Test prep help

[mixednuts]

Any ideas on good materials that help prepare for standardized test. I have a 2nd and 4th grader. I don't have to test this year but thought about doing it anyway. Also, I've used things like Mind Benders, Think a Minutes, Reading Detectives, and BTS with my older son (5th grader). I think I'm bored with these materials.

[Annie G]

Dh and I are testers for kids in our homeschool group and we've seen a lot of improvement when families use test prep books. They are available at Barnes and Noble or Borders in our area so you can look at them before you buy. I'm familiar with the test so I mark out portions that aren't on the test we give (for instance, the IOWA test has no short answer questions so I tell families not to do that part of the test prep book).
The book is kind of overkill if you're just trying to familiarize a student with the way a standardized test is set up, and many times a family can use it with more than one student if they are fairly close in age.
I wouldn't recommend it for kids who are used to taking the tests but for a first time tester, it can be helpful. They cost about $10.