THE TEST: LETRAN, NOVEMBER 7, 2005

I was ready to be humiliated. Me, at 45, taking a college entrance examination for the first time in my life to ascertain whether I was qualified to get on with furthering my classroom career.

In 1976, when I graduated top of my high school class and similarly topped one of the earliest NCEE exams of the 70’s – I was in no position to panic. But not having read any high school text book over the last 25 years, the challenge which faced me today was understandably daunting. Not even my 29 extensive years of professional experiences saved me from the invisible terror that was slowly gnawing at my confidence. I must have wanted to pass the test so bad.

I had hoped that I would be asked to write an essay on WHAT LURES OLD PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. I had hoped that I would be able to state my case: that learning is a lifetime commitment and should not be relegated to the young and sturdy; that the finite mind needs to be fed with more; that there are still too many things to learn in a short life span; that the old needs refreshment from the young; that life and school and learning are seen from a wiser perspective by the older generation whose own personal experiences complement the rigidity of school curriculum.

But no. I faced instead, three sets of tests in Mathematics, English, and Science the demo of which scared my wits even more. (3xy + 12xz – 3yz plus -2xy – 4xz – 5yz!!!!!!!!) Thankfully, the English test proved to be a lifesaver. It would have been an embarrassment if I were to flunk this test and insisted on pursuing Journalism. And Science? What do I know about measurement of slopes or about Newton or Fahrenheit! This was certainly not my field.

And so, feeling half-challenged and half-inadequate, fearing ridicule and shame, fumbling through unfamiliar grounds, I played with the mouse. Clicked here. Clicked there. 60 minutes passed. 40 minutes passed. Another 40 minutes passed.

And I waited.
Did I pass?
I did.
Arriba, LETRAN!