Quick Answer: The NMAT is administered by the Center for Educational Measurement (CEM) and is required for admission to all Philippine medical schools. It covers 8 subtests in two parts: Mental Ability and Academic Proficiency. The minimum acceptable score is the 40th percentile, but top medical schools require the 70th-85th percentile or higher.
Introduction
The National Medical Admission Test is the standardized entrance exam for every medical school in the Philippines. Unlike the NLE or CPALE, the NMAT is not a licensure exam — it is an admissions test that determines whether you qualify to begin your Doctor of Medicine studies.
Administered by the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) since 1985, the NMAT evaluates both your mental aptitudes and your academic preparation in the pre-medical sciences. Your percentile score is then compared against each medical school's cutoff to determine eligibility.
This guide covers the 2026 NMAT schedule, the eight subtests, cutoff scores for major medical schools, registration requirements, and preparation strategies that can push your percentile score into competitive territory.
2026 NMAT Schedule
The NMAT transitioned to an online computer-based test (OCBT) format. For 2026, CEM has scheduled administrations during the following windows:
| Testing Window | Typical Months |
|---|---|
| Window 1 | February 2026 |
| Window 2 | April – May 2026 |
Specific test dates are assigned upon registration. All schedules follow Philippine Standard Time. Check the official CEM website at www.cem-inc.org.ph/nmat for the most current dates and available slots.
Registration Requirements
To register for the NMAT, you need:
- Bachelor's degree — Or graduating student status (you must have completed or be completing a baccalaureate degree)
- Online registration via the CEM NMAT portal
- Passport-sized photo — Digital, recent
- Valid government-issued ID
- Examination fee — Approximately PHP 1,500-2,000
- Signed Statement of Understanding — Acknowledging NMAT policies
Pre-medical course requirements vary by medical school but generally include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, English, and Social Sciences.
The 8 NMAT Subtests
The NMAT is a two-part test with four subtests each:
Part 1: Mental Ability (4 subtests)
These measure aptitudes correlated with medical school performance:
1. Verbal
- Word analogies
- Reading comprehension
- Measures verbal reasoning, inferential ability, and analytical skills
2. Inductive Reasoning
- Number series
- Letter series
- Figural series
- Figure grouping
- Measures pattern recognition and logical inference
3. Quantitative
- Fundamental operations (direct computation)
- Problem solving
- Data interpretation
- Measures mathematical reasoning and the ability to apply basic mathematics
4. Perceptual Acuity
- Hidden figure identification
- Mirror image recognition
- Identical information matching
- Visual recognition tasks complicated by distractions
Part 2: Academic Proficiency (4 subtests)
These measure subject-matter knowledge:
5. Biology
- Cell biology, genetics, ecology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology
6. Physics
- Mechanics, thermodynamics, waves, optics, electricity and magnetism
7. Social Science
- Psychology, sociology, anthropology
8. Chemistry
- General chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry
NMAT Scoring
The NMAT reports scores as percentile ranks, not raw scores or percentages. A percentile rank of 75 means you scored higher than 75% of all test-takers in the same administration.
- General Percentile Rank (GPR): Your overall score, averaging performance across all 8 subtests
- Part 1 Percentile Rank: Mental Ability composite
- Part 2 Percentile Rank: Academic Proficiency composite
- Individual subtest percentile ranks
The CHED minimum is the 40th percentile. Below this, no medical school in the Philippines can accept you.
Cutoff Scores for Top Medical Schools
Each medical school sets its own cutoff, often higher than the CHED minimum:
| Medical School | Minimum NMAT Percentile | Location |
|---|---|---|
| University of Santo Tomas – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | 85th | Manila |
| University of the Philippines Manila – College of Medicine | 70th | Manila |
| Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health | 65th | Pasig |
| De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute | 60th | Dasmarinas, Cavite |
| University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center | 55th | Quezon City |
| Cebu Doctors' University – College of Medicine | 55th | Cebu |
| Davao Medical School Foundation | 40th | Davao |
| Our Lady of Fatima University – College of Medicine | 40th | Valenzuela |
Cutoffs are approximate and may change per academic year. Always verify with the school's admissions office.
Note that meeting the NMAT cutoff does not guarantee admission. Medical schools also consider your GPA, interview performance, and other factors.
