the Criminology Licensure Examination Introduction
Passing the Board Examination in Criminology known as the Licensure Examination for Criminologists is the only means to get the license to practice the profession as a criminologist in the Philippines. This is mandated under Republic ct !o. "#$" % the law creating the Board of Criminology of the Professional Regulation Commission &PRC'. (nce licensed as a criminologist) it gi*es the holder an open door to enter se*eral options of employment in the pri*ate and public sector as well as in the international arena. licensed criminologist is said to be a generalist as he can perform ser*ices offered in law enforcement and public safety administration) forensic sciences) security security industries) training and education sectors) and other related ser*ices. s defined under the law) a person is deemed engaged in the practice of Criminology if he holds himself out to the public in any of the following capacities+ ,. s a professor) instructor or teacher in Criminology in any uni*ersity) college or school duly recogni-ed by the go*ernment and teaches any of the following subects+ &a' Law Enforcement dministration) &b' Criminalistics) &c' Correctional dministration) &d' Criminal /ociology and allied subects) and &e' other technical and speciali-ed subects in the Criminology curriculum. 0. s law enforcement administrator) executi*e) ad*iser) consultant or agent in any go*ernment or pri*ate agency. 1. s technician in dactyloscopy) ballistics) 2uestions documents) police photograph y) lie lie detection) forensic chemistry and other scientific aspects of crime detection. 3. s correctional administrator) executi*e super*isor) worker or officer in any correctional and penal institution. #. s counselor) expert) expert) ad*iser) researcher in any go*ernment or pri*ate agenc y on any aspects of criminal research or proect in*ol*ing the causes of crime) u*enile delin2uency) treatment of offenders) police operations) law enforcement administration) scientific criminal in*estigation or public welfare administration. s to pri*ileges granted to criminologists) the law also pro*ides that all certified criminologists shall be exempted from taking any other entrance or 2ualifying go*ernment or ci*il ser*ice examinations and shall be considered ci*il ser*ice eligible to the following go*ernment positions+ &,' dactylographer4 &0' ballistician4 ballistician4 &1' 2uestioned document examiner4 &3' correctional officer4 &#' law enforcement photographer4 &"' lie detection examiner4 &5' probation officer4 &6' agents in any law enforcement agency4 &7' security officer4 &,$' criminal in*estigator4 or &,,' police laboratory technician.
Looking into career opportunities in the coun try) there are three top careers recently considered % 8nformation Technology) Law) and ccountancy9Business related careers. Likewise) the practice of profession as a criminologist is relati*ely high as compared to other offered *ocation. :any colleges and uni*ersities in both public and pri*ate sector offer Bachelor of /cience in Criminology) Bachelor of /cience in ;orensic /cience) and ssociate in Police /cience) including :asters in Criminology and Criminal
bureau) which are the Philippine !ational Police &P!P') Bureau of ;ire Protection &B;P') and the Bureau of !P(LC(:) irports and /eaports Centers) aside from the *arious positions a*ailable in many Pri*ate 8n*estigation and =etection agencies) local and abroad. !onetheless) worthy to note is that criminology is a dynamic profession and a multi disciplinary science. Te become a licensed criminologist) it re2uires one to work *ery hard. ll efforts must be made from the time you decided to enroll in the course. @nfortunately) many are called but few are chosen to practice such a noble profession. The !ational Passing Percentage ccording to a*ailable data) there is a low passing percentage in the Criminology Board Examination. The Philippine Regulation Commission &PRC' records show that passing percentage is deteriorating since ,77#) which it peaks at "$A. Table , shows that out of ele*en &,,' examination schedules) the a*erage !ational Passing Percentage is only 3#.,#A. TBLE , !ational Passing Percentage 8n Criminology Licensure Examinations &C ,770 % 0$$0' Calendar ear !ational Passing Percentage ,770 06.$$A ,771 10.#1A ,773 #$.1"A ,77# "$.0#A ,77" 3,.$#A ,775 #,.01A ,776 3$.75A ,777 #,.13A 0$$$ 3#.,6A 0$$, 37.6"A 0$$0 3#.70A *erage 3#.,#A /ource+ Board Examination /tatus Report > @; CC
