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Skipping and returning to questions

Skipping a hard question is a strategy, not a failure. A first pass banks the easy marks, and a second pass gives the hard questions your remaining time.

What is tested

  • Deciding when to skip
  • Marking questions to return to
  • Using leftover time well

Worked example

You have spent 90 seconds on a question and are still stuck. What should you do?

  1. Mark it clearly (circle or star).
  2. Move to the next question.
  3. Return at the end.

Answer: Mark it and move on

Exam-day checklist

  • Set a limit of 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Mark skipped questions clearly.
  • Make sure you put the answer in the right box after skipping.
  • Return to the marked ones with spare time.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping and forgetting.
  • Putting answers in the wrong row after skipping.
  • Skipping every question that feels difficult.

Try it yourself

1. Why is it risky to skip without marking the question?

Show answer

You may forget to come back

A mark ensures you return.

2. You skip question 12. What must you check on the answer sheet?

Show answer

That question 13's answer goes in row 13

Skipping can shift answers into the wrong row.

Practise skipping and returning to questions with school-style questions

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More topic guides

Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: contextEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: analogiesVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: word relationshipsVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoningNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examEliminating incorrect optionsIdentifying distractorsChecking your workReading questions carefullyWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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