The Center for Educational Measurement, Inc.

(CEM) has been commissioned since 1985 by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through its Technical Committee for Medical Education, to develop and administer the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). CEM designed NMAT Online Registration System (ORS) to facilitate the registration of all NMAT applicants and students intending to pursue medical education in the Philippines. For now, the NMAT-ORS is open only to all local and foreign applicants who intend to take the NMAT in the Philippines. For those who will take the NMAT in the United States or in other countries, they are advised to contact the designated contact person and register for the test according to designated procedures. Pertinent information about the NMAT is available on this site. NMAT-ORS provides a primer on the NMAT instrument that describes the scope and the different subtests of NMAT, the test scores, and the interpretation of test results. The requirements and procedures for admission to Philippine medical schools and step-by-step guide on admission procedures for foreign students can also be downloaded from this site. The amounts and procedures for paying the registration and test fees can also be viewed or downloaded here. Once payment is confirmed, the NMAT Practice Set Parts I and II and the NMAT Supplementary Handout which contains contact information on Philippine medical schools and answer key to the practice sets will be made available for download. Applicant is advised to view or download and fully understand and accept the provisions on the refund of test fees. He/she must also view or download the general instructions on the day of the test. Furthermore, the applicant is strongly advised to read and fully understand all the NMAT information in this site that is pertinent and applicable to him/her before proceeding to register online. It is hoped that NMAT-ORS will facilitate the NMAT application process and make Philippine medical education globally accessible to all aspiring medical students.

About NMAT
The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is an instrument designed to upgrade the selection of applicants seeking admission to Philippine medical schools. It evolved from a widespread concern to screen qualified candidates aspiring for a medical degree. It intends to improve the quality of medical education in the country and envisions to elevate the medical profession to a level of competence through a careful evaluation of student potentials for future medical studies. Pursuant to the Medical Act of 1959, the Board of Medical Education (BME), under DECS Order No. 52 series 1985 and in consultation with the Association of Philippine Medical

Colleges (APMC), required the NMAT as a prerequisite for admission in all medical schools nationwide beginning school year 1986 - 1987. The Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) has been authorized to manage the affairs and activities related to the operation of the NMAT since the first administration of the test in December 1985. With CEMs experience as an educational testing agency, it was commissioned to develop the NMAT, ensure the reliability and validity of the test and uphold the confidentiality of results and integrity of its administration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST The NMAT is a two-part test: Part I consists of tests of mental ability and Part II tests, of academic proficiency. The four subtests that compose Part I measure aptitudes that were found to have significant correlations with academic performance of medical students, while the four subtests that compose Part II measure subject proficiency in areas which are part of the academic background required of applicants to the medical course. The subtests in Part I are as follows: Verbal. This subtest consists of two types of test items, namely, word analogies and reading comprehension, which measure verbal ability in English. Items in reading comprehension are based on the content of portions of published materials covering a wide range of topics, e.g., social, scientific, medical, philosophical, literary. Inductive Reasoning. This subtest consists of number, letter, and figural series and figure grouping items. These items are known to measure induction which is the ability to form and test a hypothesis directed at finding a principle with which to identify an element fitting a given relationship. Quantitative. This subtest consists of three types of items, namely, fundamental operations, problem solving, and data interpretation. These items are intended to measure general reasoning which is defined as the ability to organize and apply knowledge of basic mathematics and reasoning to find solutions for them. Perceptual Acuity. This subtest consists of three types of items, namely, hidden figure, mirror image, and identical information. Solutions to these items involve accuracy in visual perception, an ability linked to extensiveness of scanning, a cognitive style associated with meticulousness, concern with detail, and sharp, yet wide-ranging focus of attention. The four subtests that compose Part II are Biology, Physics, Social Science, and Chemistry. Social Science includes items in psychology, sociology, and anthropology. The items in the four subtests are limited to the content coverage of the areas that are common and basic to the curricula of the degree programs considered as premedical courses. On the whole, these four subtests measure complex mental abilities because solution to the items require the use of the different cognitive skills of knowledge, comprehension, application (process), analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

