I was asked to take the SAT when I was 12 as part of the Johns Hopkins Gifted Talent Search (although back then I seem to recall it just being the Talent Search), this was back in 1990. I got a 790 on the verbal and 590 on math. When I took it "for real" in high school, I got an 800 on verbal and 690 on the math. I took one PSAT that I was required to take by the school, I never read any books, I never did practive tets at home, etc. I've ALWAYS been a "good test taker" in that they don't intimidate me at all, no nerves, etc. For me there's no trick to doing well on a test other than knowing the material.

I have friends who are very, VERY smart, and terrible test takers. My wife is very smart, and while she's good on tests, she needs to prep a fair amount to feel ready. Other people get nervous, or freeze, etc.

It's all about how a person deal with the situation of a test, and you have to come up with a psychological plan for that. Aside from that, you either know the information or you don't.