List of Med Schools in the Philippines

Here are the medical schools listed in the NMAT supplementary hand out, with their corresponding address and contact information:

AMA College of Medicine
5486 South Superhighway cor Gen Tinio Street, Bangkal Makati City
(02) 751-7131; 889-8822

Angeles University Foundation
College of Medicine
2009 Angeles City
(045) 625-2809

Ateneo de Zamboanga University
School of Medicine
La Purisima Street, 700 Zamboanga City
(062) 991-0870; 993-1699

Ateneo de Manila University
School of Medicine and Public Health
Don Eugenio Lopez Sr. Medical Complex Ortigas Ave, Pasig City
(020 706-3085 to 87 loc 3004; 635-9804

http://www.ateneo.edu/index.php?p=1134

Bagiuo Central University
College of medicine
#18 Lower P. Burgos Street, Bagiuo City
(074) 446-5302; 442-4949; 444-9247

Bicol Christian College of Medicine
Ago Medical School Foundation
4500 Legaspi City
(052) 481-1155; 482-1144

Cagayan State University
College of Medicine
3500 Tuguegarao, Cagayan
(032) 253-4919

Cebu Doctors University
6000 Cebu City
(032) 253-4919

Cebu Institute of Medicine
Cebu City
(032) 253-7412/13

Central Philippine University
College of Medicine
Jaro, Iloilo City
(033) 329-1971 loc 1081/1048

Davao Medical School Foundation
Medical School Drive, Bajada, 8000 Davao City
(082) 226-3157; 226 2627; 226-2344

De La Salle University Health Sciences
4114 Bagong Bayan, Dasmarinas, Cavite
(046) 416-0226 to 30 loc 159

Emilio Aguinaldo College
College of Medicine
San Marcelino Street, Ermita, Manila

FEU-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
Regalado Ave cor Dalos Street, Fairview, Quezon City
938-4851; 938-4884

http://www.feu-nrmf.ph/adm_med.html

Iloilo Doctors College of Medicine
5000 Iloilo City
(033) 337-7755

Lyceum Northwestern
Dr. Francisco Q. Duque Medical Foundation
2400 Dagupan City
(075) 522-0296

MCU Filemon Tanchoco Sr. Medical Foundation
1400 Caloocan City
367-2249; 367-2031/ 38 loc 216

Mindanao State University
College of Medicine
9200 Tibanga, Iligan City (063) 221-3835; 221-3045

Our Lady of Fatima University
120 McArthur highway, 1405 Valenzuela, Metro Manila
293-2703, 293-2705/06

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila
College of Medicine
1001 Intramuros, Manila
527-9067

Remedios T. Romualdez Medical School Foundation
College of Medicine
6500 Tacloban City
(053) 327-5355/ 327-5506

San Beda College
College of Medicine
Mendiola Street, Legarda, Manila
735-6011/ 735-6075 loc 4113

St. Louis University
College of Medicine
2600 Bagiuo City
(074) 442-3043; 442-2793

St. Luke's College of Medicine
Willian Quasha Memorial Foundation
Sta. ignacia Street, 1102 Quezon City

Siliman University Medical School
Angelo King Allied Medical Science Center
SUMOFI Compound, Aldeooa Road, Dumaguete City

Southern Luzon State University
College of Medicine
In the vicinity of the Quezon Medical Center
Lucena City, Quezon Province
(SOON TO RISE)

Southwestern University
Matia Aznar Medical Foundation
College of Medicine
600 Cebu City
(032) 255-6469

UERM Memorial Medical Center
Aurora Boulevard, 1105 quezon City
713-3302

http://www.uerm.edu.ph/admission/medicine.html

University of Northern Philippines
College of Medicine
Vigan, Ilocos Sur
(077) 722-2810; 632-4052

University of Perpetual Help
Dr. Jose G.Tamayo Medical University
College of Medicine
4024 Sto. Nino, Binan, Laguna
(049) 511-9869

University of Perpetual Help Rizal
Jonelta Foundation School of Medicine
Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Pinas City
783-4938; 871-0639 loc 172

University of Santo Tomas
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
1008 Espana, Manila
732-3038; 741-5314

University of La Salle
College of Medicne
La Salle Avenue, Bacolod City
(034) 435-2582 (TF) 434-1063

University of the Philippines
College of Medicine
Health Sciences Center
547 Pedro Gil Street, 1004 Metro Manila
526-4171

http://www.upcm.ph/2007/admission.html

University of the Philippines
School of Health Science
6501 Palo, Leyte
(053) 321-3114

University of the Visayas
Gullas College of Medicine
Mandaue City
(032) 346-4224

Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation
College of Medicine
2420 San Carlos City, Pangasinan
(075) 995-5438

West Visayas State University
College of Medicine
5000 Iloilo City
(033) 320-0881

Xavier University
Dr. Jose P. Rizal College of Medicine
9000 Cagayan de Oro City
(08822) 858-3116 loc 1103/ 1104
(08822) 722-677 loc 1103/1104

Angelica Aubrey Morla

After much anticipation with taking the NMAT, yesterday proved that it wasn't a piece of sugary confection. It's ampalaya mixed with tausi and soggy okra. It's everything you wish you wouldn't have to eat again.

