MM -- I get the point your making...and it is a valid one. I think the issue is that if the OP deos his reular training, he might nor hve enough time to recover prior to his test in order to perform at his best.
So, how deos one stay consistent in one's training and nto over do it?
Welp, I would suggest really planning out your training. Set some goals (belt tests can be predicted to a certain extent....or it could be tournaments...anything really) decide what it is you have to be able to do at that time, and then work your training around that.
for instance, I'm trying to get ready for Seniro Nationals in July. I knew I had to work on my strength and conditioning as well as my sparring. I've spent a lot of time qorking on my foundation strength and anaerobic cardio as well as tweaking my diet. Going into May, my training is goign to be more "sport specific"...with my workouts reflecting that (less super-heavy strenght based lifting...more endurance based stuff...maintainning current strength and building speed). As I we get into June the intesnity of my cardio work will steaduly increase. then towzards the end of June I'll keep it at a maintenance level.
I'll do less SD work in calss and more bag work and footwork drills as time goes on. And I'll keep thigns at amiantenance level the last week or so prior to the competition.
After that, then my training will be to get ready for 2nd dan test. I'll revamp things again to focus on acheiving what I need to do for taht test in October...starting with builing my base July-August, then working on more specific areas of need in September and then builfing up a maintencance routine going into October.
Hope taht makes sense. Basically, take a longer range view of your training and try to work towards specific goals. Then you can plan out how thigns shoudl go and strike a happy medium and better avoid over-training, injury and the like.
Peace,
Erik