Ok, I think I was going somewhere here. Oh yeah, you need to study the instructor, learn their teaching style and adapt accordingly. This has helped me through much of my coursework.
You will find a few teachers that are less then the best in most schools. Mikebits advice above is right on the mark. I would add that not only do you have to understand the teaching style, but their testing style. When you know a teacher wel you should know to about 90% what they will have on the test. Most teacher have some way of letting you know what is important to them and it is not always obvious Know what is going to be on the test and get it down pat.
In additon to that you need to actualy learn the material. The two do not always agree. Work as many problems as you can, that sort of thing.