DLSU-D records significant drops, leaps in various licensure tests in 2021

Originally published in HF Volume 36 Issue 1

DLSU-D recorded significant drops and leaps from its performance in different licensure examinations in 2021 as compared to the school’s licensure rates in previous years. This came after the return of most board examinations last year, following its postponement in 2020 due to the threats of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Rise in licensure rates

In terms of the notable jumps in licensure exams, the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) achieved the highest rise through its performance in the 2021 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Exam (CPALE), receiving a 55.56 percent passing rate – a 26 percent leap from its 2019 rating of 29.27 percent.

In a statement released to The HERALDO FILIPINO, CBAA Dean Dr. Mary Felidora Amparao commended the University’s Accountancy Department in ensuring a “high-level board performance” despite the challenges brought by the pandemic. The HERALDO FILIPINO tried reaching out to the department thrice to ask for a statement, but they have not responded as of press time.

Meanwhile, the University also recorded a slight jump in the Electronic Engineering Exams (ECE), rising one percent higher from 60.34 percent to 61.90 percent in the 2021 exams. Hannah Mhei San Jose, a graduate from the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEAT) alumna also joined the list of topnotchers and landed at the 10th spot, after recording 87.70 percent in the licensure test.

In a separate engineering boards, another CEAT alumnus named Isaac Noah Enriquez emerged to be in the topnotcher’s list, securing the third spot in the Electronics Technician (ECT) Examination.

“Overall, Engineering and Architecture performed well in various licensure examinations. The DLSU-D passing rates are higher than the national passing rates,” CEAT Dean Engr. Ma. Estrella Natalie Pineda shared when asked about the performance of CEAT students in licensure exams.

Pineda added that testimonial dinners were held to honor the board passers from the college, while incentives were given to licensure topnotchers.

Decline in school performance

While there have been significant leaps in various licensure tests, DLSU-D, on the other hand, recorded big drops in other board examinations.

In the Architecture Licensure Exam (ALE), DLSU-D scored a 77.27 percent passing rate, 18 percent lower than its 95.45 percent rating in 2020. However, this was still 15 percent higher than the national passing rate of 62.13 percent.

In the same interview, Pineda said CEAT is still figuring out the reasons behind the 18 percent decline in its ALE performance. For the meantime, the college dean said the department plans to give extra review classes and materials for retakers of the licensure test.

Meanwhile in the Criminologist Licensure Examination (CLE), the University recorded a 17 percent drop from 73.53 percent to 56.52 percent in the 2021 boards. However, compared to CLE’s national passing rate, the school still managed to rise above by 22 percent from the nationwide rating of 34.16 percent.

Despite the decline, College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) Dean Alrien Dausan believes that the school’s performance in the 2021 CLE is still a good result amid the hurdles and limitations brought by the pandemic when it comes to exam preparations.

“I am proud of them even though they encountered different challenges that (affected) their momentum due to the cancellation of CLE last June, December 2020, and even July 2021, no face-to-face review, availability of gadget and good internet connections and personal struggles in their family life,” said Dausan.

Programs for future examinees

Following the results and performance of the University in various licensure tests, the college deans shared their respective plans in preparing DLSU-D graduates for future board examinations.

For CEAT, Engr. Pineda said they will continue to perform interventions in helping examinees by facilitating practice exams and mentoring systems, and inviting practitioner-lecturers who teach in review centers. The college is also eyeing to participate in public hearings sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) to acquire the latest Table of Specifications (TOS) for licensure exam.

Meanwhile, CCJE also plans to review its current curriculum for criminology students and use Safety Exam Browse (SEB) in their examinations to improve the school’s performance in the licensure test – an intervention they have been gradually implementing since the pandemic.

Infographic by Alyanna Nicole Tiaga