Study Strategies for the NMAT
Understand the Two-Part Structure
Part 1 (Mental Ability) tests aptitude that is harder to improve through cramming. Part 2 (Academic Proficiency) tests knowledge that directly benefits from study. Allocate 60% of your preparation to Part 2, especially if you took your pre-med sciences years ago.
Strengthen Your Weakest Science Subject
Most pre-med students are strong in Biology but weaker in Physics or Chemistry. Identify your weakest science subtest early and give it extra attention. Even modest gains in a weak area can significantly boost your GPR.
Practice Inductive Reasoning and Perceptual Acuity
These subtests reward pattern recognition. Solve IQ-test-style pattern questions, number series, and figure analogies daily. Speed matters — practice under timed conditions.
Review Social Science Fundamentals
Many NMAT takers overlook Social Science because it seems easy. But psychology, sociology, and anthropology terms can be tricky. Review basic theories: Freud, Pavlov, Maslow, Durkheim, and Mead.
Take Practice Tests
Full-length practice tests help you gauge your current percentile range and identify which subtests need the most work. Several NMAT review centers and online platforms offer diagnostic exams.
Consider an NMAT Review Course
Review centers that specialize in NMAT preparation offer structured programs covering all 8 subtests. This is especially valuable if you graduated more than a year ago and need to refresh your academic knowledge.
Do Not Over-Prepare Part 1
Mental ability subtests measure aptitude. While practice helps, there is a ceiling to how much you can improve innate reasoning skills. Diminishing returns set in faster for Part 1 than Part 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times can I take the NMAT?
You can take the NMAT up to three times. After three attempts, you need special permission from CEM to retake.
Is there a minimum GPA to take the NMAT?
No. Any student with a baccalaureate degree or graduating status can register.
Can I take the NMAT before I finish my degree?
Yes, graduating students in their final year can take the NMAT before graduation.
How long are NMAT scores valid?
NMAT scores are valid for two years from the date of the exam.
Is the NMAT harder than the MCAT?
They test different things. The MCAT is longer and deeper in science content. The NMAT includes perceptual acuity and inductive reasoning subtests not found on the MCAT. Most test-takers find the MCAT more grueling overall.
What percentile should I aim for?
Aim for at least the 80th percentile to keep your options open for top-tier medical schools. The 90th percentile and above makes you competitive for UP Manila and UST Medicine.
When should I take the NMAT?
Take it in your senior year or within a year of graduation, when your science knowledge is freshest.
Do medical schools look only at the GPR?
Some schools also consider Part 1 and Part 2 composites separately. A few schools look at individual subtest scores. Always check the specific requirements of your target schools.
Choosing the Right Pre-Med Degree
While any bachelor's degree qualifies you to take the NMAT, certain pre-medical courses give you a stronger foundation for both the NMAT and medical school:
Popular Pre-Med Courses
- BS Biology — The most common pre-med course. Directly covers Biology and provides a strong foundation for Part 2.
- BS Nursing (BSN) — Increasingly popular among aspiring doctors. Provides clinical experience and covers anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.
- BS Pharmacy — Strong chemistry and pharmacology foundation.
- BS Medical Technology / Medical Laboratory Science — Laboratory skills and pathology knowledge are directly applicable to medical studies.
- BS Biochemistry — Excellent preparation for the Chemistry and Biology subtests.
Less Common but Viable Options
- BS Psychology — Covers the Social Science subtest directly and provides understanding of human behavior.
- BS Physical Therapy — Anatomy and physiology background is transferable.
- Non-science degrees — You can still take the NMAT with any degree, but you will need to self-study the science subjects more intensively.
Pre-Med Coursework Requirements
Most medical schools require specific pre-requisite courses regardless of your degree:
- General Biology with lab
- General Chemistry with lab
- Organic Chemistry with lab
- General Physics with lab
- Mathematics (College Algebra, Statistics)
- English
- Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology)
If your degree program did not include these, you can take them as additional units before applying to medical school.
Begin Your Journey to Medicine
The NMAT is the first real hurdle on the path to becoming a Filipino doctor. A strong percentile score opens doors to the best medical schools in the country.
Explore medical schools on SchoolFinderPH to compare programs, admission requirements, and NMAT cutoffs. Start your preparation today.