Saying “I haven’t figured that out yet” in class takes more guts than faking an answer, and it teaches you more.

Admitting the gap out loud costs a moment of exposure and buys the actual answer. Faking it protects the appearance of competence and guarantees the confusion stays exactly where it is, usually while several other people in the room are equally lost. The ones who look most capable over time are often the ones who asked earliest.

Say the honest version once this week, in the place where it feels most uncomfortable. Notice how the room responds, which is almost always with less interest than you expect.