> 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/d2l-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-d2l-brightspace/oral-response.md).
# Response settings: answer modes, timing and retries
Decide how students answer, how long they get, and how retries work. The same tab is used for Oral Quiz and Oral Defense.
*New · October 2026*
## Before you start
* You know whether you need to see students (video) or only hear them (audio).
* You know which students, if any, have an accommodation for written answers.
* You’ve decided whether retries are for practice on one question or a fresh run of the whole activity.
## Steps
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Choose the response modes
Select Video with audio, Audio only or Written response. If you allow one mode, it’s required. If you allow more, students choose one before the first question appears and use it throughout.
1. Allow one mode and it’s required.
2. Allow more and students choose before they start.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Approve students for written responses
Written response is only offered to students you approve. Click Add students, search the class list and tick each student. Approved students appear as chips; remove one with its ×.
{% hint style="success" %} **Hugo’s tip:** If Written response is on but nobody is approved, no one sees it.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Set preparation and answer time
Set preparation time and answer time per question, in seconds. Preparation is never scored. Answering starts when preparation runs out, or earlier if the student chooses.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Set retries
Choose none, a fixed number or unlimited. “2 retries” means one first attempt plus two more. Choose whether retries apply per question or to the entire attempt.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose questions on retry (Oral Quiz)
Same questions asks the same question again. New random questions swaps in one the student hasn’t seen; per attempt, a fresh set is drawn. Always-ask questions are always kept. Oral Defense always keeps the same questions.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Troubleshooting
A student can’t see the written option.
Check they’re in the approved list. Written response is hidden from everyone else.
A student says they couldn’t pick their final attempt.
That’s by design. The final answer is the latest attempt they confirm; earlier attempts can’t be chosen afterwards.
The camera won’t start for a student.
If Audio only is allowed, they can choose it before starting. Students can test their camera and microphone before the first question.
## FAQ
Can students change mode partway through?
No. They choose before the first question, so they aren’t changing settings while the timer runs.
Do I see every attempt?
Yes. Every submitted attempt is kept, with the final accepted one marked.
Do retries cost anything?
No penalty is applied. Only the final accepted attempt is graded.
## Related articles
* [Trying an oral activity as a student](/d2l-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-d2l-brightspace/try-as-student.md)
* [Reading attempt history](/d2l-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-d2l-brightspace/oral-attempts.md)
* [Taking an oral quiz or defense (for students)](/for-students/student-oral.md)
**Hugo’s tip:** If Written response is on but nobody is approved, no one sees it.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Set preparation and answer time
Set preparation time and answer time per question, in seconds. Preparation is never scored. Answering starts when preparation runs out, or earlier if the student chooses.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Set retries
Choose none, a fixed number or unlimited. “2 retries” means one first attempt plus two more. Choose whether retries apply per question or to the entire attempt.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose questions on retry (Oral Quiz)
Same questions asks the same question again. New random questions swaps in one the student hasn’t seen; per attempt, a fresh set is drawn. Always-ask questions are always kept. Oral Defense always keeps the same questions.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## Troubleshooting