NMAT... Philippine version of MCAT...

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

dawnee21

Junior Member
15+ Year Member
20+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2002
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
How does one go about taking the NMAT in the US? Is it true you can only take it in CA or NY? Is it similar to the MCAT format-wise? I've been trying to search everywhere about this test, but I seem to only get bits and pieces!

Members don't see this ad.
 
hey dawnee,

interesting... i never knew the RP had its own exam. wonder if it's just as fun as the mcat? are you planning on writing it? let us know how it goes!

<a href="http://www.uerm.edu/info/med/nonresident.html" target="_blank">http://www.uerm.edu/info/med/nonresident.html</a>:

For NMAT examination, please write or call:

Center for Educational Measurements
6th Floor, Concorde Condominium
Cor. Salcedo and Benavides Sts.
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone No. 818-61-29 or 818-65-38

NEW YORK (U.S.A)
Mr. Jose Ramos
Tel. No. 212-254-09-04

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (U.S.A.)
Ms. Marilyn Reyes or
Ms. Clets Barrieta
Tel. No. (213) 487-87-36

---

<a href="http://www.licc.com.tw/license/nmat.htm" target="_blank">www.licc.com.tw/license/nmat.htm</a>

THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ADMISSION TEST (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 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 (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 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 ??tests of academic proficiency. The four subtests that compose Part??measure aptitudes that were found to have significant correlations with academic performance of medical students, while the four subtests that compose Part??measure subject proficiency in areas which are part of the academic background required of applicants to the medical course.

The subtests in Part??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 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 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??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 subtest 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 which 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??requires more of innate abilities. The items in any of the four subtests of Part??measure a primary aptitude. Basic concepts or principles can be found in the items presented. In Part??the items in any of the four subtests, which the exception of recall items, require the use of complex abilities such as application and analysis. This is where Part??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 in 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 your can cover all the areas included in Part??. Your practice can be a good indicator of your weak areas. Early in your preparation to take the NMAT, your 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??and 2 1/2 hours for Part??.

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 answers will mean the need to improve your base information level on the various subtests and to sharpen your application and/or analytical skills. The Answer Key to the Practice Set is found in your handout.

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??of the NMAT yields five scores, one for each of the four aptitude subtests and their summative score, the APT Composite. Similarly, Part??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 on the next page.

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DAY OF THE TEST

1. Only applicants who are properly registered which the CEM will be admitted at the test site.
2. Bring the following when your report at the test site:

Important documents: Admission Slip
NMAT Identification Form
CEM Official Receipt of NMAT testing fee
For additional verification, identification documents may include the following
Official School I.D.
Driver's License
Passport
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 every one of them. Begin with the easy questions first 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.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

The foreign student applicant seeking admission into any medical school in the Philippines must observe the following rules and procedures:

1. The applicant submits the following to the Philippine Mission Abroad (PMA) for authentication:

1.1 Personal History Statement in five copies
1.2 Two copies of the Transcript of Records (original or authenticated copy)
1.3 A duly notarized Affidavit of Support from abroad
1.4 Certificate of Good Moral Character from two (2) officials of the institution where he obtained his degree
a) from the instructor / professor
b) from the school head
1.5 Original copy of his National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) results

2. The foreign student while abroad communicates and applies directly with the Philippine school of his choice by submitting the documents authenticated by the Philippine Mission Abroad (PMA).

3. The school, having been satisfied with the NMAT results and compliance with the academic requirements, issues a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) and forwards it to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) together with the authenticated documents submitted by the student and the school's request for evaluation of the Transcript of Records and issuance of the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA)

4. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) evaluates the student's records for the issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility for Admission and coordinates with other agencies for other requirements.

5. After the student has complied with both academic and non-academic requirements, the CHED endorses for appropriate action to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) a request for the issuance of a student visa.

6. Upon appropriate recommendation of the CHED, the Department of Foreign Affairs sends authorization to the Embassy or Consulate concerned to issue a visa to the student applicant.

7. Upon receipt of authority by the Philippine Mission Abroad, a student visa shall be issued after the consular officer is convinced of the applicant's identity and admissibility and upon compliance with other requirements, i.e. Visa Application Form No.2, Medical Certificate (FA Form No.11) together with the life-size chest X-ray film and laboratory reports, and Police Clearance.

8. Upon arrival in the Philippines, the student applicant appears personally for proper documentation procedures at the following agencies in Manila:

8.1 Commission on Immigration and Deportation (CID) for the Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR); and,
8.2 Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the Study Permit and Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA).

9. The student applicant, with the Study Permit and the Certificate of Eligibility for Admission (CEA) Applies for enrolment at the admitting school that issued the LOA.
 
i need to know good review centers to choose from so that i can prepare for the NMAT well and when does the review usually start Sept? when application for NMAT starts? pls help.. thanks!
:)
 
butrfly116 said:
i need to know good review centers to choose from so that i can prepare for the NMAT well and when does the review usually start Sept? when application for NMAT starts? pls help.. thanks!
:)
I think Kaplan has a review for NMAT in the Phil. They start October for the December exam.
 
Top