diff --git a/backend/app/routers/study_tools.py b/backend/app/routers/study_tools.py
index 8afc849..bfbc108 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/study_tools.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/study_tools.py
@@ -59,7 +59,8 @@ def lab_values(include_drafts: bool = False, db: Session = Depends(get_db), user
     if not include_drafts:
         query = query.filter(LabReference.is_published.is_(True))
     # ponytail: bounded personal-project table; add pagination before exceeding 500 entries.
-    entries = query.order_by(LabReference.group, LabReference.name, LabReference.age_group).limit(500).all()
+    # Insertion order keeps each test's age rows in their logical sequence.
+    entries = query.order_by(LabReference.group, LabReference.name, LabReference.id).limit(500).all()
     card_rows = db.query(LabReferenceCardLink.lab_reference_id, Flashcard.id, Flashcard.front, Flashcard.deck_id,
                          FlashcardDeck.title).join(
         Flashcard, Flashcard.id == LabReferenceCardLink.flashcard_id,
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_study_tools.py b/backend/tests/test_study_tools.py
index d5367c6..9bcbd81 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_study_tools.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_study_tools.py
@@ -192,6 +192,11 @@ class StudyToolTests(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(created.status_code, 201, created.text)
         entry_id = created.json()['id']
         self.assertEqual(self.client.put(f'/study-tools/lab-values/{entry_id}/cards/999').status_code, 404)
+        second = self.client.post('/study-tools/lab-values', json={**payload, 'age_group': 'z', 'article_id': None, 'article_section_id': None})
+        self.assertEqual(second.status_code, 201, second.text)
+        # Same-name rows keep insertion (logical age) order, not alphabetical age order.
+        names_in_order = [r['name'] + ':' + r['age_group'] for r in self.client.get('/study-tools/lab-values').json() if r['name'] == 'Deep linked']
+        self.assertEqual(names_in_order, ['Deep linked:a', 'Deep linked:z'])
         self.assertEqual(self.client.put(f'/study-tools/lab-values/{entry_id}/cards/{card.id}').json()['linked'], True)
         self.assertEqual(self.client.put(f'/study-tools/lab-values/{entry_id}/cards/{card.id}').json()['linked'], False)
         row = next(r for r in self.client.get('/study-tools/lab-values').json() if r['id'] == entry_id)
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/InProgressQuizzes.jsx b/frontend/src/components/InProgressQuizzes.jsx
index 72184a2..68e3943 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/InProgressQuizzes.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/InProgressQuizzes.jsx
@@ -16,12 +16,6 @@ export default function InProgressQuizzes() {
     setInProgress(prev => prev.filter(a => a.attempt_id !== attemptId))
   }
 
-  const copyQuizCode = async (code) => {
-    try {
-      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(String(code))
-    } catch {}
-  }
-
   if (inProgress.length === 0) return null
 
   return (
@@ -40,15 +34,6 @@ export default function InProgressQuizzes() {
               <div style={{ fontSize: '0.78rem', color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
                 Started {new Date(a.started_at).toLocaleDateString()} · {a.total_questions} questions
               </div>
-              <div style={{ marginTop: 5, display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 6, fontSize: '0.78rem', color: 'var(--text-muted)' }}>
-                <span>Quiz code</span>
-                <code style={{ background: 'var(--card-bg)', border: '1px solid var(--border)', borderRadius: 6, padding: '2px 7px', color: 'var(--text)' }}>
-                  {a.quiz_code || a.quiz_id}
-                </code>
-                <button className="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" type="button" onClick={() => copyQuizCode(a.quiz_code || a.quiz_id)}>
-                  Copy
-                </button>
-              </div>
             </div>
             <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 8, flexShrink: 0 }}>
               <button className="btn btn-primary btn-sm" onClick={() => navigate(`/quizzes/${a.quiz_id}`)}>Resume</button>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.jsx b/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.jsx
index e4a8016..68616ed 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.jsx
@@ -361,86 +361,7 @@ function CourseQuizStart({ quiz, onStart, onShareChanged }) {
   )
 }
 
