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Use cases Classrooms and exams

Classrooms and exams

An exam timer and classroom countdown everyone can read

Put a large, clear countdown on the classroom projector or the screens in an exam hall. It runs silently on the screen, so it never disturbs anyone, and you can control it from your laptop or phone.

Create a free account See how it works

Free plan: 3 rooms, 3 timers and 3 screens per room. No card needed.

A countdown the back row can read

Open the timer on the classroom projector or the screens in an exam hall. The digits fill the screen, and nothing on the screen makes a sound.

  • Silent screens: chimes are optional and only ever play on the teacher's computer.
  • Warning colours: the digits turn yellow and red near the end, at times you choose.
  • Time of day: show the current time before an exam starts or between lessons.
A projector screen showing the Paper 1 countdown, with the reminder Please check your name is on every page below it.

Reminders without saying a word

Type a reminder and show it on every screen at once, such as “15 minutes left” or “Check your name is on every page”. It stays until you clear it.

  • On every screen: the projector and the screens at the back show the same message.
  • Save your reminders: keep the ones you use every week, and send them with two clicks.
  • Blackout: blank the screens when you need everyone's attention.
The Shotimer Controller with Reading time, Paper 1 and Checking time in the running order.

Set up once, use every lesson

Your rooms and timers are saved to your account, ready on any computer you sign in to.

  • Starts on time: give a timer a start time, such as 09:00, and it starts by itself while the Controller is open.
  • No accounts for students: screens open from a link or QR code.
  • Control from anywhere in the room: run the timer from your laptop or your phone.
How it works

Ready in three steps.

Set up your running order

Create a free account, open a room and give each timer a title, a speaker and a duration.

Put the timer on a screen

Open the stage screen in a new tab, or scan its QR code on a TV, tablet or phone. Nothing to install.

Press Start

Every screen counts down together. Add a minute, send a message or move to the next timer from your laptop or phone.

Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions.

Not on the screens. Warning chimes are optional, and they only play on the computer running the Controller. Use Mute audio to turn them off completely.
Yes. Give a timer a start time and it starts by itself at that time, as long as the Controller is open. You can still press Start yourself.
Yes. A Time of day timer shows the current time, which is handy before an exam starts or between lessons.
Yes. Type a message such as “15 minutes left” or “Please check your name is on every page” and press Show on stage. It stays until you clear it.
Yes. On the free plan, each room can have up to 3 connected screens at once, such as a projector and two screens at the back of a hall.
No. Only the person running the timer needs a free account. Screens open from a link or QR code.

Learn more in the docs

More ways to use Shotimer

Speech clubs and debate

Fair, visible time limits for speeches, debates and pitch contests, with warnings everyone can see.

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Meetings

A timer for each agenda item, a finish time for the whole meeting, and a clear signal when it's time to move on.

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Try Shotimer at your next lesson.

Create a free account and put a timer on your own screens in a few minutes.

Create a free account