MindGym Philippines

Do you find doing  our drills helpful?  For this post, we’ll start with Professional Education.  But, before we do that, you may check your answers yesterday.

Of all parts of the Professional Education module, questions on the principles of teaching should be the easiest—they are mostly situations which ask for your appropriate response as a teacher. Try out these questions to see how prepared you are for the LET and for teaching:

1. Which is a sound classroom management practice?

A. Establish routines for all daily needs and tasks.

B. Avoid establishing routines; routines make your student robots.

C. Apply reactive approach to discipline.

D. Apply rules and policies on a case to case basis.

2. To encourage class participation, which should the teacher NEVER do?

A. Call on non-volunteers to recite.

B. Ask non-directed questions.

C. Pose high-level questions.

D. Reject a student’s response at once.

3. For which may you use the direct instruction method?

A. Become aware of the pollutants around us

B. Appreciate Milton’s Paradise Lost

C. Use a microscope properly

D. Distinguish war from aggression

4. Which activity should I use when I want to generate possible topics for panel discussion?

A. Task group

B. Forum

C. Debate

D. Brainstorming

5. Which statement on “wait time” is CORRECT?

A. Wait time turns off slow thinking students.

B. The higher the level of the question the longer the wait time.

C. Wait time discourages the brighter group of students.

D. For quality response, “what and why” questions require equal wait time.

Answers to DAY 7’s LET questions for social dimensions of education:

1. C. Emphasis on religious instruction

2. B. Existentialism

3. A. Confucius

4. A. No, only elementary education is compulsory.

5. D. teachers in the tertiary level.

For Professional Education we start with the foundations of education and its social dimensions. This area takes up 10 percent of the whole test. Don’t be surprised to find items such as this in the LET in March:

1. Which feature was TRUE of Philippine education during the Spanish regime?

A. Separation of Church and State

B. Vernacular as a medium of instruction

C. Emphasis on religious instruction

D. Establishment of a normal school

2. If a teacher believes that the purpose of education is to foster self-discovery and consciousness of choice, as well as the responsibility for making choices, then the teacher adheres to the ideas of______.

A. Essentialism

B. Existentialism

C. Empiricism

D. Epicureanism

3. He was considered as the “first teacher” in ancient China.

A. Confucius

B. Mencius

C. Mo-Tzu

D. Lao Tzu

4. Are elementary and secondary education compulsory for all children of school age?

A. No, only elementary education is compulsory.

B. Yes, for all children regardless of age.

C. Yes, that is why they are free of charge.

D. No, this violates parents’ and children’s right to decide what is best for them and their children.

5. The Professional Teachers Code of Ethics does not cover:

A. teachers of academic, vocational, special, technical or non-formal institutions.

B. all full time or part time public and private school teachers and administrators.

C. teachers in all educational institutions at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels.

D. teachers in the tertiary level.

Answers to DAY 6’s LET questions for IT:

1. B. Cursor

2. A. Spreadsheet

3. D. Modem

4. A. Software

5. C. Keyboard

Covering basic computer terms and communication tools, information technology questions in the LET should be giveaways for you. You’ll surely perfect these five:

1. On the computer screen, what indicates the position of the mouse?

A. Click

B. Cursor

C. Scroll

D. Start

2. You are tracking your household’s daily expenses and income through tables whose cells are set to compute for totals and other operations in your household finances. Which productivity tool are you using?

A. Spreadsheet

B. Word processing

C. Multimedia

D. Publisher

3. Which of the following devices serves as the intermediary between your computer and the phone system?

A. Hard disk

B. Monitor

C. Keyboard

D. Modem

4. It is a program that consists of instructions used to control hardware and accomplish tasks in a computer.

A. Software

B. Malware

C. Desktop

D. Input

5. It is the input device used to enter text into the computer.

A. Mouse

B. Scanner

C. Keyboard

D. Fax

Math is the easiest subject to master for the LET.  Yes!  If you learn how to solve Math problems in time for the LET, you’d have a handy source of no-miss points.  In Math, there will always be definite answers unlike other parts of the LET which are value-laden or sometimes very subjective.

