BOI NMAT _0714
BULLETIN OF INFORMATION
(Policies in this BOI are in effect from July 2014 until April 2015.)
CONTENTS
Part 1. About NMAT....................................................................................................................3
Brief Description of the Test......................................................................................3
Preparing for the Test ................................................................................................4
Understanding the NMAT..............................................................................4
Management of Study Time ..........................................................................4
Test Scores .................................................................................................................5
Test Results ................................................................................................................6
Release of Test Results: Examinee Report Forms .........................................6
Request for Second Copy ..............................................................................7
Distribution of Masterlist of Test Scores.......................................................7
Rechecking of Answer Sheets ....................................................................................7
Noncompletion of the Test and Absence on Test Day..............................................7
Part 2. Online Registration.............................................................................................................7
Eligibility .....................................................................................................................7
Requirements.............................................................................................................8
Procedure...................................................................................................................8
Test Fees ....................................................................................................................8
BPI Payment Procedure .............................................................................................9
Credit Card Payment......................................................................................9
Bank Payment ................................................................................................9
Refund of Test Fees .................................................................................................10
Part 3. Test Day Instructions........................................................................................................10
Rules to Follow While Inside the Testing Room ......................................................11
This Bulletin of Information (BOI) is the official policy and procedure guide to the NMAT.
This will guide you in preparing to take the test and provide you the necessary
information for a smooth registration and testing experience.
2 NMAT Bulletin of Information
PART 1. 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 Foundation, Inc.
(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 CEM’s 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
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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. 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 two to four months between the registration for the NMAT and the administration of
the test, depending on when you take the test—early in the year (i.e. March or April) or late in the
year (November or December). 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. The practice set
has exactly the same directions as the actual test. 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.
Upon answering the 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
4 NMAT Bulletin of Information
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 ½ 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.
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. The Examinee Report Form (ERF), on which the NMAT scores are
printed, is illustrated below.
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 are mathematically derived from the NMAT
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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 standard deviations of 100. In addition, a percentile rank scale is generated specifically
for the GPS for purposes of ranking. This scale has points ranging from 1‐ to 99+, with a midpoint of 50
which corresponds to the midpoint of 500 in the normalized standard score scales.
An examinee’s 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 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.
Note: Each NMAT form administered measures the same basic skills and concepts but uses different
questions. Because of this, there is a potential for a form to be either easier or slightly more difficult than
another. Hence, an examinee’s raw scores are converted to a scale that takes into consideration the level
of difficulty of the test questions on a given form. This conversion makes possible the comparison of
reported scores across test forms.
Test Results
The test scores are reported through the Examinee Report (electronic and printed copy) and the
Masterlist of Test Scores.
Release of Test Results: Electronic Copy
An electronic copy of your test results is available after fifteen (15) working days from the test date.
You may click on the link for Test Results under the Online Options on the CEM website to view
and/or download. The electronic copy is NOT valid for admission purposes.
Release of Test Results: Examinee Report Forms
Your NMAT score will be printed on the ERF. The original copy of the ERF will be mailed (at the
mailing address indicated on the NMAT ID Form) or be ready for pickup (at the testing center
indicated also on the NMAT Application Form) with the following schedule:
For November 2014 NMAT result, six (6) weeks after the test date
For March 2015 NMAT result, four (4) weeks after the test date
To maintain confidentiality, the ERF is given only to the examinee or to an authorized representative.
If you will personally pickup your ERF, you must present a valid ID. If a representative will request
and/or pickup your ERF, the following documents should be presented:
1. Your signed authorization letter
2. Photocopy of your valid ID
3. Valid ID of your representative
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***Phoned‐in inquiries on an individual’s scores will NOT be entertained.
Request for Second Copy
In case you need a second copy of the ERF, you may file a written request after one week from the
release of the test results. A minimal retrieval fee is charged for every copy of the ERF. The
identification requirements are as stated above.
Distribution of Masterlist of Test Scores
To safeguard the authenticity of the results, your score will also appear on 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 Foundation, Inc. (APMC). These offices must refer only to the masterlist for official scores.
Rechecking of Answer Sheets
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.
Noncompletion of the Test and Absence on Test Day
NMAT consists of two parts – Part I is administered in the morning and Part II in the afternoon. You
must sit for both parts of the test. If you fail to sit for Part II of the test in the afternoon, you
automatically waive the reporting and release of your NMAT results. Your answer sheet will not be
processed and no official NMAT results will be released to you nor included in the masterlist. If you
are absent on the day of the exam, your name will not be included in the masterlist.
PART 2. ONLINE REGISTRATION
Eligibility
You must be a graduate or a graduating student of any college degree course at the time of testing. If
you are currently enrolled in the UP College of Medicine Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine
(INTARMED) program, you may take the NMAT on your second year in the program.
