CASE #043 | Checklist for LET

Handa ka na bang mag-LET? Make your own LET checklist as early as now.

Image Source: MindGym

Based on my research, the next Licensure Exam for Teachers for this year will be on September 30, 2018 which is basically less than a month from now. As that day draws nearer and nearer, you will feel more overwhelmed with so much you still need to review, things you have to prepare, and all that kind of stuff.

I know, and I understand. Like I have always mentioned in my other posts, lahat tayo pinagdaanan ang hirap na iyan. Ang kaba. Ang pressure.

Pero walang mangyayari kung magpapadala ka sa kaba at pressure. Baka imbes na pumasa ka, mas lalo lang mauwi sa wala ang lahat ng mga pinaghirapan mo.

Imagine? Four long years of college? Additional 18 units of certification courses for those na unit takers? Nalampasan mo na ang lahat. You are almost at the finish line of your journey in becoming a teacher.

The best way to battle this final hurdle is to be prepared. If you are in a review center, I am quite sure they will provide you a glimpse of what you would expect during the exam day. If you have already taken the LET during the previous years, you have a better picture of what will go on come examination day.

To give you some more help, here are a few things you can put in your LET checklist and help be more prepared for the big day.

Room Assignment and Testing Venue

Room assignments and testing venues are usually released one or two weeks before the examination day. Abang-abang ka lang ng announcement online. But once you find out your room assignment and testing venue, I strongly suggest na puntahan mo ito before the exam lalo na kung hindi ka familiar sa venue. The testing venues are usually public schools, and big universities. Mine was at University of the East in Recto which is accessible via LRT Line 2 and public utility vehicles.

Image Source: Emjey Austria-Santiago

Pero may ibang schools na effort i-commute or would require you to walk a few blocks from the main thoroughfare. At kahit pa accessible sa LRT ang UE Recto during my exam day, I went there as early as 5:00am so sarado pa ang LRT. The exam day is a Sunday, so traffic jams wouldn’t be a problem at least along major roads. Pero iyong mga daan malapit sa testing center pwedeng magkaroon ng konting trapik which will slow you down lalo na kung naliligaw ka pa. Kaya mas maganda kung mabisita mo na days before the exam ang testing center para maplano mo nang mabuti how to commute, magkano pamasahe, anong malalapit na landmarks, anong malapit na kainan, saan ang entrance, at kung gaano katagal ang biyahe from your place. Makakabawas na iyan sa stress mo during the exam day.

There are schools that may allow you to go inside their campuses, so you can actually see the room where you are assigned. Meron namang ibang school na may strict policies about outsiders at hindi ka papayagang makapasok. Pero if may kakilala ka sa mga schools na iyon, you can use your connections to help you get in the campus, walk around, and find your assigned room. This way you will know kung mainit ba, maingay, madilim, maliwanag, malamig, or kung ano man ang kondisyon ng room na pag-e-exam-an mo.

NOA is Life

The Notice of Admission form will be your pass to get in the testing venue on the day of the exam itself. The exam proctor will also be looking for it as your identification. Kaya if you still have not reproduced several copies of your NOA, this is the perfect time to do that. Ipa-photocopy mo na nang maraming kopya. Keep one in your bag, one in your room, one in your reviewer, one in a long brown envelope, one in you drawer, or kung saan madali mong makikita in case na mawala ang original.

Hindi pwede ang ganda lang sa exam day. Kahit gaano ka pa kaganda o kagwapo, hindi makakapag-exam kung wala kang dalang NOA. Maswerte na kung papasukin ka sa venue.

Brown Envelope, Plastic Envelope, Black ballpen, Pencil, and Eraser

You will need a long brown envelope and a plastic envelope during the exam day. Iyong brown envelope kasi susulatan iyon ng pangalan mo at reference number. Doon mo ilalagay ang answer sheet at questionnaire after mong mag-exam. Iyong plastic envelope naman, dun mo ilalagay ang ibang gamit kagaya ng cellphone, wallet, atbp. Tapos ipapalalagay iyon sa unahan kung saan kita ng lahat.

