LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR TEACHERS (LET)

Refresher Course for 2011

Suggestions in Taking the Licensure Examination for Teachers

1. Familiarize examinees with the multiple-choice items

Understanding how multiple choice questions are created can benefit one as a candidate
by making an examination seem less confusing and scary when one first opens it up. One is
more prepared for the questions and can put more focus into the content rather than trying to
understand how questions are set up.

Studying for a multiple choice exam requires a special method of preparation distinctly
different from an essay exam. Multiple choice exams ask a student to recognize a correct
answer among a set of options that include 3 or 4 wrong answers (called distracters), rather
than asking the student to produce a correct answer entirely from his/her own mind.

All items in the LET are of this type. Knowing the major types of multiple-choice
questions and its parts can facilitate the analysis of each item and the choice of the best
option. Somehow, “test-literacy” could contribute to efficiency and success in taking an
examination.

The Three Major Types of Multiple-choice Questions:

• Recall question assesses facts, terminology and comprehension of important

principles. Examinees demonstrate their ability to remember information. This is
what we refer to as the ‘memorize and regurgitate’ type of question. It uses purely
facts and not going in depth. This type of question is most often seen with anatomy
based questions.

Sample Items:

1. Which of the following is otherwise known as the Higher Education Act of 1994,
which created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be headed by a
Chairman under the Office of the President?
A. R.A. 7687 C. R.A. 7796
B. R.A. 7722 D. R.A. 7784
C.
2. Which of the following learning theories of Thorndike, which states that an
organism learns by doing and forgets by not doing? It also refers to the law of
use and law of disuse.
A. Law of Effect C. Law of Readiness
B. Law of Set and Attitude D. Law of Exercise

• Application question poses a problem or situation that one might encounter when
working as a professional. This type of question demands more than simple
memorization of facts.

Sample Items:

1. Who among the teachers described below is doing assessment?

A. Mr. Jack E. Bagbaga who is administering a test to his third year students.
B. Ms. Tina Poon who is counting the scores obtained by the students in her test.
 C. Ms. Cita Tangar who is computing the final grade of the students after
completing all their requirements.
D. Mr. Vino Culan who is planning for a remedial instruction after knowing that
his students performed poorly in their test.

2. Which of the following questions indicate a norm-referenced interpretation?

A. How does the pupils’ test performance in our school compare with that of
other schools?
B. How does a pupil’s test performance in reading and mathematics compare?
C. What type of remedial work be most helpful for a slow-learning pupil?
D. Which pupils have achieved mastery of computational skills?

• Analysis question assesses the ability to examine information and understand the
relationship between its parts. This question is based on a hypothetical situation and
requires integration of knowledge and decision making. There may not be as many
analysis questions as application questions on some other standardized tests, but
analysis questions are where you are more likely to see math equations.

Sample Items:

1. Ms. Mina Maltrato believes that her pupils need direct sensory contact and
physical manipulation in the classroom so that they learn easily and recall input
effortlessly. What is the relationship of direct sensory contact and physical
manipulation to the learning of emergent readers?
A. Emergent readers learn better when abstract ideas are presented to them.
B. Emergent readers memorize the uses of their senses.
C. Emergent readers are on their appropriate developmental stage as they use
concrete objects and various senses for reading and learning.
D. Emergent readers are like mature individuals who utilize their common sense
for interaction with the outside world.

2. Ms. Lina Mok prepared a rubric with five levels of performance described as 5-
excellent, 4-very satisfactory, 3-satisfactory, 2-needs improvement, and 1-poor.
After using this rubric with these descriptions, she found out that most of her
students had a rating of 3. Even those who are evidently poor in their
performance had a rating of satisfactory. Could there be a possible error in the
use of the rubric?
A. Yes, the teacher could have committed the generosity error.
B. Yes, the teacher could have committed the central tendency source of error.
C. No, it is just common to see more of the students having a grade of 3 in a 5-
point scale.
D. No, such result is acceptable as long asit has a positive consequence to the
students.

Parts of a Multiple-choice Item

Stimulus Material: Special information on which an item is based. This may be a

paragraph, a diagram, a graph, a photograph, etc. However, a stimulus material is not
always needed.

