National Latin Exam & National Mythology Exam

[ShaunaN]

Is it worthwhile for a student to take either the National Latin Exam or the National Mythology Exam? My only experience is proctoring the NLE for a group of Classical Conversations Challenge A students. Thoughts on the benefits of taking these exams? Anyone care to share your experiences?

[VAmom]

My eldest has taken the National Mythology exam since 3rd grade. She thinks it’s fun and likes an “easy” test. As the mom/teacher, it’s nice to have some outside validation of her learning, but there aren’t any real tangible benefits. My 3rd grader doesn’t find test taking to be as enjoyable and is highly competitive; for these reasons he probably won’t take the test this year.

[pickandgrin]

I highly recommend the National Latin Exam from Second Form Latin on! The MP guides help you catch the few things your student may not have seen yet for the first few levels. I also recommend taking it on the computer versus the paper tests. The computer is so much easier logistically (on mom). I was very hesitant, but 2021 helped us give the online version a try and I'm sold.

My oldest is taking his 7th NLE this year. It is something really nice for the college portfolio/transcript, and it shows a very long commitment to one subject. As a homeschooler without a lot of activities and awards to show off, it is lovely to list the NLE.

(We have no experience with the Mythology Exam.)

[howiecram]

I highly recommend the National Latin Exam from Second Form Latin on! The MP guides help you catch the few things your student may not have seen yet for the first few levels. I also recommend taking it on the computer versus the paper tests. The computer is so much easier logistically (on mom). I was very hesitant, but 2021 helped us give the online version a try and I'm sold.

My oldest is taking his 7th NLE this year. It is something really nice for the college portfolio/transcript, and it shows a very long commitment to one subject. As a homeschooler without a lot of activities and awards to show off, it is lovely to list the NLE.

(We have no experience with the Mythology Exam.)

Just to be clear. I have a student doing Second Form now. The child should/could take it this spring?

[VAmom]

Just to be clear. I have a student doing Second Form now. The child should/could take it this spring?

Thank you for asking! I was wondering the same thing.

[pickandgrin]

howiecram
Thank you for asking! During a typical Second Form year would be the earliest a student should attempt the first level, called the Introduction to Latin exam. Buy a typical year I mean completing the course on pace in one school year. Even then, Second Form students will want to take advantage of the Memoria Press guides to prepare as well as the practice tests and practice app on the NLE website. There will be some things the student has not yet encountered from First and Second Form. Some good news though is that our students have a lot of background with Roman mythology and history which goes a long way!

In the last few years the levels have been renamed, and, due to covid and related school disruption, items have been removed temporarily that have traditionally been on the tests. A good way to find these is to go to the NLE website, www.nle.org, and print a copy of their syllabus. Each exam level has a page that lists what will be tested.

Another change to the new system is that a student may take levels multiple times. Some of the awards have changed as well. Complete details are available on their site.

In short, if your child is a young Second Form student, Or if you are taking more than school year to complete Second Form, there is no rush to begin early. But, if your child is a go-getter then the Introduction to Latin exam can be really fun. It is definitely something I would encourage preparing for by taking past exams available on the website or using the practice app. Simply relying on what they have learned from the Latin materials will generally not be sufficient to do everything they will ask you to do. With a little practice, most Memoria Press students can do very well.

For my family, this simple 40 question multiple choice exam has been the most significant non-Memoria Press assessment practice they have had before college entrance tests! Learning how to take a specific test is a learning experience unto itself. I have been very happy to be able to take advantage of this practice.

Hope that helps!

[pickandgrin]

https://www.nle.org/Exams/Information#previousexam

Previous exams and keys can be found by scrolling down on this page. Note the new names from last year's tests. Also, if you will scroll to the right you will see an answer key which has answers to all of the levels.
The tests have changed a little bit over the years and so the most recent tests are the best examples of what to expect this year. Simply printing out the Introduction to Latin test from last year and looking over it together may give you a very good idea of whether or not your student wants to attempt it this year.

[sunflower21]

howiecram
There will be some things the student has not yet encountered from First and Second Form. Some good news though is that our students have a lot of background with Roman mythology and history which goes a long way!

Thank you pickandgrin for sharing this information and your experience.

I have a question... Is the background with Roman mythology and history (provided in the MP cores) necessary for success on the Introduction to Latin exam?

[pickandgrin]

Another good question! Yes, Culture and Civilization is a part of each level of the exam. In the first few levels it has its own section (usually the first 12 or so questions, which is a whopping 30% of the exam's 40 questions), and in latter levels it's simply part of understanding the translation passages.

MP students have the advantage of already knowing most of this information from their Classical Studies and a few of the literature selections. Non-MP students may have also encountered this material, but some will not have. Many homeschool curricula touch on some of these stories. There is a lot of this included in the short history and map supplement of Latina Christiana, if you have that resource. Famous Men of Rome and D'Aulaires Greek Myths are also quite helpful. N.B. the Greek myths use the Greek diety names, but the exam will use both. Either of these books can be easily read aloud or independently.

Here's the section of the Introduction level syllabus that tells you what is included:
You can find the complete syllabi here: https://www.nle.org/Syllabus
All students will benefit from the MP NLE guides which reviews this cultural and civilization content, but it may be particularly helpful to those with less background in classical studies.

HTH!

[pickandgrin]

The MP Guides I keep mentioning:

https://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/latin/memoria-press-guide-national-latin-exam/

[sunflower21]

pickandgrin That does help - Thank you again! I did go and check out the syllabus after I posted. And the link to the MP guides... thanks for that too! ☺

[ShaunaN]

Thanks for the input! I think we’re going to attempt both exams!

[pickandgrin]

Thanks for the input! I think we’re going to attempt both exams!

Wonderful! Please let us know how they go.