ICYMI: Philippine Science High School announces schedule, requirements for 2024 National Competitive Examination
Could you be the next science scholar of the nation?
The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) is calling all incoming Grade 7 students for the School Year 2024-2026 to take the 2024 National Competitive Examination (NCE).
In case you didn't know, the NCE is the gateway to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS). It is widely recognized as the top science high school in the Philippines and was also considered among the best in Southeast Asia as of 2016. The NCE is a single, high-stakes exam used to select PSHS scholars.
Applications for the NCE were accepted from June 10 to October 10, with the exam scheduled for November 16.
Ready to send in that application? To qualify, you must be a Grade 6 pupil from a Department of Education-recognized school. You need a Science and Math average of 85% or better, or proof of being in your class' top 10%.
You should be a Filipino citizen with no pending immigration plans, and not older than 15 by June 30, 2025.
A satisfactory character rating is required, and you must be in good health to handle the rigorous academic program. Importantly, you cannot have previously applied to PSHS.
Application requirements
The requirements depend on the kind of application you’ll be submitting, either online or through a walk-in.
For walk-in applicants, you should submit the following requirements. Afterward, you must submit a physical copy of these documents to the nearest DOST office or PSHS campuses.
- Fully accomplished application form
- Recent 1x1 ID pictures
- If you are a student from a private school, you must pay P300 as a non-refundable processing fee. Meanwhile, public school students and students with full scholarships from private schools are free.
- Certified true copy of report card (SY 2023 - 2024) by the class adviser/principal
- Certification or proof that the child belongs to the upper 10% of the batch if the final grades in Science or Math are below 85%
- Certification from the private school if the pupil-applicant is on full scholarship
Students are not necessarily required to submit their applications personally, their parents or guardians may submit on their behalf to any PSHS campuses and DOST/Provincial S&T offices.
On the other hand, if you plan to apply online, you will need to create an account here to submit the following requirements:
- Scanned/Digitized copy of most recent 1x1 ID pictures
- Scanned/Digitized copy of Proof of Payment (Php 300 for private school students; free for public school students and students with full scholarships from private schools)
- Scanned/Digitized copy of Certified true copy of report card (SY 2023 - 2024) by the class adviser/principal
- Scanned/Digitized copy of the certification of proof that the child belongs to the upper 10% of the batch if the final grades in Science or Math are below 85%
- Certification from the private school if the pupil-applicant is on full scholarship
Scholarship privileges
The PSHS System has also outlined a comprehensive package of benefits for admitted students. These include a full scholarship covering tuition, uniforms, transportation, free textbooks, and monthly stipends and living allowances adjusted based on socioeconomic status.
Dormitory accommodation is provided where necessary. Moreover, PSHS scholars enjoy opportunities to participate in national and international competitions and benefit from immersive training through the Science Immersion Program.
The results of the NCE will be published in newspapers and on PSHS' official website. Qualified students will be notified directly by their respective campus registrars.
Slots available
The top 240 qualifiers will be offered slots at the PSHS Main Campus in Agham Road in Quezon City. Those who don't make the cutoff will be considered for their chosen regional campus. However, selecting a regional campus is final, and applicants cannot be considered as alternates for the Main Campus.
Slot allocations vary by campus: 120 for eleven campuses including CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Southern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, CARAGA, Bicol, Central Visayas, and Central Mindanao; and 90 for Cordillera Administrative Region, MIMAROPA, Eastern Visayas, and Zamboanga Region.