PREPARING FOR THE TEST The NMAT is intended to measure mental and academic skills that are regarded as necessary in the successful pursuit of medical education, and possibly in the profession itself. You, the prospective test taker, may have learned a wide array of mental and academic skills, but unless you know definitely which ones to use on which part of the NMAT, you will not perform in the test as well as you should. UNDERSTANDING THE NMAT Test taking will be greatly improved with the use of a practice set that, more or less, reflects the content and test length of the NMAT and the skills that the test measures. The practice test will help you know what each particular subtest is about, and what it measures by analyzing the information, concepts, and principles involved in the items. The brief description of the NMAT in the previous section gives you an idea of the relative difficulty of the subtests. Part I requires more of innate abilities. The items in any of the four subtests of Part I measure a primary aptitude. Basic concepts or principles can be found in the items presented. In Part II, the items in any of the four subtests, with the exception of recall items, require the use of complex abilities such as application and analysis. This is where Part II will require references and note taking. For example, in the practice test, a problem in physics that requires the use of a formula will need your ability to recall the formula and apply it. It is, therefore, good practice to note down your analysis of the problem. A formula has a number of variables, and it is likely to appear in similar problems involving the other variables. MANAGEMENT OF STUDY TIME There are about three months between the registration for the NMAT and the administration of the test. Apportion your time wisely so that you can cover all the areas included In Part II. Your practice can be a good indicator of your weak areas. Early in your preparation to take the NMAT, you should try to answer all the questions in your practice set. Tick off or note all the items where you have difficulty understanding and getting the correct answers. Then reread your notes or reference books and analyze why your answers differ from the correct answer. Do your review systematically so you proceed by sections. After you have finished reviewing your weak areas, you should now be ready to take the NMAT. To prepare yourself to take the test under time pressure, take your practice set and simulate the actual test time which is 3 hours for Part I and 2 hours for Part II. After answering the test under time pressure, score your test against the Answer Key. If you get 75% of the items correctly, you are in good shape and ready to take the NMAT. Lower than 75% correct answers will mean the need to improve your base information level on the various subtests and to sharpen your application and/or analytical skills. CAUTION: The Practice Set is meant to guide you in your review and to provide you with an opportunity to simulate the NMAT testing procedure. Do not memorize the test questions and the

answers in the answer key. The NMAT you will take will not include the same questions you see in the Practice Set. TEST SCORES Part I of the NMAT yields five scores, one for each of the four aptitude subtests and their summative score, the APT Composite. Similarly, Part II yields five scores, one for each of the four special subject areas and their summative score, the SA Composite. The General Performance Score, or GPS, is the summative score derived from the eight subtests. Click here to view an image of the Examinee Report Form (ERF) on which the NMAT scores are printed. The results on the test are converted to standard scores from normalized scales which have points ranging from 200 to 800 and midpoints of 500. These scales were mathematically derived from the NMAT performance of the norm group. The test, therefore, is norm-referenced. The test results of examinees are automatically compared to those of the norm group which has mean scores of 500 (coincident to the midpoint 500) and a standard deviation of 100. In addition, a percentile rank scale was generated specifically for the General Performance Score (GPS) for purposes of ranking. This scale has points ranging from 1- to 99+, with a midpoint of 50 whichcorresponds to the midpoint of 500 in the normalized standard score scales. An examinees raw score or number of correct answers in a subtest is converted to its equivalent standard score. The eight subtests have a common normalized scale. This makes possible the comparison of reported scores across the eight subtests. The APT Composite and SA Composite are the summative raw scores of Part I and Part II, respectively, which are then converted to their equivalent standard scores from a common normalized scale. The General Performance Score (GPS) is the summative raw score of the eight subtests which is converted to its equivalent standard score and corresponding percentile rank. Thus, the three standard scores are independent scores although they yield to the same interpretation of standard scores and percentile ranks. TEST RESULTS Your NMAT score will be printed in the Examinee Report Form (ERF) and the original copy of this form will be mailed to you (or be ready for pick-up) six weeks after the test date. To safeguard the authenticity of the results, your score will also appear in the masterlist of test scores which will be sent to all Philippine medical schools, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Higher Education Regional Offices (HERO), and the office of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC). To maintain confidentiality, the ERF is given only to the examinee himself/herself. Phoned-in inquiries on an individuals scores will not be entertained. In case an examinee needs a second copy of the ERF, he/she may file a written request for a second copy of the ERF at CEM after two weeks from the release of the test results. A minimal retrieval fee is charged for every copy of the ERF.

