Ruffa Jane D. Latay: 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 Ruffa Jane D. Latay

Ruffa Jane D. Latay, a triumphant TSOK (Teachers Specialists in Kuwait) board passer, shares her journey of preparing for and conquering the SPLE.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Ruffa Jane D.Latay:

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

She felt overwhelmed upon receiving the news of passing the board exam.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

She clarified that she hadn’t received such recognition before.

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

Currently working as a household worker in Kuwait, she has been an OFW for almost 1 year and 4 months.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She attributes her success to many important people in her life, particularly emphasizing the significant role her family played in providing sacrifices, support, and invaluable feedback.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

Inspired by other OFWs who successfully took the SPLE and returned home, she decided to pursue the exam.

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

The reactions from her family to her passing the board exam were characterized by overwhelming joy, with many expressing their happiness through tears.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

TSOK, always ready to provide assistance, played a crucial role in Ruffa Jane’s success story.

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

Her plan for the future involves returning home for good and pursuing a teaching career.

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

This is her second licensure exam, and she plans to take other exams in the future, specifically mentioning the civil service examination.

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

Believe in yourself, pray, stay focused, and persevere.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She learned about it through friends in the Philippines who shared posts from the PRC on Facebook.

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

She decided to apply after finding a job.

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

She the exam to be challenging, emphasizing the difference from college entrance exams where the mind is still fresh from recent learning.

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

Logical reasoning questions were relatively easier 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 a review center, and the process helped her understand her strengths and weaknesses, allowing a focused approach to key ideas and concepts.

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

Almost 50% of what she reviewed appeared in the General Education section of the exam.

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

She prepared for the exam for one month.

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

While the preparation cost a significant amount, she believes it was worth more than the money spent.

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 didn’t have a daily routine due to Ramadan but made time for reviewing during work, also utilizing free reviews on YouTube.

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

Balancing work and review involved dedicating breaks and evenings to studying.

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

The exam affected her time with her family as she couldn’t call them during this period, but it didn’t impact her work.

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

Strategies such as writing down clues and recording her voice while memorizing helped her better understand 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?

She faced difficulties but used mnemonics for complex terms, and her memory improved.

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

Stress management involved listening to worship songs and online preaches after reviewing.

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

She managed procrastination by overcoming challenges and motivated herself in the process.

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

She doesn’t believe she was entirely well-prepared, encountering mostly unfamiliar questions during the exam.

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

During the exam, she thought she might not pass due to a particularly challenging category.

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

Strength came from the Creator, her family, and her alma mater.

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

She used guides and tips in her preparation, finding them to be significantly helpful.

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

Passing the board exam benefited me in terms of my work as I can now resign from being a household worker. It also benefits my life because I can use this achievement to apply for a permanent position in the government, which will help both my family and myself.