To qualify for the best medical schools in the Philippines, it’s not enough that you have Latin honors or a stellar GWA/GPA; your NMAT ranking or score is equally important.

The NMAT or National Medical Admission Test is a prerequisite for entering a Doctor of Medicine program in the Philippines. While other lesser-known schools don’t put much weight on your NMAT performance, top schools like UP, UST, and UERM have cutoff scores of 90+, 85, and 75, respectively.

NMAT, therefore, should never be taken for granted because how you perform in the exam can define your future as a medical student.

In this guide, we’ve carefully curated all the best NMAT tips and tricks to ensure you can ace the exam without enrolling in a review center.

Update: Given the current pandemic situation,  NMAT will be administered online. Continue reading this article to gain helpful tips and suggestions on acing the online NMAT.

Reviewing for NMAT? Check out our Ultimate NMAT Reviewer (with Free Practice Tests and Answer Keys)

Table of Contents

• Stick to Your Learning Style
• Strengthen Your Weaknesses
• Know the Coverage of the Exam
• Take Simulated, Time-Pressured Practice Tests
• Manage Your Time Wisely
• Additional NMAT Tips
• Additional NMAT Tips (Online NMAT):
• Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. Is it helpful to attend a review center to prepare me for NMAT?
  • 2. I’m from a non-premed course (e.g., engineering, accountancy, psychology, etc.). How can I prepare for the NMAT?
• References

Stick to Your Learning Style

At this point, you must have a clear idea already of what makes you tick as a student. In other words, you already know what reviewing or studying techniques work best for you.

Everyone is different. Some learn more effectively by reviewing alone while others absorb more information by joining group studies. However, since you’ll be unable to join group studies due to strict health protocols, you have to either improve your self-review strategies or look for online forums or Facebook groups that aim to foster a community of those preparing for NMAT.

You can also encourage your former classmates or friends who will take the NMAT to conduct review sessions via online platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Facebook Messenger, or Discord. Others extract more from audio-visual learning materials while others thrive by reading books.

As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Stick to your style and make every minute of your review count.

Also Read: How to Become a Doctor in the Philippines – An Ultimate Guide

Strengthen Your Weaknesses

Reviewing for NMAT is like preparing for UPCAT or civil service exam: You don’t have all the time in the world so might as well review strategically.

In the case of NMAT, you only have 2 months at best (if you’re taking the March/April schedule) to dedicate to the review. So how can you make the most out of it? By focusing on your weakest areas.

Take a diagnostic exam. Either use the practice test provided to you by CEM or find a free/paid NMAT reviewer online. This initial practice exam will give you an idea about the nature of NMAT and which subject areas you need to spend more time on.

Record the scores you’ll get in each subtest of the diagnostic exam. These scores will give you an idea of what subjects to prioritize in your review. Let’s say the diagnostic exam reveals that you scored highest in Chemistry, followed by Physics, Social Science, and Biology. Based on this result, the order of the subjects that you’ll review should be as follows: Biology first, followed by Social Science, Physics, then Chemistry.

By knowing your weaknesses from the get-go, you will be able to dedicate more time brushing up on the concepts you’ve (intentionally) forgotten and in so doing improve your final NMAT score/rank.

Also, don’t forget that NMAT scoring is based on percentile ranking which means your grade isn’t equivalent to the number of questions you got right but on the number of examinees who scored lower than you.

Since most students hate subjects that have anything to do with numbers, you can outperform them and possibly get a 90+ ranking by doing well in these areas (more on this in the next section).

Know the Coverage of the Exam

Assuming that you already know your weaknesses based on the results of the diagnostic test, it’s time to dust off your old high school or college notes and start reviewing.

However, you can’t start the review unless you know what to review in the first place. Know the coverage of the NMAT and use it as a guide on what topics to prioritize.

NMAT is composed of two parts.

The first part is the Aptitude Test which measures the examinee’s mental ability to answer questions from four different categories: Verbal, Inductive Reasoning, Quantitative, and Perceptual Acuity.

Part I is the trickiest of the two. It relies on your aptitude more than your stocked knowledge. Most examinees fail to prepare well for this part since they didn’t study most of it in high school or college unlike the subjects included in Part II.

The only way to get a high score in Part I is to practice answering as many questions as possible. Since most examinees focus on Part II, it will give you a great advantage if you outscore them in Part I.

NMAT, after all, is based on percentile ranking, not on your raw scores.

The second part, on the other hand, is the Special Areas test which includes questions from four subject areas believed to be the most critical in preparing students for medical education: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Social Science.

When reviewing for Part II, prioritize breadth over depth. Instead of delving into advanced concepts in each subject, review the basics usually included in your high school or college syllabus.

Remember, you should make each second of your limited time to review count by covering as many subjects as possible. You won’t be able to do that if you waste time gaining “in-depth” knowledge about a single topic.

Take Simulated, Time-Pressured Practice Tests

Studies show that you retain more information through repeated testing than from repeated studying¹. This phenomenon is known as the testing effect and is hinged upon the universal truth that people learn more through application and trial-and-error.

