Aiming for the Top: The Vision Behind a Topnotcher

From an early stage, Engr. Pasumbal had always been very determined to accomplish something great. His early choice to study civil engineering was motivated by his natural curiosity and wonder about structures, but it was clear even at his high school days that his target was to ace the board examinations. This provided him with motivation and focus to help him get through everything.

Rather than accepting mediocrity, he opted to be an expert at what he was doing. It was clear in his mind that taking the engineering examination is more than just meeting requirements because it is an avenue to fully capitalize on his full potential.

Preparation Before the Battle: Building a Strong Foundation

One of the defining strategies in his success was preparing even before the formal review period began. Months ahead of the exam, he focused on completing 80–90% of his notes, including concepts, formulas, and terminologies. This allowed him to enter the review phase with a solid foundation already in place.

By doing this, he was able to maximize his time during the actual review, focusing more on problem-solving and reinforcement rather than basic familiarization. This approach highlights the importance of preparation before intensive review, proving that success is often built long before the final stretch begins.

Mastering the Process: A Structured and Disciplined Review Routine

During the entire review process, Engr. Pasumbal had an organized and systematic daily schedule wherein he allocated 8–10 hours of intensive studying daily. His plan consisted of reviewing classes, personal exercises, and continuous repetition of the lessons in order to master each lesson.

Moreover, he used a different strategy for every subject, concentrating deeply on HPGE and PSAD and enhancing his basics in MSTC. He knew that MSTC is a vital subject, so he did not just limit himself to regular reviews. Rather, he subjected himself to various challenging questions which he had never encountered before.

Learning Through Challenges: Turning Setbacks into Strength

Despite his strong preparation, the journey was not without obstacles. Distractions, difficult problems, and moments of self-doubt tested his consistency and mental strength. There were times when his planned schedule did not go as expected, leading to frustration and lost time.

Instead of getting demoralized by the setbacks, he found ways of overcoming them. Whenever he had to do something different from what he initially thought he should be doing, he would pause to clear his mind before moving on. It was after a particularly poor pre-board test that he decided to take some time off to rethink everything.

Balancing Intensity and Recovery: The Role of Rest and Mindset

It would be impossible not to mention the significance of knowing how to maintain equilibrium. Even though he had an intense academic schedule, he learned when it was appropriate to pause and take some time off when he was exhausted, ensuring that he could sustain his efficiency.

Furthermore, he also depended on faith and positive thinking to pull him through when he doubted himself. He kept his feet on the ground and always had perspective on everything, allowing him to prevent burnout and keep his determination intact.

Advice for Future Engineers: Aim Higher Than Passing

Engineer Pasumbal stresses the need to strive for more than mere passing in the board examination among future aspirants. The higher aspiration, whether it is getting a number one rank or otherwise, would definitely increase their preparation and mental state. Even if they fail to reach their high aspiration, they would surely get good results

In addition, he encourages future takers to have fun in their journey towards success and be thankful for the opportunities. Future takers would realize that their success would not only depend on their performance on examination day but on their daily efforts and preparation.

The journey of Engr. Marc Zendrijk Pasumbal proves that becoming a topnotcher is not a result of talent alone, but of intentional preparation, discipline, and resilience. His story reflects the value of aiming high, staying consistent, and adapting through challenges.

For future civil engineers, his experience serves as both a roadmap and a reminder: success in the board exam is not just about passing—it is about becoming the best version of yourself throughout the process.