Sailor having trouble with grades.

My sailor is in phase 2 of nuke school (Prototype is next). He has done well with his grades up until recently. Usually a 3.2 average. The last few weeks he has been struggling with the tests and has been around 2.51-2.8 grades. He doesn't spend time playing and is totally dedicated to succeed. He volunteers many hours to studying above his required hours. But he just cant get the answers "Exactly" the way the tests are graded using some kind of "Key". From what he's telling me answers need to be per verbatim from whats on this grading key. He knows the material but misses a word or two and it's graded as wrong. So he's really beating himself up on this as he feels he cant memorize it all. He's a older mature sailor and has graduated college for mechanical engineering before enlisting. His test today was a 2.51 and he is mad as hell with himself. Doesn't want to talk about it or discuss it. Said he needs to figure out how to study this material cause everything he's tried has failed. I've mentioned study groups and talking to a instructor for advice about his issue. I believe he has psyched himself out it's hurting him.

So any advice from you all would be appreciated. Can anyone tell me how they grade tests and what they expect as answers. Any tips to help his studying technique?

Thanks to all who reply.