Frequently Asked Questions

How does a student qualify for admission to the PSHS?
A student qualifies for admission to any one of the PSHS campuses by passing the PSHS National Competitive Examination.

Are there review classes which a potential applicant can attend to prepare him/her for the NCE?
The PSHS has not authorized any individual or institution to conduct review classes for the PSHS-NCE, with or without a fee.

Where can students secure application forms?
Application forms are available from the following:

Application forms will be available from the above offices starting the first week of August.

What are the requirements for filing application forms?

Who may submit the accomplished application form?
Any one of the following may submit the accomplished application form:

Where will the tests be administered?
There will be designated testing centers around the country. The examinees will be assigned to testing centers nearest their residences/schools.

What should the applicant bring on the day of the examination?

The applicant should bring the following:

In case the applicant loses his/her test permit, what should he/she do?

Call the PSHS Admissions Office at tel no. (02) 926-5701 for advice.

On the day of the examination, check the list posted at the nearest test center. Then, report to the Chief Examiner of the assigned test center and present a valid identification/certification and proof of application.

What is the schedule for filing of applications to take the NCE?
Applications may be filed starting the first week of August. The deadline for submission of application forms is the second Friday of October.

How soon will the applicant know if he is qualified to take the first examination?
If the applicant or his representative submits the application form to the Admissions Office in the PSHS Main Campus where express processing is available, approval of application is don upon submission. The test permit is issued as soon as the application is approved and the processing fee has been paid. The entire process takes about 15 minutes per applicant.
If the application form is submitted to the PSHS campuses in the regions, approval of the application is upon submission to the Registrar's Office of the campus. The Campus Registrar issues a provisional test permit. The computer-generated test permit will be issued by the PSHS Admissions Office which is located in the PSHS Main Campus.
If the application forms are submitted to the DOST Regional Offices and DOST Provincial Science and Technology Centers, approval is upon receipt of the application forms by the Admissions Office.

How soon will the results of the first screening be released?
The results of the first screening will be available in the first week of February.

In case of a typhoon, what happens to the scheduled examination?
If typhoon signal no. 1 is raised, the examination will push through as scheduled. However, if typhoon signal no. 2 is raised, the Chief Examiner is authorized to re-schedule the examination.

The Chief Examiner will ensure that all examinees are notified of the new schedule. He/She will make the announcement through the local AM radio station and will coordinate with different offices.

The examinees affected by suspension of the examination are advised to report to the Chief Examiner as soon as weather condition improves.

In case where the safety and security of the examinees are at risk, can the examinees report to testing centers other than what had been originally assigned to them?
The safety and security of the examinees should be given primary consideration. In cases of flood, and where there are security risks, examinees are allowed to report to other accessible and safer test centers.

Will the NCE be administered on any other date after the scheduled dates examination?
No. The SAT and SMAT will be administered once and only on the scheduled dates of examination.

How are the results of the first screening disseminated?
The Registrars of PSHS campuses are responsible for disseminating the results of the first screening. They may be reached at the following telephone numbers:

The DOST Regional Offices and the host schools will also be provided with a list of qualifiers through the mail.

The results of the first test, and for successful applicants, notices for the second screening, will be mailed to the examinees in the home address indicated in the application form.

The results are also available at the PSHS website with the address www.pshs.dost.gov.ph or at this site.

Who are qualified to take the second test (SMAT)?
The upper 20% of the applicants who tool the first test (SAT) are qualified to take the SMAT.

If an applicant qualifies for the second screening, is there a need for him/her to submit another application form?
There is no need to submit another application form. However, the applicant has to pay a processing fee of P75.00.

Where will the examinee pay the processing fee?
Examinees from Metro Manila can pay at the Cashier's Office of the PSHS Main Campus.

Examinees from the provinces can pay to the Chief Examiner on the day of the examination. Those who are scheduled to take the second examination in the PSHS Campuses can pay to the Cashier of the Campus on or before the date of the examination.