0$$1 0)737 ,)10# 33.71A ugust 0$$1 5)576 0)55" 1#."$A :arch 0$$3 1)156 ,)$10 1$.$#A ugust 0$$3 6)07" 0)1,, 05.65A :ay 0$$# 3)6,, ,)365 1$.63A (ctober 0$$# ")7"" 0),61 1,.11A :ay 0$$" 1)50$ ,),1$ 1$.15A (ctober 0$$" 5)5$5 0)316 1,."1A *erage 10.60A /ource+ Board Examination /tatus Report > @; CC @; CC ,$$ or more examinees !ame of /chool D of Examinees D of Passers A Rank Philippine College of Criminology 707 0 0# 05.3# Leyte Colleges "#1 ,1, 0$.$" Cagayan Colleges Tuguegarao 3"# ,,$ 01."" @ni*ersity of 8loilo 3#" ,10 06.7# @ni*ersity of Cebu 157 ,$3 05.33 @ni*ersity of :indanao>=a*ao City 1"# 65
01.63 @ni*ersity of the isayas>Cebu City 110 37 ,3.5" @ni*ersidad =e Famboanga 076 #7 ,7.6$ @ni*ersity of Bohol 01$ 17 ,".7" Bicol College 0,6 "$ 05.#0 @ni*ersity of Baguio ,73 ,0# "3.31 0 Cagayan =e (ro College ,70 50 15.#$ 7 Prog. Language Techni2ue College ,50 66 #,.," 1 @ni*ersity of !orthern Philippines>igan ,"7 #6 13.10 :anuel L. Gu e-on @ni*ersity ,"" #6 13.73 @ni*ersity of the Cordilleras ,"$ ,31 67.16 , Central 8locandia College of /ci H Techn. ,#$ 15 03."5 !aga College ;oundation ,#$ #$ 11.11 !orthwestern @ni*ersity ,35 3$ 05.0, Cordillera Career =e*It College ,10 #" 30.30 5 :t. Pro*ince /tate Polytechnic ,10 "0 3".75 # Pagadian College of Crim H /ciences ,07 05 0$.71 raullo @ni*ersity ,06 35 1".50 ,$ @ni*ersity of :anila ,0$ #$ 3,."5 6 @ni*ersity of /aint nthony ,,6 0" 00.$1 ndres Bonifacio College ,," ,5 ,3."" Pamantasan !g Lungsod !g :untinlupa ,$7 1, 06.33 !egros (riental /tate @ni*>=umaguete ,$5 #$ 3".51 " @ni*ersity of :indanao>Tagum ,$5 0, ,7."1 @ni*ersity of Lu-on &Lu-on College' ,$0 36 35.$" 3 Jest !egros College ,$, 03 01.5" /ource+ PRC (ath Taking Program H Ceremony) 0$$" TBLE # Performance of /chools &as of :ay 0$$"' Category B % #$ to 77 examinees !ame of /chool D of Examinees D of Passers A Rank :anuel /. En*erga @ni*ersity ;oundation 65 17 33.61 :isamis @ni*ersity>(-amis City 61 1$ 1".,3 Bago City College 6, 0" 10.,$ Ramon :agsaysay :emorial Colleges 6$ 10 3$.$$ /aint ;erdinand College>8lagan 6$ ,7 01.5# /orsogon College of Criminology 56 ,3 ,5.7# /aint :aasin 55 0, 05. 05 :etro :anila College 5# 03 10.$$ Jestern :indanao /tate @ni*ersity 53 #, "6.70 0 @ni*ersity of La /allete>/antiago 51 00 1$.,3 ;lorencio L. argas College>Tuguegarao 5, ,7 0".5" Capi- /tate @ni*ersity>=ayao Campus "7 0$ 06.77 /aint Tagbilaran "0 ,0 ,7.1# @ni*ersidad =e :anila9 CColl of :anila "0 ## 66.5, , Ri-al :emorial College ", 7 ,3.5# Jesleyan @ni*ersity of the Philippines ", 1, #$.60 3 Eastern isayas Central College "$ ,7 1,."5 Lipa City Colleges #7 00 15.07 Lyceum of Batangas #" 05 36.0, Ri-al College of Taal ## ,0 0,.60 irgen =elos Remedios Coll. > (longapo ## ,6 ,1.51 La Carlota City Community College #3 ," 07."1 Pangasinan Coll of /ci H Technology #0 1$ #5."7 1 sian =e*elopment ;oundation College #, ," 1,.15 /ource+ PRC (ath Taking Program H Ceremony) 0$$" TBLE " Performance of /chools &as of pril 0$$7' Category ) B and C !ame of /chool D of Examinees D of Passers A Rank Category % ,$$ or more examinees @!8ER/8T (; TE C(R=8LLER/ ,$, 71 70A , @!8ER/8T (; B?@8( ,$1 57 55A 0 @!8ER/8T (; L /LLETE>/!T8?( ,$5 6, 5"A 1 Category B % #$>77 examinees C(R=8LLER CREER =ET C(LLE?E "0 17 "1A , !(RTJE/TER! @!8ER/8T #0 11 "1A 0 :ETR( :!8L C(LLE?E #7 1$ #,A 1 Category C % 0$>37 examinees L8P C8T C(LLE?E/ 0, ,6 6"A , @!8ER/8T (; :!8L 0" 0$ 55A 0 8CCT C(LLE?E/ ;(@!=T8(!) 8!C. 05 ,7 5$A 1 /ource+ PRC (ath Taking Program H Ceremony) 0$$7 TBLE 5 Performance of /chools &as of /eptember 0$$7' Category ) B and C !ame of /chool D of Examinees D of Passers A Rank Category > ,$$ or more examinees JE/TER! P8L. @!8ER/8T &PLJ!' ,$1 50 5$A , PLT C(LLE?E 8!C. ,#6 ,$, "3A 0 :!@EL /. E!ER? @!8ER/8T ;(@!=T8(! ,$3 "# "1A 1 Category B > #$>77 examinees @!8ER/8T (; TE C(R=8LLER/ 6, 50 67A , @!8ER/8== =E :!8L 66 53 63A 0 @!8ER/8T (; :!8L #$ 30 63A 0 P!PC8;8C @!8ER/8T !(RT