I arrived at De La Salle about an hour earlier (6am) and already the examinees seated in the benches were filling up the rows from end to end. So yes, if you would be taking the exam, come early. CEM probably had us line up about 7am, checking the identification sheet and admission slip. I went to CEM a week ago to pick up my admission slip because the one they mailed never came (a likely story considering how reliable snail mail is in the Philippines). If you don't receive yours a week before, consider going to their office for the duplicate copy, or you can just get it from them on the day of the exam (they bring all the duplicate copies on the testing venue).


Okay, so about the exam

The exam started at around 8am. The first part is given for three hours, which is apportioned for the different subtests. My plan was to finish the easy parts first, which meant jumping from English to Perceptual Acuity, Inductive Reasoning then Quantitative exam. I pretty much sailed through English, finishing it about 10 minutes earlier than the alloted time. Feeling quite perky about this, I decided to push with Inductive Reasoning--and until now I can't reckon if it was a good or bad decision. Well it didn't help that we weren't allowed to write on the test booklet , considering how the exam is highly 'challenging'. There were some items that you can take less than a minute answering, but there were some that would just contort your brain to forms you have never imagined. It's a mental exercise really.

There's nothing much to say about Perceptual Acuity. All you need to have is a good set of eyes, and well, highly sharpened perception. After I was done with the three exams, blanks and all, I think I had 40-50 minutes left with Quantitative. As expected I didn't finish it. I tried the practice exam under real time conditions, and I thought this would be the most problematic section for me. (Math had never been my forte) Well at least I was right. I probably was only sure of 15 items, and the rest of 40 were left to the grace of fate and my mighty Mongol pencil. Better any answer than none at all.

The second part was given after lunch. My baon saved me from the trouble of hunting down a place to eat. RJ's advice was really helpful to note. Most of the food establishments around La Salle are closed during Sundays, and there are quite a number of examinees too, so it would save you from the hassle if you would just bring packed lunch. The line in the canteen extended from the cashier to the outside of the cafeteria door (so just imagine how many people are lining up).

If the first part was Apocalypse, part two was Redemption. I finished the exam within the alloted time, plus it wasn't that stressful because you can have an inkling of the answer as long as you have sentido comon (common sense).


Bits of Advice

So what could I say that would be helpful for you. First answer the practice exams. I overheard some examinees answering it the day before, and some others leaving out some subtests altogether. Don't do it. If you're aiming for a decent score, the practice tests would lend you a good grip of what will be given during actual exam. There are even some items that were just rehashed from the practice tests.

For the first part, I think the more substantial thing to focus on is time management and sharpening your analytical skills. And you can't sharpen your noggin if you only do it once, so I believe practice is the key here.

As for the second part, all the things you need to study for is IN the practice set. So you can't leave it to the wind and put off answering the practice exams if you find the questions unfamiliar. Everything is in there, you just need to brush up on the topics especially if you don't have a strong Chem/Bio background. The concepts are very basic, and the computations are not very difficult since they do not allow calculators. I don't think I can emphasize it that much: answer and review the practice set.

As for the MSA NMAT reviewer, I think it is too difficult. Too difficult compared to the actual exam, especially in the Qualitative and Physics part. I am just echoing what many of previous NMAT takers have said, don't get yourself too down if you can't even get past the first question in the MSA reviewer. It's not going to be THAT hard. Well on the plus side, I think it would be quite helpful for the Perceptual Acuity, Inductive Reasoning, Sociology and Bio subtests.

Lastly, unless you feel quite confident with your Math, Physics, Bio, Chem and other subtest skills, try reviewing. I would probably have a better time answering the exam if I had just graduated from High School. But since I am a not-so-fresh college grad, I pretty much forgot most of what I had taken up five years ago. So try brushing up on your HS books. Truth be told what I reviewed was my brother's 4th year Physics and Chem books. And man, I'm glad I did. I don't know what my score would be yet, but I found the second part more tolerable than the first one. (You would be surprised by the things you have forgotten.)

According to our proctor, the results would be released by mail after 3-4 weeks. I do not have high hopes about my score, considering how I might have as well played Russian roulette with my Quantitative subtest. Anyway I'm just glad its over. Well if the reason you're reading this is because you will also be taking the NMAT, I wish you good graces. It was a fun carnage for me. :)

Trick Tips

Since I have a penchance for painfully long posts, I decided to make this entry a litte more eye-friendly.

