LANDNAV Game - Terrain Association techniques 

LANDNAV is a realistic simulation of military land navigation training. More info at landnavgame.com.
In this video, the developer shares some tips for play testers for how to practice terrain association.
The goal is to always maintain a body of evidence that helps you to always know where you are.
Never read just a single terrain feature and assume you know, use as many clues as you can find.
In the beginning this will be slow and mean that you will likely fail your time hacks, but with practice you'll get faster and then you'll be crushing even the hardest exercises.