Purpose
This is the day-to-day playbook for placement. It assumes you already know what Mapping & Rebuilding is (if not, start with What It Is & How It Works) and focuses on running each day.
Daily Checklist
Before the test (5 minutes)
Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed.
Make sure the computer is charged or plugged in and the internet is stable.
Have a pencil and notepad handy if your child likes working by hand.
Turn the camera and microphone on and keep them on the whole time.
During the test (~25 minutes)
The test runs in Full Screen Mode only. Leaving full screen pauses it.
It isn't timed, but finish in one sitting. Leaving full screen or exiting notifies the instructor.
Work carefully and take your time.
Don't talk to anyone, get help, or help others.
No phones, tablets, or other devices - only the test computer.
Use the scratchpad in each question to work things out (you can save it to show your work).
Important Reminder
If these rules are broken, the test may be considered invalid and may need to be retaken.
How Placement Works: The First Test
1. Scores 89.5% or higher
What happens: the next day, a new test appears at the next grade level.
Why: we keep going to see how high your child can comfortably place.
Action: celebrate, then take the next test when it appears (a break or doing it the next day is fine).
2. Scores below 89.5%
What happens: testing begins from Grade K upward, or Grade 3 for Science and Writing (their minimum starting levels).
Special case: if the first test was already at the lowest available grade and the score is below 89.5%, your child is rostered at that grade.
Why: confirming the foundation stops one small early gap from blocking acceleration later.
Action: tell your child "this is a quick foundation check so you can go faster later," complete any hole-filling lessons, and book a Post-Test Coaching (PTC) session: calendly.com/d/cm57-z6r-t8z
How Placement Works: Later Tests
1. Scores 89.5% or higher
A new test appears at the next grade level. Celebrate, do nothing else in that subject that day, and take the next test the following school day.
2. Scores 60-89%
Hole-filling lessons appear, built from the exact items your child missed. After completing them, your child takes another test at the same grade (a different version, not a retake).
Why: A score here means they already know most of the grade. Instead of restarting, the system targets only the gaps, respects what they know, and confirms true mastery before moving on.
Action: complete all hole-filling lessons, and consider booking PTC to separate knowledge gaps from test-taking habits.
3. Scores below 60% (Language, Science, Reading & Writing - K-3), 80% (Math K-3), or 90% (Math 4-8) and 90% (Reading, Language & Science 9-12)
Instead of another test, lessons appear in Timeback. Your child has been rostered at this grade and placement for that subject. This is the level where learning is challenging enough to grow without being discouraging.
Action: tell your child, "This is the perfect level to begin, and we build up from here," then start the assigned lessons.
Enroll Thresholds by Subject and Grade
Subject | Grade | Enroll Below | Hole-filling enabled |
Math | K-3 | 79.5% | Yes |
Math | 4-8 | 89.5% | No (Done inside Math Academy) |
Reading, Language, & Science | 9-12 | 89.5% | No |
All other subjects | K-12 | 59.5% | Yes |
Post-Test Coaching (PTC): When & What to Expect
When to book: any time a score is below 89.5%, two or more times.
What happens (15 minutes): the coach reviews missed questions and sorts them into two buckets.
Knew it (careless miss): doesn't become a hole-filling skill. Instead your child works on executive function - usually slowing down.
Didn't know it: your child gets a hole-filling lesson for the next day.
Your role: set it up. Consider letting your child lead the conversation - you're always welcome to join.
Parent Scripts for Real Moments
The 30-second kickoff: "These first weeks aren't about grades, they're about finding your starting line. Think Jenga: we check the base so the tower doesn't wobble later. Slow now lets you go fast later."
"This is baby work." "A lower level means we're checking the base blocks, not calling you little. We'll tighten anything loose and go right back up."
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."
Wants to retake right now: "Not today. Brains learn between tries. We'll fix the gaps, rest, and you'll do better tomorrow."