Here are five tips/advice/personal learnings to help you on your NMAT test:

1. You don't really have to enroll in a review center. It all boils down on one thing: if you have the money, go enroll, but if you don't, then you don't have to. If you are like me who still relies on her parents' financial support, do your parents a favor and don't unload 5,000 pesos for a week's worth of review. It doesn't guarantee you anything anyway. A review center cannot feed you everything, studying on your own is still essential.

2. Answer the practice test. When I was reviewing for the NMAT, the one thing I usually asked is if the practice test is any similar with the exam given. And after taking the exam, I realize that it certainly is. The topics covered on the practice tests are the same ones given during the actual exam. Definitely read on the concepts on the practice test.

3. Study High School books. If I could be thankful for anything, that would be my brother's fourth year HS books. Believe me, if anything should cover for the Physics or Chem part, that would be reading HS stuff. You don't have to study mind contorting topics, just the basics.

3. The internet is your friend. One thing that really helped me is reading on forums about how people tackled the exam. I learned techniques which certainly helped me a lot. For the number/letter series, write the alphabet several times on the scratch sheet and draw a skipping line to determine the pattern. It is easier seeing the pattern visually rather than counting manually.

4. Interview people who have taken the test before. Nothing beats actually sitting down on the exam venue. Talk to people who have taken the exam before, and have them tell you what is it actually like.

5. Last and most importantly, pray. Surely God is more powerful than any exam you would take.

If you want to obtain a high Percentile Rank. The keyword is REVIEW.

CREDITS: http://aubreythinksthat.blogspot.com

People reviewing for the NMAT have two options, first is self-studying, and second is enrolling in a review center (or both for those who really want to get the much coveted 90+ percentile). While the second option may be less laborious, with one only having to attend his review classes and pick up from lessons programmed by the review center, it needless to say, costs money. Self-studying on the other hand, which should be free if one has the needed resources on hand, is a lot more taxing, and requires more focus if one is determined to get a good score from the exam.

Since I believe that the odds are almost equal, whether I enroll in a review center or on my own, I have chosen the the self study road and consequently saved myself some thousands of pesos.

Resources are as equally important as determination itself. Since I already have related resources from my BSN days, I have a ready arsenal. If you don't have much yourself, consider borrowing textbooks from friends or the library (buying new stuff defeats the advantage of saving money).

Okay, so textbooks could be so voluminous at times--good thing we don't have to read the whole thing. I noticed in the practice exam that several questions are only from several fundamental concepts. Observe the trend yourself, and pick from the things that usually come up.

I also bought an MSA NMAT reviewer, just to have a better grasp of the things that might pop out in the exam. While it did cost me 695 pesos, it certainly is a lot cheaper than unloading 5,000+ for a week's worth of review classes. Read how it did (or somehow did not) help me review for the exams.

There are also a lot of resources on the internet. I found the WTAMU College Algebra review quite helpful in remembering what I need to do with the numbers on the quantitative exam. You could also try searching for free Ebooks if you don't fancy buying or borrowing. I will post more sites in the future if I stumble upon some really good ones.

Site to read for Sociology basics: Sparknotes: Sociology

Aside from lessons, it is also equally helpful to read on forums discussing the NMAT. People who have taken the exam before usually give invaluable advice regarding the nitty gritty and pecularities of actually taking the exam. So far I am keeping a number of things to mind.

a. Be wary of the time. The exam is really set to have you work on time pressure.

b. Never write on your test booklet, unless you want to have to erase everything before you can submit your paper.

d. Write the alphabet on a scratch paper so answering the series/pattern part is easier.

c. Come early to the testing center for it can become quite chaotic.

d. And lastly, bring a sweater.

These are not foolproof ways of acing the test. I think however, that with the right combination of street smart, hard work and prayers, it is possible for anyone to get a good score on the exam. I still don't know how my means will do for me when I actually sit right in the testing center. But I will certainly share what worked and what did not on my next posts.

So Good luck to all of us. :)

PS. If you are also reviewing from the NMAT, or have taken it yourself in the past, I would really appreciate some tips and comments. God Bless.

Frequently Asked Questions

CREDITS: http://aubreythinksthat.blogspot.com

Here are some of the questions that I frequently get asked in the comments page. Note that although I researched the answers the best I can, you should not, and cannot hold me against what I've written here. These things are merely to give you an idea of information that must always be verified with the proper bodies/organizations. So there, enough of the disclaimer. :)

What is NMAT?

The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is a mandatory exam for anyone who wants to study medicine in the Philippines. It is administered by the Center for Educational Measurement, and is held every April and December.

How do I apply and how much is the fee?

The application period is usually a month or so before the designated testing months. For Manila residents, you may apply at their office at 24th Floor Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave. Makati City (It is near Don Bosco Makati). For those outside Manila, CEM usually holds satellite application and testing centers in key areas within the country. Inquire from their office where you could take the exam. As of April 2009, total exam fee and practice set will amount to 1,500 pesos.