Well, at least that is how I remember it. Pwedeng mabago ito but still mabuti na ang prepared. May mabibilhan naman sa labas pero abot langit ang presyo niyan panigurado kasi alam ng mga vendor sa labas na in demand ang mga ito kapag exam day.

Black ballpen will be needed to fill in your details sa profile sheet. May essay question din na kailangang sagutan sa profile sheet. Black lang ang acceptable so huwag ka nang umapela sa ibang kulay ng ballpen.

Image Source: MindGym

Pencil and eraser siyempre for answering the questions. Shade the circles legibly. Make sure to blacken it out evenly. Huwag masyadong madiin kasi baka mabutas ang answer sheet or bumakat sa kabilang side ng answer sheet.

Tandaan kapag narumihan or napunit ang answer sheet, ire-reject ito ng checking machine at posibleng ikabagsak mo sa exam. Kaya ingatan itong mabuti. If you still haven’t practiced answering drills using a sample answering sheet, I suggest you try doing it now habang may panahon ka pa. Para masanay ka na.

Bring extra pencils. Kung maputol or maupod ang lapis mo kaka-shade, it would eat up the rest of your time sharpening it. Kaya mas maganda kung may extra pencils ka na nakatasa na para papalitan mo na lang ang gamit mo. Also, make sure that your erasers do not leave any marks on the answering sheet. Remember, sacred ang answering sheet mo.

Food (Lunch and Snacks)

If you are in the Secondary Level, the exam will take a whole day. The Specialization part usually comes around lunch time. There will be scheduled breaks pero usually one hour lang iyon. Sa dami niyong examinees, baka pag-order pa lang sa pinakamalapit na fastfood, ubos na ang one hour. Although, may mga mabibilhan naman ng pagkain at kadalasan ay open naman ang canteen ng mga schools para sa mga examinees, medyo matagal lang ang pagbili kasi maraming examines. Kaya mas mabuti if may baon ka.

Bring food na hindi madaling mapanis. You wouldn’t want to end up having an upset stomach while taking the exam. Mas maganda rin if madaling kainin para kahit saang sulok ka pumuwesto, makakakain ka. Chairs and tables will be limited din sa mga schools kasi nga maraming examinees kaya dapat flexible kang kumain kahit saan. Sabihan mo na ang nanay mo dahil baka nagre-research na siya sa YouTube ng recipe para sa isang 8-course meal complete with spoons and forks set up. Baka tapos na ang break hindi ka pa nakakaisang subo pag nagkataon.

Avoid messy snacks. Pwedeng kumain sa exam room basta magpaalam lang sa proctor. Higit sa lahat siguruhin mong hindi matutuluan o mamamantsahan ang answer sheet. Granola bars, soda crackers, and cookies are some of the best choices.

Water

Keep yourself hydrated. The best choice of beverage is water. Walang caffeine or stimulants that would make you palpitate. Mas maganda if you can put it in a container or tumbler na may straw. Mas mabilis uminom. Also, make sure that you use a no-spill cup. Remember, answer sheets!

Take a sip once in a while. It will help calm you down. Lalo na if you will be assigned to a room na walang air-conditioner or electric fan man lang. Pero huwag din namang sobrang dami ng iinumin mo kasi baka naman maihi ka nang maihi. Ubos-oras din ang pagbabanyo.

Pwede ka ring Gatorade or anything like it. Pero I suggest to stay away from energy drinks. Hindi makakatulong iyan sa kaba mo. Baka mag-palpitate ka lang at atakihin ka bigla right in the middle of shading your answers.

Stay Healthy, Keep Fit

LET is totally a mental activity which could be really draining. When I finished my exams, I felt my knees wobbled, my stomach contracted, and my head throbbed. I thought I was about to be sick. Para akong nag-marathon. Para akong nag-hiking. Lahat ng kasu-kasuan ko masakit.

