MindGym Philippines

by Coach Albert

Every memory technique starts with “attention” and “observation”.

Surely, you know what these two words mean.  But do you know that these two words are the first two (or the most important) things you need to have a phenomenal memory.  If you focus your attention on things that matter, they will never slip away from your thoughts. If you observe powerfully, you can make things stick forever.

But first things first. Let ask you a question:

Would you mind improving your memory?

On my way to the center and craving for Caramel Macchiato yesterday, I stopped by Starbucks at the ground floor of Araneta Colisuem, Cubao. What caught my attention: several coffee drinkers with thick books, perhaps medical students reviewing for their exams.  Certainly, all of them shared one wish: to remember everything before the effect of caffeine runs out!

I wanted to ask one of the students if she wouldn’t mind my pulling a chair by her side and sharing memory tips to help her remember important terms that heavily-highlighted page she’s had been staring at until I received my Macchiato. She would have loved memory tips which I myself used to excel in my classes and exams.  I thought about giving her the easiest basic memory tips but before I was able to make my first move.. She was already dozing.

I never thought that studying can have such quick and strong drowse effect despite a 175-mg caffeine in a grande coffee cup!

Next time, I’d make sure to mind my timing.

Tired with too much information to remember?

Read more

It’s been a year since MindGym Philippines alumni Jean Millare took the Licensure examinations and made it as Top 1 in her batch.  Though very busy doing her dream job of “teaching teachers” in the University of Southern Mindanao, Jean took time to share these final tips for LET takers this September 2011.

“Hi.  It’s a week away and I hope you’re doing well on your review.  I wrote some tips for the April 2011 batch, which I’m sharing to you below:

• Take time analyzing the test questions. Make sure the option you choose answers the question. Meron kasing ibang statements na totoo naman, but they do not necessarily answer the questions.
• Make sure you have the right understanding of terms. Take note of keywords. Be wary of choices with extreme words such as always, never, only…
• Double check the letters you shade – make sure you really shade your choice option. Ako dati sinulat ko muna sa questionnaire yung answers ko and every 5 or so items, I shade.
• Take your time if you have the luxury to. Be patient and not give up so easily at each item. Every question is important. Ako sinagad ko talaga yung time. I was not even halfway done yet when some test takers started giving back their answer sheets already. Nung time na my proctor had to tell me to submit my paper. I did not mind. I wanted to make the most of my time.
• Other tips from a friend [Benedict Barayuga] who topped the April 2009 LET:  ”develop being “test-wise” or “test-clever”; you don’t have to know everything; use common sense to get through to the best answer; do elimination; look for cues or hints; connect each option to other clearer concepts in your mind; do language / word analysis; unlock the meaning of words / terminologies. Sleep well just before the exam day; avoid carbohydrate-rich food because glucose tends to make you sleepy; take nuts or protein-rich food. Be in the moment — walk around the testing site — just relax and see the humor in the experience!”
• Trust God and focus on thoughts that are beautiful and true.

Hope you have a very meaningful and extraordinarily great experience on Sunday;o)”

With these tips from two LET Top 1 (April 2009 and September 2010), how can you miss making it to the TOP and succeeding in the September 2011 LET?

by Glenn Gilongos

Almost every education student dreamt to be a PRC board exam topnotcher someday and I am one of those students who had a great thirst to top the 2005 LET. I made it first  place in the 2005 LET out of more than 129,000 examinees nationwide, with a record breaking rate of 93.4%). Here are some of tips and secrets about how what I did and how you too could make this seemingly “Mission Impossible” feat achievable

1. Accumulate as many reviewers as you can.

I can’t remember the number of  reviewers I had back then when I was reviewing for LET.  Take the advice of Sir Albert Basa, Top 3, April 2009 LET, who said:  be an OC (obsessive compulsive) as you gather LET review materials. As much as possible, I did not buy reviewers; I only had them photocopied to minimize my expenses.  But, my copying costs were still substantial though nothing compared to the fulfillment I got in achieving my dream.

