First and last LET.

One and only LET.

The time is NOW.

These statements marked Dorothy Anne Angco’s resolve to pass the LET and target for a top rank.

From the very start, when Dy-an took the diagnostic test at MindGym, I had the feeling that she would be one of our topnotcher bets for the September 2011 LET. She asked very profound questions which made us rethink our answers. She came early for review class and was attentive through the day.

Whenever I told her: ”kayang-kaya mo ‘yan Dy-an“, she would reply with a smile “ma’m nakaka-pressure ‘yan ma’m, pero gusto ko po talaga at pagsisikapan ko“.

Little had I known about the extra-extra time she devoted outside our weekend reviews to achieve her “topping the LET” target till she wrote this article.  Gather strength from Dy-an’s personal sharing of the LET experience in her story below:

My Journey to LET Success

by Dorothy Anne Angco, Top 6, September 2011 LET

When a person is raised without having much in life, the person learns the value of contentment, maximizing the resources he/she is bequeath with.

I grew up not having the luxury of getting my wants, settling only on the things which are necessary. The lack of material abundance never became an excuse for my passion to learn; on the contrary, it fueled my determination to achieve and succeed.

The treasures I have are my dreams: dream of making my parents proud, for whoever I am today and yet to be, is the product of their hard work and sacrifices; and 2) dream of becoming an inspiration to my fellow men, to strive and excel in their chosen fields.

These were the seeds I have planted and nurtured within, with the hope that one day, each of them will blossom into reality.

The Licensure Exam for Teachers was a humbling experience for me. I consider it as God’s way of making me witness how deep faith and total surrender translated to fruitful rewards and blessings.

Yes, I secretly had the desire of standing out, hence the hundred percent effort I had exerted in the past months to prepare for the LET. I had to juggle the demands of my graduate studies, work and review. Indeed, time management and focus became the name of the game – library over mall, LET review module over Facebook and MindGym review sessions over gimmicks.

As I see it, it was all about making choices. And I chose honor and excellence over momentary pleasures derived from leisure and unproductive engagements. I chose not to be haunted by “what if’ and if only’s”. I chose to persevere, pray and perform to the best of my ability.

And it paid off. This brings me back to a quote I have come across with:

Great achievements rarely ever come in a single shot.

So don’t rush things, even if they seem to be going slower than you’d like them to. It’s easy to become frustrated and feel like all your efforts are in vain, but have patience. You may not realize it now, but in the end, you will see that all the little steps made a difference and all the hard work paid off.The achievement I have goes back to those who have helped me succeed. My deepest gratitude to my family, mentors, MindGym family, friends and beloved – for the overflowing boost of confidence, dose of advice, unconditional love and support.

Cheers to all Professional Teachers! This is another milestone in our lives. May we become instruments of change, through our selfless service in educating the citizens of tomorrow.

To all future LET examinees, here’s a piece of advice:

“Seize every moment, make the most out of your time to prepare for the examination. Make it a once in a lifetime experience, next time is too uncertain.”

To March 2012 LET takers: are you passionate about passing or topping the LET?  Are you preparing just as Dy-an did?  Save yourself from the tears and heavy hearts experienced by those who have not braced themselves well enough for their LET challenge. Forget the expressions of regret: What if … and if only…

Here are some extra Math drills to work on from LET Top 1  in Math, 2005, Glenn Gilongos. Remember to work on these as quickly but as accurately as possible.  Use the calculator you intend to bring on LET day to do the calculations and save time.

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?

After over 14 days of intensive coaching in general education, professional education and specialization, MindGym Philippines will conduct a 3-day event this weekend, September 9, 10, 11. It includes a pre-LET day and a  Final Coaching for MindGym LETers and MyReviewCoach online LET review.  Reviewees are required to come much earlier to maximize time on a variety of activities geared towards empowering you TOP the LET.

On Friday: We’ll be simulating the actual LET day to minimize anxieties of taking a national examinations, to refresh and reinforce LET competencies to be tested, and to empower reviewees to reach their goals of becoming licensed teacher before the year ends.

Just like on the LET day itself, reviewees have to come in white, bring all documents, test requirements, and food and drinks as well.  On top of these, a Facebook post requires reviewees to bring: ”Fit mind, healthy body, and ‘Yes, I can!’ spirit”

Saturday and Sunday will be days of personal readiness assessments in all aspects of the LET, of realizations and confidence boosters, and of assurances  that whatever results come out from the September 2011 LET. Reviewees will always have friends to share victories (and trying times with) and their MindGym family to go back to in good and bad times.

This is our reviewees’ chance to be in the company of LET winners:  Erica Montefalcon (Top 1, April 2011), Benedict Barayuga (Top 1, April 2009), Glenn Gilongos (Top 1, 1995), Albert Basa (Top3, April 2009),  Melane Manalo and Nev Ryes (Top 4, April 2010), Noel Carena (Top 7, April 2010), Aicel Alcantara (Top 5, September 2010) and Ericka Villafuerte (September 2009), eight of whom reviewed and currently coach for MindGym Philippines.

Being among topnotchers who care enough to spare their weekends to be with reviewees would surely be a super booster to all, one which jibes with a tenet of the universal “Law of Attraction”.  Education experts from the University of the Philippines like professor Lizamarie Olegario and several special guests will impart tips as well.

MindGym LET alumni, now teachers in their own communities, are also expected to come over to rekindle their friendshps, reminisce times they’ve once been reviewees and pass forward their experiences and hopes to the batch.

Now who’s super ready for the September 2011 LET?

MindGym Philippines works hard to make its Intensive Coaching for the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) available to more LET prospects aiming for the TOP and those who direly need to pass after several retakes. For the first time MindGym will offer weekday September 2011 LET review for those who have family, work, church and school commitments to fulfill on weekends.

Weekday LET coaching will start July 7, 2011 and will be held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays for seven consecutive weeks. Enrollees to weekday sessions will just have to trade-off two weekends to attend reviews on their majorships and to attend the MindGym final coaching sessions on September 9, 10, and 11.

FREE diagnostic tests still being administered to September LET prospects to enable them to study smarter for the LET.

Fee for 17-day review, drills, and materials costs Php 6,000 and is available on installment basis.

If interested in weekday LET review or if you have family and friends who might be, please share the word with them. Slot reservation only up to June 27, 2011 so register now! Contact us at 437-58-80 or mindgym.inc@gmail.com.

You may also visit us at 219 JP Rizal St., Project 4, Quezon City (View map).