Preparing for the American Society of
Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam requires a lot of effort and
discipline as compared from the preparations we did for the local board exam.
At this point of time where we have our own careers to build, bigger
responsibilities to shoulder and priorities to consider, I have noticed that my
study habit when I was in college was gone and this was also a challenge for
me to face now as a working individual.
We have our own reasons why we want to
pass the exam. Mine is to look for better opportunities abroad and for career
advancement as well. It took me three years to decide due to some hindrances
like financial problems, stress from work and anxiety thinking what if I fail this exam.
But behold, if there's a will, there's a way!
Today, the cost of ASCP MLS certification
is $200 (in the Philippines, around 11,000 php) so I need to work like a dog to
earn that money (lol so true). You can pay it thru credit card or a debit card. To tell you, I was just self-studying and I found it hard to allocate time for studying because of
our stressful shifting schedules and that include graveyard shifts.
My first two years of working in the hospital were spent on reading (little by little) review materials like
The supplemental readings helped me a lot as I learned and understood more about the practical aspect. I've had lots of 'Now I know...' moments when I was able to relate those information to my job as a medical technologist. Aside from that, I also collected and asked for recalls from my workmates who passed the exam.
My first two years of working in the hospital were spent on reading (little by little) review materials like
- Board of Certification (BOC)
- Harr, and
- Polansky Q and A
The supplemental readings helped me a lot as I learned and understood more about the practical aspect. I've had lots of 'Now I know...' moments when I was able to relate those information to my job as a medical technologist. Aside from that, I also collected and asked for recalls from my workmates who passed the exam.
Well speaking about recalls, it gave me an
idea what to study. They say that the more recalls you gathered, the more
chances you pass! Although recalls can be of help for your preparation but it
is still not a guarantee to your success. It's still in your hands since it's a
computer-generated exam. You'll never know what question comes next. I would
like to thank a colleague for a job well done in compiling those recalls all
together. The recalls I've gathered have rationale in every answer and that
helped me to understand each question.
One thing that helped me passed the exam
was setting a positive attitude. I was inspired by my colleagues who had
MLS(ASCP)I titles on their names already so I made it
a habit of doodling that title after my name too (in my books and review
materials) and that serves as my driving force to study on my vacant
time. Having assigned in Blood bank is an advantage since I’ve got lots of
blood banking questions esp. compatibility testing and that made it easier for
me to analyze some discrepancies.
You have to familiarize principles,
formulas, and normal values once again.
THE DAY!!
On the exam day, I arrived at the testing center an hour before the scheduled time (Thursday, 8AM). That gave me time to check-in (presented a valid ID, palm scanning and put my valuables inside the locker) and listen to the instructions prior entering the exam room. I calmed myself as I read each items and answered them. I tried not to flag questions as much as possible. Calculations and dilutions were on my test but it was manageable. I spent my time in answering and reviewing all the 100 questions before clicking NEXT. When I saw PASS in my preliminary result, I couldn’t contain my happiness as I went out of the testing center WITH A BIG SMILE ON MY FACE. Thank God! All my efforts were worth it. My exam score came out a week after and I didn't expect my scores were higher than I aimed (minimum passing score is 400). I couldn't believe it!
Passing ASCP is a hard-earned achievement
and if you already pass the exam, the more you inspire yourself to move forward
and embark on your next journey to become an international medical laboratory
scientist. I remember Jordin Sparks’ song, One step at a time. As the song
goes, there’s no need to rush. Well, just keep pushing forward and ask
guidance from God for a perfect timing. All things are possible when you
believe in Him.
Now I am glad to say that it's official.
This is it! It's really
Cindy A. Escoba, RMT, MLS (ASCP) already!
Find out ASCP POINTERS TO STUDY by clicking here!
Cindy A. Escoba, RMT, MLS (ASCP) already!
Find out ASCP POINTERS TO STUDY by clicking here!