Stem: A multiple-choice question always consists of a stem (the main part of the
question) and the responses. The stem could be a direct question, an incomplete statement
or a best answer format question. When looking at the stem of the question, look for key
words or fragments. Take a second and say . . . “what is the question really asking here”?
Can you answer that before you move on? Some people recommend covering the
responses, then trying to answer the stem before you even look at the responses.
 Alternatives: The choices from which the examinee is expected to select the correct
answer. Alternatives are sometimes referred to as options. Usually each multiple-choice
item in the LET has 4 options or alternatives

Key: The correct alternative

Distractors: The incorrect alternatives

Sample Items:

1. A school personnel or a teacher can avail of free legal service under certain
circumstances. Mr. Mino Mura was accused of libel by his distant relative.
(STIMULUS MATERIAL)

Is he entitled to the said service? (STEM)

A. Yes, he should defend himself. (Distractor)

B. No, if funds are not available. (Distractor)
C. No, it might bring some disagreements in school. (Distractor)
D. No, the case is not related to his professional duties. (Key)

2. Conscientization as a pedagogy and an approach to teaching is perceived to be

effective in promoting:
A. Political activism
B. Lack of trust in political leaders
C. Critical awareness of issues
D. Ecological awareness

3. How does the notion of cultural relativity and variability affect the teaching-
learning processes in school?
A. The students’ varied cultural background will in no way affect the way they
will learn the lessons in school.
B. The students can readily adjust to the way the teacher initiates learning in
school because children are adaptable beings no matter what culture they
come from.
C. The child’s cultural background influences the children’s way of interpreting
and viewing the world, hence teachers must consider the children’s world
view when teaching.
D. The teacher should be wary of differing cultural points of view and must make
sure that students will see things the same way.

4. Which of the following statements about gender is correct?

A. Gender is biologically determined.
B. Gender is socially and culturally constructed.
C. Gender roles are the same in all societies.
D. Gender is an ascribed status in society.
E. Concept of gender is synonymous with sex.

5. Human rights for all peoples of the world are safely enshrined in the
A. Magna Carta for Teachers
B. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
C. Bill of Rights in the Constitution
D. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
E. Code of Professional Ethics for teachers
6. Sito Tukar slept ______________________________________
A. last night in his air-conditioned room soundly.
B. soundly last night in his air-conditioned room.
 C. in his air-conditioned room soundly last night.
D. soundly in his air-conditioned room last night.

7. May sadyang gamit ang gitling sa palabaybayang Filipino. Alin and di-dapat
gamitan ng gitling?
A. gabi-gabi C. taga-Ilocos Sur
B. paru-paro D. ika-26

8. Alin sa pangungusap ang pokus sa aktor o tagaganap?

A. Bumili ng magandang damit si Honey sa Plaza Maestro para sa kanyang
inaanak.
B. Binili ni Honey ang magandang damit sa Plaza Maestro para sa kanyang
inaanak.
C. Binilhan ni Honey ng magandang damit ang Plaza Maestro para sa kanyang
inaanak.
D. Ibinili ni Honey ng magandang damit ang kanyang inaanak sa Plaza Maestro.

2. Know and understand the test directions/stem

A thorough understanding of the test directions as well as types of questions will not
only save time but also prevent misunderstanding and confusion of what you are to do.

Be alert on the target/goal of the stem. Keep in mind the terms which sometimes
appear in the stem of a given item, like, no, not, except, not true, not false, etc.

Sample Items:

1. Which of the following is NOT included in the sphere of teacher’s responsibility to

his students?
A. has faith in the ability of the young for advancement.
B. treats them fairly and without prejudice.
C. sees that students have clean water to drink and have enough foods
D. develops their love for work.

2. The following are specific aims of the Philippine Educational System as embodied in
Education Act of 1982 EXCEPT one. Which one is the exception?
A. To develop the high level professions that will provide leadership for the nation
in the advancement of knowledge for improving the quality of human life.
B. To train the nation’s manpower in the middle-level skills required for national
development.
C. To assure the maximum participation of all people in the attainment and
enjoyment of the benefits of education.
D. To respond effectively to changing needs and conditions of the nation through a
system of educational planning and evaluation.

