The Department of Education aims to lead young Filipinos in the discovery of their own potential through the academe provided for every Filipino enabling them to create their own destiny to the global community. To achieve this vision, DepEd reaches out responsive efforts for the students’ educational and worthwhile needs. One way is to determine the students’ capacity of learning. There comes, National Achievement Test.
The National Achievement Test (NAT) is administered by the Department of Education though the National Educational Testing and Research Center (NETRC) which heads on research and assessment of the education provided for our youth, specifically in the Basic Education.
National Achievement Test in a nutshell
The examination is designed to determine the students’ academic strengths and weaknesses though the five key-major subjects: Mathematics, Science, English, Filipino, HeKaSi (Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at Sibika) in elementary and Araling Panlipunan in high school. Ratings obtained from NAT for Grade VI and Fourth Year serves also as a tool to measure the school’s competency and effectiveness as well as the students’ aptitude and mastery towards the basic learning areas.
The nationwide exam is taken every near-end of the school year basically every first week March.
What’s New about NAT?
The National Achievement Test were originally designed and administered for Grade Six and Fourth Year Students. However, due to the changes indicated in the enclosure of DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2011 and DepEd Memorandum No. 266, s. 2011, instead of the sophomores, our seniors shall take the National Achievement Test in absence of the National Career Assessment Exam which will be administered now for the juniors.
What’s with the National Achievement Test
To give you a hint, here are the parts of the NSAT last 2011:
PARTS OF THE TEST
No. of Items |
Time Limit (‘) |
|
Examinee’s Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ) |
15 |
5 |
Filipino |
60 |
60 |
Araling Panlipunan |
60 |
60 |
Mathematics |
50 |
70 |
Science |
60 |
80 |
English |
60 |
60 |
Critical Thinking Test |
20 |
15 |
TOTAL |
325 items |
350 min. |
For Grade Six:
PARTS OF THE TEST |
No. of Items |
Time Limit (‘) |
Examinee’s Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ) |
10 |
5 |
Filipino |
40 |
40 |
Mathematics |
40 |
40 |
English |
40 |
40 |
Science |
40 |
40 |
HEKASI |
40 |
40 |
Composition Writing* |
– |
20 |
TOTAL |
205 items |
230 min. |
*in sample schools only
More about the Parts of the Test
Examinee’s Descriptive Questionnaire (EDQ) – This is not actually a test. This consist more of a survey of information about the examinee. (eg. family background, school organizations, teacher evaluation, facilities accessible by the examinee, etc.)
The questions are all in multiple choices and some of the questions can have multiple answers.
Filipino, Mathematics, Science, English, Filipino and HEKASI/Araling Panlipunan – These tests determine the mastery of the examinee in the subjects. The tests may include: Analysis, Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, Problem Solving, General Knowledge and et cetera.
The coverage is mostly the combination of the shallowest and s the deepest among the lessons from First Year to Fourth Year/Grade 4 to Grade 6. But don’t be over confident though. A good and efficient review still matters.
Critical Thinking Test – The test is more of analysis and reasoning within the given situation. Some, are really easy to answer but don’t belittle this subtest, some items are really tricky. You should analyze the situation/question given in the item and choose the answer given in the selection only. This does not test your general knowledge but on how you analyze, your reasoning, logic and of course, your critical thinking ability.
Going NUTS on NAT?
Don’t cram reviewing yourself though. Your school will hold a week (or so) dose of review for the test. So better stay attentive while reviewing and don’t, I’m telling you, be absent during these review days.
Mock Test or Review Exams are also regularly scheduled by your school/institution for the preparation for the exam. The scores in the mock test can be recorded but however the actual NAT scores shall not be incorporated in your actual grades. We’ll talk a lot more with the tips and strategies in get through the NAT exam in my next article.
Sources:
http://www.deped.gov.ph/cpanel/uploads/issuanceImg/DM%20No.%20266,%20s.%202011.pdf
http://www.depedmuntinlupa.com/images/gallery/2011%20NAT%20Orientation.pdf
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