> 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/for-students/student-oral.md).
# Taking an oral quiz or defense (for students)
How an oral activity works for students: starting, choosing how to answer, preparing, answering, retrying and finishing.
An oral activity asks you questions one at a time. You answer out loud on video or audio, or in writing if your instructor has approved that for you. There are two types:
* An **Oral Quiz** asks questions about course material.
* An **Oral Defense** asks about work you already submitted in your LMS.
{% hint style="info" %}
Instructors: share this page with students before their first oral activity. It answers most of the questions they ask.
{% endhint %}
## Before you start
* For an Oral Defense, submit your work to the assignment in your LMS first. The defense asks about that work.
* Find a quiet place, and allow enough time for every question at the stated timings.
* The written option only appears if your instructor has approved it for you.
## Taking the activity
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Find it in your course
Oral quizzes and defenses appear with your other coursework, with their due date and points. Click **Start** to open one.
{% hint style="info" %}
If an Oral Defense shows **View** instead of **Start**, your instructor is still preparing your questions. Opening it shows **Your questions aren’t ready yet**. There’s nothing to do: your submission is already in, and you’ll get a notification when you can start.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Check the intro
The intro shows how many questions there are, how you’ll answer, the time per question, and the retries you have. For an Oral Defense, it also lists the files you submitted. Your questions are based on those files.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose how you’ll answer
If there’s a choice, pick one under **How will you answer?**: **Video with audio**, **Audio only**, or **Written response** if you’ve been approved for it. You’ll use it for every question, and you can’t change it once the timer starts.
For video or audio, you can **Check your devices** first. Choose your camera and see the preview. Click **Test Mic**, say a few words, and hear them played back. Click **Test Speaker** to check your sound. Then click **Begin**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Prepare
Each question starts with preparation time, counting down. Use it to think about your answer. Answering starts automatically when the time runs out, or click **Start answering now** when you’re ready. If the question has a video or audio clip, you can replay it while you prepare and while you answer.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Answer
Answer the question, then click **Submit Answer**. If the answer time runs out, your answer is submitted automatically. If you can retry and want to start the question over while you’re still answering, click **Retry**. This discards the current answer and counts as an attempt.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Retry or keep your answer
After each answer you see what you said, transcribed automatically, or your written answer. Small transcription errors are normal and aren’t held against you. If feedback is on, you’ll also see AI feedback to help your next attempt. It never includes a score.
If you can retry the question, click **Retry this question**. You’ll be asked to confirm and told how many attempts are left. You start again with fresh preparation time. When you’re happy, click **Keep this answer and continue**.
{% hint style="warning" %}
Your final answer is the latest attempt you confirm. You can’t go back and choose an earlier attempt instead.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Finish
After the last question you see **All answers submitted**, with how many attempts you used on each question. Your instructor reviews your answers and releases your grade.
If your retries are for the whole activity rather than one question at a time, you’ll be offered **Retry entire attempt** at the end instead. Use it to redo every question, or keep this attempt as your final answer.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## FAQ
It says to submit my work first.
You haven’t submitted to the assignment this Oral Defense is about. Submit it in your LMS, then come back to begin.
It says my questions aren’t ready yet.
Your instructor is preparing questions from the work you submitted. You can start once they release them, and you’ll get a notification.
My camera or microphone isn’t working.
Allow your browser to use them, then test again under **Check your devices**. If **Audio only** is offered, you can choose it instead before you begin.
Can I upload a different file for my Oral Defense?
No. Your questions come from what you submitted in your LMS, and files can’t be uploaded inside the defense.
Is the feedback after each answer my grade?
No. It contains no score. Your instructor grades your final answers later.
Can I pick an earlier attempt as my final answer?
No. Your final answer is the latest attempt you confirm.
## Related articles
* [Getting started as a student](/for-students/student-start.md)
* [What students see in their feedback](/for-students/student-feedback.md)
* [Trying an oral activity as a student](/canvas-support-articles/tutorials-oral-assessments-canvas/try-as-student.md)
