Analysis of CE Licensure

Exam Results of PSU

Graduates as of
2010 - 2015

Proponents:
Asperas, Ornel C.
Alvillar, Cridemar P.
Etoquilla, John Jefferson P.
Ponce de Leon, John Dave R.

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
I.

Background of study

Civil Engineering is a profession that applies the basic principles of Science

in conjunction with mathematical and computational tools to solve problems
associated with developing and sustaining civilized life on our planet. It is one
of the broadest engineering disciplines both in terms of problems that fall within
its preview and on the range of the knowledge required to solve those problems.
A graduate of BSCE needs to take the CE Licensure Examination before
he/she can practice the profession. The Board of Civil Engineering facilitates the
exam under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
It is scheduled twice a year in the months of May and November or December.
The three main subjects included are Mathematics, Surveying and
Transportation which comprises 35% of the exam, Hydraulics and Geotechnical
Engineering with 30% and Structural Engineering and Construction with 35%.
To pass the examination you should obtain a general weighted average of 75%
with no rating below50% in all the subjects.Every area listed is composed of
many subjects. Not all of this subjects are selected to cover the Civil
Engineering Board Exam. It is difficult to determine which of these subjects will
be selected for the CE board exam.
For the preparation of CE board exam, the graduates take review classes in
different Review Centers and but some who could not afford take self-review.
But still the pressure of reviewing a lot of subjects for the exam is frustrating for
the examiners. All those ideas, theories, and equations that are needed to
memorize are too many. The feeling of failure in the exam leads to stress that
leads to different problems. Lots of tips and regimens are given to examiners for
better chances of passing the exam.

II.

Objective of the Study

Main objective:
To find out the percentage passing of PSU graduates from 2010-2015 on the
following subjects;
a. Mathematics, Surveying and Transportation Engineering
b. Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering
c. Structural Engineering and Construction
Specific objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Determine the passing rate of every batch.

Determine the subject/s that PSU graduates often failed.
Compare the percentage passing of the First takers and the Retakers.
Compare the performance of student under new curriculum to the
performance of student under old curriculum.
5. Compare the percentage passing between 30 and 100 items covered in CE
board exam.

III.

Significance of the study

This study will provide a basis for the following:

For Palawan State University this study may help improve the
performance of CE graduates in CE board examination if properly used and
disseminated.
For Civil Engineering faculty it will serve as guide to what subjects they
should give extra attention in teaching the students in order to prepare them for the
dreaded board examination.
For CE graduates this research will serve as reference to know which
subjects are always included and which of those subjects has the lowest passing
rate in the CE board examination. Thus, it will help them focus to those subjects in
order to pass the board examination.
For Civil Engineering students it will facilitate information on which
particular subjects are often covered in board exam and which of them has the
lowest chance of passing. As early as possible, they can take actions by taking

close attention to those subjects as part of their preparation for the board
examination after they graduated.
This study will help the researchers as students and as future reviewers for
the CE board exam. Furthermore, it will refresh the researchers on subjects taken
from previous school years.
IV.

Scope and Delimitation

1. This research covers only the CE board exam from November 2010 to
November 2015.
2. The categorization of subjectrate passing chance covers only the regular
board examination for civil engineering (CE). Retake for the board
examination and examination for fields for specialization for CE are not
considered in this study.

V.

Assumption of the Study

This research can be use by PSU CE Students as study guide on Civil

Engineering Licensure Examination so that the student can take action on what
subject they have to focus on, to have an efficient review and preparation for CE
board examination.

Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES/LITERATURE

1. PRC Report on Board Examination Performance

In a Statistical Report on performance of Schools in various licensure examinations, the
PRC described how graduates from higher education institutions all over the country performed
in various board examinations. In that sense, the performance of graduates is considered the
performance of the schools from which they graduated.
This performance is considered as the measure of the quality of education a particular
school has to offer. The licensure examination results reflect the effectiveness of the curriculum
and its implementation. The examination determines whether a graduate have met the minimum
requirement or competencies set by the Professional Regulations Commissions (PRC) in terms of
the knowledge and skills in their field of specialization.

