Someone should study how I take tests. I can often pass or nearly pass tests on topics that I know little to nothing about by understanding how tests are made and using clues in the tests to pass them — particularly if I can go back and review anything*. The thing is, I am not sure that it’s a skill that can be taught, even if it’s a skill one can possess.

It’s harder to do this on tests that aren’t multiple choice — but not impossible. The strategy just changes a bit. Test-taking like I do it is probably not something anyone can learn because it depends on having a huge base of already-extant knowledge, a good understanding of what kinds of questions get asked on exams and why they are asked, and having a large working memory that is able to quickly assimilate and associate facts and information one has just learned moments before.

So…good luck teaching that.

*Some certification exams, like the CISSP, do not allow returning to questions for just this reason.