This coming weekend, thousands of young doctors (yes, they are doctors, they have already earned their degrees) would be taking one of the most important exams in their professional lives. The Physicians Licensure Exams are fast approaching. Many are doing last minute cram sessions, and most are on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Quite understandable, when your future depends on the result of this exam.
I was fortunate enough to pass the boards some years ago. But I will never forget how I felt during the three months of cramming (yes, cramming and not studying) prior and the emotional roller coaster I experienced during the actual 2-week period. Many of my former interns and clerks have approached me, texted/vibered/IMed and called me to solicit some advice on preparing and taking the boards. Here are some tips/advice for those about to take the boards this coming weekend:
- Get some rest. You have been studying/cramming for several months. Pahinga ka muna. Stop cramming. You should just be checking your notes at this time. Baka maguluhan ka lang lalo kung bigla ka pa mag-cram ngayon. Be sure to get a good night's sleep the day prior. You don't want to be late for the exam.
- Eat. Have breakfast before the exam. Bring baon for during the exam (or in-between exams). You'll need the energy to go through the grueling exam.
- Pray. There is nothing wrong in asking for Divine Guidance. (Hindi intervention. Tandaan, nasa Diyos ang Awa, nasa tao ang gawa.)
- Keep calm. Many of the horror stories regarding the boards are caused by one panicking. Shaded the wrong number, taking too long on a particular question, etc can all be avoided if you just keep calm. And don't forget to breathe.
- Read carefully. Beware of the words NOT and EXCEPT, as well as double negatives like ARE NOT UNCOMMON, NOT INFREQUENT, etc.
- Skip. If you are unsure of your answer to a particular question, don't take too long on it. Skip ahead. Quite often, there are questions that are repeated (as in verbatim ha?) or essentially repeated (binago lang yung phrasing), and sometimes the answer to the previous question is given in the other question.
- Erasures are allowed. Urban myth ang bawal magbura. You can do so as long as you do it neatly. Huwag mo namang punitin ang answer sheet sa kakabura, ok?
- Pace yourself. You alone know your speed/comfort level when answering exams. Do not be rattled when someone finishes answering their exams way ahead of you. Again, item number 4. Use up as much time as you need, as long as you are able to answer the exam in the allotted time then walang kaso. Pwede ka pang magpalit ng sagot habang nag-eexam, pero pag inabot mo na yung answer sheet mo wala ng bawian. Touch move na.
- Do not do anything that the proctor would deem as suspicious behavior. If you drop your pencil, leave it be. That's why you have a spare. Baka yung aktong pagpulot ng lapis pa eh paghinalaan ka pa ng proctor. Mahirap na, baka ma-invalidate pa yung exam mo.
- Do not cheat. You are a professional. Like what Doc Ronibats said, kung kelangan mo mandaya para maging doktor, panahon na para maghanap ng ibang hanap-buhay. Remember: you may look down in desperation, you may look up for inspiration, but never to the left or right for information.
- Get some rest. Yes, I intentionally repeated this. I don't believe that you could study/cram for the exam during the inbetween week. Magugulo ka lang. Magpahinga ka na lang. But if you must, then just skim through your notes. And do not even attempt to try and look up answers to the previous tests. Wala ka nang magagawa dun.
- There is nothing wrong in following pamahiins. Magbaon ng chicken empanada from Red Ribbon, magsuot ng pula, etc. Sundin mo man o hindi, walang kaso dun. Do whatever would make you at ease.
- Keep your spirits up. If you feel like you didn't do as well in one exam, don't allow it to let you down. You did what you could. If you dwell too much on it, it might affect how you take the subsequent subjects.
I'm sure that you've done everything in your power to prepare for the exams. Just hope for the best, that what you've studied comes out in the exam.
With that, I wish all those who will be taking the board exams the very best of luck!
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