Many students planning to pursue higher education often have difficulties deciding which course to take that will lead them to their dream career. Some are even confused and questioning their capacity to take a course. Luckily, the Department of Education (DepEd) administers the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) to Filipino students, helping them assess their skills, abilities, and inclinations.
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By implementing the NCAE, teachers can assess each learner’s performance level to guide them in choosing the academic strands for senior high. This test will also help students determine their capacity and knowledge extent to ensure their course matches their preferred occupational career. Doing so will promote well-informed and productive graduates.
What is DepEd National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE)
The National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) is an aptitude test designed to provide information using test results obtained by conducting self-assessment, career awareness, and guidance for junior high school students under the K to 12 Basic Education Program (BEP). It is a mandatory test administered by the Department of Education (DepEd) in cooperation with the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA), school division offices (SDOs), and secondary school personnel.
The NCAE results are recommendatory, which will help K to 12 learners and their parents choose the most suitable tracks in senior high school. Furthermore, it will provide an inventory interest, representing each student’s inclinations in an occupational field. It will also help students confirm their previously thought-chosen careers by measuring their strengths and weaknesses. Hence, administering the NCAE will guide students in choosing their career path.
Features
Like the abolished National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), the NCAE is a general scholastic aptitude test (GSAT). However, the NCAE provides recommendatory test results with no cut-off score. It measures other domains, including scientific abilities, logical reasoning ability, technical-vocational aptitude, academic tracks aptitude, and occupational interest inventory.
NCAE is a locally developed paper-and-pencil test with multiple choices, administered using electronically processed scannable answer sheets, providing a user-friendly test result (Certificate of Rating).
Objectives
- Promote the highest quality of education by monitoring and regulating student movement in post-secondary educational institutions and possible contributions to the development of the Philippines.
- Reduce unsystematic wastefulness of resources by matching the demands of the job market and manpower.
- Evaluate the competency of Grade 9 students pursuing senior high school by providing significant information about their abilities, skills, and readiness to take academic and non-academic courses.
- Assist high school students in making wise career choices by assessing their inclination in various GSAT domains, including their strengths and weaknesses.
Coverage
The NCAE is a mandatory test for all enrolled Grade 9 students in public and private high schools in the Philippines with a permit to operate. It will measure a cluster of occupational fields, including:
- Aquaculture and Agriculture/Forestry
- Architecture and Construction
- Business and Finance / Commerce
- Community Services
- Computers and Technology
- Engineering
- Fashion: Garments, Hairstyle/Cosmetics/Parlor Services, Jewelry and Accessories
- Media and Communication
- Military and Law Enforcement
- Natural Sciences
- Personal Services
- Professional Services
- Science
- Spiritual Vocation
- The Arts
Measured Domains
A. General Scholastic Aptitude (GSA)
- Logical Reasoning Ability (LRA)
- Mathematical Ability (MA)
- Reading Comprehension (RC)
- Scientific Ability (SA)
- Verbal Ability (VA)
B. Aptitude for Academic Tracks
- Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM)
- Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
C. Technical-Vocational Aptitude (TVA)
Occupational Interest Inventory of Students in Secondary Schools (OIISSS)
The OIISSS is a checklist or inventory of occupational interests, which contains an evaluation of preferences or inclinations for extensive career guidance. It provides students with a profile chart that will assist them in deciding their career path through the identified cluster occupations.
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NCAE Certificate of Rating (COR)
By taking the NCAE test, students will receive a Certificate of Rating (COR) – a report on the examinees’ performance shown in a graph with Standard Scores and Percentile Ranks, including its descriptive rating. It also contains the overall TVA, GSA, and subtest scores. The GSA score consists of the average standard scores in LRA, MA, RC, SA, and VA areas. Meanwhile, ABM, HUMSS, and STEM results will be in Percentile Rank and Standard Score.
Additionally, the CA and VMS scores are composed of the TVA score. Under OIISSS, the preference level for each area of occupational interest on the following percentage score:
- Very low (0-25)
- Low (26-50)
- Moderate (51-75)
- High (76-100)
Thus, the NCAE COR can help examinees determine their strengths and weaknesses. This aptitude test is also free since DepEd will shoulder all the expenses. Schools, parents, and students don’t need to pay any amount to administer and prepare the test materials for NCAE. Examinees should only wait 3 to 4 months to obtain the NCA test results (COR).
Administration of the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE)
On June 18, 2024, the Department of Education issued the DepEd Memorandum (DM) No. 31, series (s.) 2024, titled the “Administration of the National Career Assessment Examination.” The NCAE will be administered within a five (5) day testing window for School Year (SY) 2024-2025, two weeks after the classes open as per DepEd Order (DO) 55, s. 2016, known as the “Policy Guidelines on the National Assessment of Student Learning for the K to 12 Basic Education Program.” The NCAE is administered using the paper-based modality to all currently enrolled Grade 10 learners in public and private schools recognized and permitted to operate by the Philippine government.
DepEd SDOs and the regional office (RO) will determine the specific administration dates within the testing window. Moreover, the Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) will supervise NCAE’s nationwide implementation in collaboration with DepEd ROs and SDOs. BEA will also organize a virtual orientation for Regional Testing Coordinators, Division Testing Coordinators, and SDO Private School Supervisors regarding the administration guidelines and details for Program Support Funds. Lastly, all activities related to the administration of NCAE should comply with health and safety protocols.
Video: Balitang Amianan: Mga Grade 9 Students, Sumabak sa NCAE
To learn more about DepEd NCAE, watch the video below:
As discussed in the video, the administered NCAE is for all Grade 9 students in public and private schools throughout the Philippines. It aims to determine students’ aptitude and occupational interests so they won’t have difficulties choosing the academic strands for senior high school. Thus, taking the NCAE is vital to help students and teachers assess the extent of learning in each subject area.
Summary
Choosing a career is a critical decision you should seriously consider since it may lead to your growth, success, and stability. While there is no assurance of the future, it will guide the next generation in building the life they want and visualize. Therefore, administering the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) will benefit Filipino students by assisting them in career guidance and determining their strengths and weaknesses. This aptitude test also resonates with DepEd’s mandate of promoting quality education and productive graduates that can assist in the nation’s development.