Anna R. Carillo: Journey to Success in the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) 2023 Interview

April 2023 Special Professional Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers Board Passer: An Interview with Anna Rajas Carillo

In pursuing professional excellence, individuals often embark on transformative journeys to achieve their goals. One such inspiring journey is that of Anna Liza Fe Ablen, a remarkable individual who successfully navigated the challenging path of preparing for and passing SPLE. TSOK conducted an interview with her after passing the exam.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Anna R. Carillo:

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

Receiving the news of passing the board exam brought Anna R. Carillo great elation. The opportunity presented by the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) was not only significant for her but also for those aspiring to take the exam and achieve success.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

Anna has not received such recognition before; this marks her first acknowledgment of success in a licensure exam.

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

In Kuwait, sheserves as an FSL Teacher/Preschool Teacher, having been an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) for an extended period.

Who do you attribute your success to?

Sheattributes her success primarily to her family, emphasizing their unwavering support throughout her journey.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

Inspired by her family, friends, and the Tsok family, shefound the motivation to take the SPLE exam.

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

Her family’s reaction to her passing the board exam was one of surprise but immense happiness. Interestingly, they were unaware that she had taken the exam in Kuwait.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

She credits the TSOK Family for playing a crucial role in her success story. The organization provided consistent guidance and support, especially in handling necessary exam documents. Grateful for the assistance, she expresses her sincere thanks to the officers of TSOK.

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

For the immediate future, she plans to continue working as a teacher. However, she has not finalized any long-term plans and is carefully considering her next steps.

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

This is not Anna’s first licensure exam; she has previously attempted the LET exam three times in the Philippines. Currently, she does not have plans to take additional exams.

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

Offering advice to upcoming board exam takers, she suggests finding the best time for review that suits individual preferences. She emphasizes the importance of praying for guidance, intelligence, and a deep understanding before starting the study session. she encourages exam takers not to be discouraged by low practice scores, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She learned about the SPLE through her colleagues and decided to apply after graduation.

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

I decided to apply for the SPLE after graduation.

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

In terms of content expectations for the SPLE, she found it significantly different from college entrance exams. The uncertainty of the questions demanded thorough preparation and dedication.

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

Among the types of questions, she found abstract reasoning relatively easy 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 attended both TCRC (Teacher Ceppee Review Center) and CBRC as part of her exam preparation. While not many of the reviewed topics appeared in the exam, she considers the review center attendance super worth it.

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

She says not much of her reviewed material appeared.

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

It took her 3 months.

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

It did not cost her much but considers it highly worthwhile.

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?

Her daily study routine involved dedicating one to three hours a day for reviewing, primarily conducted at night due to work commitments. Her balanced approach to work and review involved utilizing free time at work to answer questions, watch lectures, and engage in online review.

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

Despite the challenges, she managed her time effectively to prioritize both family and work commitments.

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

She found difficulty in managing her time but she was very determined to pass and thus made ways to secure her studies.

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

Her strategy for better understanding her notes involved repeatedly reading the questions to become more familiar with them.

What difficulties did you face in preparing for the exam? How did you better remember complex terms and lessons? Did you improve your memory in any way?

During the review, she faced challenges in Professional Education, where the exact answers were not always clear. This subject required her to analyze options and choose the best one.

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

While preparing for the exam, she occasionally felt stressed, pressured, and discouraged. However, she overcame these emotions through prayer, maintaining motivation, and positive thinking.

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

Anna did not procrastinate during her review; she reviewed when she had free time, especially at work.

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

Preparation for the SPLE is crucial, and she emphasizes the importance of grabbing the opportunity to review whenever possible, even if uncertain about the appearance of specific topics in the exam.

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

During the exam, she prayed that the topics she reviewed would appear, maintaining a calm and focused demeanor.

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

She derived strength for the exam through prayers to God, seeking guidance, intelligence, and a broad understanding.

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

In her preparation, she sought guides and tips from friends and online platforms, finding them helpful and effective.

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

Passing the exam brought significant benefits to she, fulfilling not only her dream but also her parents’ aspirations. The achievement enhanced her self-confidence and reinforced her belief in the impactful role of a teacher in developing and expanding children’s knowledge.