In a remarkable achievement, the top performer of the October 2024 Electronics Technicians board exam also ranked first in the April 2024 Electronics Engineering Licensure Exam.
At just 23 years old, Niele Shem Geronimo Bañas earned widespread admiration for excelling in not one but two licensure exams. Hailing from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, Bañas clinched the top spot in the April 2024 Electronics Engineering Licensure Exam (ECELE) with a score of 91.80%. Six months later, he topped the October 2024 Electronics Technicians Licensure Exam (ECTLE) with a rating of 93.00%.
Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Niele Shem Geronimo Bañas
After his success in the ECELE, Bañas was awarded Php 200,000 by his alma mater, the Technological University of the Philippines–Visayas, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2023.
Bañas shared that while passing the ECE licensure would have been enough to start practicing, he aimed to cover all areas of his field. He expressed that his dream was to complete both the engineering and technician licensure exams.
He said, “Relieving, kasi free na from the pressure of staying on top. Tsaka nakaka-proud na din kasi ito talaga ang dream ko.”
A self-proclaimed online gaming enthusiast, Bañas admitted to staying up late playing games. However, when the pandemic struck, he started feeling stressed, which led him to realize the need to take a break from excessive gaming. From then on, he only played during his free time between studying.
In an interview, the proud engineer revealed that he had just two weeks to prepare for the October ECT board exams. However, the knowledge and preparation from his earlier ECE board exam made him feel confident. He described the ECTLE as more of a review, thanks to the thorough studying he had done for the ECELE last April.
Bañas emphasized the importance of having effective study techniques when preparing for a licensure exam. He noted that maintaining balance was key to preventing academic burnout.
Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Niele Shem Geronimo Bañas
He explained that during his preparation, he would dedicate months to focusing on one specific subject before moving on to the next. This slower pace allowed him to master the material while also giving himself time for other activities. Additionally, he created his own notes, flashcards, and study guides, which helped him retain key concepts.
The future looks promising for the topnotcher engineer. He shared that he is now ready to practice the profession he is passionate about and is excited to pursue further studies in Electrical Engineering to advance his career.