Gimkit operates differently than standard classroom response systems. While platforms like Kahoot focus on speed-to-answer, Gimkit uses a virtual economy to drive engagement. Students earn "money" for correct answers, which they then reinvest into power-ups, insurance, and multipliers. For a host, the challenge isn't just starting a quiz; it is selecting the right game mode to match the instructional goal and managing the live economy to ensure the competition remains productive. This guide covers the technical setup and mechanical nuances required to host a session that balances gameplay with curriculum retention.
Establishing Your Host Profile
To begin hosting, you must register an account specifically as an "Educator." This distinction is critical because student accounts cannot host live games; they can only join them or practice independently. When you sign up, Gimkit offers a "Gimkit Pro" trial. This is worth noting because the free "Gimkit Basic" version limits the number of players who can join a live session and restricts access to certain rotating game modes.
Best for: Teachers and corporate trainers who need real-time data on participant accuracy and engagement levels.
Once the account is active, your primary workspace is the "Kits" dashboard. A "Kit" is essentially your question set. You do not need to build these from scratch. The platform allows you to import question banks from CSV files or sync directly with Quizlet. If you are migrating from another platform, the CSV import is the most efficient route, provided your data is structured with questions in column A and the correct answer in column B.
Building and Importing Content
When creating a Kit manually, the "Flashcard" entry method is the fastest. You input the term and the definition, and Gimkit automatically generates multiple-choice distractors. However, for higher-stakes review, manual entry allows you to craft specific "incorrect" answers that target common misconceptions.
- Search the Gallery: Use the "Gimkit Gallery" to find pre-made kits from other educators. You can "clone" these to your account and edit them to fit your specific terminology.
- KitCollab: This feature allows students to submit their own questions to the Kit before the game starts. As the host, you review and accept or reject these questions in real-time.
- Image Support: You can upload images to questions, which is vital for diagrams, map identification, or math problems that require visual context.
Selecting the Optimal Game Mode
The "Host" button on a Kit leads to the mode selection screen. This is where most new hosts make mistakes. Choosing the wrong mode can lead to a game that ends too quickly or becomes too chaotic for learning. Gimkit rotates its modes seasonally, but a few core archetypes remain constant.
Classic Mode
This is the standard "every person for themselves" mode. It is best for quick reviews where the goal is high-repetition. Students compete to earn the most money by the end of a set time limit. It requires the least amount of explanation but can lead to "runaway leaders" where one student becomes so wealthy they cannot be caught.
Team Mode
In Team Mode, the total earnings of all members are pooled. This is the most effective mode for mixed-ability groups. It encourages peer tutoring, as higher-performing students are incentivized to help their teammates improve their accuracy to boost the collective bank account.
Social Deduction and Strategy Modes
Modes like "Trust No One" (inspired by Among Us) or "Snowman Survival" introduce complex mechanics. In these versions, answering questions earns resources used to complete tasks or identify "imposters." These modes are highly engaging but require more time—typically 15 to 20 minutes—and work best when students are already familiar with the basic question set.
Pro Tip: When hosting a new game mode for the first time, join the game as a player on a separate device. This allows you to see the student interface and explain the "Shop" mechanics, which are often confusing to first-time players who don't realize they need to buy "Streak Bonuses" to keep up.
Configuring Game Options
After selecting a mode, you reach the configuration screen. Do not skip these settings. You can set the game to end based on a Time Limit (e.g., 10 minutes) or a Race (e.g., the first person to reach $1,000,000). For most classroom settings, a Time Limit is preferable because it ensures the entire class finishes at the same time.
You should also toggle the "Clean Power-ups Only" setting if you want to prevent students from using "attacks" on one another. While "Iced" or "Blur" power-ups add a layer of competitive fun, they can be frustrating for students who are struggling with the material. If the goal is pure formative assessment, disabling negative power-ups keeps the focus on the content.
Managing the Live Session
Once you click "Continue," Gimkit generates a join code and a QR code. Students navigate to Keyword Ranking Tracker/join to enter the code. As the host, you will see names populate on your screen. You have the authority to click on any name to remove a player—useful for enforcing appropriate naming conventions.
During the game, your host dashboard provides a live leaderboard. More importantly, it shows a "Class Accuracy" percentage. If this number drops below 70%, it is a signal to the host that the material may be too difficult or the distractors are too confusing. You can pause the game at any time to clarify a concept that the data shows most students are missing.
Post-Game Data Analysis
When the game ends, Gimkit provides a "Report." This is the most commercially useful part of the platform for publishers and educators. The report breaks down performance by student and by question. You can see exactly which questions were missed most frequently, allowing you to tailor your next lesson to address those specific gaps. These reports can be exported as PDFs or spreadsheets for integration into a Gradebook or Learning Management System (LMS).
Action Steps for Your First Host Session
To ensure your first session is a success, follow this sequence: First, create a short Kit of only 10-15 questions to keep the initial loop tight. Second, choose "Classic Mode" for the first 5 minutes to let students understand the "Shop" and "Upgrades" mechanics. Finally, use the "Report" function immediately after the game to show the class their most missed questions while the information is still fresh. This reinforces the "learning" aspect of the game rather than just the "play" aspect. Avoid long sessions (over 20 minutes) on a single Kit, as the economy can become inflated, making the questions feel secondary to the power-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I host a Gimkit game asynchronously?
Yes. Instead of clicking "Host," select the "Assign" option. This allows you to set a due date and a "Target Cash" goal. Students can complete the Kit at their own pace, and you will receive a report once they reach the goal or the deadline passes.
How many students can join a live game?
On the free "Basic" plan, Gimkit typically limits sessions to a small number of participants (often 60, but this varies with seasonal updates). The "Pro" plan allows for much larger groups, making it suitable for grade-level assemblies or large lecture halls.
What happens if a student loses all their money?
Students can go into "debt" in Gimkit. They can continue answering questions to earn their way back to a positive balance. As a host, you can also "gift" money to students through the dashboard if someone is struggling significantly and losing motivation.
Can I edit a Kit while a game is in progress?
No. Once a live session has started, the questions are locked. You must end the game, edit the Kit in your dashboard, and then launch a new session for the changes to take effect.