2. Spend as much time in mastering all available reviewers.

I recorded all the scores I got in answering review materials I’ve gathered, monitored stats carefully and made sure my scores were increasing.  I noted them increasing, reaching almost 100% as the LET grew  closer and closer.  I answered all reviewers not only twice or thrice but even four or five times for subjects where I got low scores. I  set a personal passing mark of 85% and target average mark of 95% to top knowing that LET and other PRC board topnotchers had  90%++  ratings.

3. Do better than others.

If you really want so much to top the board exam, your review style should be better than the rest of your fellow LET takers.  I believe that you should spend more time than your average classmate; answer more challenging test review items; and exert more effort than the rest.  Remember that out of hundreds of thousands who will take the LET, there are hundreds or even thousands of them who are also striving very hard to top the LET.  Outbeat them in your test preparation and passion.

4. Sweat it out.

Success is said to be 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.  Find great inspiration. It can be anybody or anything. During my LET review, I had three sources of inspiration: my bedridden father, my beloved mother and my 2^nd child (who spent his 1^st whole month battling for life inside the pediatric ICU.  Imagine how tedious reviewing was for me as I took care of my second child in the hospital.   My bestfriend  Victor Emmanuel Cuarto, 3^rd placer, LET 2000, gave me extra inspiration plus tips when I consulted him.

5. Take good care of your health

Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, have enough time to relax and play, and have sufficient and sound sleep.  A healthy body, a well trained mind, and a positive overall disposition are key ingredients in topping the LET.

6. Strengthen your faith

Despite our best efforts of doing what may seem unthinkable for others, we still have to face a lot of risks and challenges on LET day:  unreasonably strict proctors, a non conducive testing place, or even unanswerable or poorly worded test items.  When these unexpected happen, remember to call for Divine guidance and interventions. Pray before, during , and even after the LET.

Remember, to top the LET, you need: inspiration, dedication, determination, discipline, and faith.

I had all these and I topped the LET in 2005.

Any other things that you did or are doing to ensure a place this September 26?

Thanks to Glenn who wrote this article to share his techniques to aspiring MindGym topnotch candidates and passers.  Glenn has been a permanent reviewer for Mathematics, General Education and Professional Education since MindGym started its first Intensive Coaching for LET for the September 2009 (Ondoy days).  He has been coaching in various colleges and review centers for the past 10 years.

by JedCee
September 3, 2010

It is barely three weeks before the Philippine Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), yet I am still far from attaining 80% mastery of the teacher education courses. I’ve learned several mistakes. I should have done certain actions that efficiently bring out success in the actual board exam.

I learned that a goal’s success is a matter of personal discipline and is largely determined by how you answer the following questions:

What exactly do you want?

Why do you want it?

How do you get what you want?

What do you need to get what you want?

After you answer these questions, it’s gonna be easier for you to start your preparation. While I was trying to get ready for the LET, I realized that there are things we do that help very little in achieving our goals. I am going to share with you some of these insights. You might have experienced or might be experiencing the same predicaments so it’ll be helpful if you read throughout.

Prepare early

Start reviewing immediately after you decide to top the LET. While still in college, some of us dream of becoming a licensure exam topnotcher yet, most of us start preparing only a month or two before the actual exam. Manny Pacquiao spent so much time training before a boxing match. He did not allow other issues to distract his attention from his preparation. Pacman’s physical discipline is no different from the mental discipline we need to top the LET. Discipline teaches us to become bold and resolute when it comes to our decisions.. Read more

Most achievers we know have certain habits they’ve sworn their hearts to that makes them thaaat good in doing what they do. Success is not all “talent”– it’s also diligence, faith in self, and discipline. Hmm.. Let’s put concrete steps to those seemingly giant concepts!

MindGym’s very own Coach Albert garnered a top spot at the LET while keeping his sanity, day job, and numerous career stints. In his speech below to students of his former review center (Manila’s MET Review Center, September 2009), he shares specific things one could do before-during-after “exam time”.

While doing what he did may not guarantee a topnotcher’s position in the LET, it could spell the difference between succeeding or passing the LET at first take and retaking the licensure all over again next time. What could those tips be? Read more