P8L8PP8!E/ 57 ", 55A 1 Category C > 0$>37 examinees /8!T :RI/ @!8ER/8T 00 0, 7#A , 8CCT C(LLE?E/ ;(@!=T8(! 8!C. 1, 0" 63A 0 8L8?! :E=8CL CE!TER C(LLE?E 8!C. 1$ 03 6$A 1 /ource+ PRC (ath Taking Program H Ceremony) 0$$7 Based on the figures abo*e) the institutional ranking shows that most of the top performing schools come outside :etro :anila. This follows then that students in the pro*inces are doing better than those in the cities of :etro :anila in terms of board passing. This can also imply that institutional and indi*idual competition is at large and cannot be a*oided. /chools compete for academic excellence while indi*idual examinees compete for achie*ement and recognition. Jhether the population of examinees is large or small among the participating schools) the result of the board examination is an essential marketing strategy to impro*e the number of enrollees among criminology schools. The more the number of board passers) the better they attract enrollees. Today) the ine*itable measurement of 2uality of education is board>passing percentage and employability of graduates. Hurdling the Board Examination
!ow) in order to deal effecti*ely with the examinations) as an indi*idual or as a group) the philosophy of /un T-u may be applied. s it is said) Mnow thy enemy and know thy self) and you need not fear to face hundreds of battles.N The enemy refers to the board examination4 the self refers to the examinee. The battle refers to the three>day period of actual taking the six &"' areas of the Board Examination. Knowing the “Enemy”
@nderstanding the enemy is basically looking into the system of the Board as a whole) knowing information about the composition of the Board of Examiners) who they are) what they do) and focus on their likelihood of handling the areas of the board examination. Presently) the members of the Board of Examiners are on. Lourdes J. niceto as chairman) tty. Ernesto . Cabrera as member) and tty. Carolina <. Es2uerra as member. These people are experts in the field of criminology) *eteran administrators) academicians) and long time legal practitioners. /o with this background) one should get ready) plan ahead and expect the unexpected. (ne should also be percepti*e to think o*er the co*erage of the examination because this pro*ides the examinee a complete guide on what to read and re*iew prior to taking the examination. Based on the pro*isions of Republic ct !o. "#$" and as per PRC syllabi) the co*erage) schedule and weight percentage of the board examination is as follows+ = , % :orning /ession > CR8:8!L <@R8/PR@=E!CE &0$A' Criminal Law &RPC BM , H 0') Criminal Procedure &Rule ,,$ to ,05) RC') Criminal E*idence &Rule ,06 to ,13) RC') Practice Court OO !eed to consider > /pecial Laws = , % fternoon /ession > LJ E!;(RCE:E!T =:8! &L.E..' > &0$A' Police (rg) :gmt) dmin) Police Personnel :gmt) Police (perational Planning) Police Patrol (perations)
Police Comm /ystems) Police Com Relations) Police 8ntelligence) /ecurity :anagement OO !eed to Consider > Police Problems) Contemporary /ystems = 0 % :orning /ession > CR8:8!L8/T8C/ > &0$A' Police Photography) ;orensic Ballistics) =actyloscopy) G. =ocuments) ;orensic Chemistry) Polygraphy) Legal :edicine OO!eed to consider > other related sciences = 0 % fternoon /ession > CR8:8!L 8=E!T8;8CT8(! H =ETECT8(! > &,#A' Basic9;undamentals of 8n*estigation) 8n*estigation of / pecial Crimes) ;ire Technology and rson 8n*estigation. Traffic :anagement and ccident 8n*estigation) !arcotic 8n*estigation OO!eed to consider > related in*estigati*e courses =ay 1 % :orning /ession > CR8:8!L /(C8(L(?) ET8C/) @:! RELT8(!