Everyone is just plain tired these days. The pressures of testing can be overwhelming. Some teachers review for State tests more than others. I've read bloggers who say they don't do anything special and don't even mention the tests until the big day comes. This really works for some teachers while others are required by their districts to do practice tests.
I watched a truly remarkable science teacher last week using practice test questions on Powerpoint to launch some pretty amazing teaching. She made the questions come alive with possibilities. She drew pictures, acted out scenarios, and related the questions to experiments they had done that year. I even learned a thing or two and got caught up in the learning.
Her students posed some deep thinking questions about the incorrect answers. She took time to think about their questions and marked some for further consideration. This lady loved her subject, and her excitement was contagious.
Students who get meaningful test preparation probably feel better about the testing process itself. A lot of practice tests probably just make the kids numb for the real deal.
At any rate, summer is almost here!