I don't do a full test ea time. Sometimes I just put in my standard dose of chlorine without doing a FC test. The next day I will do a FC test though. Heck, sometimes I will do a FC test and after I see the shade of red, I will stop there without putting in and counting the drops. I feel I have a good grip on what my pool needs and how to take care of it.
As far as the ph goes, yea I have to adjust it a few times during the season. But not often.