With the Civil Service Examination looming next month on Aug. 7, the Position Classification and Staff Development (PCSD) section of the Human Resources and Development Office (HRDO) took the initiative to launch a webinar on July 11 to help UPLB personnel prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for the exam.

To kick off the webinar, Atty. Eric Paul Peralta, director of HRDO, welcomed all the panelists and participants and gave them a motivational message.

This was followed by a discussion led by Vladimir Amatorio, section chief of the PCSD section of HRDO. He said that the Civil Service Examination is a requirement for UPLB personnel so that they can move closer to their professional goals and advance in their respective careers.

He then discussed different tips to help the participants prepare themselves weeks before taking the exam. These include setting realistic goals and schedules, starting early and reviewing often, and identifying weaknesses and working on them diligently to turn them into strengths.

He encouraged them to download reviewer applications on their mobile phones, join support groups on different social media platforms, and take mock exams frequently to acclimate themselves to the time pressure and lessen the onset of anxiety and agitation. He also advised them to let their minds rest the night before the exam, get enough hours of sleep and steer clear of stressors that could make them lose focus.

On the day of the exam, Amatorio emphasized the importance of waking up early, eating a healthy and balanced breakfast, and remaining calm and steady. He also reminded the examinees to account for heavy traffic and ensure they would arrive early at the examination site.

On the day of the exam, he recommended that the examinees wear comfortable clothes and go to the bathroom before entering their assigned rooms since the exam is three hours long with no breaks. He also said that the examinees must have all the necessary documents and supplies before the exam starts.

During the examination, Amatorio said that the examinees should listen attentively to the proctors and read the instructions carefully to avoid making careless errors that could invalidate their answers or get them disqualified.

He told them to stay focused, avoid distractions at all costs, and manage their time wisely. He advised them to focus on the easy questions first and skip hard questions later, rule out wrong answers, and make intelligent guesses for the remaining difficult items.

After the lecture, the webinar moved forward to the group discussion, where the resource speaker and support staff answered queries and other concerns from the attendees.

HRDO Supervising Administrative Officer Ricardo Amiel Reveche wrapped up the webinar by sharing insights, additional advice, and inspirational words to motivate the participants as they prepare for the exam and advance professionally as civil servants. (Christian Jonah P. Mizal)