Is there a med school that does not require you to take this exam?

The NMAT is prerequisite mandated by law, so finding a med school that doesn't require this is almost nil. However, due to the decline of enrollees to medicine, some students can negotiate a 'to follow' NMAT result for their application (note that this only happens with SOME med schools, most of the reputable schools wont accept your application without your NMAT result). Even if you do get accepted without taking the NMAT, you would have to sign a sort of contract with CHED that you would take the exam before you graduate. So there, no escape out of this one.

Why do schools have a cut off score? What is the cut off score for this and that school?

Back in the day before Nursing was fashionable and business for med schools thrived, applicants had to compete for limited slots. Needless to say cut off scores were set to select the creme de la creme from 'multitides' of aspiring students. However, with the current topsy turvying of situation, where doctors are becoming nurses and medicine is exposed for the non lucrative profession it really is (that is for the workhorses of this field aka GPs), applications to med schools have trimmed down and have continued to dwindle. Thus cut off scores have also spiralled in response to the situation.

Each school sets its own cut off score. As to what these scores are, it would be best if you call the med schools you're interested in yourself. Most med schools adjust the bar every now and then, so it would be more accurate to check with them. UPCM sets the cut off at 90.

I'm not happy with my score, can I retake this exam?

You may retake the exam as many times as you like.

How is this exam scored anyway?

I'm not an expert on statistics and the intricacies of how this exam graded. However to put it in more understandable terms, I will attempt to explain it according to how I understand it.

The number on the exam result, which med schools and other people will really care about, is your percentile rank. Percentile rank is not how many answers you got correct, (that would be the raw score) but how you fared among all the people who took the exam for that certain period. For example, if you get 74, that means you belong to the upper 26 percent of those who took the exam, and 74 percent scored lower than you. If you get 98 out of 100 items correct, but everyone else got 99, your percentile rank would still be 1 percent.

I do think the scoring is kind of unfair, as you are not judged strictly by how well you answer but how smarter or not others are compared to you. There is a running notion that the December NMAT is valued more than the April exam, as it is deemed that smarter people opt to take the test later in the year. I think the reasoning is crap. There is no mandate that directs 'smart' examinees to take the December exam or vice versa. It would be more blunt to belive that a certain month is more attractive to a certain group. If one scores 90+, it is still a 90+, no matter when he/she took it.

Unless CEM releases a paper about this matter I would not be bound to believe this hollow notion.

I want to get a 90+, how do I review?

I have written much about reviewing for the NMAT. Click on the related links for such posts.

I think I have answered most of the questions. If you have further queries, post them as comments, and I will try to answer them the best I can.

Further Disclaimer: I am not in any way associated with CEM or any particular medical school.

I am expecting a medical question in the NMAT? Why is it a GE Subject question?

According to the CandyMag.com, viewed Chemistry, Physics and Biology as few of the common prerequisite subjects that should be accomplished before entering in a College of Medicine & its relevance to the Medical profession. In Chemistry, as an important field in society and has contributed in so many ways in human lives, is important in Medicine because most disease, injuries and treatments involve chemicals and the chemical process. By understanding it, we were able to develop drugs that fight disease, develop better nutrition and develop healthier environment to avoid disease. In Physics, viewed by many that are solely related to Engineering, little did we know it is Medical-related since it is a form of Science. Classical Mechanics related to motion of human body; Fluid Static and Dynamics related to blood flow and Intravenous Fluids; Thermodynamics related to body temperature, fever, thermal conductivity of the skin, food calories and heat capacity; Wave Properties including sound production by the vocals chords, sound detection by ear, sound intensity level and the use of ear plugs; Electrostatics related to membrane and action potential, optics of the eye with emphasis on vision problems and correction techniques, including reading glass and nuclear decay, including biological effects of radiation and use of pharmaceuticals; Pressure related to swollen ankles, Blood Pressures, Lungs when someone is about to cough, Blood Transfusions, injections of medications, Bladder full and empty, Glaucoma in the eyeball, Brain with Hydrocephalus, Bone density and Osteoporosis in Bones and Joints. In Biology, it recognizes multidisciplinary nature of Medicine like Cellular and Molecular Biology, Disease Research, Environmental Biology, Toxicology, Pharmacology, Genetics, Epidemiology, Bioethics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Zoology and Botany.

