A look into how it helps to prepare
My parents were retired government employee, which made me aware at an early age of what they have to endure to stay on the job. They wake up at around 4 or 4:30 in the morning to prepare for their 2 kids going to school and for them to go to work. Exceptions were during holidays. For lunch, since both of them work, no time to cook, so we eat out or buy food to bring home. And then back to work before 1 PM. And then home after 5 PM. If we were lucky enough to have nannies, there would be someone to do the cleaning and the cooking and other menial tasks. But at most times, it was just the 4 of us. My dad does chores in the morning, my mom at night. We, my sister and I, were left with homework and school requirements and to make sure to clean up after ourselves.
This went on for years, which made me say to myself, this is not the life I envisioned myself to have. So I worked for a call center for 6 years. Good pay, better compensation, but too costly living in the city. So I had to choose to go back to my hometown to be able to provide for my son whom I am raising on my own. I then venture to various online jobs, the pay and job weren’t consistent and I was starting to get bored with staying at home and a lack of adult interaction. Then the opportunity came for me to apply at a State University. I was hesitant at first, but I said to myself, I am applying for a teaching position. But unfortunately, I wasn’t qualified since I lack a master’s degree. So I was given the choice to do a non-teaching job. I accepted with the hopes of transferring to a teaching job in the future. But I need to secure my slot here too. This made me decide to take the civil service exam.
Several people I knew took the exam many times before passing. And those that did pass had stories of hardship and long nights of studying. I then looked into some reasons as to why they failed.
1. Forgetting the basics.
This is my main focus when I reviewed for the exam. I started with subject-verb agreement, studied tenses and enhanced my vocabulary. But a friend of mine mentioned that it is not as easy as what is seen in the reviewer. So I ditched English and focused on Mathematics because there is a certain truth in Math which will always make you arrive on 1 answer only. So I studied fractions, percentage and even problem-solving.
2. Forgetting concepts and doing shortcuts.
Some people study mathematical shortcuts without totally understanding the concept. But with the time constraint and mental pressure, there is a chance you would forget everything. You need a safety net. So I went back to basics again and studied more concepts and still mindful of shortcuts as well.
3. Your pace is inconsistent.
If you are not confident in using the computer, do the Pen and Paper Test. And make sure you practice shading fast and neatly. Practice answering quickly and know how to eliminate choices depending on the questions.
4. Cramming.
If you weren’t in the top of your class in high school, or are not working in the academe, take time to study. Refresh your memories and search the internet. It is not too late to develop a study habit even just for the Civil Service Examination.
5. You are just not into reading.
Reading helps in broadening your vocabulary and knowledge. Don’t be confined in reading the Civil Service Reviewer. Read textbooks and there are online grammar and mathematical apps available as well.
If you did fail, don’t stop reviewing. Keep moving forward. Repeat the studying process and be even more ready the next time. Don’t wait for the nearing of the next exam before you start studying again. Study well ahead of the exam period and don’t get tired of reviewing.
I took the Civil Service Exam in one take, and I am elated at the prospect of securing my job because of the eligibility. But this is a mere stepping stone, and I still have a long way to go. Even without the exams, I am continuing the learning process and keeping my mind active.
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