What is the best way to study for a test or an exam?

I think there is not just one way to study and master the examinations. One has to know their idiosyncrasies (Peculiarity). At least you have identified yours and that is good beginning.

Because I know a very little about you, I am unable to tell you what exactly you should do to ace an examination. But I can share my own experiences during my school and later engineering college.

First thing, I learned about myself that I can not learn anything in the classroom. I felt the speed of teaching is just too slow for me and too narrow. I did not find the depth in those teachings as perhaps the teachers find their class as monotonous and they (by and large) were not interested imparting knowledge. I find they constantly failed to connect their teachings with current world.

And I was not a book worm either. So I can not just read, memorize and spit at the exams. Those test, to me, were tests of memory and not knowledge.

Early on I realize that I had a need to help others. That made me feel purposeful. I capitalized on this need and I started finding fellow students who had hard time understanding the subjects and topics. That was it, I learned while teaching others and they relied on me for their understandings. This also opened up their horizon as we will discuss various new aspects and developments. See we were connected with current world. Just know there was no web those days. It was all books, magazines and other friends in the industry.

Thought I will share and see that might assist you, just in case you are me!