Consolidated NMAT FAQs

According to medschoolfordumb-o.blogspot.com, lamented the taking of NMAT process, there are two NMAT Examinations every year. One is April (1st and 2nd week includes only Metro Manila and Cebu City) and another one in December, which covers other testing sites. The application for the April NMAT starts February or March. The application cost P500 (includes test booklets). Submission of the complete Application form is P1400. Regarding the Pre-Med requirements on subjects, you don’t need to take that PRIOR to NMAT. However, when applying to Med Schools, they require that you have taken up the subjects (before Graduation or Enrollment to Med School). Submission of application forms is usually a month before the schedule of exams (deadline usually extended until about 3 weeks before the scheduled NMAT). Exams are usually on the first Sunday of December. Then, apply in a Med School (usually UST-FMS aspirants must apply as early as October because of its alphabetical way of application, UP-M PGH is on December, the rest allows application on January). Best to take the December NMAT on your Junior Year (at least you have time for the April NMAT before your last year in College in case you're not satisfied with your first NMAT). Some Med Schools have their deadlines for the application forms on December, so taking the December NMAT on your Senior Year would be too late. There are no specific subjects to be taken as long as they are related subjects. As for the NMAT and Med School requirements being the same. Yeah, well it’s a bit complicated to put it into words. They differ in the sense that there is a different requirement in taking NMAT and entering Med School. Topics are generalized. The sample booklets being given when you apply for the exam give you an idea what topics are covered. Multiple-choice items. If you apply for the NMAT, it will come with a sample exam. The real exam is extremely similar and a replica to it, so use it as a guide on what to expect. The stimulated exam that comes with the Application form will give you a clue. The best way to study for it is to simply read and reread the sample test booklets over and over again. Time is the only enemy, take your practices set to and stimulate the actual test time. Brush up with the ones that you have a hard time on. Don’t fail to answer that free reviewer given by CEM. It is the one which really reflects the actual exam. Just find the technique that best helps you find the quick answer. You can retake NMAT maximum of three (3) times and is valid for 1-2 years. You can decide which NMAT score you want to declare/include in your Med School application requirements, yes, you can choose your higher NMAT score. The NMAT is a total of 5 ½ hours long. The first part, in the morning, lasts for 3 hours. It is straight three hours. It’s pretty tricky to budget your time. During the exam DO NOT FORGET TO BRING A WATCH. You need to pace yourself because it is easy to dwell too much on one subtest. There were examinees that did not bring a watch and were shocked when they had to finish an entire subtest in 5 mins. The second part, the afternoon session lasts for 2 ½ hours. As for others saying that the December NMAT Exam is not valid, and to those saying that one could get a higher percentile ranks in the April NMAT because the bright people of UP INTARMED’s were taking it on December. Some take it even before they graduate, others may take it way after graduation to allow review time, or perhaps to improve their previous NMAT score. Your NMAT score will not only depend on your raw scores (number of questions answered correctly), but also on the raw scores of others. April and December has the same level of difficulty. NMAT was basically just stock knowledge with a few Science, Social Sciences, Algebra and English questions thrown in. If you are planning to take the NMAT prior to taking the required subjects, one should take the review classes, though, since Science background is practically nil. However, one doesn’t need review classes anymore if already have the science backgrounds. They’re basically chicken feed questions. There are NMAT Review Centers, one of which is held in the UP Diliman College of Sciences Auditorium at the start of Second Semester of the Academic School Year (that is very inexpensive). There are also private Review Centers, but don’t spend too much on this, they’re basically the same as the one in UP. There were also false Review Centers. Anyway, the Topcap, BRAINS and PICS Review Centers are good, or the MSA Review Book, the questions there are too challenging and the answers were well explained by the authors. You should take notes if you decide to self review. If you’re intelligent enough, there’s no need for a review center, all you have to do is to review by yourself, because the questions in NMAT does not have anything to do or in relations with Medicine yet, purely basics from CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, MATH, SOCIAL SCIENCES and VERBALS. If you opted not to review, stock up on basic Psyche theories/principles/concepts. So should you enroll for a review class? If you don’t have review materials, it might be prudent to do so. If you can Xerox such stuff, many believe reviewing at home will do as well. Just be disciplined enough to review everyday if possible. When you review your past notes, don’t memorize, understand and enjoy reading. Little by little build the confidence inside you, and then PRAY. There are Students who didn’t take any Review Classes for the NMAT. Instead, they just review on their own. You should remember that the NMAT is composed of two parts with four subtests. The first is the APT which includes Verbal which consists of word analogies and reading comprehension items, Inductive Reasoning which consists of number, letter and figural series and figure grouping items, Quatitative Analysis which consists of fundamental operations, problem solving and data interpretation, Perceptual Acquity which consists of hidden figures, mirror images, and identical information. The second is SA (Scholastic Aptitude) composed of Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Social Sciences. APT basically tests your innate abilities and is practically “unreviewable”. The most that you can do is try and be familiar with the style of the exams and get “feel” of it. In contrast, you should review for the second part. Although you might do well without reviewing, because the second part is degree predictable. Like in Physics, be sure to memorize the basic formulas in Kinematics, Thermodynamics and the like, A tip on Physics part: It is easy to forget formulas but do not panic when you see a question requiring a formula that you don’t remember. Solution: Use DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS. Many used it successfully for several questions. For example, if you need a final answer in Calories/Gram, and you have given values in that, it is likely you should divide the former with the latter. Of course, this is a simplistic example but just fiddle around with the values in such a way it makes sense and you get the desired unit in your final answer. In Chemistry, review your Stoichiometry, Electron Configurations, etc. For example, the Chemistry part had this question, Which of the figures best depict BENZENE? You should had to know what Benzene looks like, if you’re a Chem major, you are immune of what Benzene looks like. In Biology it focuses more in Tundra, Taiga, Web Chains, Domains, Biochem Tests and Substitution reactions). In a very little touch of Math, you should compute fast and must know where to apply Math concepts. If you’re from a Social Science course, you’ll probably ace the Social Science part. If not, brush up not Social Sciences (Basic Anthropology, Sociology, Theories, and Development stages). At least, science majors consider them basic anyway, fact is, if you’re not a science major and you don’t have background in sciences, you need a lot of work, even on the basics. All NMAT takers try their best to get good grades. Review courses are ‘confidence builders’, but are not necessary. What’s good about these review courses are the ‘test-taking’ strategies, like answering letter C if you don’t even have an educated guess. There are no steady bench marks for the test. Since the score is in percentile rank, whoever is the highest (regardless of whether that person actually passed the exam, which is indeterminable because there is no passing rate, that person will automatically be the highest percentile score). However, there were Med Students who get a less percentile in NMAT who did very well in Med Schools. Many believe that almost all Medical Schools would rather take note of your Transcript of Records than your NMAT score. Getting a decent NMAT score is an advantage (anything above 70 would be pretty decent), but an impressive TOR would be greater advantage. So for Junior students that were on their Pre-Meds now, better show ‘em what you’ve got. If you come to think about it, less enrollees naturally implies few NMAT takers, and with fewer and fewer NMAT takers, the percentile scores would eventually have to go down (coz there's just so few of you, or us). There is no cut-off score on the NMAT, after receiving the results, enroll in a Premier Medical Institution in the Philippines. If you have queries just inquire to Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. 24th Floor, Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City. Tel. No. 894-5536, 813-3694-95 (in front of Don Bosco Makati) or visit www.cem-inc.org.ph

