What should students do if they encounter difficult questions during the test?

When students encounter difficult questions during a test, the most effective strategy is to skip them initially and return later if time allows. This approach allows students to manage their time efficiently, ensuring that they can attempt questions they feel confident about first. By doing so, they can maximize their overall score rather than getting stuck on challenging items that may consume valuable time.

This method also helps to reduce anxiety since students can focus on questions they are sure of, potentially increasing their confidence as they progress through the test. When they return to the difficult questions later, they might find that their mindset has shifted, or they may recall information that can help them answer those questions more effectively.

The other strategies, such as immediately seeking help from the instructor, may not always be practical in test situations and can disrupt focus. Spending extra time on tough questions can lead to wasted time that could have been allocated to easier questions, and leaving questions unanswered completely forfeits any chance of earning points from those items. Therefore, the best practice is indeed to skip challenging questions and revisit them later.