Summer Exam Prep: Never too early

Today’s a very hot day - a day wherein a good movie or book and an ice-cold drink while seating on a nice, comfy couch would certainly make everything perfect. It would be very nice to have such a day as if there’s nothing I need to worry about.

That’s my kind of a summer vacation.

Unfortunately…

What is the value of (3x +8y) – 2z if x = 12, y = 3 and z =6?

Like any normal student, I had looked forward to a two-month long vacation to just chill away for a while, from school, tedious home works, pop quizzes and all the academic stuff. Apparently, when you’re an incoming college freshman you feel like time is in your hands during the summer season. But for incoming high school seniors, summer season meant preparation for the series of entrance examinations plus the National Career Assessment Exams that will all be administered during the course of their senior year.

Of course, I’ve been there and done that. In turn, I want to help YOU (Yes, you) through the course of your preparation. This entry is not only for high school seniors but also for every high school student. International school students and those who are planning to study abroad have to prepare for their SAT Subject Exams and/or the International Baccalaureate exams. Even those graduates who are to take their licensure exams might also find this article useful.

Really, if you have money, just spend it on a quality review class package as they have the nearest idea on what might come up on the exams so no need for you to waste time on the hassle of what to study. But if you just want to self-study, I’m not stopping you.

The following article is first printed in the Sapientia et Virtus (Official Student Publication of SSA Upper School Department) Vol. 17, No. 2 , page 8 which was released last March 2008.

Hope it helps!
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Strength in Numbers
By Ia Marie Donna B. Cruz

Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

As the time swiftly flutters, only the rapid scratching and tapping of pencils can be heard amidst the silence during standardized testing sessions, may it be the emotional quotient examination or the National Career Assessment Exams.
Standardized test are used as a basis of measurement of an individual’s capability in a specific dimension of learning or skill. More often than not, students are very anxious towards standardized testing that such fear deprives them the capacity to perform their best during the said exams.
Enough of the sweaty palms and pencil-biting. Certainly, there are a number of ways to beat that test-taking panic and attain that 99+ percentile you are aiming!

Know thy enemy. To conquer a test, one should be prepared with what to expect in the exam. From the subject areas to the point-system employed, a well-informed test-taker should know the specifics of the said exam he is to take. This is a simple but a very effective step towards tests so that you won’t be surprised or sanctioned if, for example, you brought a calculator when it is not allowed during the testing administration.

Perfection cannot be rushed. It is NEVER too early to open your biology or algebra books and review the concepts you might have forgotten through the course of education. There are hundreds of thousands of possible questions which can be asked. If you “plan” to review your whole year equivalent of geometry lessons one week before your test day, there is a less chance that you retain what you have read. A month before your exam, take at least an hour daily to rehash your knowledge on the subject areas you are to deal with. Your brain absorbs information better when it is not stressed by the rush which is a key in avoiding information overload and mental block on the exam day.

Practice makes 99 plus. There are a lot of available written resources with practice tests patterned from the actual test. A pre-test experience gives you more of an insight of what to expect during the test day like how to pace your time, possible types of questions and the areas you need to improve.

The pencil is mightier than the sword. Most standardized tests only allow the use of pencil in coding of answers on the answer sheets. A day before the test, see to it that you have all the materials you are to need during your exam – sharpened pencils, working pencil sharpener, good eraser, test permit, calculator (if you are allowed to use it) and some snacks especially when the examination will take a number of hours.

An apple a day keeps panic away. Hours before your scheduled test, be sure to eat a filling meal. As much as possible, distractions are avoided to ensure that you are given the opportunity to perform your maximum. Testing with an empty stomach is equal to disruption. Worrying about the rumbles of your stomach while going through the tests will certainly affect your results negatively.

The early bird catches the worm. Arrive at the test center on time. There might be instructions to be given by the proctors regarding the exams before the start of the test administration. Being late does not only risk you to make mistakes in the course of the test but it also jeopardizes the outcome of your results. This principle also applies in submitting your test paper when the time is called.

It’s all in your head. Confidence (not overconfidence) is your best friend during testing. Being confident with what you have reviewed and practiced before the exam boosts your performance psychologically.

Don’t forget the “R”. Read. Before answering, read the directions, the restrictions and other pieces of information you may need to know in order to answer the questions. Students are often victims of their negligence of the instructions that costs them their scores.

Time is gold. While testing, remember to pace your self according to the time limit set. Though it seems impossible to finish a 25 item test in 10 minutes, it can be accomplished. Speed reading is a great skill to employ wherein you save time in understanding questions without losing accuracy. If such skill is not applicable to you, answer questions you are certain that you can answer correctly.

