Why is it beneficial for candidates to actively monitor their progress during the exam?

Actively monitoring progress during an exam is essential because it assists candidates in managing their time effectively. By keeping track of how much time has passed and how many questions have been answered, candidates can gauge whether they are on pace to complete all questions before the exam ends. This awareness helps prevent situations where they might rush at the end, potentially leading to careless errors.

In contrast, while taking time on every question may seem advantageous for thoroughness, it can lead to running out of time on the more straightforward questions if candidates are not mindful of the clock. Skipping questions might provide a temporary stress relief, but without monitoring, candidates could miss out on the opportunity to return to them later. Similarly, while being able to guess might feel like an advantage, it does not address the critical aspect of time management needed to maximize overall performance.