Our NLE test is fast approaching on Monday 3/9! (Second Form Latin and higher students will take the NLE)
I’m arranging some study groups I’ll teach/lead over Zoom.
Study Groups:
Introduction to Latin Study Group – Session #1
2/27, 11-1pm
Instructions: Print the 2024 test ahead of time you do not need to take the test, we’ll go through it together.
Beginner Latin Exam Study Group – Session #1
2/26, 12-1pm
Instructions: Print the 2024 test ahead of time you do not need to take the test, we’ll go through it together.
Intermediate Latin Exam Study Group – Session #2
3/2, 12pm-1pm
Instructions: take the 2023 test ahead of time and come ready to discuss answers.
Can’t make the group session or just want to study on your own more?
TEST TAKING TIPS for the NLE Exam
#1 Best tip is to take the practice exams. Print them and the answer sheets off. Take exam and go through the answers. (NOTE: If you are doing a group session with me, don’t do 2025 or 2024 if doing the study sessions– I’ll use those for our group sessions): https://www.nle.org/previous-exams-and-answer-keys
EVALUATE: Things to focus on after taking a practice exam:
- What areas are you weak? Note that– is it grammar forms? History/culture? Some of those odd adverb words? Take note.
- Take note which portions of the test are longest for you. The test is often divided (not explicitly but it is) into sections. Perhaps the first 20 questions you note will go slower. But even if slower– don’t take longer than 1 min per question (test is 45 min). If taking too long circle an answer and move on.
- Discuss with your student scan tron test taking tips. Your score is based on a computer scanning it (bubble clearly, erase clearly).
- At the 10 min mark. Take note. At the 5 min mark bubble in any remaining answers you were hoping to get to.
- If you have left over time FOR SURE go back over every single answer.
National Latin Exam Test Prep Booklets
All of our students utilize these booklets. They have one for each of the first four levels of the test. They are very good, they cover a broad range of info based on the syllabi for the tests. I highly recommend! Link: Memoria Press National Latin Exam Booklets
After taking a practice exam you may find you are weak in certain areas—or perhaps in many areas. In that case, as a supplement to the tests, utilize NLE’s practice app. Choose your correct level of exam, and you can have it drill you on just certain test questions or over the whole thing. Aim to do 10 questions a day.
Get Stuck on something? Have a question you want to know right away? Need a definition? Need a word parsed?
Meet your new tutor: Google or ChatGPT
I know we hate AI for lots of reasons…but using it as a tutor is actually really great. You can quickly have ChatGPT parse words for you, show you declension paradigms. It is rather fantastic. It has taken my own personal studying to the next level. Difficult latin questions used to be quite laborious to look up, but now it is at the click of a button and it is SO incredibly accurate. This is a good use of the AI tech (so long as student isn’t using it to cheat but rather to be a private tutor). ChatGPT is first and foremost a language so this is somethign it is very good at. You can take a picture of your question and it will walk you through exactly why the answer is what it is. Even google has a upload a picture function to do the same thing.
Bona Fortuna!
Good luck!
-Pauline