Hi! Got a test link? 📝
Your teacher or parent set up a special test just for you. This page walks you through what to expect — from opening the link to seeing your score.
Find Your Test Link
Your test link came in an email or a chat message. It looks something like:
- Don't change the link. The bit after
?sid=says who you are. Sharing or editing the link can break your test. - The link works on any device — laptop, tablet, or Chromebook. A laptop is easiest if the test uses your camera.
- Use a good Wi-Fi connection. The test auto-saves as you go, so the occasional blip is fine, but you don't want to lose minutes to a bad signal.
If the Test Has a Start Time
Some tests start at a set time — like an exam in class. If yours does, opening the link early shows a countdown:
The Start button is grey until 1 minute before the test opens. When it turns dark and clickable, you're good to go.
- You can open the link before the start time and just leave the tab open. The countdown updates by itself.
- Everyone finishes at the same time — not when each person started. So if you click Start late, you get less time. Try to start right on time.
- If you open the link after the test has ended, you'll see a “Time is up” message and won't be able to take it. Tell your teacher if that happens by mistake.
A Code Goes to Your Parent (Sometimes)
If your test is proctored (camera + mic recording), we need a grown-up's permission before you can start. Two things happen back to back:
Your parent ticks a box and types their name. This says “yes, you can record my child's test.”
We send a text message to your parent's phone. They read it out, you type it in, and the test moves forward.
- The code only works for 5 minutes. If you wait too long, tap Send a new code.
- You get 5 tries. After that the screen locks and you have to ask for a new code.
- If your parent's phone never rings, ask your teacher to check the phone number on your account.
Camera & Mic Check (If Recorded)
If your test is being recorded, you'll see a setup screen with a small live picture of yourself.
- When the browser asks to use your camera and microphone, tap Allow.
- Make sure your face is clear in the preview — good light, no hat covering your eyes.
- If you have more than one camera (like an external webcam), use the Camera dropdown to pick.
- Then tap Start test. The recording starts automatically and stops when you submit.
Most custom tests block virtual cameras (apps like OBS, Snap Camera, NDI). If the picker shows a red warning, switch to your laptop's built-in camera and try again.
Stay quiet during the test and keep your face in the camera. Your teacher will watch the recording later if anything looks off.
Answer the Questions
The test looks the same as a regular STEM-IQ test:
- Tap A, B, C, D (or E on some papers) to pick an answer.
- Some questions are type-in: just type the number or word with your keyboard.
- Use the arrow buttons at the bottom to move between questions.
- Not sure? Tap Mark for review and come back to it.
- The little number panel on the side shows which questions you've answered (green) and which are still empty (grey).
The clock at the top is counting down for everyone. When it hits zero, your test submits by itself — even if you're not finished. Try not to spend too long on any one question.
Show Your Working — the Scratchpad
Every question has a pencil button. Tap it to open the scratchpad (also called the drawing pad or annotation tool). Use it like scratch paper — draw, write, sketch, work out the answer.
Hold the Shift key while you draw and your line snaps perfectly straight, like a ruler. Works with the pen and the eraser too.
When you tap Done, a small picture of your drawing appears under the answer choices. Tap that picture any time to jump back in and add to it. Each question keeps its own scratchpad — they don't mix.
- Your drawings save automatically. If you close the tab and come back, all your scratch work is still there.
- Your teacher can see your scratch work on the report — so showing your working really does help! Especially for questions where you have to type the answer (no A/B/C/D), you must draw out your working unless you tap one of the green “I did it in my head” chips (Step 7).
How Did You Solve It? (Method Chips)
When you open the scratchpad, the right side shows colorful method chips with the question “How did you solve this?”. Tap any that fit how you got your answer — you can pick more than one.
I just knew it and In my head — if you tap one of these you don't need to draw. You did it in your head!
Any other chip means you used a method (a trick, a formula, counting…). You should also draw your working so the teacher can see how you got there.
Helpful pop-ups will appear:
- Tap Done without picking a chip → it asks you to pick one first.
- Tap Next without drawing anything → it double-checks you really did it in your head, so tap I just knew it or In my head to confirm — or hop back into the scratchpad and show your working.
- Picked a purple chip but didn't draw? The pop-up asks you to open the scratchpad and show your work.
What If I Close the Tab By Accident?
Don't panic — just open the same link again. You'll come back to exactly where you were.
- All your answers are saved automatically as you go.
- The questions you already opened stay locked-in — you can't change them after re-opening.
- The clock keeps ticking even when the tab is closed, so don't leave it shut for long.
- If the test was proctored, you'll do the camera+mic check one more time when you come back.
You Only Get One Try
Once you tap Submit (or the timer hits zero), the test is done. The link won't let you start it over.
If something went really wrong — your laptop crashed, the link broke, your sibling tickled you mid-question — tell your teacher. They can reset the test for you, but you can't do it yourself.
What Happens After You Submit
- You'll see your score and your topic breakdown right away — same as a regular test.
- Your teacher / parent gets a notification with your results automatically. No need to send anything yourself.
- The same scoreboard URL (the report page) stays on so you can come back and read it later from the link in your email.
- If the test was recorded, your teacher can watch the video if they need to.
Something Not Working?
- Page won't load → check your Wi-Fi and refresh.
- “Already submitted” message → someone already finished this test on this link. Tell your teacher if you didn't.
- “Time is up” → the test window has closed. Your teacher can reopen it.
- OTP code never arrives → ask your parent to check their phone signal, then tap Send again.
- Camera not detected → close other apps that use the camera (Zoom, Meet, FaceTime…) then refresh.
- Still stuck? Email or message your teacher. Include the part of the URL after
/custom/so they can find your test fast.
Good luck! 🌟
Take a deep breath, read each question carefully, and trust yourself.
Want the full STEM-IQ guide? It covers grades, the drawing pad, your report, and more.
Open the main help