Common Mistakes Students Make on PRC Board Exams

Board exams are one of the most stressful and challenging experiences for Filipino students. But did you know that many students make some common mistakes that can affect their performance and results?

In this blog post, we will discuss some of the common mistakes students make on the board exam and how to avoid them.

What is the Board Exam?

The board exam, also known as the licensure exam, is a standardized tests administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to assess the competence and qualifications of professionals in various fields, such as engineering, medicine, education, law, and accounting.

Passing the board exam is a requirement for obtaining a license to practice one’s profession in the Philippines.

Why is the Board Exam Important?

The board exam is important because it serves as a quality assurance mechanism for the public and the employers.

It ensures that the professionals who pass the exam have met the minimum standards of knowledge, skills, and ethics required by their profession. It also protects the public from malpractice and incompetence by regulating the entry and practice of professionals in the country.

How is the Board Exam Conducted?

The board exam is conducted by the PRC through its various boards of examiners, which are composed of experts and practitioners in their respective fields.

The licensure exam is usually held twice a year, in May and November, although some professions may have different schedules.

The board exam consists of multiple-choice questions, essay questions, or practical tests, depending on the nature and scope of the profession. The PRC exam is usually held in different testing centers across the country, and the results are released within a few weeks after the exam.

Common Mistakes Students Make on the Board Exam

Now that we have some background information on the board exam, let us look at some of the common mistakes students make on the board exam and how to avoid them.

Not Using the 15 Minutes Extra Time Properly

One of the common mistakes students make on the board exam is not using the 15 minutes extra time properly. The PRC gives 15 minutes to the examinees to read and understand the instructions and the questions before the actual exam starts.

This is a valuable time that students should use wisely to plan their strategy, identify the easy and difficult questions, and allocate their time accordingly. However, some students waste this time by chatting with their seatmates, checking their phones, or daydreaming. This can result in poor time management, confusion, and panic during the exam.

To avoid this mistake, students should use the 15 minutes extra time to scan the entire question paper, mark the questions they are confident about, and prioritize them. They should also note the questions they are unsure about, and leave them for later. They should also check the instructions carefully, and make sure they understand the format, the scoring system, and the rules of the exam.

Not Grasping the Question

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is not grasping the question. Sometimes, students misread, misunderstand, or overlook the question, and end up giving the wrong or irrelevant answer.

This can happen because of carelessness, nervousness, or lack of comprehension skills. This can result in losing marks, wasting time, and frustrating the examiner.

To avoid this mistake, students should read the question carefully, and pay attention to the keywords, the context, and the instructions.

They should also restate the question in their own words, and make sure they know what the question is asking for. They should also check the answer options, and eliminate the ones that are obviously wrong or inconsistent with the question.

Answering Beyond the Word Limit

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is answering beyond the word limit. Some board exams have a word limit for the essay questions, and students are expected to follow it.

However, some students write too much, either because they have too many ideas, they want to impress the examiner, or they are not aware of the word limit. This can result in losing marks, wasting time, and annoying the examiner.

To avoid this mistake, students should check the word limit before writing their answer, and stick to it. They should also plan their answer, and organize their ideas into a clear and concise structure.

They should also avoid unnecessary details, repetitions, and filler words. They should also proofread their answer, and edit out any excess words.

Not Using Illustrative Diagrams

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is not using illustrative diagrams. Some board exams require or encourage the use of diagrams, charts, graphs, or tables to support or explain the answer.

However, some students neglect or forget to use them, either because they think they are not important, they are not confident about their drawing skills, or they are not familiar with the types of diagrams. This can result in losing marks, missing out on important information, and confusing the examiner.

To avoid this mistake, students should use illustrative diagrams whenever possible, and appropriate. They should also practice drawing different types of diagrams, and learn how to label, caption, and refer to them in their answer. They should also make sure that their diagrams are neat, clear, and accurate.

