MindGym Philippines

by Edleen Guanko

It’s quite normal to be nervous before an exam, and even after the exam, while waiting for the results. Anyone who ever went to school must have experienced this at some point. I’m sure you would all agree that board exams, such as the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), cause more anxiety than any exam we ever took in college.

A little anxiety is good, because it means you care about the results of the exam. If you care, it means you will work hard to get good results. Too much anxiety, however, will cripple you mentally by making you unable to concentrate, have mental blocks, and maybe even chicken out of the exam. You have to be conscious of your anxiety level, how it is affecting you, and what steps you can take to manage it.

Here are some suggestions to help you combat LET-induced anxiety.

PREPARE. One of the biggest causes of anxiety is being unprepared for the exam. Don’t rely on stock knowledge, no matter how smart you think you are. The soldier who goes to war unprepared will most certainly end up dead. So load up on knowledge, get as much review material as you can and study them. Organize your schedule and set aside time each day for review. This will help you conquer that seemingly insurmountable mountain of readings, and eliminate the anxiety caused by cramming.

BELONG. Another cause of anxiety is the feeling that you’re alone in this endeavor and you have no one to go to for advice or help in studying. So acquaint yourself with other people taking the exam. This is easy if you’ve enrolled in a review center, where you will not only have fellow examinees but also coaches who can help you achieve your goal. Belonging to a group is important for exchanging ideas and asking questions, but the most important thing is the encouragement you give to one another.

ASK. Filipinos often worry about looking dumb if they ask questions, even if it’s as mundane as asking for directions. A difficult topic or problem also causes anxiety, especially if you are one of those who do not like to ask questions. But remember this:not asking questions only result in ignorance. So if there’s a topic that you don’t understand, never hesitate to ask your mentors or classmates for clarification. Chances are there are others in your group who will benefit from that clarification.

BREATHE. Discover what things or activities calm you and do these when things get a little too much. When you feel like you can’t absorb any more information, or you find yourself unable to concentrate, take a break and breathe. Taking some quiet time to let your mind breathe can reinvigorate you not just mentally, but also physically. Relaxation techniques can be as simple as taking a leisurely walk, listening to some soothing music, taking a hot bath, lighting scented candles, or just sitting quietly and taking deep breaths. The key is finding out what works for you and knowing when to use it.

UNDERSTAND. The LET is a very important exam, as one’s teaching career may well depend on its outcome. This, of course, is a source of worry for teachers and would-be teachers. For some, failing the exam is synonymous to the end of the world. The LET, as important as it is, is just an exam. It is good to acknowledge the exam’s importance and do your very best to pass it, but understand that failing does not make you a lesser teacher, or a lesser human being. Do not beat yourself up if you don’t do well. As long as you do your best, you can hold your head high and try again next time.

Edleen Guanko is Top 11 of  the September 2010 Licensure Examination for Teachers.  She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines B.S. Education, major in Special Education.  She took intensive coaching for the LET at MindGym Philippines.

Feeling nervous about the LET on April 3, 2011?  Cramming for last minute reinforcements of the test items you missed during the pre-LET or mock drills that you took?  Still haven’t received your mail regarding your assigned testing center?

At last, here’s a bit of relief for those who still do not know their testing sites.  The Professional Regulatory Commission has posted the room assignments for LET in the different testing centers in the country.  You may now check:  http://www.prc.gov.ph/roomassignments.asp Just be a lot more patient since the site may be quite busy and hence, loads slowly.  The list is divided into testing centers per region, level of test to be taken (elementary or secondary), and specialization or majorship.

Once you’ve seen your testing site, make sure to check the accuracy of  your name’s spelling.  If you have time, go to your assigned testing center soonest or at least a day before the LET to minimize added anxiety in locating your test site.  Most schools will not allow you to get into the specific rooms assigned for LET.  At least, by visiting your test site, you’ll know what time you need to get up on LET day to get to the site by 6:30 a.m.

