Responses
I can totally relate since I'm going through this right now. I had decided to take the competitive exam just for experience but as people around me came to know about it, they are pressurizing me how I'm going to achieve high scores and which are the top universities I should opt for ╥﹏╥
I might be interpreting thos wrong, but I'm kinda similar with him when it comes to handling personal decisions and not telling people.
There's this pressure and expectation when you tell people, "oh I'm aiming to be a police officer and I'm studying for its test" people will root for you out of goodwill, but it'll also feel like eyes creeping up on you and putting pressure that you MUST succeed. Plus, telling people that you failed right after they cheered you on feels so bad, it's much better to tell it after everything is done so it comes off as a "oh I tried it out to see how it'll turn out, but I bombed it lmao".
Personally, I'd rather do something risky/bold like competing somewhere or smth, wait for the results or for it finish, and if I win or smth good happend, THAT'S WHEN I tell the people around me.