Your obtained NMAT scores at any given examination year are deemed sufficient and valid as basis
for evaluating your application for admission to a college of medicine. You are encouraged to do well
in the test and obtain your best scores to increase your chances of being accepted in the best medical
schools in the Philippines.
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Requirements
Ensure that you have the following before you register:
1. A valid e‐mail account that you will use for your online application.
2. A digital photo that meets the following specifications:
Must be 2” x 2”, colored, with white background and name tag (e.g. ABADA, ACE III)
The height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8
inches (25 mm ‐ 35 mm)
Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
The image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must
be equal to the width). Minimum acceptable dimensions are 300 pixels (width) x
300 pixels (height). Maximum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x
600 pixels (height).
The file size must be less than or equal to 900 kB
Must be in JPG or PNG file format
Procedure
1. Accomplish the Application Form online. Fill out the required fields in the form. Make sure that all
information entered is true and correct.
2. Proceed with accomplishing the Student Information Questionnaire (SIQ).
3. Choose your preferred mode of payment — either by credit card or by bank payment. Applicants who
register from abroad and will take the test in the Philippines or in the US, can only pay through
credit card.
4. Check your e‐mail account — inbox and spam mailbox — for your NMAT Identification (ID) Form, a
copy of your NMAT Application Form, and a confirmation of your payment if you paid by credit card.
Download and print a copy of your NMAT Identification (ID) Form and NMAT Application Form.
5. If you need to change some or all the information given on these forms, follow the instructions
below.
Editing of Application Form
Editing of NMAT ID and Application Forms can only be done during the registration period.
Follow these steps:
1. Click the Edit Registration link under the Online Options on the CEM website and proceed
accordingly. This option is automatically disabled once the registration period is over.
2. If changes have been made successfully, you will receive a new NMAT ID Form and/or Application
Form, depending on what information you edited. Discard immediately your old NMAT ID and/or
Application Forms.
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 e‐mail, 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
8 NMAT Bulletin of Information
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 Testing 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.
BPI Payment Procedure
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 the deadline for registration. 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 SecurePay. As soon as credit card payment is
completed online, the applicant will immediately receive his/her payment confirmation e‐mail
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 can
only pay through 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 e‐mail 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 with the following details:
Account Name/Merchant's Name: Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM)
CEM's BPI Account Number: 1881‐0450‐24
Policy/Plan/Reference No.: (Bank Reference Number written on your NMAT ID)
Policy/Planholder's Name: (your full name as written on your NMAT ID)
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 e‐mail 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).
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A paid applicant should also visit the NMAT Online website two (2) weeks before the test date to view
his/her room assignment and download his/her NMAT Examination Permit.
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 Testing Fee
only if you submit a letter requesting for a refund of Testing 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 within forty‐five (45) days after CEM receives your request letter. You may call 8133694‐95 local
104 to inquire on the availability of your check. The check is valid 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 Testing Fees.
PART 3. TEST DAY INSTRUCTIONS
1. Report to the Test Site before 7:00 AM. Due to pre‐administration security procedures, you have to
be inside the testing room as early as 7:15 AM. Likewise, there are post administration security
procedures. This will extend your stay in the testing room for around fifteen (15) minutes after the
time limit for each part of the test has been called. Thus, you may be dismissed from the testing
room at around 11:15 AM for the Part I test and at around 3:45 PM for the Part 2 test.
2. Only applicants who are properly registered with the CEM will be admitted at the test site.
3. Bring the following documents when you report at the test site:
For graduating students and second year students of the UP INTARMED program:
NMAT Identification Form duly signed by the School Head
Valid ID (e.g., Official School ID, Driver’s License, Passport, etc.)
Examination Permit
For college graduates:
NMAT Identification Form
Valid ID (e.g., Official School ID, Driver’s License, Passport, etc.)
Photocopy of Transcript of Records
Examination Permit
Other materials needed:
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.
10 NMAT Bulletin of Information
4. 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.
5. 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. A recommended time allotment for each subtest will
also be given to help you finish the whole part on time.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 will be disqualified to take another NMAT.
10. An examinee who is found to be in possession of illegally obtained NMAT booklet will be dealt with
accordingly. He/She will likewise be disqualified to take another NMAT.
11. 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.
12. Dress comfortably and be prepared for varying room temperatures. You may find the testing room
colder or warmer than you expected as energy‐saving practices vary widely among testing centers.
Rules to Follow While Inside the Testing Room
1. If you have a cell phone or any similar handheld device, switch them off to avoid distractions during
the test.
2. You will place all your things in front of the room, except your pencils and eraser.
3. If you have to attend to your personal needs, you will be allowed to go out of the room one at a
time. You will be accompanied by the proctor. However, you will not be given extra time to
answer the test.
4. No one is allowed to leave the room earlier than the rest.
Please contact us if you have questions after reading the BOI.
https://www.cem‐inc.org.ph/nmat/contact‐us
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