Scilympiad Student Reference Guide

Updated 1/8/2021

Scilympiad Platform
➢ Partners take the same test from their own computers
➢ Partners see each other's answers as they work on a single test
➢ Built-in text-based chat for partners to discuss their answers
➢ Built-in text-based chat for students to ask event supervisor questions
➢ Built-in timers for specific test time period
➢ Answers automatically saved as participants answer them, except Cryptography type.

Browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari have been tested in the lab, and they all worked fine. However,
not all versions have been tested. It’s recommended that you have several types of latest-version browsers
installed on the devices you use to take the tests. If one doesn’t work well, simply switch to another.

Important: Please do not skip the Common Issues/Resolutions section near the end.
Checklist:
➢ Time settings in your device, make sure the timezone is correct, time savings set to Auto, and the
current time is correct, matching your cell phone, for example
➢ Your screen resolution, recommended at 1920 x 1024, lots of information to view
➢ Good internet connection
➢ A pointing device, such as a mouse
➢ Make sure to access the correct URL for the competition - pay attention to the page title
➢ Always access the testing area by clicking on Student Login, select Take online test using Login
ID. Don’t use bookmarks or shortcuts to the testing page.
➢ Login before the competition and make sure you have access to your assigned events.
➢ Make sure your partner(s) are available to start the tests together

Student Scilympiad Login Credentials

➢ Students previously competed in tournaments using the Scilympiad platform may use the same
Login IDs and passwords for all tournaments. Login IDs and passwords stay the same throughout
the season across tournaments.
Student Login Instructions Using Login ID
➢ Click on "Student Login” tab
➢ Click on "Take online tests using Login ID" under Competition Day heading. Ask your coach for
your Login ID if you have yet received it.
➢ If this is your first time logging in to Scilympiad, after entering your Login ID and as you move
to the password box, the first name and last name boxes will automatically appear. Fill in your
first and last name exactly as submitted by your coach on the student roster, enter your own
created password then click Sign in. You only have to submit your name once. Thereafter, log in
using your Login ID and your newly created password. If you forget your password, contact your
head coach immediately. They will be able to reset your password. (Head Coach Dashboard ->
Submit Student -> Team Roster)

Student Scilympiad Login Credentials

Students previously competed in tournaments through the Scilympiad platform may use the same Login
IDs and passwords for all tournaments. Login IDs and passwords stay the same throughout the season.

Tournament Day
When students report an issue, please provide the following to your coach:
➢ Screenshots of the entire page with the URL in the Address bar:
➢ What browser and device they are using?
➢ Are they behind the school firewall?
➢ Do they have other intensive apps running, like Discord or Zoom or Netflix (some did)?
 ➢ Do they have javascript and popup enabled and cookie accepted?
➢ Do they use school-issued devices?
➢ Are they in the correct tournament? Show screenshot.
➢ Do they have multiple browsers open accessing Scilympiad?
➢ Ask the partners the same
➢ Team #, Login IDs, what test
➢ If issue is related to unable to save answers then ask the students to record the timestamp, test
name, question #, team # and test time remaining
➢ Please relay the above-mentioned responses to the online Appeal Form and email screenshots to
Tournament Director. When email please briefly specify issue, school name, team # and Login
IDs

Common Issues/Resolutions
Below are the common issues and resolutions:

⮚ Issue: It doesn’t work! (no explanation)

⮚ Resolution: Make sure you are in the right tournament, log in correctly. Most issues can be
resolved by simply refreshing the screen or logging off, closing the browser and logging back in
and not opening multiple browsers.

➢ Issue: I’m unable to save my answers!

➢ Resolution: Connectivity is the most likely cause. It happens to us all the time - unstable wifi
signals in your house or school, etc. With a stable connection, when you answer a question, a
green notification ‘Answer saved’ appears at the top of the answer instantly as shown in the
image below. However, if the yellow message ‘Saving answer… timestamp. If this message stays
for more than 40 seconds, check your network, or try a different question.’ stays on for more than
40 secs, it’s likely a connectivity issue. Record the timestamp (current time), test name, question
#, team #, test time remaining, and write down your answers! Then, refresh the screen or
close/open the browser and try to answer the question again. If connectivity is back and you can
save the answer, refresh the screen. Ask your partner to also refresh the screen so answers
can be synchronized. But if the website is slow during peak time, DO NOT REFRESH the
screen. Different browsers have different limits on the number of concurrent communication
channels, having Discord or Zoom running in the same device can also use up the connections.
Run the apps in another device or use a different communication method. Be reassured that all
your answers that have been successfully saved with the ‘Answer saved’ are not cleared by the
system or anyone. Only you and your partner(s) can change the answers. For Free Response
(short answer) type and Cryptography questions, it’s best to have only one partner type, and other
partners contribute through chat or other communication methods or work on different questions.
⮚ Issue: I’m unable to see partner’s and Event Supervisors’ messages!

