Engr. Alexis J. Sumugat, third placer in the October 2023 licensure examination for geodetic engineers, shares tips on how to successfully pass the board exams during a gathering of DOST scholars in Negros Oriental on November 17, 2023 in Dumaguete City. (RAL/PIA7-Negros Oriental)
Preparedness, mindset, support system, and unconditional trust. These are the key factors that can contribute to acing the board examinations.
These were the tips shared by Engr. Alexis Sumugat for 70 former scholars of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on how they can prepare for board examinations.
Sumugat ranked third place in the October 2023 licensure examinations for geodetic engineers. A former DOST scholar, he finished his bachelor’s degree in geodetic engineering at NORSU and graduated this year.
DOST hosted a gathering of former DOST scholars who graduated with Latin Honors on November 17, 2023 and gave them medals and certificates in recognition of their achievements. The honorees came from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) and Silliman University.
Some of them took medical technology, psychology, chemistry, civil engineering, and Bachelor of Education Major in Mathematics and Science as their undergraduate courses.
Be positive and show up
Sumugat said taking the board examination was not easy especially since he only had a month to review for it after graduation, and compress everything he learned over the past four years in college.
However, having a positive mindset and the will to show up during the exam are just as important as preparing for the licensure tests.
“Be positive going to the exam knowing you are prepared. You prepare para confident ka mo-answer sa exam (You prepare so you can be confident to answer the exams). The only way to topping the board is to show up. Walay pulos ang inyo pag-prepare if you don’t show up (Your efforts to prepare for exams will be wasted if you don’t show up),” Sumugat said.
Don’t wait until you’re prepared
He also told them not to discouraged by their performance during their review sessions or evaluation examinations at the review centers, as these are just tools to measure an examinee’s preparedness to take the exam and has no bearing on the actual tests.
“Ultimately, zero percent ang effect sa actual exam rating. If imo huna-hunaon, if mo-take ka sa exam na prepared na ka, that time might never come. Naay possibility na dili siya mahitabo (If you think about it, if you wait for the time you feel prepared before you take the exam, that time might never come),” he said.
Engr. Alexis Sumugat (standing with mic) cites preparedness, mindset, support system, and unconditional trust as key factors in succesfully passing the board exams to former DOST scholars and their families. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
Have a support system
Sumugat told former DOST scholars who are about to take their board examinations to identify their support system such as family, friends, or significant others and always be grateful to them.
He added that these people were the ones who accompanied them in their journey since day one, providing morale and emotional support.
Sumugat also underscored the importance to have unconditional trust on themselves and their ability to ace the exams.
“What you have achieved here is so much more difficult than actually topping the board exams. These present different challenges. Being a Latin honor requires consistency. Dapat consistent ka magtuon, dapat mag-exert ka og effort (You should be consistent in studying),” he said.
DOST scholar community
Sumugat was a DOST merit scholar since his first year in college. He said that being part of the DOST scholars community in Negros Oriental also contributed to his success during the recent board exams.
For one, some of his professors and instructors in college were also former DOST scholars, so it was a matter of “passing the torch of knowledge” to the new generation.
In terms of support, Sumugat said there were also four other DOST scholars from NORSU who took the licensure exam with him. They served as each other’s support system, sharing tips, doing reviews, and taking refresher courses before answering the exam.
Sumugat also looked back at the time when he was a DOST scholar. Beyond the monthly stipend, which was a big help in easing his financial worries in college, it was the community of DOST scholars that helped develop his character.
“Naka-provide siya og (it provided) opportunities and avenues for growth. I was able to explore other things. I learned the most being a student leader of DOST. I got to know a lot more people,” he said.
Engr. Alexis Sumugat (center) receives a certificate of recognition from DOST Negros Oriental for ranking third place in the 2023 October licensure examinations for geodetic engineers during a gathering of former DOST scholars held on November 17, 2023 in Dumaguete City. Photo also shows DOST Negros Oriental Science Research Specialist Marjorie Solon (right) and former DOST scholar Dr. Kay Marie Paglinawan (left) who now works as a physics professor at Silliman University. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
For now, Sumugat is excited for his return service as part of his contract with DOST. He is open to working in any firm, whether in Negros Oriental or in other parts of the country.
He disclosed that aside from being land administrators or surveyers, geodetic engineering as a profession can also be related to space, and there are opportunities to work at the Philippine Space Agency.
Government agencies like National Mapping Resource Information Authority, the National Irrigation Administration, and even the DOST are also in need of geodetic engineers for their programs and projects.
Sumugat said he is forever grateful to DOST for the department’s efforts to help students like him fulfill their dreams. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
