What does a countdown timer indicate during the examination?

A countdown timer during an examination serves as a crucial tool to manage the overall time allotted for the entire test. This timer helps candidates stay aware of how much time is left to complete the examination, ensuring they can pace themselves effectively throughout the assessment. By indicating the remaining time for the complete test, it allows candidates to strategize their time management, prioritizing questions and ensuring they do not spend too long on any single item.

The other options pertain to different time management aspects which a countdown timer does not provide. For instance, it does not track the time spent on each individual question or allocate specific time limits to each question, nor does it function as a timer for technical support inquiries. The principal function of the countdown timer is to signify how much total examination time is left, thereby guiding the overall progress of the test.