What should candidates do when they face a challenging question on the TSA CBT?

When candidates encounter a challenging question on the TSA CBT, the most effective strategy is to skip the question and return to it later if time permits. This approach allows candidates to manage their time effectively during the exam. By moving on to questions that they find easier or more straightforward, candidates can secure those points and enhance their overall score. This strategy also helps in reducing anxiety and maintaining focus, as spending too much time on a difficult question can lead to frustration and may affect performance on subsequent questions.

If candidates choose to spend excessive time on challenging questions, they risk running out of time for questions that they could answer correctly and easily. Similarly, seeking help from a proctor is not advisable in a standardized testing environment, where assistance is typically limited to procedural questions and does not extend to answering or discussing exam content. Hence, skipping the challenging question enables a better strategic approach to completing the exam within the allotted time and maximizing potential points.