NMAT Frequently Asked Questions - About National Medical Admission Test (NMAT)

Sep 21, 2026

NMAT Frequently Asked Questions compiles guidance for applicants to the National Medical Admission Test in the Philippines, covering who must take the exam, eligibility categories, and key score-validity rules under CHED memoranda. It explains minimum cut-off percentile requirements, typical testing windows across months, and recommended timing based on readiness and application deadlines. It also addresses online computer-based testing availability, registration slot and time-zone details, retake and duplicate-payment restrictions, and preparation steps using the NMAT Bulletin, Practice Set, and Demo Test.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

About National Medical Admission Test (NMAT)

NMAT Online Registration

NMAT Account/Verified Email

Biographical Data/Photo Update

Payment

Rescheduling, Cancellation, and Refund

Test Day Instructions

Test Results

Schedule of Fees

NMAT Contact Points

Official Request Forms

NMAT Frequently Asked Questions About National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) ......................................................................................... 2 NMAT Online Registration ............................................................................................................................ 3 NMAT Account/Verified Email ...................................................................................................................... 7 Biographical Data/Photo Update .................................................................................................................. 8 Payment ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 Rescheduling, Cancellation, and Refund....................................................................................................... 9 Test Day Instructions .................................................................................................................................. 10 Test Results ................................................................................................................................................. 12 Schedule of Fees ......................................................................................................................................... 13 NMAT Contact Points:................................................................................................................................. 14 Official Request Forms: ........................................................................................................................... 14 ABOUT NATIONAL MEDICAL ADMISSION TEST (NMAT) Q. Who are required to take the NMAT? A. Those who intend to enroll in a medical degree program in the Philippines are required to take the NMAT. Eligibility includes: 1. College graduates of any degree program. 2. Graduating college students at the end of the current school year. 3. Second-year students in the UP College of Medicine’s Integrated Liberal Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) program and in UST’s Bachelor of Science in Basic Human Studies (LEAPMed) . 4. Individuals who have previously taken the NMAT but did not meet the minimum cut-off score. 5. Candidates with valid NMAT eligibility who wish to improve their scores. For Foreign applicants, please read the CHED Executive Order 285 series of 2000 Consolidated Implementing Guidelines on the Entry and Stay of Foreign Students in the Philippines and CHED Memorandum Order No. 18 series of 2016. Q. What is the validity period of NMAT score? A: As per CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, Series of 2016, NMAT scores obtained within two (2) years prior to admission to medical school shall be considered valid. Q. What is the minimum cut-off score of NMAT? A: As per CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, Series of 2016, a candidate's NMAT score must meet or exceed the minimum percentile required by either the medical school or the Commission (i.e., 40th percentile), whichever is higher. Q. When is the NMAT typically scheduled? A. The test administrations are usually scheduled in the following months: October to November, January to February, and April to May. For the most up-to-date schedule, please check the NMAT website regularly for announcements and other details. Q. When is the best cycle to take the NMAT? A. The best time to take the NMAT depends on various considerations such as your readiness and the application deadline of your target medical school(s) . You may consider taking the NMAT in the earliest available cycle, as this allows you to assess whether your scores meet the standard of the medical school and provides the opportunity to retake the NMAT in a later cycle, if you deem it necessary. Q. What modalities are available for taking the NMAT? A. The NMAT is currently available as an online computer-based

FAQs

Who is required to take the NMAT?

Those who intend to enroll in a medical degree program in the Philippines are required to take the NMAT, including college graduates, graduating college students, certain second-year students in specific programs, previous NMAT takers who missed the minimum cut-off, and candidates with valid NMAT eligibility who want to improve their scores.

How long is an NMAT score considered valid?

NMAT scores obtained within two (2) years prior to admission to medical school are considered valid, as stated in CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, Series of 2016.

When is the NMAT typically scheduled, and what is the best cycle to take it?

The test is usually scheduled from October to November, January to February, and April to May. The best cycle depends on readiness and target medical school application deadlines; taking the earliest available cycle helps gauge score standards and allows a later retake if needed.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Maya Linwood