A method of preparing a capped poly(arylene ether) resin includes reacting a capping agent with a blend of two or more poly(arylene ether) resins having different intrinsic viscosities. Cured compositions prepared from these capped poly(arylene ether) resins exhibit improved balances of stiffness, toughness, and dielectric properties compared to compositions with two or more separately capped and isolated poly(arylene ether) resins.