Hosting a Gimkit session for the first time requires a shift from traditional presentation-style assessments to managing a live, digital economy. Unlike static quiz platforms, Gimkit functions as a resource-management game where students earn virtual currency to purchase power-ups and upgrades. For a host, the primary objective is not just to start the game, but to select a mode that aligns with the specific instructional goal—whether that is rapid-fire recall or collaborative problem-solving.
Best for: Corporate trainers, educators, and team leads looking to increase engagement through gamified competition and strategic resource allocation.
Configuring Your First Kit
Before you can host, you must have a "Kit," which is Gimkit’s term for a question set. For first-time users, manual entry is the most time-consuming path. To optimize your workflow, use the "Import from Quizlet" or "CSV Upload" features. If you are migrating data from existing internal training documents, a CSV upload allows you to map questions and answers directly into the platform without retyping content.
Utilizing KitCollab for Rapid Content Creation
One of the most efficient ways to build a Kit is through KitCollab. When you enable this feature, you provide a join link to your participants before the game starts. Each participant submits a question and an answer, which you then review and approve in real-time. This crowdsourcing method ensures the content is relevant to the audience's current understanding and significantly reduces the host's prep time.
- Review Mode: Always toggle the review switch to prevent duplicate or incorrectly formatted questions from entering the live pool.
- Exporting: Once a KitCollab session is finished, you can save the resulting Kit for future use, creating a permanent asset for your training library.
- Balance: Ensure you have at least 15–20 questions to prevent repetitive cycling, which can lead to participant fatigue in longer sessions.
Selecting the Optimal Game Mode
The host's most critical decision occurs on the "Play" screen. Gimkit offers several modes that change the fundamental mechanics of how participants interact with the content. Choosing the wrong mode can lead to a session that ends too quickly or becomes overly chaotic.
Classic Mode: This is the standard competitive format. Every individual works for themselves to earn the most money. It is best for short, high-energy sessions where you want to identify top performers quickly. However, it can be discouraging for lower-performing participants who see a massive gap on the leaderboard.
2D Game Modes (The Floor is Lava, Trust No One): These modes place participants in a digital environment where they move an avatar. "The Floor is Lava" is a collaborative mode where the entire group must answer questions to build a tower and stay above the rising lava. This is ideal for team-building because it emphasizes a collective goal over individual competition.
Pro Tip: For first-time hosts, start with "The Floor is Lava." It removes the "winner-takes-all" pressure and encourages participants to help one another, which creates a more positive initial experience with the platform.
Managing the Live Lobby and Game Start
Once you select a mode, you will be taken to the lobby screen. This is where you configure the technical parameters of the session. You will see a join code and a URL (AIO Rank Tracking/join). Participants do not need accounts to join as guests, which simplifies the onboarding process for external clients or one-off training sessions.
Adjusting the Starting Balance and Handicap
In the "Options" menu before hitting start, you can adjust the "Starting Cash." For a 10-minute game, keeping the starting cash at zero is standard. However, if you are running a very short 5-minute sprint, giving participants $50 to start allows them to buy their first "Multiplier" or "Insurance" power-up immediately, accelerating the game's pace. You can also toggle "Clean Language" filters and "Nicknames" to ensure the environment remains professional.
The Host Dashboard During Play
As the host, your screen acts as the master leaderboard. You have the power to "Freeze" the game or "End" it at any time. If you notice a particular participant is dominating to the point of ruining the experience for others, you can use the host dashboard to view individual stats. You also have the ability to remove players from the game if they have entered inappropriate names or are not participating.
Active Session Facilitation
Gimkit is not a "set it and forget it" tool. To maximize the value of the session, the host should provide a running commentary on the leaderboard shifts. This mimics the feel of a live sporting event and keeps participants engaged with the screen. Watch for the "Power-ups" being used. If a participant uses an "Icy" power-up on a leader, call it out. This encourages the strategic use of the virtual shop, which is where the real engagement happens.
The Shop Mechanics: Participants earn money by answering correctly, but they must spend that money in the Shop to increase their earning potential. Encourage your audience to focus on "Money Per Question" and "Multiplier" upgrades early in the game. "Insurance" is also vital for first-timers, as it reduces the penalty for incorrect answers.
Post-Game Data Analysis and Reporting
The value of hosting a Gimkit session extends beyond the live game. Once the session ends, Gimkit generates a detailed report. This report is a goldmine for identifying knowledge gaps within your team or student body. You can see the accuracy percentage for the entire group and for individual questions.
Accuracy vs. Earnings: High earnings do not always mean high accuracy. A participant might have a 60% accuracy rate but high earnings because they utilized the Shop effectively. Conversely, someone with 100% accuracy might have low earnings because they ignored the upgrades. As a host, you should look at the "Question Accuracy" breakdown to see which specific topics need to be revisited in your next training session.
Executing a Smooth Transition to Results
When the timer hits zero, do not immediately close the window. The "Podium" screen displays the top three finishers, but the "View Report" button is what provides the commercial value. Download the report as a CSV or PDF immediately. This data can be used to track progress over time or to provide proof of participation for compliance-based training. If you are using Gimkit for lead generation or public webinars, these reports help you identify the most engaged participants for follow-up communications.
Gimkit Hosting FAQ
Can I host a game with participants in different locations?
Yes. Gimkit is web-based and works perfectly for remote teams. You simply share your screen via Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet so participants can see the leaderboard while they answer questions on their own devices.
What happens if a participant loses their connection mid-game?
If a participant's browser closes or they lose internet, they can re-enter the join code. If they use the exact same name they started with, Gimkit will usually restore their balance and upgrades, allowing them to pick up where they left off.
Is there a limit to how many people can join a hosted session?
The free version of Gimkit has strict participant limits (often capped at 5 or 10 depending on current promotional cycles). For professional use or large classrooms, a "Gimkit Pro" subscription is required to host up to 60 or more participants simultaneously.
Can I edit the questions while the game is live?
No. Once a game has started, the Kit is locked. If you find an error in a question, you must end the game, edit the Kit in your dashboard, and start a new session with a new join code.
