Over 26k applicants aim for PNPA admission

By Jennifer P. Rendon

With a cadetship acceptance rate of around 1.3 percent, the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) is set to administer the PNPA Cadet Admission Test (CAT) to more than 26,000 applicants in 33 testing centers nationwide on August 4.

Cadet 1st Class Arianne Pagharion, a member of the PNPA Class 2025 from Poblacion, Tibiao, Antique, mentioned that approximately 10 percent of those taking the examination are expected to pass.

Cadet 1st Class Von Christian Lloyd Lamson, from Buenavista, Guimaras, noted that not all processed applicants showed up on the scheduled date.

Passing the examination is just the beginning of several phases an applicant must go through, including medical and neuropsychiatric evaluations and the final panel interview, which are used for final deliberation.

In their case, 26,000 applicants were processed, but only 350 took their oath, and around 230 are expected to graduate.

Several factors can prevent a cadet from finishing the program, such as maintaining standard grades and not exceeding allowable demerits.

Cadets could be turned back or dismissed for failing to meet these standards or for cheating and lying.

In Western Visayas, 539 qualified applicants are expected to take the examination at the Iloilo National High School in La Paz, Iloilo City, and around 540 at the Bacolod City National High School in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City, on Sunday.

The PNPA will also accommodate cross-examinees and walk-in applicants. Cross-examinees, included in the published final list of qualified examinees taking the exam at different centers or schedules, are classified as second priority, while walk-in applicants, who will be processed and qualified in person on Aug. 3, will be third priority.

Pagharion said cross-examine and walk-in applicants will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to the availability of testing materials at each center.

The PNPA reminded examinees that any changes or corrections regarding personal details such as name, sex, address, or contact numbers should be made during the checking of attendance in the presence of the chief examiner/proctors.

Applicants are given two to three hours to answer 200 questions covering Communication Arts, Mathematics, Science, General Information and Values, and Abstract Reasoning.

The institution does not hold any review classes nor publish or distribute any review material for the PNPA Cadet Admission Test.

Additionally, the PNPACAT has not accredited any individual, group, or review center to produce, publish, distribute, market, sell any review material, or offer and hold review sessions/classes to prospective examinees.

‘UNLUCKY’ EXAMINEES

Those who do not make it in this year’s PNPA CAT can reapply next year, provided they meet the qualifications:

• A natural-born Filipino citizen;
• Must be 18 to 22 years old at the time of admission;
• Must be single with no parental obligation;
• At least a Senior High School graduate upon admission;
• At least 5 feet 2 inches (158.2 cm) for males and 5 feet (152.4 cm) for females in height;
• Weight corresponding to the applicant’s height, gender, and age (body mass index);
• Physically and mentally fit to undergo the cadetship program;
• With good moral character (no criminal, administrative, or civil derogatory record);
• Without pending complaints or cases before any tribunal;
• Not a former cadet of the PNPA or other similar institutions;
• Never dismissed from any private employment or government position for cause.

Members of indigenous groups or communities who do not meet the minimum height requirement can submit a certificate of confirmation from the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) or a certificate of tribal membership from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).