The MSA NMAT Reviewer

According to Allan Paul I. Carreon (MSA NMAT Reviewer, 2001), The National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) is carefully designed. It does not seek to test the amount of knowledge the examinee can recall in various fields of Science, Math and English. More importantly, the test is constructed so as to also be able to determine how well the examinee can synthesize information and make use of his or her reasoning skills in analyzing and solving various problems.

As such, I have designed this reviewer to meet that demand of the actual NMAT. More often as I could, I made the questions as challenging and perhaps even more hard so than the actual NMAT in order to give you the chance to adequately prepare for the actual test.

The first part of the NMAT consists of four tests that deal with subjects outside of the sciences.

Test A (Verbal) has two sections. The first is on analogies. Most of the analogies I have constructed are general in nature. However, a few do deal with scientific concepts, while others consist of more specific aesthetic areas such as music, art, literature and even pop culture. The second section is on reading comprehension; it consists of five selections followed by five questions each. I have sought to make the selections as diverse as possible not only to cater to different tastes but also in keeping with the diverse nature of the selections used in the actual NMAT. Thus, the five selections I have chosen have forms that range from songs to poetry (both English and Filipino) to humorous essays to scientific articles to news items.

Test B (Inductive Reasoning) is designed to assess your intuitive reasoning skills; it consists of three sections. The first section is on figure series; your ability to determine what comes next in a series of related figures is tested here. The second section deals with figure grouping; in it, you are required to decipher what figure among a given group does not belong. The last section of Test B is on number and letter series; your skills in identifying number and letter patterns and applying them are tested here.

Test C (Quantitative) focuses on mathematical ability. It has three sections. The first section is on fundamental operations; these questions are structured in basic form and designed to test your direct solving skills. Although currently the NMAT does not include Calculus, I have included three simple Calculus problems in this section as a review of your basic college math; also, it is a good review in case the NMAT includes this important aspect of the mathematics in the future. The second section deals with word problems. In this section, your ability not only to do mathematical operations but also to apply them in various areas of everyday life is tested. Most of them require a great degree of skill in translating sentences into mathematical equations; a couple, however, do deal with more objective questions such as equations of slopes and factoring methods. The last section of Test C is on data interpretation. In it, various data in the form of graphs, charts and tables are given, and questions regarding the said data are asked. This section will enhance your skill in understanding and analyzing sets of data.

Test D (Perceptual Acuity) is a relatively unique feature of the NMAT; in it, your visual sharpness is tested in the belief that good doctors must have good eye sights in order to practice the profession competently. Test D has three sections. The first consist of hidden figures, wherein a figure is given and you must decide which among a given group of choices contains that figure; your ability to spot concealed figures is tested here. The second section is about determining which figure is the exact mirror image of a given one; this exercises your skills not only to spot differences but also to spot similarities. The final section consists of written information; the job to identify which among the given choices gives exactly the same information will test not only your visual skills in spotting differences but may also serve to enhance your editing skills.

