diff --git a/tests/gem_caching.c b/tests/gem_caching.c
index 6fa9a153..473872ce 100644
--- a/tests/gem_caching.c
+++ b/tests/gem_caching.c
@@ -143,8 +143,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	igt_subtest("reads") {
-		if (!(flags & TEST_READ))
-			igt_skip();
+		igt_require(flags & TEST_READ);
 
 		printf("checking partial reads\n");
 
@@ -173,8 +172,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	igt_subtest("writes") {
-		if (!(flags & TEST_WRITE))
-			igt_skip();
+		igt_require(flags & TEST_WRITE);
 
 		printf("checking partial writes\n");
 
@@ -225,8 +223,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	igt_subtest("read-writes") {
-		if (!((flags & TEST_BOTH) == TEST_BOTH))
-			igt_skip();
+		igt_require((flags & TEST_BOTH) == TEST_BOTH);
 
 		printf("checking partial writes after partial reads\n");
 
diff --git a/tests/gem_seqno_wrap.c b/tests/gem_seqno_wrap.c
index 7549eb63..0f7e52bb 100644
--- a/tests/gem_seqno_wrap.c
+++ b/tests/gem_seqno_wrap.c
@@ -367,12 +367,7 @@ static int dfs_open(int mode)
 		 dfs_base, card_index, dfs_entry);
 
 	fh = open(fname, mode);
-	if (fh == -1) {
-		fprintf(stderr,
-			"error %d opening '%s/%d/%s'. too old kernel?\n",
-			errno, dfs_base, card_index, dfs_entry);
-		igt_skip();
-	}
+	igt_require(fh >= 0);
 
 	return fh;
 }
diff --git a/tests/sysfs_rc6_residency.c b/tests/sysfs_rc6_residency.c
index f96d5eca..3b873a08 100644
--- a/tests/sysfs_rc6_residency.c
+++ b/tests/sysfs_rc6_residency.c
@@ -77,10 +77,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	sleep(5);
 
 	file = fopen(path, "r");
-	if (!file) {
-		printf("kernel too old or rc6 not supported on this platform.\n");
-		igt_skip();
-	}
+	igt_require(file);
 
 	/* claim success if no rc6 enabled. */
 	if (readit(path) == 0)
diff --git a/tests/sysfs_rps.c b/tests/sysfs_rps.c
index 55804c0e..544be8ff 100644
--- a/tests/sysfs_rps.c
+++ b/tests/sysfs_rps.c
@@ -148,10 +148,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		ret = asprintf(&path, sysfs_base_path, device, junk->name);
 		igt_assert(ret != -1);
 		junk->filp = fopen(path, junk->mode);
-		if (junk->filp == NULL) {
-			printf("Kernel is too old. GTFO\n");
-			igt_skip();
-		}
+		igt_require(junk->filp == NULL);
 		val = readval(junk->filp);
 		igt_assert(val >= 0);
 		junk++;