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

# Screen-by-Screen vs All-at-Once Quizzes

> The two quiz display modes, how navigation and timers differ in each, and how to choose the right mode for your quiz.

<Tip>
  A **screen-by-screen** quiz (also called one-by-one) shows questions one at a time, like a Typeform. An **all-at-once** quiz shows every question on a single page, like a Google Form. Quizzes built from Equip's question library are always screen-by-screen; for custom quizzes, you can choose either mode.
</Tip>

## The Two Display Modes

Every quiz on Equip uses one of two display modes. The mode decides what the candidate sees on screen, how timers work, and whether candidates can revisit questions.

| Feature                   | Screen-by-screen                    | All-at-once                          |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Question visibility**   | One question at a time              | All questions on one page            |
| **Timer**                 | Set per question                    | One timer for the whole test         |
| **Revisit questions**     | No, skipped questions are gone      | Yes, until the test is submitted     |
| **Review tools**          | Progress bar showing questions left | Bookmark questions, filter by status |
| **Equip Content quizzes** | Always used, cannot be changed      | Not available                        |
| **Custom quizzes**        | Available                           | Available                            |

### Screen-by-screen quizzes

In a **screen-by-screen** quiz, the candidate can see and attempt only one question at a time. Each screen shows a progress bar indicating how many questions are left, a timer for the current question, and a **Skip** button.

The candidate never sees the other questions in the quiz. The timer applies at the question level only; there is no timer for the overall quiz.

<Note>
  Quizzes built from **Equip's question library** are always shown screen-by-screen. This cannot be changed. The display mode is only configurable for custom quizzes.
</Note>

### All-at-once quizzes

In an **all-at-once** quiz, the candidate sees every question at the same time. Equip quizzes have no concept of sections, so enabling this mode shows all questions in the quiz on one page.

All-at-once quizzes use a single timer for the whole test; you cannot set a timer per question. Candidates can **bookmark** questions to review before submitting and **filter** questions by their status.

## Back Navigation

The biggest practical difference between the modes is whether candidates can go back.

In a screen-by-screen quiz, movement is one-way. Once a candidate answers or skips a question, they cannot return to it later, and they cannot preview upcoming questions.

<Warning>
  Skipping is final in screen-by-screen quizzes. If a candidate clicks **Skip**, that question cannot be revisited, even if time remains.
</Warning>

In an all-at-once quiz, candidates move freely between questions until they submit. They can leave a question blank, bookmark it, and come back to it at any point before submission.

## Choosing a Mode

Equip recommends **screen-by-screen** quizzes for hiring. Candidates get much less time per question, which makes it far harder to look up answers or share questions with others.

**All-at-once** works better when you want candidates to manage their own time across the quiz, review their answers, and decide the order in which they attempt questions.

For a **custom quiz**, you can switch the display mode at any time.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your custom quiz">
    Go to the Assessments Dashboard, open **Custom Tests** from the sidebar, and select the quiz you want to change.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Change the display mode">
    Update the setting that controls whether questions are shown one by one or all at once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the quiz">
    Save your changes. The new mode takes effect immediately for candidates who start the quiz after you save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Switching modes also changes how timing works. A screen-by-screen custom quiz uses per-question timers, while an all-at-once custom quiz uses one timer for the whole test. Review your time limits after switching.
</Tip>

## Related Resources

* [Time Limits](/time-limits) - Where timers can be set for each test type
* [Custom Quiz Time Limits](/custom-quiz-time-limits) - How timers work in each display mode for custom quizzes
* [Custom Tests](/custom-tests) - Create quizzes with your own questions
* [Same or Random Questions](/same-or-random-questions) - How Equip randomizes quiz questions per candidate