Donna Sandigan Pentongan: 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 Donna Sandigan Pentongan

Donna Sandigan Pentongan, a triumphant TSOK (Teachers Specialists Organization in Kuwait) board passer, shares her journey of preparing for and conquering the SPLE.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Donna Sandigan Pentongan:

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

She described the feeling as “unbelievable” and expressed immense happiness.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

No previous recognitions mentioned.

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

She worked as a Domestic Helper in Kuwait for 1 year.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She attributes her success to her parents, sister, and especially to her son.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

Her sister and husband inspired her to take the exam, despite it seeming impossible initially.

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

Emotional, very proud, and extremely happy.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

The TSOK family encouraged and motivated her, providing support until she felt she had lost hope.

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

She plans to go back to the Philippines and focus on her dream of teaching.

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

This is her first licensure examination, specifically the Special Licensure Examination for Teacher.

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

Believe in yourself, study hard, and believe that nothing is impossible.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She discovered information about the exam when encountering a post by the PRC and navigating through the comments, where Maam Nova’s insights caught her attention.

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

She chose to apply for the SPLE after graduating to save money and provide support to her family, particularly her only son.

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

Her expectations for the exam included anticipating a challenging exam but recognizing that failing it wouldn’t hinder further studies, unlike college entrance exams.

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

Abstract reasoning and logical reasoning questions were notably easy for her to answer.

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 CBRC, specifically participating in online reviews with Sir Milvin Buracho. The online reviews were instrumental in her exam preparation, offering valuable learning even with a job and limited study time.

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

A significant portion of the questions she reviewed, particularly in the General Education section, appeared in the actual examination.

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

Her preparation for the SPLE spanned three months.

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

The cost of preparation wasn’t a primary focus during her study period, emphasizing that the effort invested was 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?

Despite being a domestic helper with time constraints, she managed to watch online reviews during work to balance her responsibilities.

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

Balancing work and review proved challenging, especially with strict employers. She watched online reviews discreetly when her madam was not around.

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

The exam affected her time with family, reducing it, but the challenge strengthened her determination to succeed.

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

Initiating exam preparation early was her strategy for better understanding notes.

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?

Faced with numerous difficulties, she persevered and did not give up.

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

Although stress was present, particularly when initially facing opposition from her employer, she managed it through sincere prayers, ultimately gaining permission to attend the exam.

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

Procrastination occurred at times, but she reminded herself that passing the examination was not just for her but also for her son and to make her parents proud.

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

Preparing for the exam was crucial given her limited time as a domestic helper. She considered herself well-prepared, relying on self-trust and prayers.

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

During the exam, she remained calm, focusing on delivering her best performance.

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

Her strength was derived from the motivation she felt when video calling her son, realizing that passing the examination was essential for his well-being.

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

She relied on video resources, emphasizing her own efforts, perseverance, and self-confidence as crucial guides during exam preparation.

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

a. work – Since passing the exam, I have been more motivated and willing to excel in my job.

b. life – Passing the exam has given me hope for a lifelong career, and my self-confidence has significantly increased.

c. family – My family has become even more important to me, and passing the examination has made them proud and happy.

d. yourself – I now have the confidence to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher, even when I had lost hope in achieving it.