How to Not Get Called on in Class

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Last Updated: February 28, 2024 References

You may have experienced the feeling of humiliation when your teacher asked you a hard question because they knew you weren't listening. If you are nervous talking in front of your class or don’t always pay attention in class, you might want to try to avoid getting called on. You can try to blend into your class or try to trick your teacher so you don’t get called on. However, the best way to have a good experience in class is to be prepared for questions.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Blending Into the Class

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1
Sit strategically. You want to try to sit in the teacher’s blind spot so they hopefully don’t notice you. Where you sit depends on the style of your classroom and your teacher. Try to sit in the edge of the classroom, out of the teacher’s main focus of vision. You can sit in the back to hopefully hide or the very front so the teacher possibly completely looks past you and forgets you are there. ^{[1]
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- You can try to sit next to someone who answers a lot of questions to hopefully blend in next to them. ^{[2]
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While the teacher is teaching, look toward them. Don’t look out the window, fidget, doodle, or text. At least look like you are paying attention to what they are saying. The teacher might find it disrespectful and think you are not paying attention if you seem distracted. ^{[3]
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When your teacher is scanning the room trying to decide who to call on, do not make direct eye contact with the teacher. However, don’t clearly avoid eye contact and definitely don’t look down. Look away for a second then look back at the teacher then look away again. Try to find a good balance between completely avoiding looking at your teacher and looking at them too much. ^{[4]
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Even if you aren’t confident and have no idea what the answer to the question is, pretend you do. Sit up straight and don’t look worried or nervous. Don’t look eager to answer the question, but don’t look like you clearly were not paying attention either. The teacher will likely call on someone who either seems overly confident or nervous. ^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tricking Your Teacher

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When the teacher is scanning the room, looking for someone to call on, search through your notes. Make it look like you are trying to find the answer and that you remember writing it down. If the teacher sees you searching through your notes, they might not call on you because they know you are trying to find the right answer. ^{[6]
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You should write real notes too, but if you are trying to trick your teacher not to call on you, pretend to write more notes. If the teacher is scanning the room, start writing down notes as if you are writing down a few more points from what the teacher said. The teacher will think you are really concentrating and trying to understand all the points. ^{[7]
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When the teacher is deciding who to call on start rifling through your backpack, binder, or pencil case like you are looking for something important. Your teacher will hopefully see that you are focused on needing something urgently and not want to interrupt you. ^{[8]
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4
Make a concentrated face. Look like you are really focused and trying to think of the answer when the teacher is calling on students. If you look like you are concentrating the teacher will assume you were paying attention, but don’t know the answer, so they won’t call on you.
- You can also try making a really confused face like you don’t understand the question. ^{[9]
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When you do know the answer or the question is easy, raise your hand! That way when the question is hard the teacher won’t call on you because you already talked and participated. ^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Being Prepared for Questions

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1
Overcome speaking anxiety. If you want to avoid getting called on in class is because you are nervous to talk in front of other people, you might have a speaking anxiety . You can overcome this by being prepared for class and feeling confident and positive.
- Start your answers strong and don’t mumble.
- Practice speaking in front of smaller groups and then work your way up to talking in class. ^{[11]
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Pay attention in class. If you pay attention and concentrate, you will feel a lot more comfortable answering questions in class. When the teacher talks, actively listen and try to process what is being said. Take notes while the teacher talks and sit in the front of the class.
- Don’t be on your phone during class. It will distract you and stop you from paying attention.
If you come to class unprepared, you won’t know the answer to any questions. Do any homework assignments before class so you are prepared for any questions that the teacher might ask. If you feel confident, you won’t have to worry about avoiding the teacher and you will have a better experience in class.

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What students do teachers choose to answer questions?

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Teachers might choose students who seem like they clearly know the answer and are eager to talk. They might also pick students who seem like they were not paying attention in class or distracted by something else. Sometimes teachers will choose students who rarely talk to get them to participate.

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What if you were not listening to the teacher and get called on?

Community Answer

If you were not paying attention and then get called on, do your best to make an educated guess about the topic. You can also be honest and say, "I am sorry. I was not paying attention," and then make sure to pay attention the rest of the class. Coming to class prepared and focusing on your teacher will make answering question easier if avoiding getting called on does not work.

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What if the teacher makes you come to the front of the class to answer the question, but you don't know the answer?

Community Answer

Try not to be nervous about being in the front. Try to make an educated guess or be honest and say you are sorry but you were not paying attention.

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If you know the teacher is going to call on you, just drop your pencil on accident and take as long as you can to pick it up and she will skip you!

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Don’t be too obvious about trying to avoid your teacher.

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Know that the best way to have a good experience in class is to pay attention and prepare for class.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Here's a clever approach: put your hand up to look engaged. If your teacher tends to call on quiet kids instead, keeping your hand raised could stop you from being put on the spot. If they do pick you after having your hand up, you can ask, “Actually, may I quickly visit the restroom?” Your teacher might be a bit miffed, but it beats awkwardness!
For virtual classes, pretend your camera or mic glitched if you get asked a question but don't know. Act like your video stuttered. Teachers expect tech quirks, so they’ll likely think, “Oh dear, bad connection,” and move to another student. But remember, this only works online!
If your teacher draws popsicle sticks or uses other random methods, emulate a scribbling secretary when names are pulled. If they pick you, explain you were hard at work taking notes and need a quick recap of the question.
Some teachers zero in on students who seem confused, bypassing the keeners with their hands up. Make sure you somewhat understand what’s being taught so you don’t get stuck solving impossible problems.
Get into the habit of always tentatively raising your hand, even if you aren’t 100% confident, just to look engaged. Teachers usually call on the quiet, disengaged kids.
Sit straight and play laser-focused student on the lesson. That way, the teacher will assume you’re absorbing their every word.

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Warnings

Every teacher is different so these steps will not always work.

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How to Not Get Called on in Class

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Blending Into the Class

Tricking Your Teacher

Being Prepared for Questions

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Tips

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