/ != CR8/8/ :!?E:E!T &,#A' Basic9;undamentals of Criminology) /tudy of C(RRECT8(!L =:8!8/TRT8(! > &,$A' Basic9;undamentals of Penology) 8nstitutional Correction &8nstitutional Correction &Probation') Laws Related to Correction of Criminals There are se*eral ways to cope with the co*erage of the examinations. (ne should organi-e and prepare reading materials) re*iew notes and 2ui--es based on the gi*en scopes. isual aids and audio materials should be utili-ed as they can impro*e aptitude particularly on memory or retention of information in the brain. The collection of test 2uestionnaires gi*en in the past board examinations are also important aspect of the re*iew process as they can be useful for as exercises or practices. 8t has been said many times > practice makes perfect. The next thing to consider should be the Professional Regulation CommissionIs &PRCs' system of implementing the Board Examinations. Based on obser*ations) PRC administers the Criminology Board Examination twice a year und er a proctor system but computeri-ed checking. !ote that the exams are all presented in a multiple>choice type of examination at ,$$ points per area co*erage. Therefore) in three days) the examinee will be answering "$$ 2uestions. Jith this information) the examinee should remember that the proctors are important especially during the initial moments of the examination because they gi*e proper instructions and other important details of the test % the examinee ha*e to listen to instructions4 howe*er) he must not be too trustful to ask answers from proctors e*en those who offer. The examinee should be keen to know that they are not criminologist rather they come from other professions. /ince checking of the examination result is programmed on computers) the examinee must strictly follow the general rule which states that erasures are not allowedN. Consider that erasure or alteration is a mortal sin in taking the exa ms. nother thing worthy to take note is the *arying distribution of the weight percentage per area of the examination. !ecessarily) one should consider that the computation of the result is based on
the gi*en distribution of the weights per area co*erage. n example of the computation is shown below. rea Raw /core Times Jeight *e /core Criminal choice type of examination difficult. But this type of examination has been recogni-ed to be the most widely used obecti*e test method. 8t measures simple learning outcome measured by short answer item) alternate>response item) and matching exercise. 8t also measures complex learning outcomes in the knowledge) understanding) and application areas. @nderstanding its four characteristics makes you more accurate in picking you r choices. There is , > a problem &stem' in the form of a direct 2uestion or an incomplete statement and there are 0 > suggested solutions &alternati*es' in the form of words) numbers) symbols) or phrases and 1> an swer &correct alternati*e' then the rest are 3> distracters or the remaining alternati*es. There are se*eral forms of applying the mechan ics of multiple>choice type of examination. re*iew of the pre*ious board examination 2uestions) the following examples shows a few important lessons+ =irect Guestion ;orm Jhich one of the following places modern policing started . @/ B. London C. /cotland =. England 8ncomplete /tatement ;orm Rigor mortis is a post>mortem body changes occurring in the > . Color B. Eye C. Blood =. :uscle Best nswer Type Jhich of the following is the most expensi*e type of patrol . elicopter Patrol B. :arine Patrol C. M>7 Patrol =. ;oot Patrol
!ote also that multiple>choice types of examination are used in measuring knowledge outcome as in the following+ Mnowledge of Terminology ,. Jhich word nearly expresses the meaning of collusion . =ecision B. Continuation C. Conni*ance =. 