Use your charms to know more about your testing venue and perhaps, even get a peek at the way it looks.  Is it an airconditioned room?  Is it ventilated by a single electric fan?  Is it close to the comfort rooms?  These questions will help you prepare what to wear when you take the LET.  You’ll definitely not be wearing a synthetic blouse when you are assigned in a sun-filled room which will become warmer as test takers give out their energies to solve a Math problem or recall Freud’s psycho-sexual stages of development.  You’ll be safe from the cold when  your bring a jacket or scarf to keep you warm if you are assigned to an airconditioned room with a pre-set thermostat too cool for comfort.

You cannot choose your testing site, so wherever you are assigned, condition yourself that it is the right room for you on April 3.  Visualize a pleasant atmosphere, friendly test mates, and supportive proctors.  There are a lot of other ingredients aside from the test room which would empower you to pass the LET.  There’s really no substitute for early preparation, the right review center, pertinent materials, supportive coaches, and study buddies and most of all, the right attitude.

Ready for the LET?

It’s 17 sleeps to go before the LET but it’s not too early to prepare for other requirements for the day, aside from a well exercised mind full of education-related and LET-relevant knowledge, a happy and hopeful heart, a fighting spirit.

PRC requires that examinees bring the following to their testing sites:

1.  Notice of Admission.  The small piece of paper torn out of your application form.  Contains your LET application number which you need to write on your exam documents)

2.  PRC Official Receipt

3.  Two or more sharpened Mongol No. 2 pencils. Though I’ve seen other examinees during my LET day using technical and other branded pencils, I suggest you bring the prescribed brand.  Who knows if Mongol No. 2 has been the proven brand and model of LET topnotchers and passers in the past?)

4.  Ballpens with BLACK ink only (You’ll need this to write your personal data and “nondisclosure” oath.)

5.  One piece meter-stamped window envelope (Any envelope from the bookstore or grocery would do but just to play it safe, bring the envelope you bought with the PRC return address stamp on the upper left-hand side)

6.  One piece long brown envelope (For you to keep your answer sheets during LET.  Use your black ballpen to write your name on the envelope)

7. One piece long transparent, non-colored plastic envelope (You’ll need this to keep your precious things with you inside your exam room while your bag is out of the room.)

8.  Calculator (to facilitate Math computations.  Get any of the PRC prescribed models preferably one which can show displays or fractions, percent and can do the short cut for computing quadratic equations)

Together with the above items, prepare your attire for LET.  If possible, try on your white polo or blouse or t-shirt before LET day.  Make sure that it is comfortable to wear for one whole day:  not too tight nor too loose; neither made of synthetic material (which will make you perspire if  you get assigned to a non airconditioned room) nor flimsy cotton (which may make you or your seatmate shiver in a cold room).  PRC doesn’t require any particular type of bottoms so ladies may wear slacks or skirts and gentlemen slacks (not shorts please).  Wear comfortable footwear (no slippers if possible).

If you have poor eyesight, make sure you have spare glasses or contact lenses on hand.  And, it you are taking medications for general well-being, take them with you.

Did I forget any item/s that you still need to bring on LET day?  What is it?

Till next post!

(a plug:  MindGym LET reviewees taking the mock LET tomorrow, remember to bring all of the above.  Sleep early.  Pray.  See you)

by Cammille Carinan

“Practice is the best of all instructors”

Publilius Syrus Are you ready for the Math portion of the licensure examination for teachers (LET) this April 3?  If you are still working your way to solve Math problems quickly but accurately, here are some word problems in Math for you to solve.  Go and get  your pencil, calculator and a clean sheet of paper to solve these  mixture, work, and age problems.

1.Sixteen ounces of fresh orange juice contains 216 calories, and 16 ounces of fresh grapefruit juice contains 174 calories. If an 8-ounce mixture of these two juices contains 94 calories, what fraction of the mixture is orange juice?

2. 25 mL of water is added to 100 mL of a 10% salt solution. What is the concentration of the salt in the resulting solution?

3. A dairy has 50 gallons of milk that is 7.8% butterfat. How much skim milk (no butterfat) should be mixed with it to make milk that is 2% butterfat?

