Shark Challenge, the placement test

Shark Challenge, the placement test

What is the Shark Challenge?

When students first sign in they will by default be given the 'Shark Challenge' (placement test), even if you've set them work. Then they are automatically placed in 'Supershark'.


The purpose of the 'Shark Challenge' test is to work out where each student should start in Supershark. Supershark has built-in automatic progression and uses the 'Wordshark' course of word lists. 

Although this is the default, you can choose to bypass the Shark Challenge – or to repeat it. See below for how to do this. 

  1. The Shark Challenge starts with a very short pre-test, and depending on performance the student starts at the beginning of the main test or half way through. 
  2. At any point in the main test when the words become difficult, the program flattens out in difficulty.
  3. When a total of 3 errors have been made the student is placed in Supershark (automated progression course).

The test should not take too long but if the student reaches the main part of the test, but doesn’t complete it, this isn't a problem as the program will resume the test when the student next logs in - so that they can pick up from where they left off.


Resetting the level in Supershark:

This can be done at any time.
1. Select the ‘Set Work’ tab from the top menu bar
2. Select ‘Change Level – Supershark'

3. Select the student required by ‘ticking’ the box to the right of their name
4. ‘Wordshark Course’ will appear on the right-hand panel; select ‘Next step’ (lower right on screen)
5. The list of units will appear on the left hand panel – Scroll down till you see ‘CURRENT’ beside a Unit to see the present position. Click on the new required unit – later or earlier in the course
6.This will become highlighted in grey, and the word lists in this unit are shown on the right hand side
7. Click 'Submit' (lower right on screen)
8. When prompted to reset the starting point, click ‘Yes’
9. The next screen will confirm, in green 'Reset starting point for Supershark details updated successfully' . You can now choose to make changes for other students too if you like.

Bypassing the Shark Challenge (placement test) 

Ideally, you should do this BEFORE the student first logs on (but you can also do this if the student/s have already started the Shark Challenge placement test but haven't completed it)

1.       Select ‘Set Work’ from the top menu bar
2.       Choose the option  Change LevelSupershark
3.       Select your student by ‘ticking’ in the box to the right of their name
4.
       Click Next Step bottom right
5.
       Select the Unit (any unit from 1-44) – see the Wordshark course summary for reference
6.
       Select Submit bottom right
7.
       When prompted, click Yes to set/reset the level in Supershark
8.
       You will be taken back to the starting point and a green ‘successful message’ will be given.

9.
       You can now repeat the process for another student or return to the main menu


Repeating the Shark Challenge (placement test)

  1. Select the ‘Set Work’ tab from the top menu bar
  2. Choose the option ‘Repeat Shark Challenge’ 
  3. Select the required group from the section on the left-hand side to display the student name on the right – you can select multiple groups
  4. Choose the students from the right-hand side
  5. Once at least one student has been selected a ‘Submit’ option will appear – click on ‘Submit’ to set the test
  6. When prompted click ‘Yes’
  7. You will then be taken back to the start of the ‘Repeat Shark Challenge’ but a message will now show the test has been set
  8. You can either assign the test to other students, click ‘Go Back’ (bottom left) to go back to the main ‘Set Work’ screen or choose an alternative tab from the main menu

FAQs:

Can I view placement test progress and data?

While it is possible to see where the student has been placed, it is not possible to see the errors made in the Shark Challenge test. Click here to read more.

    • Related Articles

    • Bypassing the Shark Challenge

      Log into the program as the administrator/teacher, ideally BEFORE the student accesses the program. This can also be done even if a student has already started the Shark Challenge placement test but hasn't completed it. (This procedure can also be ...
    • Is there a way to see the results of the placement test for a student?

      Can I view placement test progress or data? You can view where the pupil has been placed following the Shark Challenge test, however, it is not possible to see the errors made. The placement/baseline test (Shark Challenge) is an internal process to ...
    • Are students reassessed in Supershark?

      Shark Challenge The shark challenge can be repeated as often as you like. You can then compare the new placement position with the previous. Subsequent tests are not stored in the 'Group Summary Report' so these will need to be logged independently, ...
    • How does a student navigate between the different work modes?

      The default for the program is the ‘Supershark’ course. When students first log in they will take the ‘Shark Challenge’, the placement test to determine the starting point in Supershark. Once placed the pupil can then continue with the Supershark ...
    • For students/parents: logging in (username and passcode)

      Where can I find my ‘Username’ and ‘Passcode’? Your unique Username and Passcode will have been given to you by your school/teacher. This information might have been given to you as a print-out/in a letter, emailed to you, via a school-home ...

    Still need help?

    Complete our automated Contact Form or email support@wordshark.co.uk with your query.
    We will get back to you as soon as we can.