CHED may allow medical schools to admit students even without NMAT
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced that students who have not taken the National Medical Admission Test may still be admitted by medical schools this academic year, subject to their regular admission requirements.

CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III said the decision was prompted by concerns from parents and students asking the Commission on how to proceed into the medical program without the required NMAT.
"The Commission, in its en banc meeting on June 30, 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," said De Vera III.
De Vera, however, explained that the decision is only applicable for Academic Year 2020-2021 and still subject to the medical school's regular admission requirements.
The Center for Educational Measurement (CEM) failed to administer the NMAT when the enhanced community quarantine was enforced in Luzon and many areas in the country last March.
At least 9,000 applicants are supposed to take the NMAT, based on the data from the CEM.
The NMAT, De Vera said, is a standardized test designed to upgrade the selection of applicants seeking admission to Philippine medical schools. Currently, there are 56 higher education institutions in the country authorized to offer the doctor of medicine program.
It has also 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, the CHED chairman added.