47% score in an urgent and unprepared CBT exam in Aba, Abia State

Sometimes ago, precisely in January, I saw an advert posted in my hometown's WhatsApp group for teaching employment in my state of origin. I decided to apply. It was done online. So I registered to have my own page, then I uploaded all the necessary documents after choosing my area of specialty which is accounting. I was also advised to go the ministry of education in my state of residence to submit the documents physically and it was also urgent as the information got to me late.

I had to rush down before the time elapsed. Thankfully, I was able to meetup but they didn't accept the documents physically, saying that it is only done online. That since I had done that online, I should go back. I was totally confused, not knowing which one to believe again. But I went back.

Last month, I received a call from my brother in-law who was aware of the job open and who resides in my state of origin. He asked me if my name was among the shortlisted candidates. I checked my page and discovered that my name was not shortlisted yet but they wrote that it was awaiting shortlisting. After a week, he called again to tell me that they were done with the first list, and to know if I was later shortlisted. Well, when I checked again, I wasn't shortlisted. He encouraged me to keep hope Alive, that they will start shortlisting again.

Well. I removed my mind there. Yes, anything government work is usually if you know someone in power. I decided not to check again. But guess what?

On Friday morning, at precisely 9.45 am, my brother called me to ask where I kept my phone, that someone has been calling me to go for a CBT exam. I was surprised. Though I saw a missed call from a number I didn't store by 7.15 am, then, I decided that I was going to call back after my morning workout is over. I didn't know it was the call for the exams.

Below are some pictures of the fitness programs.

My brother then broke the news to me that I should hurry and travel to my state of origin to take the exam. I was so confused as to whether I will be able to get there before time. I then logged in to my page and saw that I was shortlisted for the exam and it was going to start by 1.30 pm.

Even though I had wanted to record my video for the last week of fitness challenge, I abandoned it and fled to my house, quickly took my shower and boarded a bike to the junction. There, I picked some cash, boarded a bus to the park where I boarded another bus to Ikotekpene. To be faster, I decided to join a motorbike to my start of residence. It is usually faster though most people dread travelling with motorbikes. But at this point, I wasn't considering anything else rather than to get there early.

The motorbike took off at exactly 12 noon and we spent exactly 45 minutes to get to my state of residence, then I got to the school after joining 2 tricycles by 1.09 pm. I was so glad I arrived safely and early too.

I enquired of the CBT centre, I was directed and I met others who were lined up for screening. I was asked to go print out a document from my page that proves that I was invited for the exams. I rushed to do that immediately and I came back to join the cue. I was screened in, I was checked and I deposited my bad with them. By 3pm, we were taken in. Yes, the screening took time, as if they were waiting for some people to arrive. That was when we were directed to our various computers where we were faced with the questions.

The questions were 3 papers. English and Mathematics were compulsory for everyone, then the last paper was your area of specialty that you applied for. Since I applied to teach accounting, I was given the questions.

It was to take an hour, after which, the system will time out. After receiving instructions from the conductors, we logged in with our applicants number and started. I focused on the ones that were easy for me and that was English and accounts. We weren't allowed to going with any calculator and as such, I decided to finish those 2 before going to mathematics. I answered ones I knew in those 2 papers and moved to mathematics. It was hard for me to be frank. I didn't prepare at all and mathematics is something I had left off. But I managed to do the ones I could.

When the time was almost up, I submitted and I scored 47%. Poor right? Well, that was it. I cheated break down. Mathematics was 40 questions, English was 40 questions while accounts was 20 questions. Each of them has a mark. From the analysis, I scored 17 out of 20 questions in account, and the rest from English and maths. We weren't allowed to go in with our devices and that was why I couldn't take pictures of the exams hall. As we were done, we all saw our results. Very few scored above 50%, a large number scored even below 30%. It therefore means that I did well considering the fact that we weren't prepared. There was no time for preparation. Everyone said that I tried.

Then after the exams, my brother directed that I meet the Rector of the polytechnic, that he is from my hometown. I went to his office, filled a visitation form and waited for him. I spent more than an hour waiting. By 6 pm, he invited me in along with 6 others from my village who were also waiting. He addressed us and welcomed us as his people. After which, we left his office.

I had to go back. I was very hungry too. I called a friend who told me to come and eat African salad before going back. That was very kind of him. Since it was close to the park, I quickly went there, received the food, ate along the way as he drove me to the park to board a vehicle back.

Thank goodness, I was able to get home by past 9 pm. I didn't take a motorbike this time but a bus. And thank goodness that I took a bus, it would rained cat and dog on me. Yes, while in the bus, it really rained cat and dog. At our junction, my husband came with the vehicle and picked me up to the house. That was a wonderful outing. I am so happy that I was able to write that exams. I have done my part, I am also praying that I succeed. I wouldn't know the cut off mark but considering the fact that we were taken unawares a d most people scored below 50%, I feel that they will reduce the cut off mark. But whatever the case, I am seriously praying to get this opportunity. It will be a wonderful gift from the Almighty. I can't wait to be a teacher for the government.

Below are some pictures I took while in the polytechnic, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Aba

	picture taken at the administrative block
Picture taken discreetly at the Rector's office
	the sculptured elephant inside the school
At the school entrance

Elephants are what we used to designate students. Students are known as elephants. So, we chant- Great Elephants!, the response will be- Great!
This polytechnic was where I schooled too. So I am familiar with the environment but a lot have changed. A lot of structures have been raised. It looks more beautiful now.