The second part of the NMAT consists of four tests that deal with the natural and social sciences.

Test A (Biology) is designed to determine your knowledge in the biological sciences. It deals with everything from General Biology to specific fields such as Zoology, Botany, Taxonomy and Physiology.

Test B (Physics) focuses on the physical sciences. Areas covered include Mechanics, Heat, Electromagnetics and Optics. Although currently the NMAT does not really include the Theory of Relativity, I have included some questions on this subject because of its importance in modern Physics as well as in anticipation of any possible future inclusion in the NMAT.

Test C (Social Science) is all about the social sciences. The two main sciences dealt with are Psychology and Sociology. Most of the questions here are taken from General Psychology and General Sociology courses. However, some questions are designed to ensure that your ability to synthesize and apply basic concepts is well-tested.

Test D (Chemistry) is on the chemical sciences. The major areas included are General Chemistry, Quantitative and Qualitative Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry.

What follows is a topic outline of the subject areas under each science that I have used in this reviewer and which is also used in the NMAT. It can also serve as a good topic outline for review in MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), the NMAT equivalent in the United States of America and Canada.

Biology

I. General Biology Concepts
II. Plant Morpho-Anatomy, Histology and Physiology
III. Animal Morpho-Anatomy, Histology and Physiology
IV. Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution
V. Developmental Biology
VI. Genetics
VII. Cell Biology and Biochemistry
VIII. Ecology

Physics

I. General Physics Concept
II. Vectors
III. Mechanics: Kinematics and Dynamics
IV. Electromagnetics
V. Waves
VI. Optics
VII. Heat and Energy
VIII. Relativity

Social Sciences

A. Psychology

I. General Psychology Concepts
II. Biological Background
III. Sensation, Perception and States of Consciousness
IV. Learning, Memory, Thought, Language and Intelligence
V. Development, Motivation, Emotion and Personality
VI. Psychopathology and Therapies
VII. Social Psychology
VIII. Applied Psychology

B. Sociology

I. General Sociology Concepts
II. Culture, Social Structures, Organization and Stratification
III. Socialization, Interaction, Deviance and Social Control
IV. Race, Ethnicity and Gender
V. Marriage, Family and Education
VI. Politics, Economy and Religion
VII. Science and Technology
VIII. Population, Urbanization and Collective Behavior

Chemistry

I. General Chemistry Concepts
II. Qualitative Chemistry
III. Analytic and Quantitative Chemistry
IV. Organic Chemistry
V. Biochemistry
VI. Physical Chemistry
VII. Thermochemistry
VIII. Nuclearchemistry

Shitty Test

According to NMAT Bulletin of Information and Supplementary Handout, 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 medical degree. It intends to improve the quality of medical education in the country and envisions elevating 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 1986-87.

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 the 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 and integrity of its administration.

Brief Description of the Test

The NMAT is a two-part test: Part I consist 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 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 date 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 figures, mirror images, 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 solutions 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 to 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 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 to four 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 answer. Then 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 ½ hours for Part II.

After answering the test under time pressure, score your test against the Answer Key. If you get 75% (or approximately 300) items correctly, you are in good shape and ready to take the NMAT. Lower than 75% correct answer 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 answer key. The NMAT you will take does 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 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 (ER) form, on which the NMAT scores are printed, is illustrated.

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 that of the norm group, which has mean scores of 500 (coincident to the midpoint 500) and a standard deviation of 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 answer 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

1. Your NMAT score will be printed in the Examinee Report (ER) form and the original copy of this form will be mailed to you 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 the medical schools, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Higher Education Regional Offices (HERO) and the office of the Association of the Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC).
2. To maintain confidentiality, the ER is given only to examinee himself. Phoned in inquiries on an individual’s scores will not be entertained.
3. In case an examinee needs a second copy of the ER, he may file a written request by the examinee for a second copy of the Examinee Report (ER) may be filed at CEM after two weeks from the release of the test results. A minimal retrieval fee is charged for every copy of the ER.
4. The Center for Educational Measurement does not entertain rechecking of NMAT answer sheets. The results contained in the NMAT masterlist 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.

