diff --git a/scripts/ui/question_player.gd b/scripts/ui/question_player.gd
index 80c0370..4147475 100644
--- a/scripts/ui/question_player.gd
+++ b/scripts/ui/question_player.gd
@@ -1298,7 +1298,13 @@ func _load_question() -> void:
 	timer_bar.visible = show_timer
 	timer_footer.visible = show_timer
 	if timer_caption_label != null:
-		timer_caption_label.text = "Time remaining" if show_timer else "Time elapsed"
+		# "core" sessions show a per-question stopwatch that counts UP (no fixed
+		# limit, just a soft pacing signal), while simulation/Timed sessions count
+		# DOWN to a real deadline - the caption should match which one it is.
+		if not show_timer or BlockSessionService.session_kind == "core":
+			timer_caption_label.text = "Time elapsed"
+		else:
+			timer_caption_label.text = "Time remaining"
 	if show_timer:
 		if BlockSessionService.session_kind == "core":
 			_set_timer_display(int(floor(BlockSessionService.get_core_question_total_elapsed_seconds())))