To get your best NMAT score, practice taking exams similar to the content and length of the actual NMAT. You may use the free practice test sent to your e-mail upon registration or buy NMAT reviewers available online.

The key here is to answer as many questions as possible to benefit from the testing effect.

Each mistake is an opportunity to improve your weaknesses and brush up on concepts you might have forgotten. For example, if you got a wrong answer to a Physics question, you can compare your answer to other choices to see why you made a mistake. This is also a great reminder of why you should keep a note of the common Math and science formulas.

NMAT is a time-pressured exam so aside from understanding the test content, you also have to mimic the actual test conditions. To do this, try answering the practice tests under time pressure: 2 hours and 15 minutes for Part I and 1 hour and 30 minutes for Part II.

NMAT is a time-pressured exam so aside from understanding the test content, you also have to mimic the actual test conditions. To do this, try answering the practice tests under time pressure: 3 hours for Part I and 2 1/2 hours for Part II.

If you answer 75% of the questions correctly, you’re in good standing. A score lower than 75% means you need more preparation to improve your base knowledge as well as analytical and application skills.

Practice tests should only be used as a guide in improving your test-taking skills. The questions will not likely appear in the actual NMAT so don’t waste your time memorizing them.

In addition to improving your stored knowledge, the use of practice tests in your review also builds up your test-taking “muscles,” enabling you to make intelligent guesses even in items you don’t know anything about.

Since NMAT is now administered online, you must adapt to the additional pressure and difficulties imposed by the online test setup.

Try to answer mock exams while simulating the actual online exam environment. Set up your webcam and microphone and answer questions that are directly flashed on the screen of your laptop or computer. Think of this simulated exam as the test scenario – no music while answering, no interruption from anyone in your house, and no distracting things on your desk. 

CEM will provide you with a link for a demo or mock test which you can use to be familiar with the Secure Exam Browser (the browser used for the online NMAT). After your registration and payment, you will receive the link via your registered account. 

Afterward, identify the difficulties you have experienced while conducting the simulated exam such as intermittent internet connection, slow browser, or things that might have distracted you while answering. By doing this, you will gradually cope with the online setup and lower the chances of technical difficulties on the actual exam date. 

Simulated online tests will also train your eyes and prepare them for the NMAT. Since the prolonged time of looking at the screen causes eye strain (which might hinder you from answering the questions accurately), your eyes must be prepared for the test. While answering a simulated test with your computer, don’t forget to blink since it helps to lubricate your eyes and prevents eye strain. Adjusting your electronic device’s lighting depending on your vision might also help to lessen eye discomfort.

 Take advantage of free and accessible reviewers and learning resources.

Your determination, effort, and luck are not enough to ace the NMAT. You also have to be wise when it comes to which reviewers and learning resources you will use. 

There are lots of reviewers and resources that are free and available online which have helped a lot of aspirants pass the test. For instance, you can use our free NMAT reviewer and practice tests. You can also incorporate the digital resources offered by Lumen Learning and Khan Academy into your arsenal of reviewers.  Furthermore, CEM will also send some practice tests to your registered email address.

If you love to learn by watching educational videos, Youtube channels such as The Organic Chemistry tutor, Professor Dave Explains, or Leah4Sci provide comprehensive and helpful content that will help you refresh your knowledge, especially with Chemistry and Physics.

Manage Your Time Wisely

As a whole, NMAT is relatively easier compared to UPCAT.

However, time is every examinee’s greatest enemy. The first part consists of confusing and complex questions that can easily consume a huge chunk of your time if you’re not careful.

Never waste more than 1 minute on a single item.

Depending on which strategy you’re most comfortable with, you can tackle the easiest or the hardest questions first.

READ: How to Answer Multiple Choice Questions Like a Pro

Alternatively, you can classify each question based on its level of difficulty:

• Easy – items that you already know the answers to at one glance. Answer them right away.
• Medium – questions that require calculations and a little more thinking. Mark these questions and only go back to them once you’re done with the easier questions.
• Hard – test items that are too difficult to waste your time on. Make educated guesses and move on.

Additional NMAT Tips

• Sleep well before the day of the exam. Lack of sleep severely derails one’s concentration.
• If possible, visit the testing location a few days before the exam to familiarize yourself with the area, its traffic condition, and the specific room you’re assigned. If the room is air-conditioned, for example, it won’t you harm if you bring a jacket just in case.
• Don’t forget to bring the required documents on the test date: NMAT Identification Form, Examination Permit, Valid School ID/Government-issued ID/Valid Passport, and photocopy of Transcript of Records (for college graduates only).
• Bring enough pencils (No. 2 or HB) and erasers. Examinees are also advised to bring a long transparent plastic envelope where they can put their valuables and other allowed items.
• Arrive at the test site early, preferably a few minutes before 7:00 AM. All examinees must be inside their testing rooms as early as 7:15 AM.
• Eat a healthy breakfast. The first part of the exam is 3 hours long so you should never go there with a grumbling stomach unless you want to ruin your concentration.
• Bring a packed lunch because the 1-hour lunch break is not enough to eat at nearby restaurants wherein the lines are expectedly long. You can also bring candies so you’ll have an extra supply of glucose for your brain while taking the exam. Avoid foods that are crunchy or have strong odors.