Aim then shoot. Guess intelligently. If you find your self stuck on a test item, read the answer choices. Eliminating half of the number of the choices increases your chance of getting the correct answer by 50 percent.

Breathe. Breathe – it helps calm the mind to perform better.

Look up. God, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, Energy – whatever you call Him, don’t forget to ask for His guidance. Trust me, it works.

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Sweetness,
Allyne

P.S. The answer for the equation above is 48. Check it. ;)

P.P.S.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License.

Eenie Mini Minnie Moe

To UP or not to UP?

This is a question I’ve been asking myself since the announcement of the qualifiers of the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). I, thankfully, passed the said examinations but unfortunately, I didn’t get the degree I really wanted. Adding up to the gravity of the situation is the fact that I also earned admission to the Ateneo de Manila University wherein I snagged a spot in the degree of my first choice.

Choosing between the two institutions is a big circumstance for me because I know that my future relies on this decision I am about to make. Before, it didn’t occur to me that I would seriously consider Ateneo for UP is the dream school for me. But after months of weighing the pros and cons, I found that it’s really difficult to choose because the said institutions have their own strong and weak points.

Sigh. If only life is not being complicated by processes which were invented to speed up the proceedings of human dealings supposedly, I guess I could just attend both. But as we all know, you cannot have it all. I do have to choose and you know what I hate most? Choosing.

They say that man is intelligent and lucky because he is endowed by the power of choice. Probably, yes. But as I see things now, as human life progresses coupled by the heights of technology, choosing becomes more and more complicated. In the ancient times, man would just probably have to decide whether to eat mango or apple. In these modern days, today’s choice is stringed to the future and so on. Life is supposed to be simple but when we often consider unnecessary details, things get complicated. Of course, it will be very difficult not to see that extra stuff in life. It adds thrill to our lives right?

Anyway, I still have at least two weeks to work on this dilemma. My SAT subject tests results are yet to come tomorrow so, maybe another option is about to pop between the Maroon and the Eagle. Keep you fingers closed and pray for me and all those who are caught in the tangles of education cliques. If it was just my parents who are to decide where I am to study, they’d immediately enroll me into Ateneo because they fear that I might turn into a radical but diploma-less activist due to the radical and independent environment of UP. But of course, everything depends on what I want (thank God for such parents).

So much for worrying about the future. Before I flip to another chapter of my life, I would still want to cherish the last moments that I am to be an Anthonian. Why hurry if I still have a chance to enjoy myself when I’m still young and in high school. You’ve got to love high school. ;-)

Sweetness,

Allyne

P.S. So you’re actually waiting for mushiness? A few more hours and you’ll get your dose of fresh and creamy love – ‘tis Hearts’ Day!

Thoughts Before Christmas

I'm back!

I didn't expect to be updating this time but since I came back early from the movies, I'd take advantage of the opportunity. Aside from watching a movie and having a chilled drink at a cozy cafe, I finally bought myself a Christmas gift! Guess what it is? A book of course! I soo adore Philippa Gregory's Other Boleyn Girl and because of that, I grabbed the chance to pamper my self with a simple joy when I find a discounted copy of it at a new book store called Bestsellers in Robinson's Galleria.

Speaking of Bestsellers, I found the specialty shop very cozy and accommodating because there not clutter in browsing through the numerous aisle of wonderful titles ranging from hard to find American graphic novels to award-winning novels both foreign and local. Customers are also offered comfortable seats where they can read through the books before purchasing them. It feels like heaven for bibliophiles like me! Of course, I still love hanging out at Powerbooks. And to think that Powerbooks, Bestsellers and National Bookstore are owned by same people, I can't understand my weird liking for the two earlier shops. :D

Moving on from books and shops, I made an ultimatum for myself. You see, I have this disorder called nail-biting whenever I'm tense or nervous or in a pressured state since I was a kid and I want to get rid of it. While I'm trying to fight the urge to bite, I can't do it successfully at times because I know that I can bite those dead cells off without hurting myself. But hey, I'm like, 16 years old already and it's unpleasant to see nails like that. To primarily solve my problem, I applied blue nail polish with unpleasant smell and taste on my fingernails in order to alarm me whenever I am to put my fingernails on my mouth. But still, I hope that I can still wear them at school for continuous progress, ne? Ganbatte for me!

Referring to my earlier account of watching a movie, I actually watched the controversial film The Golden Compass. Many rumors and accusations are heard about the film and the first novel of the His Dark Material trilogy, the Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, the inspiration of the said movie, but I didn't really pass my judgment on whether it's actually against the Catholic Church or not for I wasn't able to see the movie or read the book myself. Things are different now though for I had the luxury of watching the film.