-function ModeSelectScreen({ quiz, voices, onStart, onShareChanged }) {
-  const [selectedVoice, setSelectedVoice] = useState(voices.find(v => v.is_default)?.id || voices[0]?.id || '')
-  const [customTimer, setCustomTimer] = useState(quiz.time_limit_minutes || '')
-  const [startError, setStartError] = useState('')
-  const [startingMode, setStartingMode] = useState('')
-
-  const handleStart = async (mode) => {
-    if (mode === 'exam' && customTimer && (!Number.isInteger(Number(customTimer)) || Number(customTimer) < 1)) {
-      setStartError('Enter a positive whole number of minutes, or leave the timer blank.')
-      return
-    }
-    const timerMinutes = mode === 'exam' && customTimer ? Number(customTimer) : null
-    setStartError('')
-    setStartingMode(mode)
-    try {
-      await onStart(mode, selectedVoice, timerMinutes)
-    } catch {
-      setStartError('Could not start the quiz. Try again.')
-    } finally {
-      setStartingMode('')
-    }
-  }
-
-  return (
-    <div style={{ maxWidth: 520, margin: '40px auto' }}>
-      <div className="card" style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>
-        <div style={{ fontSize: '2.5rem', marginBottom: 12 }}>📝</div>
-        <h2 style={{ marginBottom: 6 }}>{quiz.title}</h2>
-        <ShareLinkBadge quiz={quiz} onShareChanged={onShareChanged} />
-        <p style={{ color: '#64748b', fontSize: '0.9rem', marginBottom: 24 }}>
-          {quiz.questions_count} questions
-          {quiz.time_limit_minutes ? ` · ${quiz.time_limit_minutes} min limit` : ''}
-        </p>
-        <p style={{ fontWeight: 600, marginBottom: 16, color: '#374151' }}>Choose how to take this quiz:</p>
-        <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: 12, justifyContent: 'center', marginBottom: 20 }}>
-          {[
-            { mode: 'study', icon: '📖', label: 'Study Mode', desc: 'Answers & explanations shown as you go', color: '#22c55e', bg: '#f0fdf4' },
-            { mode: 'exam', icon: '🎯', label: 'Exam Mode', desc: 'Answers hidden until submitted', color: '#3b82f6', bg: '#eff6ff' },
-          ].map(({ mode, icon, label, desc, color, bg }) => (
-            <button type="button" key={mode} onClick={() => !startingMode && handleStart(mode)}
-              style={{ flex: 1, border: `2px solid ${color}`, borderRadius: 12, padding: '18px 12px', cursor: startingMode ? 'wait' : 'pointer', background: bg, transition: 'transform 0.1s', opacity: startingMode && startingMode !== mode ? 0.55 : 1 }}
-              onMouseEnter={e => e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'scale(1.03)'}
-              onMouseLeave={e => e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'none'}
-            >
-              <div style={{ fontSize: '1.8rem', marginBottom: 6 }}>{icon}</div>
-              <div style={{ fontWeight: 700, color, marginBottom: 4 }}>{label}</div>
-              <div style={{ fontSize: '0.8rem', color }}>{startingMode === mode ? 'Starting...' : desc}</div>
-            </button>
-          ))}
-        </div>
-        {startError && (
-          <div style={{ background: '#fef2f2', color: '#991b1b', border: '1px solid #fecaca', borderRadius: 8, padding: '8px 10px', fontSize: '0.82rem', marginBottom: 14 }}>
-            {startError}
-          </div>
-        )}
-
-        <div style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', paddingTop: 14, marginBottom: 14 }}>
-          <label style={{ fontSize: '0.85rem', color: 'var(--text-muted)', display: 'block', marginBottom: 6 }}>⏱ Timer for Exam Mode <span style={{ fontWeight: 400 }}>(minutes, optional)</span></label>
-          <input type="number" min={1} value={customTimer}
-            onChange={e => setCustomTimer(e.target.value)}
-            placeholder="No time limit"
-            onClick={e => e.stopPropagation()}
-            style={{ padding: '6px 10px', borderRadius: 8, border: '1px solid var(--border)', fontSize: '0.9rem', width: '100%', background: 'var(--input-bg)', color: 'var(--text)' }} />
-          <p style={{ fontSize: '0.75rem', color: 'var(--text-subtle)', marginTop: 4 }}>Auto-submits when timer expires. Timer pauses if you leave and resumes when you come back.</p>
-        </div>
-
-        {voices.length > 0 && (
-          <div style={{ borderTop: '1px solid var(--border)', paddingTop: 14 }}>
-            <label style={{ fontSize: '0.85rem', color: 'var(--text-muted)', display: 'block', marginBottom: 6 }}>🔊 Voice for read-aloud</label>
-            <select value={selectedVoice} onChange={e => setSelectedVoice(e.target.value)}
-              style={{ padding: '6px 10px', borderRadius: 8, border: '1px solid #d1d5db', fontSize: '0.9rem', width: '100%' }}>
-              {voices.map(v => <option key={v.id} value={v.id}>{v.name}{v.is_default ? ' (default)' : ''}</option>)}
-            </select>
-          </div>
-        )}
-      </div>
-    </div>
-  )
-}
-
+// Mode selection prompt removed: general quizzes start in their own mode automatically.
 function getQuizSessionId() {
   const key = 'pedshub_quiz_session_id'
   try {
@@ -681,7 +602,8 @@ export default function QuizPage() {
         const def = voicesRes.data.find(v => v.is_default)
         if (def) setSelectedVoice(def.id)
 
