Gimkit displays the main leaderboard on the host’s screen. Students in remote or large hybrid sessions often cannot see it. Gimkit includes a built-in option that lets each player pull up live rankings directly on their own device — no shared screen required. This guide covers exactly how to do it.
How to View Leaderboard on a Student Device in Gimkit
The process has two steps. It works in all non-2D game modes on any browser-compatible device, including Chromebooks, tablets, and phones.
Once the game starts, look at the top-left corner of your screen. The D-Pad icon appears there during all non-2D sessions. Tap or click it.
The live rankings appear immediately as an overlay. Scores update in real time as players answer questions. Close the overlay to return to the game.
Which Gimkit Game Modes Let Students View the Leaderboard
Leaderboard access on student devices depends on the game mode the teacher selects. The table below shows how each category handles it.
Teachers running Gimkit assignments or live sessions should pick non-2D modes whenever equal leaderboard access matters. Pairing this with smart repetition keeps each student focused on their weak areas while the leaderboard adds a competitive layer that holds attention.
Why Students Benefit From Viewing the Gimkit Leaderboard on Their Device
Remote learners are the clearest use case. When a class runs Gimkit from home, there is no projector and no shared classroom screen. Without this feature, those students have no way to check where they stand mid-game.
It also removes the interruption of asking the teacher to pause and display rankings manually. Students can check the standings at any moment and immediately return to answering questions, keeping session flow intact.
For hybrid classrooms — where some students sit in the room and others join online — this creates equal access. In-room students may see a projector, but remote learners have the same information on their own screens. Gimkit classes with roster-based naming makes the leaderboard even cleaner, since every name shown belongs to a verified student account.
What to Do When the Gimkit Student Leaderboard Won’t Open
If the D-Pad icon is missing or tapping it does nothing, the issue is almost always the game mode. Below are the common causes and fixes.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| D-Pad icon not visible | The session is running in a 2D mode. Ask the teacher to switch to a non-2D mode before the next game. |
| Icon visible but leaderboard doesn’t open | Reload the page, rejoin using the game code, and try again. |
| Leaderboard opens but shows outdated scores | Close and reopen the overlay. Rankings refresh on open. |
| 2D mode session with no shared screen | Ask the host to share their screen via Zoom or Google Meet so remote students can see standings. |
For broader connection issues during 2D sessions, check whether WebGL is enabled — some school-managed browsers disable it by default. There is a full walkthrough on how to enable WebGL in Gimkit 2D mode if that applies.
If you compare platforms, Blooket join works similarly for quick student entry, though its leaderboard handling differs by game type. A broader look at Quizizz vs Kahoot vs Quizlet covers how each platform manages scoring visibility for students.
FAQs
Does viewing the leaderboard on a student device work in all Gimkit modes?
No. It only works in non-2D modes. In 2D modes such as Snowbrawl or One Way Out, the D-Pad method is not available. The host must share their screen instead.
Where is the D-Pad icon in Gimkit?
It appears in the top-left corner of the game screen on the student’s device during any active non-2D session. Tap or click it to open the leaderboard immediately.
Does the teacher need to enable anything for students to view the leaderboard?
No. Students control this on their own screen. The teacher only needs to select a non-2D game mode. No additional settings are required.
Does opening the leaderboard pause or interrupt the game?
No. The leaderboard appears as an overlay. The game continues running in the background. Students can close it and return to answering questions without losing progress.
What devices support the student leaderboard view in Gimkit?
Any device with a modern browser works — Chromebooks, iPads, Android tablets, phones, and desktop computers. No app download or extra permissions are required.