The CEM does not entertain rechecking of NMAT answer sheets. The results contained in the ERF and in the NMAT masterlists are official and are guaranteed free of discrepancies. Medical schools and Higher Education Regional Offices must therefore refer only to the masterlist for official scores. The masterlist safeguards the authenticity of the NMAT results. NMAT consists of two parts Part I is given in the morning and Part II in the afternoon. An examinee must sit for both parts of the test. If the examinee fails to sit for Part II of the test in the afternoon, he/she automatically waives the reporting and release of his/her NMAT results. His/her answer sheet will not be processed and no official NMAT results will be released or received by the examinee.

Requirements & Procedures for Admission to Philippine Medical Schools

The requirements and procedures for admission to Philippine medical schools discussed below are applicable to both Filipino and foreign nationals aspiring to pursue medical education in any of the schools. Updates on the requirements are based on the Updated Policies, Standards and Guidelines for Medical Education, CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 10, s. 2006. Prerequisite 1: Bachelors Degree. Students seeking admission to the medical education program must be a holder of any baccalaureate degree. Prerequisite 2: National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). Applicants to medical schools in the Philippines are required to take the NMAT. The test is developed and administered by the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) as authorized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) per Memorandum of Agreement (1985) between the former Board of Medical Education, now Technical Committee for Medical Education, and CEM. The testing dates, local and abroad, are decided and announced by the CHED and CEM. The NMAT scores obtained by a medical school applicant at any given examination year are deemed sufficient and valid as basis for evaluating applicants for admission to a college of medicine. The applicant is encouraged to do well in the test and obtain his/her best scores in the NMAT to increase his/her chances of being accepted in the best medical schools in the Philippines. Prerequisite 3: Certificate of Eligibility for Admission to a Medical Course (CEMed). The CEMed application form may be obtained from the regional offices of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Foreign students may apply at CHED Office of Student Services (OSS) located at the National Engineering Center Building, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The requirements in securing the CEMed are as follows: 1. Fully accomplished CEMed application form 2. Transcript of Records

3. Copy of Diploma or Certificate of Graduation authenticated by the Registrar of the school where he/she graduated (for graduates of government school) 4. NMAT results (original or duplicate copy of Examinee Report Form) issued by CEM 5. Birth Certificate 6. Certificate of good moral character Prerequisite 4: Applicants Acceptance in Medical School. The CEMed does not automatically assure the applicant of a slot in any of the medical schools in the country. A student who has been issued a CEMed is given full acceptance only upon meeting the other requirements of the admitting school, such as passing the interviews. It may be advisable, therefore, to seek preliminary acceptance from the medical school chosen by the applicant before obtaining the CEMed.

Registration & Test Fees

THE ONLINE REGISTRATION AND TEST FEES The NMAT registration fee covers the development, updating, maintaining, and deployment of the online registration system. This includes the online Application Form and Student Information Questionnaire (SIQ), the transaction emails, and the downloaded materials like the NMAT Identification Form, Practice Set (Parts I and II) which serves as a reviewer, and the Supplementary Handout containing the answer key to the Practice Set and other information for the medical school applicant such as the addresses, telephone numbers and college deans of Philippine medical schools. The NMAT test fee covers the costs of test development, processing the application form, test administration, processing and scoring of answer sheets, and the printing and delivery of test results. The applicable NMAT registration and test fees are posted together with the announcement of the NMAT testing schedule and in the NMAT Supplementary Handout. Payment of NMAT fees can be made using major credit cards or through Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branches nationwide. Official receipt of payment will be send or can be picked-up together with the official NMAT test results. Applicants who register from abroad and will take the test in the Philippines can only pay through credit card. Please take note that review centers are NOT authorized to collect or accept in behalf of CEM any NMAT registration or test fees from NMAT applicants. Any untoward incident arising from your dealings with a review center, or any such entity, is solely your responsibility. REFUND OF TEST FEES

Registration fee is non-refundable. You are entitled to a ninety percent (90%) refund of your test fee only if you submit a letter requesting for a refund of test fee within the regular registration period. No refund shall be made after the regular registration period. Refund is in the form of a check that will be issued two weeks after CEM receives your request letter. The check should also be claimed within six (6) months from the date of receipt of request letter. Failure to claim the check within such period shall negate your entitlement to a refund. Failure of the applicant to take or complete the test on the scheduled test date under any circumstances totally forfeits his/her NMAT registration and test fees.