-        // Check for saved progress and auto-resume
+        // Check for saved progress and auto-resume; otherwise start straight away
+        // in the quiz's own mode — no second mode prompt.
         try {
           const progressRes = await api.get('/attempts/progress', {
             params: { quiz_id: id },
@@ -689,6 +611,10 @@ export default function QuizPage() {
           })
           if (progressRes.data) {
             await resumeQuiz(progressRes.data, voicesRes.data)
+            return
+          }
+          if (!returnTo && quizRes.data) {
+            await startAttempt(quizRes.data.mode === 'timed' ? 'exam' : 'study', null, null)
           }
         } catch {
           setResumeError('Could not restore your saved attempt. Retry resume before starting; your saved answers have not been replaced.')
@@ -700,8 +626,7 @@ export default function QuizPage() {
     return () => clearInterval(timerRef.current)
   }, [id, resumeRetry])
 
-  const startQuiz = async (mode, voice, timerMinutes = null) => {
-    if (hasStarted.current || resumeError || loading) return
+  const startAttempt = async (mode, voice, timerMinutes = null) => {
     hasStarted.current = true
     setSelectedVoice(voice)
     setStarting(true)
@@ -754,6 +679,11 @@ export default function QuizPage() {
     finally { setStarting(false) }
   }
 
+  const startQuiz = async (mode, voice, timerMinutes = null) => {
+    if (hasStarted.current || resumeError || loading) return
+    return startAttempt(mode, voice, timerMinutes)
+  }
+
 const timerStarted = timeLeft !== null
   useEffect(() => {
     if (!timerStarted) return
@@ -934,7 +864,10 @@ const timerStarted = timeLeft !== null
       ) : returnTo ? (
         <CourseQuizStart quiz={quiz} onStart={startQuiz} onShareChanged={token => setQuiz(q => ({ ...q, share_token: token }))} />
       ) : (
-        <ModeSelectScreen quiz={quiz} voices={voices} onStart={startQuiz} onShareChanged={token => setQuiz(q => ({ ...q, share_token: token }))} />
+        <div className="card" style={{ textAlign: 'center' }}>
+          <div className="spinner" style={{ margin: '0 auto 16px' }} />
+          <div style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', fontSize: '0.95rem' }}>Starting…</div>
+        </div>
       )}
     </div>
   )
@@ -942,7 +875,6 @@ const timerStarted = timeLeft !== null
   const answeredCount = Object.keys(answers).length
   const totalCount = questions.length
   const isLast = currentIdx === totalCount - 1
-  const quizCode = quiz.quiz_code || quiz.id || id
   const quizNavigation = (position = 'bottom') => (
     <div className={`quiz-nav-controls quiz-nav-controls-${position}`}>
       <button className="btn btn-secondary"
@@ -1297,7 +1229,7 @@ const timerStarted = timeLeft !== null
               {isStudy && answers[current.id] && (
                 <>
                   <div className="quiz-review-tabs"><span>Preferred response</span>{current.page_reference && <span className="quiz-source-page">Source page {current.page_reference}</span>}</div>
-                  {responseStats && <p className="quiz-stats-note">{responseStats.sample_size ? `${responseStats.sample_size} recorded answers. ${responseStats.basis}` : 'No response statistics available yet.'}</p>}
+                  {responseStats && <p className="quiz-stats-note">{responseStats.sample_size ? `Based on ${responseStats.sample_size} recorded answers` : 'No response statistics available yet'}</p>}
                   {statsError && <p className="quiz-stats-note">{statsError}</p>}
                   {(current.explanation || current.explanation_image_path) && (
                     <div className="explanation" style={{ marginTop: 16, whiteSpace: 'pre-line' }}>
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.test.jsx b/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.test.jsx
index 32806c7..c5c74df 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.test.jsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/QuizPage.test.jsx
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ const questions = [
   { id: 2, question_text: 'Full second clinical question.', question_type: 'mcq', options: ['Third answer', 'Fourth answer'], category_breadcrumbs: [] },
 ]
 let mode
+let quizModeVar = 'timed'
 let showModal
 let close
 beforeAll(() => {
@@ -28,9 +29,10 @@ beforeEach(() => {
   vi.resetAllMocks()
   localStorage.clear()
   mode = 'exam'
+  quizModeVar = 'timed'
   api.get.mockImplementation(url => {
     if (url.startsWith('/quizzes/10')) return Promise.resolve({ data: {
-      id: 10, title: 'Personal test', mode: 'timed', questions_count: 2, user_id: 1, time_limit_minutes: null,
+      id: 10, title: 'Personal test', mode: quizModeVar, questions_count: 2, user_id: 1, time_limit_minutes: null,
       attempt_mode: url.includes('attempt_id=') ? mode : null,
       questions: questions.map(q => url.includes('attempt_id=') && mode === 'study' ? { ...q, correct_answer: q.options[0], explanation: 'Full explanation, preserved without shortening.' } : q),
     } })
@@ -49,8 +51,8 @@ function mount(entry = '/quizzes/10') {
   render(<MemoryRouter initialEntries={[entry]}><Routes><Route path="/quizzes/:id" element={<QuizPage />} /><Route path="/results/:id" element={<div>Submitted results</div>} /></Routes></MemoryRouter>)
 }
 async function begin(study = true) {
+  quizModeVar = study ? 'learning' : 'timed'
   mount()
-  await userEvent.click(await screen.findByRole('button', { name: study ? /Study Mode/ : /Exam Mode/ }))
   await screen.findByText('Full first clinical question.')
 }
 
