How sporadic distractions helped the Top 7 placer ace the grueling LECPA聽

by Kassandra Buenafe, OfCom | Jun 18 2024

Considered to be one of the hardest licensure exams to pass, as reflected in its national passing rates for the past years, the Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA) for the year 2024 yielded 3,155 passers out of 10,421 takers. This figure highlights the exam's challenging nature, as less than one-third of the test takers managed to succeed, falling significantly short even of a 50% success rate.

For this year, 杏吧论坛-IIT obtained a commendable overall passing rate of 54%, showing a gradual increase from last year’s 51.11%. The University and the Department of Accountancy are doing their best to train and produce Accountancy graduates who are of great caliber for the community and are continuing to gear toward an effective academic environment.

It is undeniable that choosing the Accountancy program requires a commitment that is so unyielding to survive. These are common narratives that we hear from those who have been through and are going through this direction.

While institutions and other external key factors are invaluable and of help in the success of an individual, it is crucial to recognize that one's own technique and personal dedication play a significant role in navigating the path to becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

Top 7 placer with a percentage of 89.67% for the 2024 LECPA, Abdel-Nasher Sarail Tanggor, who is a BS Accountancy alumnus from the University, recounted that the whole journey of achieving the prestigious title was not devoid of burnouts and stress.

To each their own, they say. But what made it bearable and to top it off, ultimately remarkable for a topnotcher like Abdel-Nasher? Perhaps, we can learn and reflect on his small and big ways.

Inspired by his parents, Abdel-Nasher has been firm in his dream of becoming a CPA lawyer. He saw that the BS in Accountancy was the most viable option as a pre-law undergraduate study.

Remembering the days of the examination, Abdel-Nasher articulated the familiar yet heightened sensations of sitting through a series of exams—anticipation, apprehension, and a subtle urgency that every second counts. It dawned on him that this was a pivotal, defining moment for everyone in the room.

“Well, the feeling of taking the series of exams was not something entirely new. However, it is the kind of examination that makes one oddly feel that every minute really counts and that each item really is important.

After all, midway through answering the exams, one would probably feel a heavy weight in his/her heart upon realizing that such simple sets of exams considerably determine the timing and path of one's career and the courses of action one will take. Fortunately, this heaviness is alleviated by kind proctors (who also cheered us on), at least in my case.”

The months and days of relentless reviewing leading up to that rigorous exam were an amalgamation of anxiety and burnout. Like many others who were also preparing, he was not an exemption to the enveloping mental and emotional exhaustion.

“It is difficult to really plan out a disciplined routine that works for a long amount of time without feeling burnt out eventually. Paired with the tendency to [procrastinate] and the distractions that come along with technology, it is not easy to completely quash the likelihood of eventually feeling burnt out.”

To get through the inevitable mental battle, how does he cope and overcome it? Abdel-Nasher said he freestyles.

“It might seem unorthodox and disagreeable, but what helped me significantly was simply giving myself time to just be freely distracted for a varied amount of time in between study hours. It might not be for everyone, but I think giving myself both the satisfaction and the subsequent guilt of just being distracted made me less burnt out and more efficient than just following a routine I know I cannot endure solidly for months. I sort of just freestyled my studying hours as a way of compromising and making this implied deal with myself.”

To freely allow oneself to be distracted amidst the demanding and daunting review process is an act of liberation from an expected fixed structure in such preparation. To him, the sporadic distractions are moments of respite, taking over as a way to breathe, to momentarily detach from the intensity of his studies.

“That includes several things such as surfing the internet, watching various animated series, and/or playing video games when I can. Bottomline, these are things that make reviewing bearable. They allow me to breathe and not get caught up with the pressure that life gives off.”

Despite this very strong resolve, were there any regrettable things he had done during the review? Abdel-Nasher shared a few, of which involved the importance of note-taking.

“In hindsight, it would have been a little bit desirable if I learned how to annotate my handouts better as early as possible. The reason for this is because, unfortunately, I am not used to annotating or taking notes during classes and hence only found a suitable style later on during my review period.”

When asked what are the key factors that led him to his success, he highlighted three things– his faith, his determination rooted in his family’s support, and most importantly, the rest he has incorporated into his “freestyle” routine.

“I can think of many factors, but I will note three crucial factors that I think might have been truly contributory. One, I trusted God alone and His guidance. I merely reviewed to the best of my abilities continuously, and prayed for the best results. Two, the determination to succeed should be there. The will to continue arises from different things for each and everyone, but my persistence to move forward comes from my family and their unwavering support. Three, I allowed myself to rest. I have always considered rest to be a part of "review" from start to finish. Stressing one's self beyond what one can handle will be counterproductive in the long run.”

Throughout his responses, one could then say that the overarching theme for this dreamer’s success story is the value of knowing how to take pauses in this exhausting journey. As he put it for those who are still in the process of getting the title, “...always remember to breathe every once in a while. The path is already hard and suffocating enough, so let us not suffocate ourselves as well.”

The mark he has made in this challenging route will remain indelible to those who are dreaming. With so many pursuing the same trail as him, Abdel-Nasher leaves words of wisdom not only to Accountancy students but everyone who is integral in the whole process to ponder:

“...What I can hope to advocate instead if it is not already being done, is to effect an approach that emphasizes the balance between excellence and patience. Oftentimes, we strive for excellence so much that we disregard patience and fail to observe and consider the varying circumstances of students. Other times, we are so considerate that we overlook the need to uphold excellence.”

Abdel-Nasher will move on to becoming a CPA lawyer but with plans unclear on how to get there for now… as he is taking his well-deserved rest and relaxation.

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