retries
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Choose how many
Choose **No retries**, a set number (**Set number** in setup, **Fixed number** on the tab), or **Unlimited**. With a set number, use the stepper. “2 retries” means up to 3 attempts: the first attempt plus two more.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose what a retry covers
* **Per question:** students can retry each question before moving on.
* **Per entire attempt:** students answer every question, then can redo the whole activity.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose questions on retry (Oral Quiz)
Choose **Same questions** to ask the same question again, so students practise using the feedback. Choose **New random questions** to swap in a question the student hasn’t seen, or with **Per entire attempt**, draw a fresh set from the bank. **Always ask** questions are always kept. An Oral Defense always keeps the same questions.
{% hint style="success" %} **Hugo’s tip:** Retries lower anxiety. Immediate feedback never shows scores, so students use it to improve their next try.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## How the final answer works
After each attempt, students choose to retry or keep their answer. The final answer is the latest attempt the student confirms, and it’s the one you grade. Students can’t go back and choose an earlier attempt. You can still see every attempt in [Reading attempt history](/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/oral-attempts.md).
## FAQ
Can students change mode partway through?
No. They choose before the first question and can’t change once the timer starts.
What happens if a student runs out of answer time?
The answer stops and is submitted as that attempt.
A student can’t see the written option.
Check they’re on the **Approved for written response** list. The written option is hidden from everyone else.
A student’s camera won’t start.
If **Audio only** is allowed, they can choose it before they begin. Students can also check their camera, microphone and speaker before the first question.
## Related articles
* [Trying an oral activity as a student](/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/try-as-student.md)
* [Reading attempt history](/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/oral-attempts.md)
* [Grading and feedback settings for oral activities](/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/oral-grading-feedback.md)
**Hugo’s tip:** Retries lower anxiety. Immediate feedback never shows scores, so students use it to improve their next try.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## How the final answer works
After each attempt, students choose to retry or keep their answer. The final answer is the latest attempt the student confirms, and it’s the one you grade. Students can’t go back and choose an earlier attempt. You can still see every attempt in [Reading attempt history](/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/oral-attempts.md).
## FAQ