@@ -85,10 +87,11 @@ describe('quiz player', () => {
     })
     mount()
     await screen.findByRole('button', { name: 'Retry resume' })
-    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /Study Mode/ })).not.toBeInTheDocument()
-    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Retry resume' }))
-    expect(await screen.findByRole('button', { name: /Study Mode/ })).toBeInTheDocument()
     expect(api.post).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Retry resume' }))
+    // Retry loads the quiz and starts it straight away in its own mode — no re-ask.
+    expect(await screen.findByText('Full first clinical question.')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(api.post).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/attempts/start?quiz_id=10&mode=exam')
   })
 
   it('restores progress when Start reuses an attempt updated by another tab', async () => {
@@ -167,7 +170,7 @@ describe('quiz player', () => {
     await begin()
     fireEvent.keyDown(window, { key: '1' })
     fireEvent.keyDown(window, { key: 'Enter' })
-    expect(await screen.findByText('No response statistics available yet.')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(await screen.findByText('No response statistics available yet')).toBeInTheDocument()
     expect(screen.queryByText('0%')).not.toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
@@ -220,13 +223,11 @@ describe('quiz player', () => {
     expect(api.post).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/attempts/50/submit', { answers: [{ question_id: 1, user_answer: 'First answer' }] })
   })
 
-  it('rejects an invalid timer before creating an attempt', async () => {
+  it('starts timed quizzes in exam mode without a mode prompt', async () => {
     mount()
-    await screen.findByRole('button', { name: /Exam Mode/ })
-    fireEvent.change(screen.getByRole('spinbutton'), { target: { value: '-1' } })
-    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /Exam Mode/ }))
-    expect(await screen.findByText(/Enter a positive whole number of minutes/)).toBeInTheDocument()
-    expect(api.post).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(await screen.findByText('Full first clinical question.')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(api.post).toHaveBeenCalledWith('/attempts/start?quiz_id=10&mode=exam')
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: /Study Mode|Exam Mode/ })).not.toBeInTheDocument()
   })
 
   it('retains answers and saved progress when submission fails', async () => {
@@ -256,6 +257,7 @@ describe('quiz player', () => {
       return originalPost(url, ...args)
     })
     mount()
+    await screen.findByText('Full first clinical question.')
     await screen.findByRole('button', { name: 'Make shareable' })
     await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Make shareable' }))
     await screen.findByRole('button', { name: 'Copy share link' })