Mary Jane Balagtas: 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 Mary Jane Balagtas

We delve into the experiences and insights of a successful SPLE (Special Professional Licensure Examination) passer. Mary, 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 Mary Jane Balagtas:

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

In response to the news of passing the board exam, Mary Jane Balagtas expresses feeling overwhelmed and excited, finding it hard to believe.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

She said she has not received any sort of recognition before. This is her first according to her.

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

I work as an Admin Assistant, and I’ve been an OFW for almost 12 years now.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She says her siblings are her inspiration for success.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

My younger brother inspired me as he was also planning to take his board exam when I filed for SPLE.

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

Upon the board exam passing, her family reacts with shock and surprise, as they had not expected her to have taken the LET.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

Recognizing the significant role of TSOK in her success story, she emphasizes the organization’s vital support, motivating and pushing them every step of the way.

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

Her future plans include pursuing a Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling.

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

While the SPLE marks her first licensure exam, she does not have immediate plans for other exams, although she may consider pursuing a master’s degree in the future.

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

Her message to upcoming board exam takers is one of encouragement – to keep the faith and believe that everything happens for a reason.

How did you know about the SPLE?

Discovering the SPLE through the chairman of TSOK, who messaged her about the exam, she decided to apply after finding a job to ensure she was truly prepared for a teaching career.

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

I decided to apply after finding a job to see if I was truly prepared for a teaching career.

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

Expecting the SPLE to be more challenging and broader in scope compared to college entrance exams, she found general questions relatively easy.

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

I found general questions to be relatively easy.

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?

Having attended a review center, she notes that it helped her remember key topics and keywords for the exams.

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

Many of the topics I reviewed appeared in the exam.

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

I prepared for the exam for about a month before the actual test.

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

Preparing for the exam cost her a reasonable amount, and she believes every cent spent was worth it.

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?

While she didn’t have a strict daily study routine, she studied when she had free time after work.

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

I managed my time by studying after finishing my work duties.

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

Managing her time by studying after finishing work duties, the SPLE didn’t significantly affect her time with family or work.

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

Focusing on memorizing key answers and understanding questionnaires.

What difficulties did you face in preparing for the exam?

She didn’t face significant difficulties in preparing for the exam.

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

She wasn’t very stressed during the preparation and managed stress by staying focused and believing in herself.

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

Not having procrastinated on her review, she stayed motivated by keeping her goal in mind and believing that it was her time to shine.

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

Preparing for the SPLE is crucial, and she can confidently say that she was well-prepared because she dedicated time and effort to this opportunity.

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

Remaining relaxed and focused during the exam.

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

She gained the strength to pass from her family and friends.

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

Having sought out guides and tips, she found them highly effective in helping her prepare for the exam.

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

A. Work – It provided me with the option to choose between continuing as an admin or pursuing a teaching career.
B. Life – Passing the exam has motivated me to aim for even greater achievements and to confront more challenges in life.
C. Family – It has given me the strength to exceed the expectations of my family.
D. Yourself – It has fueled my motivation and helped me stay focused on my goals.

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