How We Fail Examinees Who Fail Board Exams

The recent journalistic blunder committed by the Varsitarian brings to the fore how we fail examinees who fail board exams. Ridicule, shame, and discrimination are just some of the things that failed examinees are forced to go through more. Without anyone even trying, many examinees see failing the board exams as the end of their dreams, the loss of family pride, and the plummet of self-confidence. It isn’t as if they need anyone else rubbing it to their faces.

Background Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

The Varsitarian Blunder

The Varsitarian post did not contain lies. It was factual as expected of news. It mentioned that “25 out of 25 UST grads who took the licensure examination for electrical engineers for the first time in the September 2021 Board passed”. For some reason known only to the writer or perhaps together with the editor who approved it, that fact was followed by another which could have been said in a better way.

“UST’s sole repeater failed the exam.” It was followed by “UST records a 96.15 percent passing rate.” One wonders why the writer did not just simply say that 25 out of 26 UST graduates passed the licensure examination recording a 96.15 percent passing rate. It would have given the same message without unnecessarily singling out a graduate who tried again after failing at his first attempt.

Perhaps the writer wanted to lift the image of the university by making it appear at first glance that it was a 100% passing rate thus the “25 out of 25”. Perhaps he wanted to emphasize that this specific failure is not the school’s failure but merely a personal one thus the use of the word “repeater”. I highly doubt that the school itself would sanction this kind of statement. Perhaps in the overzealousness of the writer/s to promote the school, they forgot about human sensitivity. They also forgot that any mistake done by the Varsitarian can negatively affect the name of the school itself, being the official university publication.

What Should Be the Better Reactions to Failure in Board Exams

Acceptance Instead of Denial

Acceptance is always the first thing to do, whether it be in the part of the failed examinee or the people around him/her. Denial just prolongs the agony and delays proper action. Acceptance is about understanding the possible reasons for failure and finding ways to address them.

Encouragement Instead of Pity

There are people who simply cannot stand getting pity from others. This can be ironic because there is a tendency to pity one’s self under such circumstances. Encouragement can come in the form of kind words but never patronizing, guidance on where applicable assistance can be sought, and inspiration not to give up trying.

Motivation Instead of Ridicule or Shaming

Most of the time, it is not the failure itself which stops a person from trying but the ridicule or shaming that comes after. Family, friends, teachers , and even people not personally known can all help create an environment that motivates trying until success is attained.

My Say

More than doing the unthinkable which is putting down one of your own as in the case of the Varsitarian, there is the unwritten rule that everyone deserves respect. I am an alumna of University of Sto. Tomas (UST) and mighty proud of it. My stay in this school formed a big part of shaping my values. If it is true that this blunder is just one of several, I hope that those who call the shots at the school publication, review journalism ethics and take a few steps back to consider human sensitivity without sacrificing the truth.

Failing a Board Exams is not the end. It may seem like it especially for careers which require passing the Licensure exam. There is nothing to stop a person from trying over and over. There is nothing to stop a person as well to consider other options.