The Philippine Civil Service Exam (CSE) is a national test conducted twice or thrice a year for those who wish to work in the civil service. I did not really need to take the civil service exam because I had no plans to work for the government and I’m also going to take up law, which would obviate the need to pass the exam. But I did it anyway just to have it ready just in case.
My sister had already taken the exam before and passed it the first time. I asked her what it was like and what I would expect. Every time, she would say that the exam was so easy you could pass it even with your eyes closed. I took her word for it and didn’t study. Big mistake. Days before the exam, I browsed through some reviewers, but I didn’t study them. I just wanted to get a gist of what the exam questions will be like.
I arrived at the testing center early on March 18, 2018. I found my room after about twenty minutes of walking in heels on muddy ground. Finding the correct room was already taxing. Later, I found out I did not bring my receipt. It was starting to become one of the worst days of the year. I contacted my family and convinced my father to drive back so I could submit the receipt. My sister came about half an hour later, after I found out that the receipt wasn’t required anyway as long as I had the exam permit.
The early events of the day had exhausted me enough. When the questionnaires were handed out, I took my time with it. I relaxed a bit and didn’t mind the time. I was holding on to what my sister said that it was going to be easy. However, the time was almost up, and I was not yet finished with the exam. The rule was that if you submitted your paper prior to the last 30 minutes of answering, you may leave anytime. But if you failed to do so, you should submit the paper along with all the others when the time is finally up. Although I had more time, I did not wish to remain in the room until the time was up. I randomly shaded answers for the items I did not finish and left.
That afternoon, I looked up the past results of the civil service exam. That was when I found out that only around 10 percent pass every time the exam is conducted. I panicked and silently blamed my sister for saying the exam was super easy. I prepared myself for the repercussions of my negligence.
When the results finally came, I was surprised to find out I passed the exam. That experience taught me to prepare well for anything no matter how easy it’s supposed to be. At the end of the day, no regrets will result if you know you did your best.
It's a Ping Thing 