National Latin Exam Question

[Reefgazer]

DD is signed on for the NLE (paper and pencil version), and I got a confirmation postcard in the mail with brief testing instructions on it, but I did not receive an exam yet.  I heard there were some glitches in receiving exams, but I may have a fuzzy memory on that.  When do they ship the exam to us?

[G5052]

Typically I've gotten them in February, not more a few weeks before the exam. They're still taking late registrations until February 1st, and typically ship them out all at once over a week or so. If you don't receive them by March 1st, call them.

 

Some years I tested 30+ kids in different shifts with a local group. Frankly that was a bit of a pain, but we got it done. Then I did just mine with some friends in public school at my kitchen table because the local high school doesn't offer it. 

 

This year just my youngest (Latin 4); it's online during her online class period with a proctor. Her teacher's school coordinated it, so low effort for me.

 

I'm kind of sad that this is the last run through. My own teens medaled every year, and my oldest had several perfect papers.

 

[Reefgazer]

How do they score exams? Is there a penalty for guessing? What score does DD need to get to medal?

[G5052]

How do they score exams? Is there a penalty for guessing? What score does DD need to get to medal?

 

No penalty for guessing. It's multiple choice, and the scores are based on how many they get right.

 

The levels for medals vary. They do a full statistical analysis to determine the breakdown year-to-year. I forget how exactly the levels are determined.

Be sure to review the syllabus for the level you register for: http://www.nle.org/pdf/syllabi/NLE_Syllabus2015.pdf

 

We always studied all year to cover the parts not in our curriculum, and then did a Roman history and mythology review right before.

[Erica in OR]

We always studied all year to cover the parts not in our curriculum, and then did a Roman history and mythology review right before.

 

Any recommendations for a resource to use for this sort of review? This is our first year taking the test.

 

Erica in OR

[G5052]

Early on, mine read through Famous Men of Rome, Usborne The Romans and the D'Aulaires' mythology book. I timed it so that they had a little reading every week in addition to their Latin. The syllabus gives you some clues. Don't forget geography.

 

I also made sure to cover any grammar issues not covered in our textbook. We used Henle early on, so we had to really work on verbs because he introduces them much later than the NLE syllabus does.

 

This year my younger one is very busy with Latin 4, and will probably just review the syllabus topics and call it a day.

Edited January 24, 2016 by G5052

[JadeOrchidSong]

G5052,

What Latin have you used besides Henle? What is your dc using for Latin 4 now?

[G5052]

G5052,

What Latin have you used besides Henle? What is your dc using for Latin 4 now?

 

I can manage through Henle 1 and 2 and actually used to teach Latin 2 locally with Henle, but ultimately I outsourced. Going to Latin 4/5 would have required a lot more study on my part, and I needed some margin with my work schedule.

 

Mine did Henle in middle school with Classical Conversations, but frankly I knew more Latin than their tutors. So they did those assignments in addition to what I gave them, which involved higher expectations on memorization, more reading of Latin, and background reading for the NLE on an ongoing basis.

 

Then we switched to Wheelock's with a teacher, one did Lukeion through AP Latin, and one did VPSA for two years and then switched to Classical Academic Press with Latin Alive. Both continued to do some NLE background reading on an ongoing basis, although Lukeion and Classical Academic Press orient their classes that way more than most.

 

I realize that not everyone can outsource of course, but we were able to make the sacrifices to do that. Latin and the 3 R's were/are my high school priorities.

Edited January 24, 2016 by G5052