Skip and Return Strategy
Learn
The skip and return strategy is essential for maximizing your score. Not all questions are worth the same amount of your time, and knowing when to move on can make the difference between a good score and a great one.
When to Skip a Question
- Time trigger: You have been working on it for more than 90-120 seconds
- Confusion trigger: You have no idea how to start the problem
- Complexity trigger: The problem requires many steps you might not finish
- Topic trigger: It tests a concept you know you struggle with
The Skip and Return Process
- Recognize: Notice when you hit a trigger
- Decide: Make a quick decision to skip (do not deliberate)
- Mark: Bubble in your best guess AND flag the question
- Move: Immediately go to the next question
- Return: Come back with remaining time at the end
Examples
Example: Making the Skip Decision
Scenario: Question 15 asks you to solve a system of three equations. You know how to do it, but it will take 4-5 minutes.
Decision: SKIP. Even though you can solve it, the time cost is too high. Mark your best guess, flag it, and return only if you have extra time after finishing other questions.
Why: Those 4-5 minutes could earn you 3-4 points on easier questions instead of just 1 point on this one.
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding with these 10 questions. Click on each question to reveal the answer.
1. Why is it important to bubble in a guess before skipping?
Answer: If you run out of time, you will at least have an answer recorded. There is no penalty for wrong answers on the SAT or ACT, so a guess is better than blank.
2. You have narrowed a question down to two answers but cannot decide. You have already spent 90 seconds. What should you do?
Answer: Pick one of the two (50% chance is better than average!), bubble it in, flag the question, and move on. Return to reconsider only if you have time.
3. What is the danger of not skipping difficult questions?
Answer: You may run out of time for easier questions at the end that you could have answered correctly. Every question is worth the same points, so missing easy ones is costly.
4. How should you mark questions you skip on a paper test?
Answer: Circle the question number in your test booklet (or make a clear mark), and make sure your answer sheet stays aligned. On digital tests, use the flag/bookmark feature.
5. You skipped 5 questions and now have 8 minutes left. How should you prioritize which to return to?
Answer: Return to questions where you had narrowed it down (better odds), or topics you are stronger in. Do not necessarily go in order - be strategic about which ones you can actually solve.
6. What is the "sunk cost" mistake in test-taking?
Answer: Spending more time on a hard question just because you have already invested time in it. The time you spent is gone - make decisions based on how much more time you need, not how much you have already used.
7. Is it ever correct to spend 3+ minutes on a single question?
Answer: Only in rare cases: (1) you are confident you can solve it, (2) you are ahead of pace, and (3) you have already completed all other questions. Otherwise, skip and return.
8. A question looks difficult but you think you might be able to solve it. What should you do?
Answer: Give it 60-90 seconds maximum. If you are making progress, continue. If you are stuck or unsure, mark your best guess and skip. Do not let "might be able to" turn into 3 wasted minutes.
9. How does the skip and return strategy reduce test anxiety?
Answer: It gives you permission to move on without feeling like you "failed" a question. Knowing you can come back later reduces the pressure on any single question.
10. You returned to a skipped question and still cannot solve it with 2 minutes left. What now?
Answer: Keep your guess and move to another skipped question. Do not waste more time. With 2 minutes, you might be able to actually solve a different question you skipped.
Check Your Understanding
You should now be able to:
- Recognize the four triggers for skipping
- Execute the skip and return process smoothly
- Avoid the sunk cost fallacy
- Prioritize which skipped questions to return to
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review