witsandnuts

“Congratulations!  Good things happen to good people.”

“Congratulations 3 Cs, wohoohooo!”

“Congratulations, you deserved it!”

and a lot more

These were some of the messages I got through email and SMS yesterday.  As I woke up today, I am still overwhelmed by this newest blessing that God gave me.    I didn’t expect that I will pass the CFSA exams… but as always I kept the faith.  For the not so familiar, this examination captures questions on banking,  securities, insurance, stocks, a little of derivatives, all combined with related-international laws and auditing procedures for financial services products.  You gotta be patient with the materials and it would help to have a practical knowledge.

I decided to take the November 2007 exams primarily for practical reasons.  Since it would be computerized starting this year and fees will increase by more than 100%.  Also, if I will be chancing on the May 2008 batch, there will be fewer times to study.  Anyway, with the kind of work that I have (I love my job!) it doesn’t matter which time I take it, I would always be busy.

The most struggling part happened when I begged for a week study leave.  To make the story short, it was granted but I was on-call.  So it was not like a solid study leave.  I was attending meetings, working at home, running to patch some last minute errands.  With all these, I always loved my principle “never complain, just work on what you have.  Just like in algebra, if you are working on an equation, just work on what’s given, no more, no less.

So, I crazily tried to finish the materials.  The problem with cramming is that you cannot absorb everything.  While the good thing is that my adrenaline gland was working so well then.  Preparing for this exam will also give you non-complacency since it only has less than 20 sample questions.  So, I didn’t know how the actual questions will be thrown. 

On the date of exam,  there was an unexpected weather change but no typhoon that caused much traffic, real heavy.  It took me two hours to get to the examination site, Cultural Center of the Philippines.  I was a minute late.  The very last to get in.  Really stressed.  The exam begun and I finished it just in time.  I was a bit worried when I noticed some who passed their papers so ahead of time.  Maybe they were so prepared.  I just instructed myself, “mind your own business”.

I never saw most of the questions/concepts in the materials.  It helps that I am oriented to some of the disciplines:  banking, insurance, securities, etc.  But I went home that day with much uncertainty.  I didn’t know if I did well.

Now, due to my busy preps for going out of the country then + the workload bling. bling, I completely forgot the release of the exams until I got an email from IIA and from my pals back home informing that the results were available for pick-up. I replied to IIA Secretary’s email that I so forgot to leave an authorization before I left because I got so busy.  And she emailed a scanned copy of the result.  (Annalou, you’re so kind!  I thought you would require me some papers). 

I got the result, and Yay!  I made it.

Now with the 3 Cs, I don’t intend to make my name longer (nagpapahaba ng pangalan).  I was supposed to take other exams two years ago, but I cancelled.  Personally, I am taking something because I want it and not just with the hype of it.  I respect others’ reasons, anyway.

If you want it, go get it.  No excuses.   The night before the exams I was texting a colleague (who was nervous as well) who was taking another exam.  Told her, “I have little preparations.  But I tried to work well with the given time.  Little preps, but I have big faith.”  That time, it sounded like I was reiterating that to myself.

God is so good, I could not ask for more right now.