⮚ Resolution: If you are still able to connect to Scilympiad and save answers but unable to
communicate through the chat box and synchronize answers among partners, make sure they do
not have many browsers open in the same device or other communication apps, such as Discord
or Zoom running on the same device. Different browsers have different limits on the number of
concurrent connections, and these may use up the channels. Again, refresh the screen.

⮚ Issue: You cannot get back to the test

⮚ Resolution: Test may have an external link that doesn’t open in a new tab or browser. When you
click on the link, it opens in the same tab/browser, replacing the test, and students cannot get back
to the test. Close the browser and reopen it, log in and see if you can continue. If not, notify the
event supervisor immediately. This is a mistake from the Event Supervisor.

⮚ Issue: You cannot see the embedded images.

⮚ Resolution: The test includes embedded image links from external websites which may not be
available at the moment or has security conflicts. Notify the event supervisor immediately.

⮚ Issue: You cannot log in to take the tests.

⮚ Resolution: Make sure the spelling is correct, Login ID, first name, last name match exactly what
head coaches submitted. If you are still unable to login, contact your head coach.
⮚ Issue: After logging in, you don’t see your assigned events or see the message: “You have not
been assigned to a tournament”.
⮚ Resolution: This year, teams often sign up for many tournaments across the country. Make sure
you are in the right tournament for the day by looking at the URL and title page.

⮚ Issue: Profile mismatch in the student Login page.

⮚ Resolution: Make sure to click on Login using Login ID. All information you enter must match
exactly what coaches submitted since all your team and event assignments are based on that
Student Roster. If you are still unable to login, contact your head coach. Your names might be
submitted differently, nicknames vs. official names, first name and last name in incorrect order,
etc.

⮚ Issue: You are kicked out of a test immediately after clicking the Start button.

⮚ Resolution: Make sure your computer time is correct and that you select the correct test. Make
sure your partner did not already start the test and use up the time. Log off and back in to see if it
helps.

⮚ Issue: You are kicked out within a minute in the test.

⮚ Resolution: Log out and log back in to continue the test. If the test status is now “Test
Submitted,” check your partners to see if they are still in the test, if yes, check your device clock,
time zone setting, daylight savings, etc. If all look correct, contact the Event Supervisor to reset or
extend the time.

⮚ Issue: You started the event and weren’t ready.

⮚ Resolution: Ask the Coach to contact the Tournament Director. Tournament Directors will use
their discretion to allow participants to resume the test.

⮚ Issue: You are kicked out of the test and wonder if answers were saved.

⮚ Resolution: Each time you answer a question and see the message ‘Answer saved’, your answer
is successfully saved in the system. No one can change or clear the answers except you and your
partners. You may not see them due to connectivity issues, but they have been saved. Your Event
Supervisor and Scoremaster can tell how many answers have been saved. You can check how
many answers were saved successfully by checking the count in the Assigned Events page after
logging in. Your coach can also check in the head coach dashboard.
⮚ Issue: I remember seeing my answers saved but when I got the test back, many of my answers
were blank.
⮚ Resolution: Since you and your partners can override each other’s answers, make sure to refresh
the screen before submitting the test or time’s up. Refreshing the screen will show the actual final
answers saved in the system, the ones event supervisors will see and grade. This will give you the
chance to review and make any corrections.
⮚ Issue: The CADer for Write It CAD It or Write It Do It cannot see any instructions

⮚ Resolution: This is due to either:

1. The CADer/Doer started the test before the Writer has submitted their test: Make sure
the CADer/Doer only starts the test after the Writer has completed their part. This is a
non-issue for tournaments running this in a single time block.
2. The Writer’s response didn’t save and it’s blank: Make sure the writer periodically
clicks outside of the textbox as that triggers autosave. Also make sure to click outside
of the editor and click Finish Test. You should see the message “Answer saved”.