Ma. Katrina Rufo Ga: 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 Ma. Katrina Rufo Ga

Ma. Katrina Rufo Ga, 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 Ma. Katrina Rufo Ga:

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

She shared that upon receiving the news of passing the board exam, she felt overwhelmed and emotional, particularly because it was her fourth attempt.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

She revealed that she had not received such recognition before.

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

Her job in Kuwait involves teaching kids, and she has been an OFW for four years.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She attributes her success to herself and takes pride in achieving this milestone.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

She was inspired to take the exam by a friend who informed her about it. She felt that Kuwait might be her lucky charm.

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

Her family’s reactions to her passing the board exam were filled with shock, happiness, and pride, especially from her father.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

TSOK played a significant role in her success story, providing support from the beginning to the end of the test results. They assisted with document filing, answered queries, and facilitated online reviews, creating a memorable experience.

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

Planning for the future, she intends to take units for Special Education to teach children with special needs.

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

It was not her first licensure exam; it was her fourth attempt, and she expressed openness to taking other examinations in the future.

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

Read, listen and reach out. Don’t be afraid to ask help from other people especially to TSOK officers because they will surely help you in whatever they can do.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She learned about the SPLE through a friend and gradually got to know and see the members virtually and personally.

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

She decided to apply for the exam after finding a job, as it wasn’t time yet for filing for LET back then.

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

She had no specific expectations for the exam regarding the content of the exam; she preferred to go with the flow.

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

She found that solving questions are easier 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 did not enroll in any review center but utilized the free online review provided by SPLE officers.

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

While she couldn’t recall the exact number, she noted that less than 10 items from her review appeared in the exam. However, the techniques on manual computations she learned were crucial.

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

She prepared for less than two months, with gaps due to end-of-school-year workloads.

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

The cost of preparing for the exam, including registration, membership, and reviewers, amounted to almost 50 KD. She believed it was worth every expense.

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?

She did not follow a specific daily study routine but read and watched whenever she had free time and felt in the mood.

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

Balancing work and review, she ensured she finished her work responsibilities before dedicating time to reading. She avoided excessive review at night to prevent frustration.

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

The exam did not significantly affect her time with family and work. Ma. Katrina made sure to maintain her usual activities and engage in exam-related tasks afterward without stressing herself.

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

Her strategy for studying involved playing ML (Mobile Legends) before studying to set her mood. Surprisingly, this routine helped her understand the study materials better.

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?

Ma. Katrina faced difficulties due to forgetfulness but focused on conditioning her mind to comprehend questions. She improved her memory through repeated drills.

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

Stress was not a significant factor for her during preparation. She adopted a mindset of trying to remember what she could, reviewing when in the mood, and comprehending situational problems.

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

She did not procrastinate on her review and motivated herself by reminding how far she had come and maintaining a positive mindset.

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

Ma. Katrina emphasized the importance of mental and physical preparation for the exam. She believed that preparing the body to think better was crucial.

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

During the exam, she remained focused on the moderators, avoided chatting, and re-read questionnaires to better understand them.

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

Her strength during the exam came from prayer, asking the Lord to keep her awake and grant her the wisdom to understand and choose the correct answers.

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

She used guides and tips on shading bullets, writing, and sharpening pencils, finding them effective in contributing to her success.

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

For myself, I’m more confident now. It feels like I’m more capable and able now to enter another level because I am finally a legit passer and nobody can deprive my liability.