Mastering Medical Admissions

The NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) is a standardized examination that aspiring medical students in the Philippines are required to take as a prerequisite for admission to medical schools across the country. It is designed to assess the aptitude and academic proficiency of candidates, serving as a crucial selection criterion for medical school admissions.

The NMAT emerged from the need to carefully evaluate the potential of aspiring medical students and improve the quality of medical education in the country. Since its establishment as a prerequisite for admission in 1986-1987, the NMAT has been managed by the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM). CEM, as an experienced educational testing agency, ensures the test's reliability, validity, and the integrity of its administration. The NMAT transitioned to an online format in August 2020, and multiple test administration schedules have been implemented since then, typically starting in September or October and concluding in March or April.

To be eligible for the NMAT in the Philippines, several categories of individuals are required to take the exam, including college graduates, graduating college students, students in specific integrated medical programs, those who previously took the NMAT but didn't meet the minimum cut-off score, and those with valid NMAT eligibility who aim to improve their scores. Foreign applicants should refer to the CHED Executive Order 285 series of 2000 and CHED Memorandum Order No. 18 series of 2016 for specific guidelines. The NMAT must be taken within two years from the time of admission to medical school, with a percentile score equal to or higher than the prescribed requirement by the respective school or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), whichever is higher, as stated in CHED Memorandum Order No. 18 series of 2016.

The NMAT is a comprehensive two-part examination that assesses both mental ability and academic proficiency. Part 1 includes four subtests: Verbal, measuring verbal reasoning and comprehension; Inductive Reasoning, evaluating the ability to perceive relationships and draw logical conclusions; Quantitative, assessing general reasoning and mathematical problem-solving skills; and Perceptual Acuity, testing visual recognition and analytical abilities. Part 2 focuses on subject proficiency and consists of subtests in Biology, Physics, Social Science, and Chemistry. The NMAT is an online exam comprising 240 multiple-choice questions with assigned time limits for each section, ensuring a fair and structured testing environment.