Reattempt

Reattempt refers to the act of attempting something again after an initial attempt, usually following a failure or insufficient progress. The term is used across domains to denote a second or subsequent trial, often governed by rules or policies on eligibility and consequences.

In education and testing, reattempts are common. Many standardized exams permit multiple attempts after a waiting period and sometimes a fee. Policies vary on the number of allowed attempts, required remediation, and how the results are interpreted, such as using best or average scores.

In computing, a reattempt mechanism retries a failed operation, such as a network call or database transaction. Retries are managed with backoff strategies to reduce load and ensure reliability, and considerations include ensuring idempotence and avoiding unlimited repetitions.

In sports and games, reattempts are often allowed within rules that specify the number and order of attempts, such as jumps, throws, or scored plays. Regulations determine when a reattempt can occur and how it affects final standings.

Policy and design considerations include fairness, efficiency, and learning outcomes. Reattempts can improve accuracy and understanding but may inflate scores or waste resources if not properly limited. Effective rules balance incentives to persevere with safeguards against abuse.

Etymology and usage: reattempt combines the prefix re- with attempt, meaning to try again. It is used as a verb and noun in various contexts to indicate another try after an initial effort.