Cramming for a test can do that to you, even with proper sleep. Because they've had time to question. Because they understand. Because they've had time to dig. Because they've found gold.
Questions are a great way to get at understanding.
School counselors are hired to counsel, not tutor. Perhaps the board member could volunteer some time. Well, that's an idealist's point of view that just won't match with the current focus on SOLs or national test scores. Teachers should not have to spend the majority of their time teaching to a list of required facts rather than teaching the student. But they do.