Anna Liza Fe Ablen: Journey to Success in the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) 2023 Interview

This interview features a Teachers-Specialists Organization Kuwait (TSOK) board passer, Anna Liza Fe Ablen, sharing her experience and journey to passing the board exam 2023.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Anna Liza Fe Ablen:

How do you feel about receiving the news that you passed the board exam?

In response to the news of passing the board exam, she expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude, finding it challenging to articulate the exact emotions, except to offer thanks to the Lord.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

Having received recognition for academic achievement through a college scholarship, this was not the first instance of acknowledgment for her.

What is your job here in Kuwait? How long have you been OFW?

As an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Kuwait, she has diligently served as a Domestic Helper for a decade under the same employer.

Who do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my family, of course!

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

Initially, after I graduated from college, I had no intention of taking a board exam. However, a friend I met in Kuwait introduced me to TSOK (The Successful OFW Kulit), a group that I thought was related to job opportunities. To my surprise, TSOK was actually dedicated to helping OFWs prepare for the SPLE. Witnessing the camaraderie and support within the TSOK community inspired me to take the board exam.

What were the reactions of your family to this board’s passing?

Family reactions to the board exam success were characterized by thankfulness and gratitude to God.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

In her success story, TSOK played an instrumental role, with the confident assertion that without TSOK, becoming a board passer would not have been possible.

What is your plan for the future or your dream after passing this exam?

Looking towards the future, she plans to capitalize on the opportunity presented by passing the board exam by pursuing a teaching career.

Is this your first licensure exam? Do you plan on taking other exams and what would it be?

This marks her first licensure exam, with no current plans to pursue additional exams.

What message would you like to give to the upcoming board exam taker?

Offering advice to upcoming board exam takers, she emphasized the importance of diligent study, giving full effort to preparations, and taking the board exam seriously.

How did you know about the SPLE?

I learned about the SPLE through an announcement made by TSOK.

When did you decide to apply: after graduation or after finding a job? Why?

Awareness of the SPLE was gained through an announcement made by TSOK, leading her to apply after finding a job in Kuwait.

What did you expect from the SPLE regarding the content of the exam? How different is it from college entrance exams?

Expectations regarding the SPLE content were geared towards anticipating it to be significantly different and more challenging than college entrance exams.

What questions were easy to answer, e.g., solving, logical reasoning, abstract reasoning)?

She found general questions to be the easiest to answer during the exam.

Did you attend a review center? Which review center? (a.) If yes, how did it affect your preparation for the SPLE? (b.) If not, how did you prepare for the exam in terms of resources and review materials?

She enrolled in CBRC for review, believing in the center’s comprehensive guidance, especially during her second attempt.

How many of the things you reviewed appeared in the exam?

The majority of the material reviewed for General Education appeared on the exam, while questions in Professional Education focused more on critical thinking. In Anna Liza Fe Ablen’s major, only a few questions aligned with the review.

How many weeks or months did you prepare for the exam?

Preparation for the exam spanned approximately three months, and challenges arose due to late announcements by DMW (DepEd Mobile Welders) regarding PPO officers.

How much did preparing for the exam cost you? Is it worth it?

Investing approximately 100 Kuwaiti dinars in exam preparations, she deemed it a worthwhile investment.

Do you have a daily study routine? (a.) If yes, what is your daily routine especially the specific time you study? (b.) If not, how did you manage your time, especially for reviewing?

Yes, I had a daily study routine. On Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, I focused on my major. On Mondays and Thursdays, I covered General Education, and on Tuesdays and Fridays, I concentrated on Professional Education. I usually studied for two hours before going to work in the morning.

How did you balance your work and review? How did you manage your time?

Balancing work and review involved setting priorities, dedicating time to both aspects. While preparations did not significantly impact family time, it did introduce some pressure to the workplace.

How did the SPLE affect your time with family and work?

Preparing for the SPLE did not significantly affect my family, but it did bring some pressure to my work.

Did you have any strategies in studying for the exam that helped you understand your notes better?

Everyone has their own unique study strategies that work for them.

What difficulties did you face in preparing for the exam?

Facing difficulties with mathematics during preparation, Anna Liza Fe Ablen found support in CBRC’s techniques and credited a good memory for improved understanding.

How stressed were you in preparing for the exam? How did you manage your stress?

To manage stress during preparation, she turned to chocolate and nuts, which proved effective in calming nerves.

Have you procrastinated on your review? How did you manage procrastination? How did you motivate yourself?

Procrastination was actively avoided, with motivation stemming from the preciousness of time and the desire to maximize the investment in CBRC, increasing chances of passing.

How important is preparing for the SPLE (or other exams)? Can you say that you are well prepared? How so?

Highlighting the crucial importance of thorough preparation for the SPLE or any board exam, she acknowledged the preparation but felt it could have been more extensive with additional time for review.

How did you act during the exam? What were your thoughts during the exam?

Remaining calm and composed during the exam,she perceived the General Education section as easy, Professional Education as challenging, and the major as particularly difficult.

Where did you gain the strength that helped you pass the exam?

Strength to endure the challenges of the exam was derived from unwavering faith in God.

Did you search for and use guides and tips in your preparation? How effective were they?

Actively seeking guides and tips during preparation proved highly effective, especially in understanding exam techniques.

How did passing the exam benefit you in terms of your work, your life, your family, and yourself?

a. Passing the exam has earned me respect in my workplace.
b. It has added another significant achievement to my life.
c. My family is incredibly proud of my accomplishment.
d. I have gained self-confidence and motivation to continue striving for success.

This interview provides a detailed account of Anna Liza Fe Ablen’s journey to passing the board exam, offering insights into the challenges and motivations that led to her success.