What approach is encouraged for students to enhance their test scores?

Become one with the facts is the encouraged approach because it emphasizes a deep understanding of the material rather than rote memorization. Engaging with the facts allows students to make connections, visualize concepts, and apply knowledge to different scenarios, which is particularly important in Earth Science, where comprehension of processes and relationships is key. This approach encourages critical thinking and allows students to tackle varied questions with confidence, rather than relying solely on memorized answers, which may not be sufficient to address the diverse nature of exam questions. This understanding is crucial for applying knowledge in real-world situations, ultimately leading to better test performance.

In contrast, memorizing every possible answer might not foster true comprehension and can lead to confusion during the test. Studying only prior exams may limit students' exposure to the full range of topics and concepts they need to understand. Similarly, while group study sessions can be beneficial, they are most effective when combined with individual comprehension efforts rather than as a standalone method.