3. Which of the following is the MAIN objective of the Magna Carta for Public School
Teachers?
A. To serve as guide for the professional conduct of public school teachers and
officials.
B. To achieve and maintain an accelerated rate of economic development and social
progress of all teachers.
C. To establish camaraderie among the teachers.
D. To promote and improve the social and economic status of public school
teachers.

3. Be alert to read the test items as they are not as you would like them to be
 We frequently see what we want to see. When you encounter an easy, familiar-looking
item, don’t jump to the conclusion that you know what it is. Read the question carefully to
make sure it is indeed the same question you thought it was. Read every word. Changing
just one word in a question can alter the answer.

Sample Items:

1. How many months have 28 days?

A. 1 C. 12
B. 2 D. None of these

2. What is the capital of Canada?

A. Ontario C. Toronto
B. Montreal D. Ottawa

3. Mr. Honorato Pichay falls in love with Novelyn Manegdeg, one of his prettiest
students. What is the best thing he can do?
A. Court Novelyn secretly.
B. Win the favor of Novelyn’s parents
C. Court Novelyn when she is no longer his students.
D. Ask assistance from Novelyn’s classmates

4. Pay attention to the key terms in a test item

It is important to interpret all the words accurately so that you will know exactly what
is being asked.

Sample Items:

1. What is the best way to maintain discipline inside the classroom?

A. Scold every time mistakes occur.
B. Be democratic in your approach.
C. Frown every time students do something inappropriate.
D. Be consistent in the rules and regulations agreed upon.

Choice A is not acceptable because scolding is a negative approach in

managing student’s behavior. Choice B could be a good technique but students
tend to be abusive of their rights especially if the teacher is too lenient and
inconsistent in the implementation of classroom norms. Choice C is unacceptable
because frowning is another negative approach to classroom discipline. Students
who are insensitive to non-verbal expressions may reciprocate frowning with
negative impressions about the teacher’s personality.. Furthermore, it takes more
muscles to frown than to smile thus, frowning would make the teacher look
unpleasant. Choice D is the best answer. It is best to be consistent with rules and
regulations to maintain classroom discipline especially if these are consensually
formulated by the students and the teachers at the beginning of the school year.
Involving students in decision making makes them more responsible of the
consequences of their actions/behavior.

2. To make instructional planning very effective, the teacher continually checks the
students’ capabilities to design the best and appropriate instructional materials and
technique. Being a teacher, how can you ensure and maintain such effectiveness?
A. Make sure the instructional materials are of good quality.
B. Seek the help of the superiors for proper guidance and assistance.
 C. Concentrate on the contents and objectives of the lesson to be taught.
D. Revise regularly the unit or lesson plan according to learning outcomes.

The correct answer is Choice D. The regular assessment of the students’

capabilities enables teachers to clarify various points in the planning stage. The
needs are easily detected so the improvement could easily be given attention.
Option A is incorrect because instructional materials need not be expensive. The
quality of the material is not a big deal as long as it promotes learning. Option B is
also not the best answer because the assistance of the administrators are purely
administrative in nature. The bulk of the responsibility lies in the hands of the
teachers. Option C is also not the best answer because the selection of the contents
and objectives is done after determining where the learners are.

5. Use time wisely

Do not spend excessive time on any one item. It is urgent that time be budgeted to permit
an honest attempt at every item. As a general rule, answer the easy items first and go back
to the complicated ones later.

6. Consider all the alternatives

Read and consider all the options even though the first option may have all the
characteristics or descriptions which you have anticipated. This is especially true to
questions which require you to pick out the best answer.

Sample Items:

1. Which of the following will enhance the learning of preschoolers?

A. Always give reward and never punish
B. Activities should be hands-on and not written
C. Use colorful, attractive and challenging materials
D. Make activities too easy, simple and for a short period of time

2. The best order of the learning of basic language skills, especially for children is –
A. listening, speaking, reading and writing
B. speaking, reading, listening and writing
C. reading, listening, speaking and writing
D. writing, listening, speaking and reading

7. Relate options to the stem of the item

When the anticipated answer is not among the options, promptly discard it and
concentrate on the given options by systematically considering how well each one answers
the question.

