Criminology Graduates’ Motivation and Mindset: Key Factors Driving Success in Board Examination

Success in the criminology board examination is a significant milestone that reflects not only academic competence but also the determination, mindset, and motivation of aspiring criminologists. This study explored how motivation, mindset, and strategic preparation influenced criminology graduates in Lanao del Norte who initially failed but later passed the board examination. A transcendental phenomenological design was used to capture the lived experiences of participants, guided by Moustakas' framework. The research was conducted within Lanao del Norte, considering its diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews focused on personal motivations, coping strategies, and mindset shifts. Seven criminology graduates who previously failed the board exam and later passed were selected through snowball sampling. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed to extract key insights from the participants' narratives. Findings revealed four key themes: Fuelling Success through Motivation and Mindset: Strategic Study Habits as the Engine for Examination Perseverance, Transforming Challenges into Motivation through Mindset Shift and Goal-Driven Support, Using Aspirations for Professional Fulfilment and Stability, Building Exam Success through Growth Mindset, Resilience and Emotional Mastery. The study concluded that cultivating strong motivation, strategic preparation habits, resilience, and emotional regulation are crucial for overcoming board exam failures. The study recommended that educational institutions may enhance support systems by fostering mindset development, resilience training, and career-focused mentoring to improve board exam outcomes.