Overview
The first few weeks of Alpha Anywhere are a critical time to both calibrate and fill critical gaps.
Your child will take a series of tests per subject so we can place them at the right starting point. A score of 90% or higher on a test means “move up.” Below 90% means “not yet”.
This process is a high-definition version of their initial MAP Diagnostic and is accomplishing two things.
The system is learning which specific skills your child has already mastered within each grade level to pinpoint starting point.
Your child is completing critical gap filling to ensure they don't need to start at the beginning of their placed grade.
A relatable way to think about it (the “Jenga tower”)
Imagine you’re about to build a tall Jenga tower. If a bottom block is loose, the tower wobbles as it grows. Bracketing is the part where we gently tap the lower blocks to make sure they’re solid before we stack higher.
If a bottom layer is firm: great—build up.
If we find loose blocks along the way: tighten it, then keep building.
Checking now avoids the dramatic crash later.
If you prefer a non-game version: it’s like making sure your child’s shoe is the right size before a long hike. A perfect fit early saves blisters and backtracking.
Why we do it (and why shortcuts failed)
We’ve tried clever shortcuts—placing kids using only one diagnostic or by skipping levels that “looked fine.” Those methods regularly missed early skills that matter later. Kids moved quickly for a bit, then hit a wall and had to backtrack. Bracketing fixes that. It’s thorough on purpose, so the rest of the year is smoother and faster.
Exactly how it works
One short test per subject per day (about 25 minutes).
If the score is 90% or higher: the next test will be at a higher level.
If the score is below 90%: your child gets “Knowledge Gaps”—the specific skills they missed. They complete those gaps before the next test.
Seeing a “K” or a much lower level is common. It’s a foundation checkpoint, not a label.
Your dashboard remains quiet until placement finishes; it usually lights up the day after we roster the plan.
Walk-yourself-through daily guide (no guessing required)
Before the test
Set up a quiet space.
Remind your child to read each question twice and eliminate obviously wrong answers.
Confirm you’re doing only one test per subject today.
After the test
If the score is 90% or higher:
Celebrate briefly.
Do nothing else in that subject today.
Expect tomorrow’s test to be at a higher level.
If the score is below 90% (“not yet”):
Have your child complete the Knowledge Gaps that appeared.
Book a short Post-Test Coaching session (15 minutes) for today or tomorrow.
You can find the booking link in the “Links” section right here in Circle.
Stop in that subject for the day. Retesting immediately usually repeats the same mistakes.
What to look for tomorrow
If yesterday was ≥90%: take the higher-level test.
If yesterday was <90%: take the next test after gaps + coaching.
Keep the rhythm at one test per subject per day.
How to talk to your child (expanded scripts you can use)
The 30-second kickoff
“These first few weeks aren’t about grades; they’re about finding your starting line. Think Jenga—we’re checking the base so the tower doesn’t wobble later. One focused test today, fix anything we missed, and we’ll do more tomorrow. Slow now lets you go fast later.”
If they say “This is baby work.”
“Seeing a lower level means we’re checking the base blocks, not calling you a kindergartner. We’ll tighten anything loose and then go right back up. This is the fastest way to stop wobbling later.”
If they’re upset about a miss.
“A miss is information, not failure. It tells us exactly what to fix. We’ll patch it today and you’ll be stronger tomorrow. Also, the bar is really high with Alpha Anywhere. You’ve got to know every skill at 90% or higher.”
If they want to rush. (tests shorter than 25 minutes)
“Speed today makes tomorrow longer. Read every question twice, cross out the wrong options, and move on if you’re stuck. One great test beats two rushed ones.”
If they’re bored because it feels easy.
“Perfect. Easy means we’ll climb fast. Keep focusing so we place you higher without missing anything important.”
FAQ
How long does bracketing take?
Most students finish in two to five tests per subject. The biggest variables are rushing (which slows things down) and whether you complete Knowledge Gaps and use Post-Test Coaching after a miss.
Why is the bar set at 90%?
Ninety percent signals mastery. It tells us your child can use the skill reliably, not just get lucky. Mastery early prevents stalls later.
Why only one test per subject per day?
Two tests in the same day often repeat the same habits and errors. One high-quality attempt, plus time to fix gaps, shortens the entire process.
Why does my dashboard look empty?
Students aren’t fully rostered during bracketing. The dashboard lights up after placement, typically the next day.
What if my child sees “K”?
“K” is a foundation checkpoint. It is not a label and not a permanent placement. We check early skills quickly and then move back up.
What if we miss a day?
No problem. Pick up the same rhythm the next day. Consistency matters more than the exact calendar date.
Can I sit with my child and help during the test?
You can set up a good environment and remind them to slow down, but please don’t coach answers. Over-helping gives us a false read and leads to a harder correction later.
Can we skip Knowledge Gaps and just retest?
Skipping gaps almost always leads to the same miss again. Do gaps first; that is the shortest route to the 90% you want.
What if my child keeps missing the same kind of question?
That’s a signal to use Post-Test Coaching. A coach will pinpoint whether the issue is rushing, misreading, or a true concept gap and give one concrete strategy to try tomorrow.
Why isn’t Science showing yet?
Science appears after Reading independence is confirmed. We want to measure science understanding, not reading stamina.
My child already scores high on standardized tests. Do we need this?
Yes. Bracketing confirms the right entry point inside our sequence. Strong test-takers often place quickly—this process simply prevents overshooting or undershooting the start.