Ok so anyone have any advice on any strategies on how to write tests? I always find that I know so much more than I showcase on a test! I also always manage to barely finish the test in the time given and that is even though I am rushing it! It is pretty frustrating! Any advice on effective studying too?

Don't waste time on extraneous thoughts/ideas. If you answer the question directly, you won't be rushing. The goal is not to showcase everything you know, it is to answer the question clearly.
It sounds like you might be spending too much time dithering about your answer before writing something down, which isn't something you can afford to do on most tests. Maybe practice answering questions under a time limit.

I think it's a sign that you may not know the material deep enough such that when you're given a question you've never seen before, it takes you too much time to devise a method of solution. If you know the material really really well, it shouldn't take you that long such that time becomes an issue. It also depends on the class. I can say for sure if it's a math course, do all the practice problems and understand the theory and then try to obtain previous versions of tests and work through them so that you have an idea of what types of questions can be asked on the actual test. If there's a facebook group for the course, join it and ask questions and answer questions. You will really know that you understand the material when someone else asks you a question and you can explain it to them. Try studying with a friend and talk through the questions and how you would go about doing them.

I had a weird tip for studying: record your notes and listen to them in your sleep. Your brain is active while you sleep and the repetition helps with memorization of the material.

Don't rely on this only though, do some actual study as well.