Blezy Atienza: Journey to Success in the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) 2023 Interview

Prell Callao Casillo: Journey to Success in the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) 2023 Interview

We delve into the experiences and insights of a successful SPLE (Special Professional Licensure Examination) passer. Blezy, who has faced various challenges, shares valuable lessons and strategies for preparing and excelling in the exam. This serves as an inspiration for anyone aspiring to achieve professional success through determination, hard work, and faith.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Blezy Atienza:

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

She expresses great happiness, thanking God for her success and considering it a significant achievement, especially since it was her first time taking a board exam.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

No, this is her first time passing a board exam. She graduated in Accountancy but did not have the opportunity to take the CPA board exam.

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

Her current job in Kuwait is not specified, but she acknowledges that her success wouldn’t have been possible without God and her family, particularly her son, who serves as her inspiration.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She attributes her success to God and her family, especially her son, who serves as her source of inspiration.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

When I went back to the Philippines in 2020, which was during the pandemic, I decided to take units in education. Unfortunately, after I completed my units, I couldn’t take the board exam because it was delayed due to COVID. So when I decided to return to Kuwait, I told myself that I would just wait for the SPLE. I’m glad that in January 2023, I saw the announcement from PRC about the SPLE.

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

Her family, particularly her mother, is very happy about her success. Her mother had always wished for her children to become teachers, and despite taking different paths during college, her achievement brought joy to her family.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

She expresses gratitude for being a member of TSOK, acknowledging the organization’s significant assistance throughout the board exam application process and the exam day itself.

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

Her plan is to apply to the Department of Education (DepEd) so that she can return to the Philippines for good and be with her family.

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

Yes, this is her first licensure exam. She doesn’t have plans to take another board exam, as her focus is on pursuing her goal to teach in DepEd. However, she is considering pursuing a master’s degree in Education.

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

To the upcoming board exam takers, just focus on your goal. You really have to allocate time for studying and reviewing. I am already 40 and a unit earner, but I did not consider it as a hindrance. Instead, I challenged myself and put in all the effort needed to succeed. Always pray and have faith in God.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She found information about the SPLE through online searches.

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

Being a unit earner since 2020, she couldn’t take the board exam in the Philippines due to COVID delays. Upon returning to Kuwait in January 2023, she decided to apply for the SPLE after seeing the announcement.

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

She expected the SPLE to be challenging, especially in the major, considering she is a unit earner. She notes that social science topics are broad, making it difficult to predict the specific content of the board exam.

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

She found solving questions to be easier, expressing gratitude for the abundance of questions on percentages during the general education section of the board 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 (Carl Balita Review Center) since November 2022. She highlights the helpfulness of the online review, especially in teaching the CARL method. Additionally, she supplemented her preparation with other review materials found online.

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

Only a few. Stock knowledge and analysis of the questions were indeed a big help.

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

She prepared for almost five months, dedicating specific periods for professional education, the major, and general education.

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

She doesn’t specify the cost but emphasizes that the preparation was worth every effort. Despite the challenges, she considers the experience memorable.

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 strategy involved allocating two months for professional education, two months for the major, and one month for general education. She balanced review sessions before and after work, waking up early and dedicating her rest days entirely to studying.

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

Time management is the key. Before work, I woke up early to review, and after work, before going to sleep. During my rest days, I spent the whole day reviewing.

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

She notes that the SPLE didn’t significantly affect her time with family and work. She mentions that her work routine remained the same, and she was blessed with ample free time that she wisely invested in her review.

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

She adopted the strategy of writing important notes and having sticky notes on her bedroom walls. This method, combined with memorization using mnemonics, contributed to her understanding of the concepts.

What difficulties did you face in preparing for the exam?

She mentions the challenge of dealing with difficult questions in professional education, especially considering she is a unit earner.

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

She experienced stress, occasionally overthinking, but she managed it through prayer.

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

She did not procrastinate, taking her review seriously due to being a unit earner, and knowing she had to study more than education majors. She had a lot to learn for the board exam.

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

Preparation is really important. She emphasizes that one cannot just go and take the exam unprepared. She made sure that she was physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually prepared before the board exam.

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

During the board exam, she was not nervous, but she was surprised by the questions on professional education. They were really difficult. After the board, she didn’t know what to think. She just prayed to God and hoped for a better result.

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

Her son is her inspiration. She is a single parent, and she really wanted to pass the exam so she could work in the Philippines and spend time with her son and her family.

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

Yes, she searched for tips on do’s and don’ts during the board exam.

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

Passing the board can help me in applying to DepEd. I can now apply for government jobs in the Philippines, which will somehow give me the opportunity to spend time with my family.

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