I already wrote 10 tips on taking the Licensure Exam for Teachers, but I remembered something last night that I missed to share before. It is about my experience when answering some math questions.
Anyway, here’s tip #11:
When trying to solve math problems manually (paper and pen), make an effort to organize your solutions.
At any empty corner of the solution you just wrote, write the number of the question that solution was for.
Then encircle this number or use any symbols you would like. Then, box the entire solution with the number in it or at least separate that section with a line from the other solutions you have.
This way, if you are unable to solve a problem quickly you can easily go back to it later on and see what you already have done for that question.
You don’t have to do this with every math question you are trying to solve. Do this with questions you decided to give up at that moment.
And another but not related to just Math, tip #12:
Do not spend a lot of time answering one question when there are still a lot of questions you may answer right quickly. This is a paraphrasing of my Tip #8 from my previous article, but there’s an addition to it.
Keep a section of your scratch paper, if you have any, and name that section “skipped questions” or just “skipped” with the appropriate subjects. Put the numbers of your skipped questions here.
Later on, when you have time, go back to those skipped questions and cross a number out once you finish answering it.
If you are allowed to write on the test booklets, just go ahead and mark that skipped question with a star or an x, so you can easily find these questions when you are going over the test the second time.
Tip #13:
Be careful with questions that have conditions such as “not, except, including, never, only, best, and similar words to these.”
It’s been a while and I didn’t have my old LET reviewers with me in my current location, so I can’t verify if there are really questions that have these words.
But I took some multiple choice exams in the past year and there were questions that contained these words.
The tip is: Read and understand the question thoroughly. You can rephrase the question as well, and maybe by doing that, you will understand it better.
When you miss to read for example the word “except” in the question, then your answer is most likely wrong.
Trivia:
One question that I haven’t forgotten is a question about the side view mirror of a car.
The reason I think I remember it until now is because I decided to verify my answer once the test was over (I was not that observant you know and didn’t pay much attention reviewing mirrors or lenses).
Now, when I’m in a car and happens to look at a side view mirror, I remember that question.
Well the question is something like: “When you look at a car’s side view mirror, is the image you are seeing closer?” or it is something like “What type of lens does a side view mirror have?”.
Whatever the actual question might had been, I found out that what you see in the side view mirror is closer than you think. They appear farther and smaller. As an object go closer to the mirror it appears bigger. A vehicle’s side view mirror typically has a convex lens.
I don’t remember what I answered on that question. I think I was just curious to research after the exam was over.
Read more about curved mirrors in Wikipedia.
Hi Reah,
I really like you and your tips. I’m so glad I was able to find you. I feel confident that I can pass the LET because of these additional insights. I think I am already a “fan” of yours. I’d really like to meet you in person.
Hi Lia,
Thank for dropping by. A person like you encourages me to write more for this blog if I have time. Yeah, I hope we can meet someday, and I hope you will pass the exam.
Wow, thanks for the immediate reply.
Reah, someday I wanted to get in touch with you when I am to built my free learning center for the poor (probably 30 more years from now, how old you shall be then? hehe) Can I have your email or please email me. Thank you so much.
Your # 1 fan-Lia
Lia, I didn’t notice this message until now. It’s been a while. You can send me a message in facebook even when we are not friends. But anyway, my email address is reah.sandberg(@gmail.com). I will be 57 then! I might have my own school that time too. ^^
i really like your blog..
i will take LET exam this march and I’m so nervous.. thanks for posting some tips. such a big help especially for first time takers like me.. God bless. 
hope to see more tips..and encouragements.
Hi Lia!
An inspiration indeed!
We graduated same year but until now I don’t have the courage to take the LET exam..
Hoping to make it on September..
I meant Rhea..sorry
I always failed in examination I hope can make it now..thanks for the tips..
…thanks for sharing,,I admire u..hope i will make it, this coming march,2012….godbless!!!
i didn’t passed last September but hoping to pass it this coming march…i felt like having a traumatic experience because of not passing it…i felt so nervous now…9 days to go and ill be taking the examination…i don’t have any idea on how to relax my self but reading your page helps me a lot…thank you…=)
I always failed in LET examination. I hope can make it now.. thanks for posting some tips.. God bless:)
Dear Ate Rhea,
I’ve read a lot from your website.. this is a real one and truly motivated to us. The person like you is truly blessed because you help other people to appreciate what is the importance of education nowadays… you motivate other people to become systematic in such away for preparing the LET..
.I myself is the one who like it.. and highly appreciated with your message to us… In addition with all of these things would not be complete without the presence of our God almighty. In preparing the LET.. we should have strong determination and self prepared to undergo this examination… because i believe God is always there in our life .. to guide and support with all our needs ..he know everything what we need.. the only thing that we do is to become responsible and well prepared for this great battle. and he added in Jeremiah 29:11-14…
..hello ma’am,or can I call you ate? Ma’am, while I’m reading the text I could tell that your such a wholesome woman.Thank you so much!
Ate is fine, lorelyn. =) You’re welcome and good luck with your exam.