A time limit or deadline is a fixed point in time or a bounded time interval, by which a task or objective must be completed. Once that time has passed, the item may be considered overdue (for example, a work project or school assignment). In a professional context, missing a deadline can negatively affect an employee's performance evaluation, while in education, late submissions such as essays or reports may result in grade deductions.
In some cases, no materials can be submitted after the deadline. Examples include calls for proposal, commercial tenders for bids, the handling of court cases, and application dates for universities and professional schools. For tests and examinations in schools, universities and job competitions, once the time limit for the test is up, the test-takers must put down their pens or pencils and hand in their test.