Writing Lengthy Paragraph Answers

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is writing lengthy paragraph answers. Some board exams prefer or require the use of bullet points, lists, or short sentences to answer the questions.

However, some students write lengthy paragraph answers, either because they are used to writing essays, they want to show off their writing skills, or they are not aware of the preferred format. This can result in losing marks, wasting time, and boring the examiner.

To avoid this mistake, students should check the preferred format before writing their answer, and follow it. They should also use bullet points, lists, or short sentences to present their main points, facts, or arguments. They should also use transitions, connectors, or headings to organize their answer and make it easy to read.

Copying Incorrect Information

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is copying incorrect information. Sometimes, students copy information from their notes, books, or other sources without verifying its accuracy, relevance, or currency.

This can happen because of laziness, ignorance, or desperation. This can result in losing marks, spreading misinformation, and misleading the examiner.

To avoid this mistake, students should verify the information they copy from any source, and make sure it is correct, relevant, and current. They should also cite their sources properly, and avoid plagiarism. They should also use their own words, and avoid copying word for word.

Writing Wrong Units

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is writing wrong units. Some board exams involve calculations, measurements, or conversions, and students are expected to write the correct units for their answers.

However, some students write wrong units, either because they are confused, careless, or forgetful. This can result in losing marks, giving wrong answers, and confusing the examiner.

To avoid this mistake, students should check the units before writing their answer, and make sure they are consistent, appropriate, and standard.

They should also use the correct symbols, abbreviations, and formats for the units. They should also double-check their calculations, measurements, or conversions, and make sure they are correct.

Not Following the Rules or the Guidelines of the Exam

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is not following the rules or the guidelines of the exam.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) have issued specific rules and guidelines for the conduct and administration of the board exams, such as the requirements, the schedule, the format, the scoring, the dress code, the prohibited items, and the penalties for violations.

However, some students ignore or disregard these rules and guidelines, either because they are unaware, careless, or defiant. This can result in losing marks, being disqualified, or facing legal consequences.

To avoid this mistake, students should familiarize themselves with the rules and guidelines of the exam before taking it.

They should read and understand the instructions and the notices given by the PRC, the CSC, or the examiners. They should also comply with the rules and guidelines during the exam, and respect the authority and the integrity of the examiners and the exam.

Not Answering the Questions According to the Marks or the Difficulty Level

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is not answering the questions according to the marks or the difficulty level.

Some board exams have different marks or weights for different questions, depending on the importance, the complexity, or the scope of the topic.

Some board exams also have different difficulty levels for different questions, ranging from easy, moderate, to difficult.

However, some students do not pay attention to these factors, and answer the questions randomly, equally, or inversely. This can result in losing marks, wasting time, or missing opportunities.

To avoid this mistake, students should answer the questions according to the marks or the difficulty level. They should prioritize the questions that have higher marks, lower difficulty, or greater confidence.

They should also allocate their time proportionally to the marks or the difficulty level of the questions. They should also avoid spending too much time or effort on questions that have lower marks, higher difficulty, or lesser confidence.

Not Checking or Revising Their Answers Before Submitting

Another common mistake students make on the board exam is not checking or revising their answers before submitting.

Some students submit their answer sheets or booklets without checking or revising their answers, either because they are in a hurry, they are overconfident, or they are exhausted. This can result in losing marks, making errors, or leaving blanks.

To avoid this mistake, students should check or revise their answers before submitting. They should review their answer sheets or booklets for completeness, accuracy, and correctness.

They should also check their calculations, measurements, conversions, units, diagrams, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

They should also correct any mistakes, fill any blanks, or improve any answers. They should also ensure that their answer sheets or booklets are neat, clear, and legible.

Conclusion

These are some of the common mistakes students make on the board exam and how to avoid them. By avoiding these mistakes, students can improve their chances of passing the board exam and achieving their professional goals.

We hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and good luck on your board exam! 🙏