When Fear Strikes But Faith Moves...(CSC Examination 2016)

This was the sticky note I posted on my desktop a few weeks 
before the result of the Civil Service Commission Examination 
(CSCE) - Professional Level - a by-faith gesture.

Examination - ito ang kinakatakutan ng karamihan like exams sa school, exams sa job application, board exams, at kung ano-ano pang exam. Actually parang lovelife din ito. Dito titibok ang puso mo ng mabilis o kaya naman dito ka rin matatakot magtake ng risk kasi ayaw mo nang masaktan ulit.

Sa mga ganitong sitwasyon talaga, wala kang ibang magagawa kundi ang magtiwala sa Diyos at hindi magpanic.

Because I work in a government agency as a special project service provider, I needed to take the Civil Service Commission Examination. It is really a MUST.

Sabi nung Admin namin, kapag di ko daw mapapasa itong exam on October 23, 2016, hindi na mare-renew ang aking contract. Honestly, I felt the pressure.

Nung una, ayaw ko na sanang mag-exam kasi natatakot na akong magfail muli. Nag-exam na din kasi ako noon and I failed. Siyempre, masakit yun. So I feared to fail again. Buti na lang may mga ginamit si Lord na sitwasyon at mga tao to encourage me para mag-exam ulit ako. So I ended up as an examinee again! (haha)
Before the exam on October 23, 2016, naging speaker ako sa youth night ng church namin, and guess what, ang mga youth na umattend ay mga Electronics and Communications Board and CSC examinees. Yung feeling na same kami lahat ng struggle. And topic that I was going to share was about wisdom from God. Of course, as someone to speak in front of them, I should be the one who would encourage them and not to make them feel down. It was really an opportunity to be used by God to lift their confidence up through His Spirit and Word. Thank God, it was a success talk. Nung time na yun, even myself was encouraged. Nagkaroon ako ng hope na makakapasa din ako.

What I did was I prepared again for the exam. Di mawawala ang prayer and Word of God. I reviewed subjects such as Math, English, Philippine Constitution, Analogy and Logic,etc. I also attended the CSCE free review from our office. It was really a privilege. Salamat din sa Lord for my cousin Adah na di sumuko sa pagtuturo sa akin magsolve ng problems sa Math. Para makapagfocus talaga ako nun, I deactivated my facebook account, then I went straightly home after work. Bawal muna pumunta ng mall. Ganito talaga kapag may gusto ka ma-achieve, you need discipline.

I did what I could do in the exam and just entrusted the result to Father God. After 40 days of waiting for the result, on December 3, 2016, Saturday, my sister, Bernice and my disciple, Trish, told me that I passed the exam! Sarap sa feeling! Lalo na't kasama sa tagumpay mo ang pamilya mo at mga taong minamahal mo. I really wanted to make my parents and family proud of me too.

Sa totoo lang, alam ko, ang Diyos ng karunungan ang tumulong sa akin para makapasa. Hindi ko ito kaya gamit lang aking sariling kakayanan. Believe me, lalo na sa Math.

Kaya naman I want to give my God the glory, the God Who knows everything about me but still loved me and saved me.

To sum it all up, this Bible verse, James 1:5 that says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously without finding fault and it will be given to you, was God's promise from His Holy Word I held on to before, during and after the examination. Actually, it is one of my life verses.

And this is so true. Every time I ask Him to give me wisdom in a certain situation, He gives me wisdom. Kapag nangako Siya, tinutupad Niya. GOD is faithful and true. Kaya naman laging tayong magtiwala sa Kanya at sa Kanyang mga Salita. =)

Hindi ako, kundi Ikaw sa buhay ko.

Practical Tips:
1. Mag-practice magsolve ng maraming MATH problems ng mabilis na walang gamit na calculator. Also, magreview ng English. Sa Math and English kasi ang pinakamaraming questions.
2. I-search na agad kung saan ang school/room mo sa exam proper before the day of your exam. 
3. Eat breakfast before exam. Mahirap magsagot ng questions kapag walang laman ang tiyan. 
4. Magdala din ng mangunguya at bottled water. Allowed naman yan. Effective silang pampagising. Nung nag-exam ako, almonds ang dala kong snacks. Bukod sa nakakagising sya dahil sa pagchew, it also boosts specific brain functions.
5. Magdala din ng two to three ballpens para may reserve ka in case of ink emergencies.
6. For professional takers, mayroong 170 items in 3 hours and 10 minutes. Kung hindi alam ang sagot sa isang item, lampasan na lang muna. Dapat tuloy-tuloy ang iyong pagsagot. 
According to PH Civil Service Reviewer, allow an average of one minute per question in English exams and a one-and-a-half minute average for math questions. 
7. Basahin at intindihin ang bawat tanong. =) 

            TO GOD BE THE GLORY                                   

Below are some of the inspirational quotes I found in facebook that God also used to encourage me during those times. I hope it will encourage you too! ALWAYS BELIEVE IN HIM! Nothing is impossible with God!

Photo Credits: Christine Caine

Below was one of my reviewers. A good help to practice answering tests. Thanks 1taker.com.
Here's the link. https://1taker.com/civil-service-exam-complete-reviewer-philippines/