Math comprises 20% of the General Education module. The following items may help you gauge how much preparation you need for it:

1. What are the next three terms in the progression 1, 4, 16 …?

A. 64, 256, 1024

B. 67, 259, 1027

C. 48, 198, 1026

D. 65, 257, 1025

2. A man is 3 times as old as his son now. Four years ago, the sum of their ages was 36. Find the man’s age now.

A. 33

B. 11

C. 29

D. 36

3. What is the least common multiple of 12, 24 and 72?

A. 12

B. 72

C. 144

D. 36

4. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 feet. If one leg is 24 feet, what is the length of the other leg?

A. 6 ft.

B. 5 ft.

C. 20 ft.

D. 7 ft.

5. If two variables X and Y are directly related, which of these is NOT true?

A. When X is low, Y is also low.

B. As X increases, Y also increases.

C. When X increases, Y decreases.

D. A high Y is associated with a high X.

Answers to Day 4’s LET questions for Filipino:

1. C. Pagdarasal

2. C. Payak

3. B. kartung pang-editoryal

4. D. Pagtutulad

5. A. Kaibigan

(P.S.  We still have some slots for our March 2012 LET coaching which starts January 7; visit MindGym for FREE diagnostics.  Or, if you prefer an online LET review since you live or work far from Manila, get a taste of how it is to review online at our other site: www.myreviewcoach.com

Subukan niyo naman ang sample ng ilang Filipino items nagyon.

1. Alin ang paksa sa sumusunod na pangungusap? Ginagawa niya ang pagdarasal araw-araw.

A. Ginagawa

B. Araw-araw

C. Pagdarasal

D. Niya

2. Ano ang kayarian ng pangungusap na ito? Kulang daw tayo sa pagtutulungan at pagdadamayan bilang magkakabaranggay.

A. Hindi karaniwan

B. Karaniwan

C. Payak

D. Hugnayan

3. Alin sa mga sumusunod ang naglalaman ng posisyon o paniniwala ng isang pahayagan tungkol sa isang napapanahong isyu?

A. masthead

B. kartung pang-editoryal

C. balitang banner

D. larawan sa pangmukhang pahina

4. “Ang iyong mga mata ay waring mga bituin sa kalangitan.” Anong tayutay ang ginamit dito?

A. Pang-uyam

B. Personipikasyon

C. Pagwawangis

D. Pagtutulad

5. Alin ang kahulugan ng “kahiramang suklay”?

A. Kaibigan

B. Kakilala

C. Kalahi

D. Karibal
Higit bang madali ito kaysa sa English items kahapon, na nasa ibababa ang mga tamang sagot?

1. B. would

2. C. were

3. A. Simile

4. B. Without much persuading

5. D. Replace “death’s” with “deaths”.

Kung hindi ka pa nakakapili ng review center na makakatulong mo sa iyong pagiging licensed teacher, subukan ang FREE diagnostic test namin sa MindGym.  Sa January 7 na ang simula ng live coaching.  Pero kung nais mong makapag-review sa sariling oras at piling lugar, mag-register sa aming LET online sa www.myreviewcoach.com

How will our book spell LET SUCCESS for you?

LETers Choice is your “own” LET review book. As you browse through the pages, you’ll see why this one’s tailored just for you. With MindGym LETers Choice,

• You have a faithful companion by your side in your journey towards LET success. The book easily fits in your bag so you can carry it anywhere and review at your convenience.
• You have a virtual coach to guide and challenge you to keep track and meet your LET goal. This book dares you to perform at your best. With it, you won’t be single-handed and at a lost as you start reviewing. Do your exercises diligently and cool off in time for LET!
• You get a headstart in LET. This LET Warm-Up book refreshes your knowledge, hones your study skills, and brings out talents you have but need to develop for LET. Using the NCBTS (National Competency-Based Teacher Standard) Table of Specifications (TOS), this book gives you a chance to gauge your LET readiness with a 300-item diagnostic exam with items mimicked from past LET exams. After doing the drills you’ll get a sketchy notion of topics you thought you know by heart, those stripped off from your memory or those totally new to you. With the feedback, you can focus on challenging topics and use your review time efficiently.
• You learn the secret keys to topping the LET from ten of our own topnotchers at MindGym Philippines and inspirationals from teachers who surmounted the odds and made it.
• You increase your chances of passing the LET with our smart add-ons: handy toolbox of mind tools and activity sheets to reinforce your drive and capacity to pass the LET.

