Determination of the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) Cut-Off Score and Opening of New Medical Program
CHED Memorandum Order No. 003-03 outlines the guidelines for the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) cut-off score and the opening of new medical programs in the Philippines. It emphasizes that imposing a moratorium on new medical programs contradicts existing CHED policies regarding autonomy and deregulation. Medical schools are responsible for determining their NMAT cut-off scores, while the issuance of permits to offer the Medicine course will occur at the regional level, with support from the Technical Committee on Medical Education for evaluations. Additionally, higher education institutions (HEIs) are now accountable for assessing student eligibility for admission to medical programs based on specific documentation requirements.
January 28, 2003
CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 003-03
| SUBJECT | : | Determination of the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) Cut-Off Score and Opening of New Medical Program |
In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 7722 otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994" and by virtue of Resolution No. 320-2002 of the Commission en banc (CEB), all CHED Regional Directors, CHEDRO Health Supervisors, as well as Heads of Higher Education Institutions (HIEIs) offering the Medicine course are hereby informed of the following:
1. Imposition of a moratorium in the opening of new medical program will be inconsistent with the existing CHED policies such as but not limited to autonomy and deregulation.
2. As in the past, the determination of the NMAT cut-off score shall be the responsibility of the Medical school.
3. Issuance of permit to offer the Medicine course shall be maintained at the Regional level. However, the services of the Technical Committee on Medical Education may be tapped in the evaluation of applications to offer the Medical program.
4. Issuance of Certificate of Eligibility for Admission to College of Medicine the responsibility for and accountability of determining the eligibility of students for admission to the Medical program are hereby transferred to the concerned HEIs, provided the applicant submits the following documents:
a.) birth certificate and certificates of good moral character from two (2) professors in college;
b.) official transcript of records showing completion of a degree course;
c.) for graduates of private schools, the transcript of records is validated by a Special Order (S.O.) from CHED while for graduates of public schools, the diploma or certificates of graduation must be presented; and
d.) certified true copy of NMAT score.
Immediate dissemination of these information to all concerned is enjoined.
(SGD.) ESTER ALBANO GARCIAChairpersonCommission on Higher Education