Instructions on the Day of the Test

1. Only applicants who are properly registered with the CEM will be admitted at the test site. 2. Bring the following when you report at the test site: Important documents:

NMAT Identification Form Valid ID (e.g., Official School ID, Drivers License, Passport, etc.)

Other materials:

Pencils (No. 2 or HB) Erasers Watch (optional)

Pens, pencils with colored or liquid lead, books, dictionaries, calculators, slide rules, photographic devices, cellular phones/beepers, transmitters and notes are not allowed in the testing room. 3. On the day of the test, you will read a set of general instructions before you begin the examination. Each section of the test also has specific directions, including sample questions. You should become familiar with the specific directions before you take the test. This will make it possible for you to spend less time reading instructions and more time answering questions on the actual test. 4. Each part of the test has a time limit. The examiner will tell you when to start and when to stop. Try to work fast but observe care and accuracy. 5. Some of the questions in the test are harder than the others, but try to answer all of them. Begin with the easy questions and go to the more difficult ones later. Your score will be based on

the number of correct answers made. There is no deduction for a wrong response. You are, therefore, encouraged to answer all the test questions. 6. You should not use note papers or write anything on your test booklet. Do not make unnecessary marks on your answer sheet. You will receive credit only for correct answers marked in the proper places on the sheet. 7. In case the NMAT cannot be administered on the date announced because of a major weather disturbance or some unavoidable circumstance, a postponement will be necessary and the test will be given a week later at the same time and place designated. 8. Cheating in any form, will automatically invalidate the test result. An examinee found cheating will be dismissed from the testing room. His/her answer sheet will not be processed and the test fee will be totally forfeited. He/She is disqualified to take another NMAT. 9. An examinee who is found to be in possession of illegally obtained NMAT booklet will be dealt with accordingly. He/She is likewise disqualified to take another NMAT. 10. NMAT consists of two parts Part I is given in the morning and Part II in the afternoon. An examinee must sit for both parts of the test. If an examinee will not or cannot sit for Part II in the afternoon, he/she must inform the examiner in his/her room and accomplish a waiver wherein he/she waives the reporting and release of his/her NMAT scores. His/her answer sheet will not be processed and no official NMAT results will be released or received by the examinee.

BPI Payment Procedure

The NMAT Registration and Testing Fee is One Thousand Nine Hundred Pesos (PhP1,900.00). You can pay online using a credit card or go through an over-the-counter transaction at the bank. Payment should be made on or before November 16, 2010. Please note that you are not completely registered or fully qualified to take the NMAT if you have not paid the NMAT fees even if you have already downloaded, printed and accomplished your NMAT Identification Form. Credit card payment Major credit cards are accepted and processed by Yes Payment System. As soon as credit card payment is completed online, the applicant will immediately receive his/her payment confirmation email together with his/her NMAT Application Form. The applicant can then view his/her application status and download the NMAT Practice Set (Part I and Part II) and the Supplementary Handout.

All foreign applicants or those applying from abroad and taking the test here in the Philippines are strongly advised to pay by credit card. Bank payment Bank payments can be made in all Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branches nationwide. Only cash and full payment of PhP1,900.00 is accepted. If you clicked and chose to pay through BPI, you will immediately receive an email that shows your assigned NMAT Application Number and Bank Reference Number. Attached to this email is your NMAT Identification (ID) Form. Download, print, and accomplish the NMAT ID Form. Bring this form with you to the nearest BPI branch and fill out a deposit/payment slip. Account Name/Merchant's Name is Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) and CEM's BPI account number is 1881-0450-24. Copy, exactly as written in your NMAT ID, the Bank Reference Number and your full name (as Policy/Plan/Reference No. and Policy/Planholder's Name, respectively) into the BPI deposit/payment slip. Present the deposit/payment slip to the bank teller together with your payment. Keep the Client's Copy of the deposit/payment slip for reference or verification purposes. You shall receive your payment confirmation email within two (2) banking days. You may then view your application status and download the NMAT Practice Set and Supplementary Handout as soon as payment is confirmed. A paid applicant shall receive his/her CEM Official Receipt (OR) of payment when he/she receives or picks up his/her official NMAT Examinee Report Form (ERF). A paid applicant is also strongly advised to visit the NMAT Online Registration System two (2) weeks before the test date to view his/her room assignment and download his/her NMAT Notice of Admission.