[header] How to survive standardized testing in middle school [title] Build test skills gradually. [step] Don't try to " cram, " or study all the material at one time right before the test, because this may result in a loss of sleep and affect your academic performance overall. Cramming is also mentally exhausting, so you are better off studying small amounts of material each day for several months before your standardized test. 
This way, you will build your test-taking skills over a long period of time. [substeps] Some middle school students are naturally good test-takers, while others are not.