Sample Items:

1. Mr. Simo Mulagat is a holder of a valid certificate of eligibility as a teacher issued by

the Civil Service Commission and the then DECS, while Mr. Mar Marna is a registered
professional teacher with the National Board of Teachers under the then MECS. Who
of the two is allowed to practice the teaching profession in the Philippines?
A. Mr. Simo Mulagat, because of his CSC eligibility certificate
B. Mr. Mar Marna, because his credentials are both recognized by law
C. Both of them, because their credentials are both recognized by law
D. Neither of the two, because they did not take and pass the LET
 2. A persistent dilemma in teaching is the inquisitive pupil who goes to the extent of
asking questions to test how far the teacher knows about the lesson. How can the
teacher best handle the situation?
A. Discourage inquiry from the pupils
B. Answer the questions directly
C. Scold the pupil for testing his ability
D. Connect the question to previous or present learning

The stem of the item asks for a positive way of approaching the given situation.
Obviously options A & C are not positive. Right away, you may eliminate these 2 options
and concentrate on options B & D. The correct answer is D.

8. Balance options against each other

When several options look good or even if none looks good, compare them with each
other. If 2 options are very much similar, study them to find what makes them different.

Example:

What is the (a) main advantage, and (b) chief weakness of essay questions?

A. (a) many topics are covered

(b) scoring is unreliable

B. (a) many topics can be recovered

(b) questions are difficult to prepare

C. (a) complex abilities can be tested

(b) questions are difficult to prepare

D. (a) complex abilities can be tested

(b) scoring is unreliable

Some of the given options are almost similar. However, carefully balancing the options
against each other would reveal D as the best answer.

9. Use logical reasoning

Logical reasoning is usually exemplified in a situation in which way; you recognize the
two or more options are correct and that one of the remaining options encompasses both of
them. In such a situation, always choose the more encompassing option

Example 1

Concerning the goals of education, it can be accurately said that the overall emphasis is placed on
–
A. the study of civics and culture
B. national socio-economic development
C. fitting the individual for gainful employment
D. the development of a sound mind and a sound body

Example 2

Teacher Anne is assigned in a rural area; Teacher Annie, in a depressed community;

Teacher Annet, in a hazardous place; and Teacher Ann-ann in a place where standard of
living is high. Who is entitled to hardship allowance?
A. Teacher Anne C. Teacher Annet
 B. Teacher Annie D. Teacher Ann-ann

Example 3

Dina Katakder, a high school master teacher in St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur wants to
avail of the rights stipulated in R.A. 4670. Is her claim legal?
A. Yes, if she is eligible
B. Yes, she is already a master teacher
C. No, if her school can afford those benefits
D. No, she is not a public school teacher

10. Make the completed statement logically consistent

The sentence completion item usually places restrictions on the kinds of answers that are
logically permissible.

Example 1

Behavior change requires the development of the total individual, that is, the
development of the learner’s –
A. cognitive, affective & psychomotor components
B. psychomotor, cognitive and social components
C. affective, value and psychomotor components
D. cognitive, affective and intellectual components

In this item, option A is obviously the correct answer because it makes the
statement logically consistent. Total individual connotes all components and aspects of
personality of the individual.

Example 2

Ms. Gamueda formulated alternate-response test items to determine if her pupils can tell
what mammals are. Which of the following is poorly constructed?
A. Mammals are covered with hair
B. A platypus is a mammal that lays egg
C. A bat is not a mammal
D. There are mammals that live in water

Example 3

A 50-item test was given to the students of Mr. Ariniego. After checking the test, most of
the students got a perfect score. Using the criterion-referenced grading system, all the
students will get a grade ranging from 90 – 100%. Which is true when this grading
system is being used?
A. If the test is too easy, many students will get high grades
B. If the test is too hard, few students will get low grades
C. Whether the test is hard or easy, all students will get a failing mark
D. Whether the test is hard or easy, all students will get a passing mark

