Quick Start Guide: Placement Tests in TimeBack

TimeBack placement tests help determine where a student should start learning in each subject. Placement is based on the student's current learning level in that subject, so it may not match the student's age grade.

How TimeBack chooses a starting point

• Each subject is handled separately. A student may start different subjects at different levels.
• When MAP information is available, TimeBack can use that information to choose a targeted starting point. In simple terms, the first placement aligns with the MAP test's RIT score.
• When MAP information is not available, TimeBack starts from the configured starting grade for that subject. For students in Grade 5 or below, that means Kindergarten. For students in Grade 6 or above, tests start at Grade 3.

What happens after a placement test

1. If the student passes, TimeBack assigns a higher placement test.
2. If the student is close but not yet passing, TimeBack may assign focused hole-filling work before another test attempt.
3. If the score is not close enough to passing, TimeBack may place the student into that grade's course.

Common questions

Why did the student start below their age grade?

A lower starting grade does not automatically mean the student was placed incorrectly. Placement starts from a level that TimeBack can use to confirm mastery and then move the student upward.

Why did the student receive another placement test after passing?

Passing one placement test usually means TimeBack should keep checking higher levels. The student may receive several placement tests in the same subject before TimeBack assigns regular or hole-filling coursework.

Why did the student see the same placement grade again?

In some cases, an early failed placement sends the student back to lower grades so TimeBack can rebuild the placement path. After the student passes those lower grades, TimeBack re-schedules the initially failed test.

Why did a failed placement create a "hole-filling" course?

Some results show that the student is close to mastery but still has specific gaps. In those cases, TimeBack may assign focused hole-filling work and then provide another opportunity to test mastery on that grade.

What is "close enough" on placement tests grading?

This depends on the subject and grade. For most subjects, we consider "close enough" to be any grade above 60%. For example, the least forgiving is Math, between G4 and G8. While 90% is the passing grade, 89% is not close enough. Tip: Grades are rounded to the nearest integer, so 26 correct questions out of 30 total questions is 90%.