Nursing as a Pre-Med

According to the RN-to-MD.blogspot.com, about Nursing as a Pre-Med, found out that in this 21st Millennium, biases and prejudices set aside, unconsidering the Desperate Housewives TV Series writ that had create the underdog image of Filipino health care providers and the halted issue of Physicians enrolling to join the Nursing bandwagons. BS Nursing is probably the practical Pre-Med course compared to BS Medical Technology, BS Biology, BS Pharmacy, BA/BS Psychology, BS Physical Therapy, BS Sports Science, BS Speech and Language Therapy, BS Applied Physics major in Instrumentation, BS Chemistry, BS Physics, BS Mathematics major in Actuarial Science, BS Microbiology, BS Biochemistry, BS Public Health, BS Physical Therapy, BS Occupational Therapy and others. Firstly, sophomore Nursing students already interact with the patients on their Related Learning Experience. Second, BS Nursing graduates will always have a lucrative fallback profession compared to others just in case of they weren’t able to finish the Med School and that’s not a lame excuse. Third, it can obtain two titles (RN and MD) if the person wish for prestige purposes in the event that they choose to enroll in the Med School after taking the Nursing Licensure Examination. Fourth, strange emphasis of a Physician who’s Pre-Med is Nursing will most likely to have a better Patient-Physician and Nurse-Physician relationship compared to others. Fifth, Nursing grads usually shine in their Clerkship during the Med School, where it mostly deal with abnormalities since they’ve seen how it works, worsens and heals, and how to manage diseases of almost all kinds. Sixth, let us remember that the bulk of being a Doctor rest not only in laboratory tests and dissection alone, you need to find out what’s making the person sick first right?, and that’s where Pathophysiology kick off. Seventh, Nurses have a background of fundamental medical concepts/clinical reasoning in relation to real patient cases because of extensive exposure to Clinical setting. Eight, Nurses have clinical eye and good therapeutic communication since very rigorous duty hours are on the bed side. Ninth, BSN grads will show that they know and can comprehend what a Physician does and what the job is like, as they’ve seen them work first hand. Tenth, Nurses can plant seeds of healthy answers in Revalidas. Eleventh, it is having the best two worlds, Nursing and Medicine, that makes the BS Nursing the best Pre-Med there is.

NMAT Legalities.

According to REPUBLIC ACT No. 2382, The Medical Act of 1959,

Section 7. Admission requirements. The Medical College may admit any student to its first year class who has not been convicted by any court of competent jurisdiction of any offense involving moral turpitude, and who presents (a) a certificate showing completion of a standard high school course, (b) a record showing completion of a standard preparatory medical course as herein provided, (c) a certificate of registration as medical student, (d) a certificate of good moral character issued by two former professors in the pre-medicine course, and (e) birth certificate and marriage certificate, if any. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to inhibit any college of medicine from establishing, in addition to the preceding, other entrance requirements that may be deemed admissible.

For the purposes of this Act, the term "College of Medicine" shall mean to include faculty of medicine, institute of medicine, school of medicine or other similar institution offering a complete medical course leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine or its equivalent.

According to CHED Memorandum Order No. 6, series of 1996,

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 “Revised Policies and Guidelines on Medical Education”:

Prerequisite 1: Bachelor’s Degree : An aspirant to the medical course must possess a bachelor’s degree with credits in the following

Subject Minimum Credits

Biology 15 units

Chemistry 10 units

Mathematics 9 units

Physics 5 units

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 Panel 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 student at any given examination year are deemed sufficient and valid as basis for evaluating applicants for admission to a college of medicine. There is no cut-off score on the NMAT; however, each school may independently set its own cut-off score on the test.

Prerequisite 3: Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA): The CEA application form may be obtained from the regional offices of the Commission on Higher Education. Foreign students may apply at the Commission on Higher Education located at the National Engineering Center Building, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

The requirements in securing the CEA are as follows:

I. Fully accomplished CEA application form

II. Transcript of Records

III. Copy of Diploma or Certificate of Graduation authenticated by the registrar of the school where he/she graduated (for graduates of government school)

IV. NMAT results (Original copy of Examinee report Form) issued by CEM

V. Birth Certificate

VI. Certificate of good moral character

Prerequisite 4: Applicant’s Acceptance in Medical School. The CEA 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 CEA is given full acceptance only upon meeting the other requirements of the admitting medical 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 CEA).

According to DECS Memorandum Order No. 52 series of 1985,

Section 2. The NMAT, an aptitude test, is considered as an instrument towards upgrading the selection of applicants for admission into the medical schools and is calculated to improve the quality of medical education in the country. The cut-off score for the successful applicants, based on the scores on the NMAT, shall be determined every year by the Board of Medical Education after consultation with the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges. The NMAT rating of each applicant, together with the other admission requirements as presently called for under existing rules, shall serve as the basis for the issuance of the prescribed certificate of eligibility for admission into the medical colleges.

Section 4. For the purposes of assuring and ensuring its validity, reliability, integrity and confidentiality of the test, the Center for Educational Measurement (CEM) has been authorized to administer the affairs and activities related to the operation of the NMAT.

Section 8. No applicant shall be issued the requisite Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA), or admitted for enrollment as first year student in any medical college, beginning the school year 1986-1987, without the required NMAT qualification as called for under this order.