A Topnotcher's Guide to Passing Board & Licensure Exams

As board & licensure exams continue to rack up for the end of the year, every student and graduate is putting their all into reviewing and studying what they have learned in their years of tertiary education. Though coverage may be the same across students of each exam, study habits and learning curves will always differ from student to student.

This year, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, the premier academic institution for engineering, arts and science, business, and health sciences in Davao City, has produced their first batch of board exam passers for Civil Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Electronics Technician, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering — with a 5^th and 3^rd topnotcher gracing the list from Industrial and Mechanical Engineering respectively.

For the graduate reviewing for their board or licensure exam or the average student hoping to pass their final, we’ve interviewed these very topnotchers — Engr. John Kenneth Enerio and Engr. Frances Angela Monton — and they gave an abundance of insights on their study habits, how they coped with the stress prior to taking their exams, and the best advice they have for others who are currently taking board & licensure exams that they used to take.

Keep a schedule.

Keeping a schedule for yourself can keep you accountable and on track with your day-to-day interactions.

“Make sure to start with your sleeping and waking time, followed by the required classes during the day. Next, schedule out your meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack time). The spaces left are then possible time slots for you to study on your own,” Engr. Enerio stated.

Respect rest/recovery breaks.

On top of keeping a schedule, respecting rest/recovery breaks is also necessary.

Engr. Enerio expressed that “Overstudying is a common habit of poor learners. I insert around 15-20 minutes of breaks in between multiple learning sessions. That way, I will be able to recover my attention. This is because our attention functions like a battery. If we use it, it will eventually drain itself. Fortunately, this can be recharged with rest.”

Do not overwork yourself.

On the other hand, Engr. Monton mentioned, “Don’t overwork yourself! Studying for straight hours could lead to burnout. The Pomodoro technique works well for me as someone with a short attention span. I just can’t force myself to study for long hours because I know that I can’t remember the things I read.”

The advice of both Engr. Enerio and Engr. Monton has proven to individually work for them. While students can utilize these study habits of theirs, we must always remember that one must only do what works best for them. As students go through their exams, learning through their individual experiences will help them understand what works best for them.

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao is currently gearing up for its 2^nd term of SY 2023 – 2024. For any inquiries or concerns, feel free to visit the official website at mcm.edu.ph.