Image Source: Grace Ganuelas

Kaya ngayon pa lang, take a little exercise. It will help you with your breathing. Boost your immune system. The last thing you needed is getting infected before your exams. Mahirap mag-exam ng nilalagnat or may trangkaso.

Kung merong may bulutong, sore eyes, tigdas, or anumang nakakahawang sakit sa paligid mo, stay away from them. Hindi excuse ang may sakit for LET. Kung maospital ka or magka-infection on the exam day itself, you will lose your chance of taking the exam. You will be reapplying again and start all over again. Kaya stay healthy.

Plan your bio breaks

You must have a plan on your bio breaks. Dahil maraming examinees, asahan mo nang queuing ang CR lalo na sa mga girls. Isa ito sa mga dapat mong alamin kapag binisita mo ang testing venue before the exam day. Kung hindi ka naman makakapasok sa campus, agahan mo na lang on the exam day itself at hanapin mo na agad ang mga CR.

What I did was to locate not only the CR on our floor but on other floors as well. That way kapag mahaba ang pila sa floor namin, may option ako sa ibang floors. Maswerte na lang ako at maayos ang CR sa testing venue na napuntahan ko. Pwede kasi kayong ma-assign sa school na hindi ganoon kaayos or kalinis ang CR. May CR na walang pinto ang cubicle or sira ang lock, may CR na isa or dalawa lang ang cubicle, may CR na walang flush ang toilet bowl, may CR na walang tubig, may CR na walang tabo, etc.

Expect the worse scenario and prepare for it. Hindi ito ang oras para pairalin ang kaartehan mo. Wala ka na ring time mag-rant, mag-post ng vlog, or mag-rally about it. Kaya dapat pag-aralan mong maging flexible and resourceful.

Bring wet wipes or wet tissues. Makakatulong ito kapag walang tubig na panghugas sa CR. May nabibili rin na bio-degradable toilet seat cover. Makakatulong ito kung marumi ang CR. Bring alcohol to disinfect and sanitize your hands after going to the CR. Bring extra sanitary napkins may period man kayo or wala. Baka kasi sa sobrang stress niyo ay bigla kayong datnan while having the exams. Mabuti na ang prepared.

If you have your period, I suggest wear maternal pads or iyong mga napkins meant for heavy days. Pwede rin adult diapers or kung kaya niyong mag-tampon, do so. Bring extra underwear na rin just in case. Alam niyo naman girls ang feeling kapag malakas ang period. The last thing you need is to waste your precious minutes going to the CR to change. Ayaw niyo rin naman sigurong matagusan so paghandaan natin ito ng husto.

I remember one of our coaches dun sa review center namin. Sobrang haba ng pila sa CR and sobrang naiihi na raw siya. She saw a male friend exiting the CR adjacent to theirs. Nakisuyo na lang siya na samahan siya sa male CR at bantayan ang cubicle niya so she can relieve herself and save time. Diskarte lang talaga.

Dress Code

As early as now, manghiram or bumili ka na ng puting pantaas. Super plain dapat at may collar. Iba-iba ang takbo ng utak ng mga proctor at sila ang masusunod kung acceptable ba ang dress code mo o hindi. Kesa makipagtalo, manigurado ka na. Bring an extra change of clothes na rin in case mabasa, marumihan or masira ang suot mo.

Image Source: MindGym

Alam kong fashionista ka pero tandaan mo ikaw ay isa ring guro. Always follow instructions. Pang-itaas lang naman ang puti. You can wear any color sa pang-ibaba. Pwedeng slacks or maong. Pero utang na loob, huwag naman iyong punit-punit. Save mo na lang iyon sa lakad niyo ng barkada.

Please do not wear shorts, mini-skirt, sleeveless, or iyong masyadong plunging neckline. Baka pati katabi mo hindi na makapag-concentrate sa suot mo. Keep it clean, simple, and modest. Hindi kailangang bago or branded. Basta malinis at papasang “Puti.”