2. Board Examination Performance of BSCE Graduates of Palawan State University

A research was conducted to evaluate the performance of PSU examinees in the Civil
Licensure Examination within the period of May 1991 to November 2003. There were 75
graduates, who took the board examination, involved in the study. It also looked into some
variables, which may have some effect on the board examination performance. Specially,
performance of CE graduates in terms of the following areas: Area 1-Mathematics and
Surveying, Area 2-Hydraulics and Area 3-Design and Construction were studied as well as its
relation to some selected variables.
Finding the following: Graduates performed best in area1-Mathematics and Surveying
with a mean of 71.47%, followed by Area 3-Design and Construction with a computed mean of
70.99% and Area 2-Hydraulics with a computed mean of 68.78%. Examinees who graduated as
regular students obtained higher performance in the board examination with an average
percentage of 75.87% compared to those who compared to those graduates who are considered
irregular students with only an average of 66.92%

Male examinees performed better in all subject are compared to female examinees.
Examinees who used the new curriculum obtained higher scores in Area 1 and Area 3. On the
other hand, examinees, who used the old curriculum, obtained slightly higher score in Area 2.
Following recommendation were laid: To students, they should improve their academic
and exert more effort to complete the degree in a five-year period to be considered as regular
graduate, thus, giving them the higher chance of passing the board. To the faculty members, they
must exert more effort to improve quality of teaching, setting higher standards upon students,
update and upgrade syllabi congruent to the competencies set by the Professional Regulations
Commission. To the curriculum planners and administrators, they should review the subjects
covered by the areas where graduates performed below the national passing score as defined by
the PRC. This requires necessary adjustments to cope with the standards set by PRC. Devise a
Qualifying exam (e.g. pre-Board exam) in the same.

3. Categorization of Civil Engineering Board Exam Questions from 2006 to 2011

A research categorized the Civil Engineering board exam questions within the period of
May 2006 to May 2011. Especially, questions in the following areas by their respective topics
among the subjects included in each area: Area 1-Mathematics, Surveying and Transportation
engineering, Area 2-Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering, and Area 3-Structural
Engineering and Construction. It also determined the subjects and topics often covered in Civil
Engineering board exam. It evaluated the most frequent questions and compare it in the field of
specialization of board examiners.
This research found the often present subjects and topics in CE Board Examinations are
the following:
a. In Area 1-Mathematics, Surveying and Transportation engineering: Algebra (World Problem),
Plane and Spherical Trigonometry (Law of Sine and Cosine), Solid Mensuration (Cone and
Sphere), Analytic Geometry (Circle), Differential Calculus (Average Rate of Change), Integral
Calculus (Integration by Parts and Area between Curves), Engineering Economy and Accounting
(Interest and the Value of Money), Higher Surveying (Traverse Survey), and Engineering
Surveying (Earthworks Computations And Simple Curves).

b. In Area 2-Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering: Fluid Mechanics (Relative Equilibrium of

Liquids), Hydraulics (Water Hammer, Water Flow in Pipes and Open Channel Flow), Soil
Mechanics (Index Properties of Soil, Permeability of Soils and Classification Test for Soils), and
Foundations (Triaxial Test of Soil and Footing on Piles).
c. In Area 3-Structural Engineering and Construction: Statics of Rigid Bodies (Force Vectors and
Equilibrium Particles), Structural theory 1 (Cables and Arches), Reinforced Concrete Design
(Design and Analysis of Flexural Members, and Design and Analysis of Compression Members),
and Steel and Timber Design (Connections (Riveted, Bolted, and Welded), and Design and
Analysis of Compression Members.
For the Maximum utilization of the results obtained in the study, following
recommendations were laid: To the CE students, while still studying, give importance to those
subjects and topics often covered in the board examination. It will lead them easy to understand
those subjects and topics in review classes after they graduated, thus, giving them a higher
chance in passing the board exam. To the faculty members, give more emphasis to those subjects
and topics often covered in the board exam. To the future researchers, continue this study by
applying statistical treatment on the results gathered in this study.

4. CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER No. 29 Series of 2007 Policies and Standards

(PS) for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)
The career paths available to civil engineers are many and varied and can involve a wide
range of activities, tools, situations, and venues; from conceptual design of facilities that do not
yet exist to forensic study of facilities that have failed to perform as expected; from advanced
simulation of complex systems to the management of people and projects; and from private
consulting to public service. A civil engineer must be prepared for a career that traverses this
considerable professional breadth as well as for a career focused on a single professional activity.
The BSCE curriculum is designed specifically to meet this educational challenge by emphasizing
fundamental knowledge, transferable skills, and lifelong learning.
A graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE)program must attain:

a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, physical sciences,engineering sciences to