4. A grocer mixes 2 kinds of nuts. One kind costs $5/kg & the other $5.80/kg. How many kgs of each kind are needed to make 40 kg of a blend worth $5.50/kg?

5. There are 2 gallons of juice solution that contains 2% alcohol. How much pure juice must be added to the juice to reduce the alcohol level to 1.5%?

6. Patricia is 12 years old, and her younger sister Renee is 2 years old. How old will each be when Patricia is twice as old as Renee?

7. Jim is now three times as old as Kathy. Four years ago, Jim was 7 times as old as Kathy was then. Find their present ages.

8. Lawrence can finish a painting job 2 days longer than Marc. Working together, they can finish the job in 2.4 days. How long will it take Lawrence or Marc alone to do the job?

9. Person A can clean a house in 8 hours working alone. Person B can do the same job in 12 hours. If person B starts at 8 am, and person A starts at 10 am, by what time will they both have the house cleaned up?

10. If three pipes are all opened, they can fill an empty swimming pool in 3 h. The largest pipe alone takes one third the time that the smallest pipe takes and half the time that the other pipe takes. How long would it take each pipe to fill the pool by itself?

Scroll down for the answers but before you do so, do the drills yourselves first.  Practice helps perfect your Math skills for the LET.

And here are their answers!

1. 1/3

2. 8%

3. 145

4. 15 $5-nuts and 25 $5.80-nuts

5. 2/3

6. Patricia is 20 while Renee is 10

7. Jim is 18 while Kathy is 6

8. Marc = 4 days, Lawrence = 6 days

9. 2:00 pm

10. largest = 5.5 hrs, smallest = 16.5 hrs, other = 11 hrs

Got them right?  Encountered difficulties?  There’s still enough time to practice Math for the LET, ask your brother, sister, friend, or study buddy to help you.  Or, if you please,  leave a comment or visit our FB page at http://www.facebook.com/mindgymphilippines?ref=tsso and our Math coaches can respond to you quickly.
Happy solving!

It’s 31 days to go before the LET.

MindGym Philippines reviewees are all geared up for the April 3 LET and reinforcing their knowledge and skills this time through small group review, peer teaching and coaching, and remedial sessions from MindGym coaches.

But for some aspiring LET takers, like busy teachers, part-timers, employees, working mothers and business persons taking the LET this April 3 who have not had the time to review with a university or private review center — MindGym Philippines is opening to all LET takers — a Final Coaching weekend this March 18, 19, and 20 at MindGym Philippines, La Casa MIA Building, 219 J. P. Rizal, Project 4, Quezon City. The sessions will start at 7:00 a.m. on March 18 (final mock LET); 9:00 a.m. on March 19 and 20 and will last till 6 p.m. and beyond if necessary to cover the many competencies for General and Professional Education. September 2010 Top 1 Jean Millare and other MindGym topnotchers, professional teachers, and subject experts will be around to coach and inspire attendees to the 3-day review.

For April 2011 LET takers, this 3-day final coaching would be the best time to gauge one’s readiness to top or pass the LET. If final mock LET scores reveal that one already attains his/her target score, then the weeks hence could be spent leisurely browsing through one’s review materials and preparing physically and emotionally for the LET day. For others whose mock LET scores still prove short of LET standards, then reviewees still have time to ask their study group mates and MindGym coaches for help in challenging subjects.

Expect MindGym’s 3-day final coaching to be more than a typical review day in class.  For sure, it would mean challenges to hurdle, creative ways of reinforcing one’s LET capabilities, lots of fun and laughter (occasional tears of joy), newfound friends, extra boosts to one’s confidence on LET day — in the company of caring MindGym coaches and topnotchers.

Are you ready for the LET?

If unsure or not yet one of our trainees for the April 2011 LET,  you may still join us for the final coaching.  Give us a call, text, or email to reserve a seat right now.   Final coaching from LET topnotchers and professional teachers would indeed increase your chances of passing the LET.