THE COMMISSION on Higher Education (CHED) has authorized medical schools to admit students who have not taken the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) following the test postponement.
The CHED said this is subject to the medical schools’ regular admission requirements and only for Academic Year 2020-201 because the Center for Educational Measurement (CEM) failed to administer the NMAT last March due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The Commission, in its en banc meeting on June 30, 2020, responded to the call of many students who want to pursue their medical education but were not able to take the NMAT which is required for admission to medical school due to the current health crisis,” CHED chairman J. Prospero de Vera III said.
NMAT is a standardized test designed to upgrade the selection of applicants seeking admission to Philippine medical schools.
Historically, it has been used to screen qualified candidates aspiring for a medical degree as it can be a good predictor of aptitude to withstand the rigors of the medical program.
To date, the country has 56 higher education institutions (HEIs) authorized to offer the doctor of medicine program.
De Vera said the CHED decision was prompted by the concerns expressed by parents and students on how to proceed into the medical program without the required NMAT.
Based on the data gathered from the CEM, there are about 9,000 registered applicants to the NMAT.
With the various HEIs set to open classes in August, the CHED decision should settle the concerns of students, parents, and HEIs offering medical education.
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