I always thought the time requirement was the breaking issue. If you could decide when you are ready for the test, would it matter which test style was used? I

I always thought the time requirement was the breaking issue. If you could decide when you are ready for the test, would it matter which test style was used? It's forcing students to learn on a fixed schedule that causes both issues. If they could go faster on easier topics and slower on harder ones, all this pressure goes away. You still have to learn it, but you take then test when you are ready, whenever that is. Whether this is with small quizzes or with a final exam, I think the ability to practice and be sure you are ready would take away all the worries. Of course, the incentive to go faster would be that you graduate sooner. But you want good grades, so you go slower. With guidance any student should be able to find a good pace.