For decades, students have been told to study in ways that feel productive, but those methods are actually harming student’s testing scores. The result? Hours of effort, a false sense of confidence, and disappointing test scores.

Most students think they’re struggling in school because they’re not smart enough, not disciplined enough, or not studying long enough. But the real problem runs deeper: America’s education system is teaching students the wrong way to learn.

If you’ve ever walked into a test feeling sure you were ready—only to get your grade back and wonder what went wrong—you’ve experienced what I call the Confidence Trap.