I think i can kind of give an example of what he's talking about.
In high school math when i took the test i woud get the answers right, showing little work and certainly not using the teachers "6 step method". and i get points take off. I go to her and ask why and she admits that she knows that i totally understand the material but for some reason it is imperative that i use her 6 step method.
so in order to get grades i have to conform and do the problems exactly the same as how everyone else does. even though i can explain all the concepts perfectly well, it's not about learning, but producing the right answers in the correct format.