8nsinuation 0. Jhich of these statements best describe conduction . eat transfers through li2uid B. eat transfers through heat wa*es C. eat transfers through solid materials =. eat transfers through air motion 1. Jhat is meant by the word hordeN in the following sentence+ The police successfully dispersed the horde of protesters.N . Large group B. /upporters C. :otor ehicles =. Barricade The third example abo*e is a typical instance where the elimination techni2ue of answering 2uestions may be used. /imple analysis of the 2uestion) its shows that one can not disperse a barricade nor a motor *ehicle because these are things) one can not also disperse supporters)) hence) eliminating =) C and B) the most logical answer is . Mnowledge of /pecific ;acts ,. Jhat was the first court that held upon the admissibility of fingerprint as e*idence . !ew choice type of exam is used for measuring outco mes at the understanding and application le*els like the examples below+ ,. Jhich of the following does not fall under Class fires . Exploding gas depot B. Burning nipa hut C. ;orest fire =. !one of the abo*e 0. Jhich of the following best illustrates arson . /imultaneous fire B. ;aulty electric wiring C. @nexplained explosion =. Thick reddish smoke :ultiple choice type of exam is used to interpret cause>and>effect relationships like this example+ ,. Carbon dioxide is ha-ardous because it % . is poisonious B. explodes when ignite by sparks C. does not support life =. supports combustion :ultiple choice type of exam is also use to ustify methods of procedures such as this example+
,. Jhy is water prohibited to 2uench Class = fires . Burning metals are too hot B. Jater is not capable of extinguishing the fire C. There is the danger of electrocution =. Class = fires reacts *iolently with water aluable to know is that not all 2uestions gi*en in the Board Examination are perfectly stated or phrased. s per obser*ation of the pre*ious examination 2uestionnaires) there are some unintended errors like the following examples+ 8f no appeal is made) a udgment becomes final after QQQQQQ da ys from its promulgation. .
/ubse2uent to studying the many components encompassing the enemy) the examinee should also focus on what he has and de*elop them as another tool to beat the examination. The examinee need to determine his strengths first then his weaknesses so that he can be able to
properly assess himself of his o*erall standing. 8n doing this) he may consider the following guidelines+ Before the =ate of Exam ,. Check date of filing and deadlines 0. Check PRC re2uirements and be early in preparing them 1. ttend the re*iew religiously 3. (rgani-e your notes) 2ui--ers and all re*iew materials #. Pre>test yourself using 2uestionnaires and assess your le*el of preparation ". ;ocus on the important pointers to re*iew 5. ?et rest the night before the exam) wake up early and get your composure 6. PR =uring the Exam =ays ,. Relax) be cool) calm and be collected 0. Listen to the proctor) follow the instructions in the form filling period 1. Read and understand 2uestions or the stem of the problem thoroughly. 3. =onIt answer immediately halfway in the 2uestion. /tudy the 2uestion up to the end) read all suggested answers. #. naly-e and look for keywords and other clues before choosing the answer ". Try the process of elimination for difficult 2uestions 5. Remember+ !o ER/@RE/S Jhen in doubt lea*e the item4 proceed to the next and re*iew your answers later. 6. Guestions with !(T) !() ECEPT) =(!IT re2uire negati*e to fact or exc lusions. 7. Time is an ad*antage on your part) use it wisely ,$. Be positi*e but not o*er confident fter E*ery Exam &per area' ,. Be calm and 2uiet then proceed to your camp and recei*e last minute tips from your instructors. 0. =o not discuss the answers yet until the last examination period 1. Take hea*y meals before e*ery examination time 3. Browse notes and re*iew materials to set your mind for the next examination area9category #. !e*er hurry in tak ing the examinations especially the last exam area. lways take time and finish the examination with ease. ". Reward yourself after the examination by going home safe. fter Passing the Board Exam ,. Check dates of the oath taking ceremony and release of PRC licenses 0. ttend the oath taking ceremony % this will gi*e you a sense of pride and experience a new beginning of your professional career. OOO Lucky are those who do not belie*e on L@CMN > rkm