Based on my observation, there is nothing about the film that mentions ideas against any religion. The way I see it, the source of conflict is because of the similarities of the history of the Catholic Church wherein it was said that the authorities incarcerated those who are believed to be practicing witchcraft and sorcery as well as forcing people of other beliefs into Catholicism. The similarities I noticed are all based on history which happened before the Reformation, Counter Reformation and the organization of the Vatican II. I, myself, am a Catholic and I do not think that such film could easily influence the faithful if they have real belief in the teachings and authority of God. Though I haven't read the book, from what I can judge so far, I can say that the Golden Compass possesses a great story line and interesting elements regardless of the countless possible interpretations. It will be a shame if people will pass judgment on something based on the opinions of others. In logic speak, that will be a fallacy of authority, Argumentum Vericundiam. See, I do learn a thing or two from my Logic Class.

Anyway, I still have to work hard to raise my SAT II scores in Math level 1, Biology and Physics. I so want to get high scores on those tests. I can kill a plant in exchange of an 800 in all those subject tests *dreaming awake*. Aside from those tests, I also have to prepare for the DOST-SEI scholarship exam and the MTAP qualification exam which will all happen on January. That is so sad! I'm just enjoying my two-week vacation from school but still, the mentioned stuffs are for me when I step into college right? On top of the upcoming tests, I am also awaiting for the results of the UPCAT, ACET and USTET. My life depends on those tests.

Seems like my Christmas wishes will be delayed for some time.

Happy Holidays! :D

Love, Allyne

P.S. I’d like you all to greet my friend, SEV/AP E-I-C, A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! *pops a party popper*

High on Mistletoes

Time sure passes by quickly.

Yesterday seemed to be January yet now, I am already experiencing the chill of December nights. This just explains how we should make every moment of our lives count. May it be the happiest or the saddest of memories, every minute we spend each day contributes to another learning experience here on earth.
So much for introductions…

Last Wednesday, I made one of the “last” memories I need to make before I finally say good bye to high school – Senior Christmas Party. It makes me feel so old! I’ve been attending Christmas parties for since kindergarten days and to think that I finally made the last one for my high school days. Of course, this year’s celebration became extra special because my batch did it all together. Obviously, the idea seemed a bit corny because we are like older now and we were still playing stuff like newspaper dance, tug-O-war, obstacle race and some stuff like that.

After the games galore, we proceeded to our classrooms and had our mini-food fest sponsored by Shakey’s (minus the pizza –how ironic, ne?). It’s not that significant so let’s move on to the most exciting part of parties – gifts! Anyway, I’m über happy because I got, like, two Neil Gaiman books in just 30 minutes. The first book I received was a movie-based edition of Stardust though I’d really love to have the Stardust copy with its original binding. Still, thanks SG President for that wonderful gift!!! Of course, I also received with teary-eyes a rare (in the Philippine context) book called Good Omens (Black Edition)written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman from a super generous friend! I’m also sooooo thankful to all the other people who gave me love in the form of gift this season. At least you remembered me. I’m also so sorry if I wasn’t able to do a proper Christmas shopping for you guys due to two terrible causes: 1.) My shopping-allergic Dad and, 2.) The EVIL Periodic Tests. I hope to spread my cause probably on Graduation season which, unfortunately, won’t be to long.

Gee, I sure missed a lot of memories for I became the Christmas gift shopper of a certain father person when I was supposed to be coming along with my friends for some happy tripping. I’m so sad about that. Sigh, past is past right?

Well, I finally got my results for the SATs and guess what? I still suck at Math…surprise, surprise. Anyway, I suppose that it was destined for me to get a so-so score for a total of 1600. With this at hand, I really need to do my best for the SAT II on January. Ganbatte! What a holiday it’s going to be for me. Somebody please teach me electromagnetism! Onegai shimasu!

On the happier note, I’m finally done with my Christmas shopping for my family’s exchange of gifts. Yayness!

For Christmas, aside from world peace and economic prosperity to the Philippines, I also wish to have copies of Yun Kouga-sensei’s Loveless manga series. Why is it so difficult to buy stuff like those here in the Philippines? See, if you want to give me an ideal gift, I’d recommend that you just give me novels. Not much of the classic ones though. It is not that I don’t like classic books; in fact I really adore them. The thing is I feel unworthy of keeping them.

It seems that I have already filled you with some of my usual hyperactivity these past few days. Can you feel Christmas? I do. Let's all have fun!

I just realized that so many things happened in my life this past three days and maybe you’ve had enough of my wildness. I suppose that I might not be able to keep in touch with you soon so, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas!

'Til my next entry!