With LETers Choice, reviewing becomes another learning experience which will definitely bring you closer to your target LET scoreand pave
your way to becoming a better professional teacher in the future.

We’re now accepting book orders! Reserve your copy by emailing to us your name and cellphone or landline number at mindgym[dot]inc[at]gmail[dot]com.

Now Available! Please follow this link for more information.

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?

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.

Here’s more for Math majors from Glenn Gilongos.  Other majors can learn by doing these drills, too.  Answers below.

1.  How many minutes after 2:07 pm will the hands of the clock form 126 degrees for the first time?

2.  A can do a job in 8 hrs while B can do the same in 10 hrs. A has already worked for 1 hr when B came and together they worked for another 40 mins. A left B, how many more minutes will B finish the remaining work?

3.  Find the equation of the line that passes thru pt (8,6) that will make the triangle (formed by the line and the positive x and y axes) with the minimum area.

4.  Find the domain and range: y = sqrt(12 + x – x^2)

5.  What is the area bounded by y = x^2 + 4 and y = 20?

Answers to September 18 drills:

1.  42
2.  117/125
3.  22
4.  (2x^4 – 3y^6 + 5x^2y^3)(2x^4 – 3y^6 – 5x^2y^3)
5.  4 2/3 days

Answers to the above drills:

1.  26 9/11 mins
2.  435 mins
3.  x/16 + y/12 = 1
4.  domain is [-3, 4] and range is [0, 7/2]
5.  256/3 sq units

***

We’re now offering an online-based LET review. Click here to know more.

For Math majors, this should be easy.  Glenn compiled these for you.

1.  How many ways can you rearrange the letters of the word wizards if the consonants should be arranged alphabetically but not necessarily together?

2.  If sin x = 3/5 and x is in Q2, find the value of sin 3x

3.  What is the maximum possible number of regions of the circle formed by 6 intersecting lines in a circle?

4.  Factor: 4x^8 – 37x^4y^6 + 9y^12

5.  12 kgms of rice can be consumed by 4 persons in 2 days. At the start, there are 20 kgms of rice and 4 persons. After 1 day, 2 persons leave, how many more days will the remaining kgms or rice last?

Answers to September 17 drills:

1.   5/16
2.   (x^2 + 2 + 2x)(x^2 + 2 – 2x)
3.   y is not equal to -2/3
4.   15 + 5sqrt3 cm
5.   6 and 28

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.

Today, give some literature-related items a try. Here’s an easy starter.

1. “Nothing happens in this world by chance, it is all part of a grand design.” The author speaks of one’s _________.
A. ambition
B. luck
C. destiny
D. dream

2. The Master said:
“Only one who bursts with eagerness do I instruct. Only one who bubbles with excitement do I enlighten.”

These lines give one the idea that true learning ________.

A. makes man a disciple of instruction
B. involves patience and a dash of lethargy
C. is capable of making man
D. comes with commitment and passion

3. Which of the following line is a simile?

A. “Holding wonder like a cup”
B. “Eyes that love you, arms that hold”
C. “Life has loneliness to sell”
D. “Buy it and never count the cost”

4. Read the following lines:

“Midnight, not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost its memory
She is smiling alone
In the lamp light the withered leaves
Collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan.

These lines means:

A. Confusion
B. Optimism
C. Eagerness
D. Loneliness

5. “Life is but a walking shadow, a pun player that struts and frets… And is heard no more.”

In this line, life is portrayed as:

A. Passing
B. Goes by stages
C. Has its end
D. eternal

Answers to yesterday’s (July 3) drills:
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. D
9. C
10. C

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