diff --git a/src/pkg/testing/testing.go b/src/pkg/testing/testing.go
index 466a8786f2c..86cd46c2918 100644
--- a/src/pkg/testing/testing.go
+++ b/src/pkg/testing/testing.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 // [a-z]) and serves to identify the test routine.
 // These TestXxx routines should be declared within the package they are testing.
 //
-// Tests may be skipped if not applicable like this:
+// Tests and benchmarks may be skipped if not applicable like this:
 //     func TestTimeConsuming(t *testing.T) {
 //         if testing.Short() {
 //             t.Skip("skipping test in short mode.")
@@ -130,9 +130,10 @@ var (
 // common holds the elements common between T and B and
 // captures common methods such as Errorf.
 type common struct {
-	mu     sync.RWMutex // guards output and failed
-	output []byte       // Output generated by test or benchmark.
-	failed bool         // Test or benchmark has failed.
+	mu      sync.RWMutex // guards output and failed
+	output  []byte       // Output generated by test or benchmark.
+	failed  bool         // Test or benchmark has failed.
+	skipped bool         // Test of benchmark has been skipped.
 
 	start    time.Time // Time test or benchmark started
 	duration time.Duration
@@ -190,7 +191,6 @@ type T struct {
 	common
 	name          string    // Name of test.
 	startParallel chan bool // Parallel tests will wait on this.
-	skipped       bool      // Test has been skipped.
 }
 
 // Fail marks the function as having failed but continues execution.
@@ -277,6 +277,41 @@ func (c *common) Fatalf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
 	c.FailNow()
 }
 
+// Skip is equivalent to Log followed by SkipNow.
+func (c *common) Skip(args ...interface{}) {
+	c.log(fmt.Sprintln(args...))
+	c.SkipNow()
+}
+
+// Skipf is equivalent to Logf followed by SkipNow.
+func (c *common) Skipf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
+	c.log(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
+	c.SkipNow()
+}
+
+// SkipNow marks the test as having been skipped and stops its execution.
+// Execution will continue at the next test or benchmark. See also FailNow.
+// SkipNow must be called from the goroutine running the test, not from
+// other goroutines created during the test. Calling SkipNow does not stop
+// those other goroutines.
+func (c *common) SkipNow() {
+	c.skip()
+	runtime.Goexit()
+}
+
+func (c *common) skip() {
+	c.mu.Lock()
+	defer c.mu.Unlock()
+	c.skipped = true
+}
+
+// Skipped reports whether the test was skipped.
+func (c *common) Skipped() bool {
+	c.mu.RLock()
+	defer c.mu.RUnlock()
+	return c.skipped
+}
+
 // Parallel signals that this test is to be run in parallel with (and only with)
 // other parallel tests.
 func (t *T) Parallel() {
@@ -346,41 +381,6 @@ func (t *T) report() {
 	}
 }
 
-// Skip is equivalent to Log followed by SkipNow.
-func (t *T) Skip(args ...interface{}) {
-	t.log(fmt.Sprintln(args...))
-	t.SkipNow()
-}
-
-// Skipf is equivalent to Logf followed by SkipNow.
-func (t *T) Skipf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
-	t.log(fmt.Sprintf(format, args...))
-	t.SkipNow()
-}
-
-// SkipNow marks the test as having been skipped and stops its execution.
-// Execution will continue at the next test or benchmark. See also FailNow.
-// SkipNow must be called from the goroutine running the test, not from
-// other goroutines created during the test. Calling SkipNow does not stop
-// those other goroutines.
-func (t *T) SkipNow() {
-	t.skip()
-	runtime.Goexit()
-}
-
-func (t *T) skip() {
-	t.mu.Lock()
-	defer t.mu.Unlock()
-	t.skipped = true
-}
-
-// Skipped reports whether the test was skipped.
-func (t *T) Skipped() bool {
-	t.mu.RLock()
-	defer t.mu.RUnlock()
-	return t.skipped
-}
-
 func RunTests(matchString func(pat, str string) (bool, error), tests []InternalTest) (ok bool) {
 	ok = true
 	if len(tests) == 0 && !haveExamples {