---
title: "Time allotted and the schedule deadline"
slug: "notes-on-time-allotted-to-candidates-and-the-assessment-deadline"
tags: ["admin", "scheduler"]
updated: 2026-05-28T11:23:48Z
published: 2026-05-28T11:23:48Z
canonical: "help.cirrusassessment.com/notes-on-time-allotted-to-candidates-and-the-assessment-deadline"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cirrusassessment.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Notes on time allotted to candidates and the assessment deadline

It is very important to know the difference between the duration of an assessment and the timeframe of the schedule:

- The **“duration of the exam”** tells the candidate how much time is available to complete once started.
- The **start and end time of the schedule** set the timeframe during which the assessment will be available to be started.
- **Please note that the end time of the schedule is leading.**

### **Schedule end as set by the scheduler is leading:**

Please note that without intervention, candidates have until the schedule's end time to complete their assessment.

Tip: Best Practice: always schedule for a broader window then the strict duration of an assessment. In other words: plan for a little time up front and an good buffer at the end.

Let us look at a simple example to illustrate this:

The sitting of an assessment that has a duration of 30 minutes is scheduled (planned) for 15-16hrs. If there is any delay in starting all candidates will have ample time to finish their 30 minutes.

If however the schedule is planned for 15-15:30hrs, candidates starting at 15:10 will only have 20 minutes after which their assessment will close down.

**This is why we recommend to set the assessment window taking into account the extra time needed (for example for special needs candidates / candidates with reasonable adjustments ).**

Please note that if you use Timed Sections they do not automatically get extra time. In that case you can easily create a copy of your assessment setting extra time in the Timed Section.

### The candidate will be informed of the duration of the exam at the start. it is up to the scheduler to ensure correct planning:

![](https://cdn.document360.io/cdfc20c8-6721-4154-b0a1-9f49f139d107/Images/Documentation/Welcome%20exam(1).png)

## **Invigilator actions:**

See our article on 'Invigilation: Invigilator Actions and Print' to see what the invigilator can do during the timeframe for the assessment, i.e. between the start en end time for the schedule.