Wants to rush: "Speed today makes tomorrow longer. Read each question twice, cross out wrong options, and move on if stuck. One great test beats two rushed ones."
Bored because it's easy: "Perfect - easy means we climb fast. Keep focusing so we can place you higher without missing anything."
Test felt "unfair": "Good to know - tell the coach on the post-test coaching call what felt off. The goal is one change to try tomorrow."
Troubleshooting: The Most Common Things You'll See
Science test isn't available
Science test isn't available
Why (by design): Science unlocks after G2 Math, Reading, and Language are all mastered, so it measures science thinking, not reading endurance.
Today: follow the Math, Reading, and Language plan and complete hole-filling. Don't chase Science - nothing is misconfigured.
When it's ready: Science appears automatically on the placement page once the prerequisite is met.
Writing test isn't available
Writing test isn't available
Why (by design): Writing unlocks after G3 Language is mastered.
Today: follow the Language plan as normal. Writing appears automatically - no action needed.
Vocabulary section is not available
Vocabulary section is not available
Why (by design): Vocabulary unlocks after G2 Reading is mastered.
Today: follow the Reading plan as normal. Vocabulary appears automatically - no action needed.
A "K" (Kindergarten) level appeared
A "K" (Kindergarten) level appeared
What it means: "K" is a foundation checkpoint, not a label. It verifies the earliest skills so higher levels don't wobble.
Today: normalize it ("a quick base check so you can move faster later"), complete the K hole-filling the same day if you can, and book PTC if the last score was below 89.5%.
How you'll know it's working: kids who see Kindergarten content usually move up after one test.
Tests feel too easy or too hard
Tests feel too easy or too hard
Why: placement deliberately probes above and below to find the right start, so one test often feels easy and another hard.
Too easy? Keep a steady pace and complete same-day hole-filling - it fast-tracks you up.
Too hard? Slow down, take breaks, and use PTC after any score below 89.5%. A hard result is fine.
The same grade test keeps appearing
The same grade test keeps appearing
Why: the score was above the enroll threshold but below 89.5%. Rather than restart the grade, the system assigns hole-filling and a fresh version of the same-grade test.
Today: do PTC to learn from the last attempt, retake in a quiet space one subject per day, and complete hole-filling right after.
Contact support if: the same grade repeats 3 or more times despite these steps.
Hole-filling lessons are piling up
Hole-filling lessons are piling up
Why: hole-filling assigned after a missed test should be cleared before new tests.
Today: set a simple rule - "lessons done first." Book an Academic Call if they're unclear or frustrating, and keep blocks to ~25 minutes with short breaks.
How do we know when placement is over?
How do we know when placement is over?
A subject is done when your child scores below the enrollment threshold on a test. Placement overall is done when every subject has met its condition - you'll see your courses for each subject.
FAQ
How long does placement usually take? Most families clear it in about 3 weeks, depending on gaps and consistency.
Can we change the subject order each day? Yes - do the hardest subject when your child is most alert.
Do we need a PTC call every time? It's encouraged after any score below 89.5%, or if frustration shows up two sessions in a row.
What if there's no same-day PTC slot? Do hole-filling now, book the earliest slot, and retest after that session.
Should I sit with my child during the test? Set up the space and remind them of the rules, but don't help or give even subtle cues - it gives a false read.
Can we do several tests in one day to go faster? You can, but accuracy drops with fatigue, so watch their endurance.
My child was advanced last year - why are we seeing K? K is a zoom-in on early pieces that broader tests can't confirm. Doing advanced work and having a few early gaps can both be true at once.
When should I email support vs. book coaching? Tech glitches go to Support. Repeated sub-89.5% results, boredom, or hole-filling confusion go to Academic Call (for lessons) or Post Testing Coaching Call (for tests).
Bottom Line
Placement is short, purposeful, and worth doing right. One fresh test per day, same-day hole-filling, and a quick Coaching Call when needed beats every shortcut. If anything feels stuck, we're happy to help.