The Audio Question type allows authors to implement audio recorders into a Question. The embedded audio recorder can record, save and playback a learner's response. It is especially useful for language assessment.

This Question type supports both manual scoring and Learnosity AI-assisted scoring, depending on how it is configured. For more information, see Scoring.

Figure 1 - Audio Question example

Create a Question

Enter a Question stem in the Compose question area. Select Question style from the Layout menu below. Then set audio Maximum Length. This parameter sets the number of seconds of audio allowed to be recorded by the learner.

More options

The Audio Question type has a number of settings that allow you to control and configure audio recording and playing. Under More Options you will see the Scoring settings, followed by the UI settings. These help you customize the Question to your needs.

Scoring

By default, learner responses must be reviewed and scored manually by an educator. In this mode, scores are assigned based on human judgment, and no automatic scoring rules or correct answers can be defined during Question setup. Educators evaluate the response using their own criteria, and scores are applied after submission through Learnosity’s manual grading workflow.

For more information about manual grading in Learnosity, see What is the Grading API?

Optionally, AI-assisted scoring can be enabled using Auto score with Feedback Aide. When this option is selected, scoring is guided by a rubric created in the Question authoring interface, and responses are evaluated using Feedback Aide.

• Auto score with Feedback Aide - Available from version 2026.3.LTS. Enable this option to use AI scoring by creating a scoring rubric directly within the Question authoring interface and marking the Question for AI scoring. If this option is not selected, scoring can be initiated later.

  This is a premium feature and may not be included in your product license. For more information, reach out to your Learnosity Customer Success Manager.

• Create rubric - Available from version 2026.3.LTS. Use this button to create a rubric for the Question, defining detailed scoring criteria and feedback parameters. When Auto score with Feedback Aide is enabled and no rubric exists, the Rubric panel displays the message “Rubric required for auto scoring” and the Create rubric button.

  • Once a rubric exists, the Rubric panel shows the rubric type and its total points, for example, “Analytic rubric - 3 pts”, along with the Edit rubric and Delete rubric options. To delete a rubric, select Delete rubric, then select Yes, delete in the confirmation prompt. Deleting a rubric is permanent and cannot be undone.

  To learn more about creating a rubric, refer to the article How to Create a Rubric Using Rubric Editor.
  NOTE: Rubric Practice is not supported for the Audio recorder Question type.

  This is a premium feature and may not be included in your product license. For more information, reach out to your Learnosity Customer Success Manager.

• Use shared passages for auto scoring - Available from version 2026.3.LTS. Enable this option to include shared passage content authored within the same Item in Feedback Aide scoring. Enable this option when the learner’s response should be evaluated in the context of shared passage content. When enabled, Feedback Aide considers shared passage content within the same Item as the Audio Question during scoring. The shared passage must exist within the same Item as the Question; shared passages defined in separate Items are not considered. Shared passage content exceeding 30,000 characters is rejected and is not considered during scoring.

  This is a premium feature and may not be included in your product license. For more information, reach out to your Learnosity Customer Success Manager.

• Maximum points¹ - The maximum number of points that can be awarded for the Question.
  NOTE: When a rubric exists, this field is disabled and displays the total points set by the rubric. If Auto score with Feedback Aide is enabled and no rubric exists yet, the field is populated once the rubric is created. To enter points manually, delete the rubric.
• Minimum points if attempted² - Points awarded to the learner for attempting the Question, regardless of a correct or incorrect response.
• Silence stop duration - This specifies the duration of audio silence in seconds after the recording has stopped. This value is set to 0 by default, which means the silence detection is turned off. Insert a value in seconds in this field if you want to enable the option.
• Overwrite Warning - When enabled this will give learners a warning that their previous recording will be replaced if they re record.

UI settings

There are also a number of UI options that can be configured:

Recording:

• Start Recording - Record button will be enabled. This is enabled by default.
• Pause Recording - Allows the learner to pause when recording audio. Enabled in default setting.
• Stop Recording - Stop button will be enabled. This is enabled by default.
• Record Bubble - A bubble will appear to show the learner recording details. Enabled in default setting. This option is available in Button UI only.
• Recording Cue - When enabled a beep is played before recording starts.

Playback:

• Play - Allows the learner to playback the recording. This is enabled in default setting.
• Pause - Pause button allows the learner to pause the recording when playing it back. This option is enabled in default setting.
• Seek - The learner can change the play position on playback by clicking on the Progress Bar. The Play button and Progress Bar must be enabled. The option is enabled in default setting.
• Play Bubble - A play bubble will be displayed to the learner. Play button must be enabled. This option is available in Button UI only.

Look and Feel:

• Timer - Time will be displayed to show the learner how long the recording is. Enabled in default setting.
• Progress Bar - Progress bar is a visual indicator to show the learner how much time they have to record. In Playback state it will show how long is left.
• Volume Control - Volume control will be displayed to the learner on playback if the play button is enabled. This is enabled by default.
• Volume Meter - Volume meter will be displayed to the learner on playback if the play button is enabled. This is enabled by default.
• Waveform - A wave UI will be displayed to the learner when playing back the recording if the play button is enabled. Enabled in default setting.
• Responsive Layout - Enable this option to scale the audio recorder size responsively based on the size of its container. It is useful when the Question is viewed on smaller screens.
• Download Link - A link to download the learner's recorded audio file will appear in review state.

'Extra' options

The extras section in the authoring interface allows you to add more information about the Question, information that we refer to as metadata.

There are a number of fields available: acknowledgements, contains math, distractor rationale, distractors, instructor stimulus, rubric reference, sample answer, and stimulus (review only).

To learn more about the options shown in the Extras section, see Understanding the Extras Section of the Question Editor.

Caveats

Please note that the audio recording Question type is not supported on Chrome browsers on iOS devices. See What Browsers Does Learnosity Support? 

1. Note: “Maximum points” replaces the earlier label “Max score”. Version added: v2026.1.LTS

2. Note: “Minimum points if attempted” replaces the earlier label “Minimum score if attempted”. Version added: v2026.1.LTS