For your footwear, it would be best to wear closed shoes. Rubber shoes are allowed. Pwede ka rin namang mag-stiletto kung keri ng powers mo. Just be reminded that there are schools without elevators and you may end up taking the stairs up to the 7th floor in your stilettoes. Please do not wear slippers and flipflops. Hindi naman summer ang September at hindi rin naman sa beach ang punta mo.

Kung sakaling uulan at baha ang panggagalingan mo, pwede namang baunin mo na lang ang sapatos mo at magpalit ka na lang sa testing venue.

Wear a watch

Kung hindi ka mahilig magrelo dahil sa cellphone ka lang tumitingin ng oras, I suggest you wear one during exam day. Mas maganda nga kung iyong digital na pwedeng i-set na mag-alarm kada oras. Baka kasi masyado kang maging busy sa pagsagot at malimutan mo na ang oras. At least matra-track mo pa rin ang time.

Bawal ang cellphone while answering the test. Kaya hindi mo ito pwedeng gamiting orasan. When I took the test, inantok ako sa kalagitnaan ng Specialization. Talaga namang napipikit ako habang nagsasagot. Kaya naman I took a quick nap, mga 10-15 minutes para lang ma-refresh ang utak ko. I set an alarm sa digital watch na binili for me ni Hubby before the exams. Good thing that I took that power nap kasi sobrang wala na ako sa wisyo ng pagshe-shade.

Scientific Calculator

Never ever forget this on exam day. Or else, mauubos ang oras mo sa manu-manong calculation during the exam. Like I mentioned in my previous post, dapat ay kabisado mo na itong gamitin. Kung hindi pa ay may nalalabi ka pang oras para gawin iyon.

Again, there is a list of models of calculators approved by PRC. Verify mo muna kung pasok sa list na ito ang model ng calculator mo. At hindi mo kailangang bumili. Alam ko mahal ang scientific calculator. You can borrow one sa kakilala mo. Basta ang importante alam mo kung paano gamitin at higit sa lahat, isasauli mo pagkatapos.

Medicines and Pamaypay

It wouldn’t hurt to bring a few OTC medications. Paracetamols, loperamides, antacids, pain relievers, anything that would ease up your simple pains while taking the exam. Kesa naman himatayin ka na lang bigla dahil ang taas na ng lagnat mo. If you have asthma, it would be wise to bring your inhaler with you. The tension and stress plus the dust and pollens around the testing venue may trigger your asthma and cause major breathing problems. Kung may iba ka pang maintenance and prescripted medications, dalhin mo na.

Kung may allergy ka, bring anti-histamines or anything that would combat your allergies. You wouldn’t want to take the exams with a swollen nose or eyes or face.

A hand fan would also be useful lalo na kung mapunta kayo sa room na mainit. You may also bring those rechargeable and portable mini fans. Basta lang siguruhin niyong naka-fully charged for the long hours of the exam.

Money

Bring some cash for emergency purposes. Baka kailangan mong bumili ng food or nang kung anupaman na kakailanganin mo. Avoid bringing large amount of cash. Hindi mo naman siguro kakailanganing bilhin ang buong eskwelahan just to ease up your stress. Magdala ng saktong budget lang. If you have a health card, bring it with you. Like I said, the exam is both physically and mentally draining. Baka kailanganin kang isugod sa ospital, at least you have your health card with you.

Faith and determination

Bring a lot of these. Ito ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat. Pray hard. Anuman ang religion mo. Kung namamanata ka sa kahit saan, gawin mo na.

Image Source: Emjey Austria-Santiago

Kung kailangan mong mag-alay ng itlog, prutas, at kung anupaman biglang ritwal ng religion or ethnic group niyo, do it. Tiwala at pananampalatay ang pinakamabisang sandata sa panahong ito.

And keep in mind that you can do it. You will make it. You will pass this exam. Law of positive attraction lang iyan. Push lang ng push!

Good luck, LETers!

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