By John Noel E. Herrera
More than 10,300 Grade 12 students across the region trooped to West Visayas State University (WVSU) Main Campus in La Paz, Iloilo City on Sunday, March 12, 2023 to take the annual admission test.
The WVSU administration noted that this year’s number of examinees is higher compared to the 7,558 hopefuls who took the exam last year.
One lane of Luna Street in La Paz district was also used as a temporary parking space due to the large number of examinees. The Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) assisted with the traffic situation in the area to make sure that it was under control.
Just like the previous admission tests, students were grouped in two batches (morning and afternoon) this year to answer the two-hour-long exam composed of different academic subjects and logic items.
Some students shared that the admission and examination process was somehow tiring, but they didn’t think of giving up as they are eager to achieve their dreams and have a better future.
“Aga pa ko nagbugtaw nong, tanan gani kami kayna sa jeep puro mabuol WVSUCAT. Budlay man gid ang process, kalawig kang pilahanay, pero agwanta lang, pati sa exam, nakaya man kag daad makapasar,” Japet Eleser from Igbaras, Iloilo said.
A WVSU College of Nursing aspirant, Ralph Malijan, in an interview with Forum Dimensions, said that the process was exhausting but stressed that he is still blessed to at least have the opportunity to take the exam.
“Lawid kang pila pay worth it man ang tanan nga experience and blessed man. Ang sa exam, okay lang, wala gid katuon pay kaya ah,” he said.
“Ang WVSUCAT nerve-wracking gid and in high hopes man kami together with my classmates and schoolmates nga tani makapasar gid kami,” another examinee said.
It was not only the examinees who felt the pressure of the exam, but their parents also, as they were seen praying and waiting outside the campus to show their support for their children.
“I saw mothers standing on the sidewalks, looking at the university buildings from a distance as if whispering prayers for their children while they took the examination,” Professor Leo Almonte said.
Meanwhile, the WVSU administration noted that they will only accept more than 1,500 students out of over 10,300 applicants who underwent the admission test.
“If only the university could accept more applicants, but limited resources hold it back. Yet, WVSU is never stagnant. It continues to pave a road map towards expansion so more students can benefit from its academic services,” WVSU said in a statement.
