If no accepted answer has been submitted when an official prompt's clock expires, that prompt contributes zero. The other questions still contribute their own scores. A retry message while time remains is a different situation from a completed zero.
What one zero changes
There are seven prompts, each worth up to 100 points. If one finishes at zero, six perfect results would total 600 points, or 6,000 metres. That is a ceiling, not a predicted result or a guaranteed streak rule.
| One prompt's result | Points | Maximum with six further 100s |
|---|---|---|
| Unanswered | 0 | 600 |
| Plankton | 10 | 610 |
| Schooler | 30 | 630 |
| Deep Cut | 85 | 685 |
| One in a Krillion | 100 | 700 |
A retry message is not a final score
A misspelling or unrecognized entry can ask you to try again. If the clock is still active, correct the input or use another qualifying candidate. The rejection guide shows real examples and distinguishes visible messages from conclusions the recording cannot establish.
Use the remaining time for a defensible entry
- Keep the question's type and conditions in view.
- Check the word actually present in the input field.
- Prefer a candidate whose fit and spelling you know over an unsupported last-second guess.
The official answer clock is 25 seconds. There is no universal five-second routine that guarantees acceptance. Alias and autocorrect support also do not guarantee every variant will match.
Review the cause, then retry separately
In our untimed practice, a word missing from the saved roster scores zero here. After the round, retry only those zero-score prompts; the retry total does not replace the original round's best or full-round count. For arithmetic comparisons, use the score calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does a zero deduct my previous points?
No. It adds no points for that prompt; your other prompt scores remain in the total.
Does every rejected input finish the prompt?
No. A retry message with time remaining differs from a prompt that has ended without an accepted answer.