11. On Reading Comprehension items, remember that there are 2 broad categories: explicit
and the inferential. The explicit questions call for answers which may be explicitly stated
in one particular portion of reading selection. Inferential questions require you to choose an
answer which goes beyond any single explicitly stated point in a particular portion of a
reading passage. Therefore, do not expect to be able to find answer to an inferential
question localized within the reading passage. Understanding the content of a passage is
necessary to deal effectively with inferential questions.
Sample Items

Robotized homes – ones not requiring constant attention by their owners – are a
distinct possibility in the next century. Glass-domed solar houses are already on the
design boards of imaginative architects. In such a house, the round living quarters could
be engineered to rotate under the dome to take advantage of sun’s energy, which can be
converted to heat and electricity. Electronic robot sun trackers would keep the house
facing directly into or away from the sun, as desired by the owners. Inside this future
home, other robotic devices would perform such chores as raising and lowering curtains,
locking doors automatically at night, sliding doors open and shut, and switching TV
channels at the command of the owner’s voice.

A number of robotics engineers predict that time will come when rented or
purchased radio-controlled robots will take care of household tasks like cooking,
sweeping, lawn mowing, bed-making and even baby-sitting. Indeed, certain specialty
companies offer what they call “domestic androids” right now.

Question 1

What does the passage imply?

A. Robots are good companion
B. Advancement in technology greatly improves domestic services
C. Robots are good inventions.
D. All of A-B-C

Question 2

What is the best title for the passage?

A. Technology Advancement C. Robotics
B. Robots at Home D. Both A and C

Question 3

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Robotic engineers are pessimistic of this invention
B. It is impossible for robotics to do the household chores
C. Robotics skills are very limited
D. None of these

Ito’y isang salon,

malaki’t maluwang, magara’t makintab.
Ang mga bombilyang may ginto, may pilak,
sa bubungang asul ay nagkislap-kislap.
Dito’y may orkestra, sa ragay na tambol at linggal ng Jazz,
ang mga talulot sa gitna ng salon nagising na lahat.
Saka, samantalang ang bawat pareha ay lilipad-lipad,
sa kintab ng sahig, ang kanilang puso ay naaanag-ag.

Question 1

Paano inilarawan ang salon sa tula?

 A. Walang tao maliban sa orkestra
B. Punong-puno ng mga bulaklak
C. Napalaki at napaliligiran ng mga salamin
D. Nakaaakit, maingay at Masaya *

Question 2

Ang mga talulot sa gitna ng salon ay tumutukoy sa –

A. palamuting bulaklak C. kabataang babae *
B. kabataang nagsasayaw D. tumutugtog ng orkestra

Question 3

Ang salitang lilipad-lipad sa ika-7 taludtod ay nangangahulugang –

A. paghahabulan C. paglipad sa hangin
B. paglalakad D. pagsasayaw*

Question 4

“Ang kanilang puso ay naaanag-ag” Ito ay nagpapahiwatig ng –

A. pagkapagod C. di-maitagong kalungkutan
B. pagkaatake sa puso D. di-maitagong damdamin *

12. Significant Techniques for Exams like LET

In addition to following good study habits, there are steps you can take during an
exam to ensure you choose the correct answer.

• Read the question carefully. The most common exam errors occur when students
fail to accurately or thoroughly read each question.

• Read all of the choices. Don’t stop reading all of your options simply because you
think you’ve already found the correct choice.

• If you are struggling with a question, try reposing each option as a true-or-false
question.

• Even if you are unfamiliar with the question, try to use common sense or logic
when selecting possible answer.

• Take notice of all-or-nothing words or phrases. Examples include words such as

“Every,” “Always” and “All.” These are less likely to be correct than words that
offer room for exceptions or alternatives such as “Some,” “Many” or “Few.”

• Answer questions in the order they come. If you spend a great deal of time
skipping around, you are likely to mistakenly leave some questions unanswered. If
you are stuck on a question, put a mark off to the side and come back to it when you
have answered the rest of the questions.

• Guess! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so never leave any question on a

multiple-choice test blank