About twenty-one thousand aspiring policemen took the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Cadet Examination Test (CAT) yesterday, October 30, 2011 at the different testing centers all over the country.
I was one of those who took the exam. We were required to be at the Apas National High School, the testing center for Cebu Province, at 7AM. On my way to the testing center, I have met another girl who’s also going to take the exam. When she said she brought all the requirements, I was a little worried. The applicants were to bring 2X2 picture, a black ballpen, a Mongol 2 pencil, a self-stamped window envelope and any proof of identification. I only knew about the requirements the night before the exam on facebook. I became a member of the PNPA facebook group page just the day before the exam. It was not posted on the PNPA website, but the requirements were stated in the Notice of Examination. I have not received any NOE. What’s posted on the PNPA website is if we can see our names in the master list and we haven’t received any NOE, we should go to the testing center at 7AM on the examination day. So, I only brought the requirements that I can secure (2x2 picture, ballpen and pencil).
When we arrived at the testing center, I found out that there were a lot of applicants who have no self-stamped envelope. After my NOE was given, my newly-found friend and I looked for a store that sells window envelopes and we found one. I bought five window envelopes (without stamps, they are only bought at the post office) and gave the extra four to those who have not bought.
Before an aspiring cadet can take the exam, PNPA cadets would measure his or her height. Sadly, those aspirants who have not reached the standard height [5’2” for females and 5’4” for males] were not allowed to enter the examination rooms. I was one of them, damn. We were instructed to wait for the Chief proctor. We waited for like an hour before they allowed us to enter. Pity.
The examination lasted for 3 hours; we started at 9:15AM and ended at 12:15PM. The exam tested our communication skills, logical and reasoning ability, knowledge in Math and Sciences, and in general information and current events, and our values and aptitude for the service.
After the exam, I went directly to McDo to eat lunch. There, I took a little time to reflect. Yes, they let me took the exam. But if I passed, I still have to undergo the medical examination where my height will be measured again. And I think I’m just 5’1”, so, apparently, I won’t be admitted to the academy.
I had a conversation with some of the exam takers in the afternoon. I had a chance to chat with a PNPA cadet who hid his identity on facebook [but I know his real name] as Anne Known because he wanted himself to be unknown to the members of the PNPA facebook page.
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| his name speaks daw for the unknown |
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| future underclass daw sabi nya.. |
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| aantayin mo 'ko sir? baka hindi tayo magkita. underheight ako eh. hahaha |
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| my tagalog speaking skills unleashed!! hahaahah |
He said he was one of the proctors and that in their testing center, the papers of those who are underheight were marked DQ or disqualified. Harsh. Why did they let them take the exam when in the first place, they’re already disqualified? They’re just giving false hopes.
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| sakit! |
In the exam, we were asked about our primary reason of entering into the academy, and my answer was TO MAKE MY FAMILY PROUD. Well, I took the exam to sate my brothers’ wants. I actually never planned to take it.
Serving others has always been a passion, but I know I can serve my fellowmen in other ways; not solely by becoming a police officer. I’ve seen myself working in an NGO and initiating or participating programs for the betterment of the masses. Also, I’ve seen myself working in a law firm assisting a lawyer/s in defending the oppressed. I’m a girl with a noble character and a soft heart, they say. HAHAHA
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| sooo me :D |
The examination results will be posted on the PNPA Website two or three months from now. Perchance, December or January. Whatever the result is, I will be happy.
