Quali to push through by December

The qualifying examination for the incoming Third Year Accountancy students was decided to recommence by December due to the strict quarantine protocols imposed by the government because of the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the first departmental meeting of the School of Business and Accountancy (SBA) held on June 5.

Ms. Sandra S. Brucal, the Accountancy Program Chairperson, said that the department plans to conduct the said examination at least a week after the end of the first semester. “Based [on] the proposed calendar year, the opening of classes is [on] August 3 and [will probably] end by December 12. So we’re eyeing December 14-18 to be the examination date.”

If the set date would still be affected by the pandemic, the department allotted the first week of January 2021 as the second option. Ms. Brucal also added that although the exam is rescheduled at a later date, students should have started to review as early as possible as there are too many topics to cover.

 When asked whether the qualifying exams can be done virtually, the Program Chairperson clarified by stating, “Currently, there are about 500 Accountancy students boarded to take the exam. We cannot risk even one student given the situation, but the University President also advised us that synchronous assessments cannot be done online. The qualifying exams will still be facilitated on campus. We’ve already posted the costing, everything is prepared.”

It was also mentioned that if the situation persists, the department will secure a special permit that could certify and assure that conducting the said assessment is safe and is not violating any of the protocol.

Requirements and policies discussed in the orientation with the former Accountancy Program Coordinator, Mr. Renz Marasigan, have no further changes and would remain as they are. The shifting and retention policies of the program would still be effective as planned by the second semester.

LAYOUT BY: Chester P. Cortez

PHOTO SOURCE(S): Pixabay (Pexels)