Summary
You may have been assigned a test in TimeBack, and you need to know how to take it, or you may have heard about AlphaTest (also known as MasteryTrack) and may be curious about how to use this app.
Video Guide: Taking tests on Alpha Test
The Process
Taking tests in AlphaTest is very easy!
1. You will see your test assigned in TimeBack at the top of your to-do list, along with important details like the exact name of the test, base XP value, subject, and grade.
Tip: If you have more than one test, you will see them following each other.
If you take too long to take an assigned test, your course may become blocked in TimeBack until you complete the test. It's important to take tests as soon as possible!
2. Make sure you're ready and in an appropriate space where you can work on your test comfortably. Click on the Start Placement Test button to proceed.
3. You are now on the Login Credentials page. Click Login with Google or SSO first, and then the Open in AlphaTest button to proceed.
4. You will see the Proctoring readiness check pop up. Timeback will confirm you webcam, microphone, and screen are ready before the test starts.
NB: If you bypass these settings, you will receive a prompt telling you your webcam, mic, or screen recording is required for the test.
5. Wait for the test to load, carefully read the Testing Guidelines, then scroll down and click Start Test once you're ready.
6. During the test, you will have some helpful buttons in the bar near the top (green arrow below); place your cursor over them without clicking to learn what they do. If there seems to be an issue with a question, you can also report this using the yellow bell icon (red arrow below).
7. It's often better to complete the test in one go, but if you need to interrupt the test, use the red Exit Test button near the top-right corner. Follow the instructions there; your progress will be saved. To unpause your test, go to the alpha test dashboard and click on the paused tab. Then you can click the "Continue" button.
8. After submitting the last question, you will have a chance to review your questions again and see if you missed answering any of them. Click on any question to go back and review it.
9. Click Submit Test when you're ready and follow the instructions on screen.
If you get any errors while trying to submit your test, don't worry, your progress is safe! You can try again, or exit the test and then come back to try again. If nothing works, Contact Support for assistance.
10. Except for Writing tests, your test will be graded in just a few moments, and you'll see your score!
Writing tests are graded manually and may need up to 24 hours to display your score. You can consult your test scores in the AlphaTest Dashboard.
Integrity Flags
If something looks off during a test, Timeback raises it right away with a warning that says what we saw and how to fix it. It's not a penalty; it's a heads-up worth paying attention to. Here's what one looks like in the app:
A warning is information, not a punishment
What to do Next
Read it carefully. The warning states a fact - "It looks like a phone, tablet, or watch is in view," and what to change. Tap "See the full rule" for what does and doesn't count.
Fix it and keep going. Put the device away, sit back down, resume the test. One warning doesn't end anything.
Don't let them pile up. Warnings add up within a test. Collect too many and the test locks for a cool-down (minutes to a few hours) before you can resume. Taking each warning seriously the first time is all it takes.
Have an issue? Tell us. Every warning asks for feedback: "I didn't do this," "I don't understand," "I can't fix it," "Other." Answering never counts against you. Our team reviews that feedback to make the warnings better
Frequently Asked Questions
I submitted my test, but there's no score; it wasn't graded, and the test is stuck "Awaiting Evaluation." What do I do?
If it was a Writing test, it would take up to 24 hours for you to be able to see your final score. The next day, check the AlphaTest Dashboard. If the score is still not there after 24 hours, reach out for assistance.
I can't submit my test; there is an error. What do I do?
First of all, your progress is saved as you go. So, don't worry, since your efforts won't be wasted. Try again, and if it still doesn't work, exit the test first and then come back and try again. If you still have issues, reach out for assistance.
How can I see the correct answers for a test I submitted?
It's not possible to see the correct answers for the questions you got wrong. If you fail some questions in your test, the AI system reviews the test and builds a custom foundation rebuilding (hole-filling) plan for you to help you better understand the concept, so that you can realize on your own what the correct answer was.
You will usually receive these lessons within 30 minutes, though for some apps it can take up to 24 hours. If you don't receive these lessons and it's been 24 hours since you submitted the test, reach out for assistance.
I got logged out in the middle of my test, and I cannot find my test. How do I get back in?
If you stop working for a while during a test, the TimeBack App logs you out.
Here’s how to get back to your test:Log back in to the TimeBack App.
Open your Mastery track.
Find the test you were taking and click it to pick up where you left off.
Important
If you are new and don't know what to do about Placement tests, or you are an existing student and need to have a test assigned, please ask a parent to contact our support team through Alphie.
Need help? Talk to Alphie, our smart AI assistant, in the Parent Portal. If he can't sort it out, he'll connect you with our team.