the practice of civil engineering.
b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as toanalyze and interpret data.
c. An ability to design, build, improve, and install systems orprocesses which meet desired
needs within realistic constraints.
d. An ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-culturalteams.
e. An ability to recognize, formulate, and solve civil engineeringproblems.
f. An understanding of the effects and impact of civil engineeringprojects on nature and
society, and of the civil engineers socialand ethical responsibilities.
g. Specialized engineering knowledge in each applicable field, andthe ability to apply such
knowledge to provide solutions to actualproblems.
h. An ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing usingthe English language.
i. An ability to engage in life-long learning and an acceptance of theneed to keep current of
the development in the specific field ofspecialization.
j. An ability to use the appropriate techniques, skills and modernengineering tools
necessary for the practice of civil engineering.
k. A knowledge of contemporary issues.
The Civil Engineering program comprises of five main disciplines: construction
engineering and management, geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering, water resources
engineering, structural engineering and transportation engineering. Although each discipline has
its own special body of knowledge and engineering tools, they all rely on the same fundamental
core principles. Civil Engineering projects often draw expertise from many of these disciplines.

5. PRC Board of CE resolution #9 series of 2009 Promulgation of the Revised Syllabi

for the Subjects in the board Licensure Examination for Civil Engineers (BLECE)
Section 10, Article II of Republic Act No. 544, Known as the Civil Engineering Law,
provides the subjects in the Board Licensure Examination for Civil Engineers (BLECE). The
Board of Civil Engineering Promulgated Resolution No. 2, Series of 1995 dated Feb. 28, 1995,
prescribing the current syllabi for the subjects therein. The said syllabi are the bases for the test
questions that will be given as input into the computer test question bank
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has adopted a new curriculum leading to
the degree of Bachelor of Science of Civil Engineering effective school year 2008-2009. There is
a need to harmonize the present syllabi for the subjects in the BLECE with the subjects and their

syllabi in the new curriculum. The first batch of civil engineering students that used the new
curriculum was graduated in 2013.
Although the harmonization of the Licensure Examination with the new curriculum will
only be implemented after the first batch of civil engineering students using the new curriculum
shall have graduated in 2013. This resolution revising the present syllabi for the subjects in the
BLECE is necessary now to inform all concerned of the impending harmonization.
Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8981, known as PRC Modernization Act of 2000
provides to wit: To prepare, adopt and issue the syllabi or tables of specifications of the subjects
for the examinations and consultation with the academe; determine and prepare the question for
the licensure examination which shall strictly be within the scope of the syllabus or table of
specification of the subject for examination.
This resolution shall first be implemented in November 2013 Board Licensure
Examination for Civil Engineers (BLECE).
CHED will be furnished with copy of this resolution for circularization to all schools,
colleges and universities offering the course of civil engineering.

Chapter III

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The type of curriculum and the items covered in CE board exam affect thepercentage
passing and the performance in CE licensure exam in the following areas; Mathematics,
Surveying and Transportation Engineering, Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering, Structural
Engineering and Construction. The relationship between the variables are shown in the research
paradigm.

Research Paradigm

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

1.) Type of Curriculum

2.) Items covered in CE

licensure exam.

DEPENDENT VARIABLES

The passing rate and the

performance in CE licensure
exam in the following areas;
1.) Mathematics, Surveying and
Transportation Engineering
2.) Hydraulics and Geotechnical
Engineering
3.) Structural Engineering and
Construction

Chapter III

Materials
PSU CE Board exam results 2010-2015

Methods and Procedure

This study will determine the PSU Graduates percentage passing on each
subjects in CE Board Exam, the research will show how each subjects, number of
takes and number of items covered can affect the passing rate of Board Takers in
CE Board Exam by using statistical analysis on data gather from Professional
Regulations Commission (PRC).

Methods of Research Used

The Quantitative and Explanatory method of research will be used.
Quantitative because the research will show the percentage passing of each subject
in CE Board exam by data analysis, showing the difference between percentage
passing of Board passers in 30 and 100 items covered in Board Exam. Quantitative
because it also compare the percentage passing of First Takers and Retakers. This
study is also explanatory because the research will explain how each subjects,
number of takes and number of items covered in Board Exam can affect the
passing rate of Board Takers in CE Board Exam.

Procedure of Data Gathering

Gather data from Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). The
researcher will weigh the percentage of passing in each subjects. Determine
subject/s that PSU graduates often failed. The percentage passing between 30 and
100 items. The percentage passing of First Takers and Retakers. Compare and
show the difference percentage passing of subjects, number of items and number of
takes in CE Board exam by using (Bar Chart???).

Statistical Treatment
To interpret the Data Gather, the researcher will used percentage and ( Bar
Charts????)