Additional NMAT Tips (Online NMAT):

• Read the Candidate Online Assessment Guide. This guide will be sent to you via email after you register. Everything you have to know about the conduct of the online NMAT is indicated there. From technical requirements and usage of online testing websites to dress code, important reminders, and frequently asked questions, this material will be the most reliable guide. 
• Familiarize yourself with the online testing website. Secure Exam Browser (or MSB) is the browser where NMAT will be administered. Thus, it’s helpful to be familiar with the parts and features of this browser. By taking the demo test that the CEM will send to you via email after registration, you have the chance to explore the website. Most of the features of MSB you will see in the demo test are similar to the actual test.

• Log in to the testing website as early as possible. Since you must undergo the registration and identification stage before taking the exam, you must enter as early as possible. Furthermore, in case there’s an issue with the identification stage, you have to resubmit your credentials again which might take some time. By entering early, this issue will be addressed immediately and save you from additional stress and hassle.
• Answer all the questions. Since NMAT is not a right minus wrong test, never leave any questions blank. Even if you’re clueless about a certain question, give it a try or make an educated guess. However, if you encounter a difficult question and you’re unable to answer it within a minute, skip it in the meantime. After completing the remaining questions and you still have time, go back and try answering that difficult question. If you still can’t answer it, that’s the only time you have to resort to guessing. 
• Avoid cramming. If you’re planning to review a few days before the test (or worse, the night before it), you will have slim chances of passing. The coverage of NMAT is broad, and there are lots of concepts that are difficult to absorb. For this reason, you must review for NMAT as early as possible. According to some passers, starting at least 1 month before the NMAT would suffice. Many suggest following a consistent study schedule to review NMAT. You have to commit at least an hour every day to review for the exam. This allows you to absorb as much information as possible without additional pressure unlike when you cram days before the exam. 
• If you share wifi or router connection with other people in your house, tell them to refrain from using the internet until your exam is done. Even if your internet connection can support multiple connected devices, you should be the only one using the connection during the entire exam to prevent any instances of unstable connection. An intermittent internet connection may induce additional anxiety and affect your test performance. In addition to this, ask the people in your house to refrain from communicating with you until the exam is done.
• Be careful when answering “negative” questions. These are the questions that contain the word “EXCEPT” or “NOT” (e.g., All of the following exhibit mutualism EXCEPT). Keep in mind that for these questions, you are looking for the “wrong” answer. If a part of a given option is already incorrect, the entire statement is already incorrect. 
• Read the given question before looking at the choices. Try to answer it in your head without looking at the choices. This technique prevents you from being confused by the incorrect choices which are included to distract you. Once you already have the answer in your head, skim through the given choices and select the best answer. 
• Hone your mental calculation skill. Although you have a whiteboard and marker as your “scratch paper” for the quantitative subtest (pen and paper are not allowed), being able to calculate mathematical operations with your mind will save you a lot of time. You can start improving your mental math skills by refreshing your memory of the multiplication table, divisibility rules, fraction to decimal conversion (e.g., ¼ is equal to 0.25), decimal to percent conversion (0.5 is equal to 50%), and so on. 
• For verbal subtests, it is advisable to read the questions first. Some given texts are long enough to waste your time. Hence, read the given question first then skim the text for any part that might contain the answer you’re looking for. Furthermore, reading books will help you develop your vocabulary, comprehension, and skimming skills. You can incorporate reading different texts as part of your review sessions.
• For the Physics subtest, most questions are not that complicated, but you must be familiar with the terminologies, concepts, and theories. Some passers suggest understanding the concept behind the physics formulas so that you can make smart guesses in case you forgot a certain formula.
• Maximize the 10-minute break. Before taking the second part of the online NMAT, make the most of the 10-minute break provided to you by the proctors. Rest your eyes, do some stretching or drink some water. This will help you get in the mood for the second part.  
• If you can’t study for straight 3 – 4 hours, try to use the Pomodoro technique. The Pomodoro technique goes like this: you commit to an uninterrupted study of 25 minutes then take a 5-minute break. After the break, study again for another 25 minutes, and so on. To learn more about this strategy, watch the following video:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it helpful to attend a review center to prepare me for NMAT?

Although review centers will help you create a solid study schedule, they will cost you a lot of money. A lot of passers suggest that self-review, proper review materials, and effective test-taking strategies are enough to ace the NMAT. 

2. I’m from a non-premed course (e.g., engineering, accountancy, psychology, etc.). How can I prepare for the NMAT?

Start by learning the basics of each subtest (i.e., Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Social Science). Note that most of the questions are already covered in your high school years so reviewing the basic concepts might help you remember them. Furthermore, the best way to maximize the knowledge you will acquire from these subjects is by starting to review as early as possible. Those who passed NMAT from non-premed courses suggest starting 3-4 months before the exam. 

References

1. Butler, A. (2010). Repeated testing produces superior transfer of learning relative to repeated studying. National Library of Medicine. Repeated testing produces superior transfer of learning relative to repeated studying – PubMed (nih.gov)