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Topnotcher in civil engineers board exam says he maintained consistent study habit
Topnotcher in civil engineers board exam says he maintained consistent study habit
The topnotcher in the November 2025 Civil Engineers Licensure Examination said he prepared by having a consistent study habit.
Jonathan Conrad Go Yu, 24, a Cebu City resident and a graduate of the University of San Carlos, took the No. 1 spot in the civil engineers licensure exam by getting a rating of 91.75 percent.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) had earlier announced that 4,268 of 14,043 examinees passed the exam given by the Board of Civil Engineering in 19 testing centers in the country in November.
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Yu said that to prepare for the exam, he enrolled at the Megareview and Tutorial Center in Cebu last January.
“I prepared for the board exam by enrolling in Megareview Center. And I just tried to keep a consistent study habit. At least every day I will be able to answer something, even if sometimes I answer less on this day and more on the next day. But as long as my brain is getting exercised, then I will keep. It's okay,” Yu said.
He graduated cum laude last Feb. 4 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of San Carlos.
Yu said his original plan was to take the board exam in April “but we couldn't obtain our requirements in time for the exam.”
“So I had to take on this last September actually, and then it got postponed to November. So I started reviewing around January, because I missed the first month of review from finishing my school. And then when I was done with school, it was already Christmas break, so I didn't get to attend anything the first month. So I started around January, I can say,” he said.
The PRC postponed the September board exam to November “due to forecasted heavy rainfall that will be brought about by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Opong’ and in consideration of the health and safety of the examinees and assigned examination personnel.”
He said he was not aiming to be in the top 10 but the instructors at the review center saw his potential.
“At first I was not aiming to be at the top. I just wanted to do well and pass and be able to answer everything. And then, throughout the review, I realized, and our instructors in the review center realized also that I had potential, so they helped me and they motivated me also to strive for more,” he said.
He was at home past midnight when he learned that he got the No. 1 spot in the licensure exam.
“I was shocked because it wasn't expected at all. I did not check the list of top-notchers, I just checked the passers. And I was happy to see my name there,” said Yu.
It was his sister who told the family that he got the No. 1 spot in the licensure exam.
“My parents, they were happy. They were already sleeping. Then my sister started screaming and woke them up. Tapos lahat sila pumunta sa kuwarto ko (Then they all went to my room). They were happy. They started jumping and screaming also. So when my sister told me that I was a top-notcher, I was shocked and I couldn't believe it. ” he said.
University of San Carlos congratulated Yu and other graduates who passed the licensure exam.
“Elevating this achievement is Engr. Jonathan Conrad Go Yu, who secures 1st place with an outstanding 91.75%, emerging as the only Cebu-based topnotcher in the recent Civil Engineering Licensure Examination,” the school posted on Facebook.
Yu said his plan “is to find a job siguro for the rest of the moment. And try to get experience and then explore the field.” He received job offers after the licensure exam results came out.
In elementary and high school, Yu represented the Philippines and won in international math competitions.
He said his math training also helped him.
“Yes, I think it did help me because I was able to understand and grasp the concepts faster, and I could easily translate the skills from MTG [ Mathematics Trainers′ Guild, Philippines] to here in civil engineering, even if the lessons are new,” he said.
About his feat, Yu said, “I attribute my success to God, to my parents, to my sisters and to my friends. And to the teachers as well. From college and high school and elementary and also the review center.”