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NATION

1,216 pass 2026 PMA entrance exam

Jing Villamente · Oct 2, 2026, 12:39 PM

PHOTOGRAPH BY YUMMIE DINGDING FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE

The Philippine Military Academy on Friday announced that 1,216 of 25,452 qualified examinees passed the 2026 PMA Entrance Examination conducted at 48 testing centers nationwide from July to September.

The figure translates to a 4.78 percent passing rate, down from 5.28 percent last year.

The PMA received 36,596 online applications, with 26,339 applicants reporting to their testing sites. Of these, 25,452 qualified to take the examination.

The 1,216 passers will undergo further screening from October 2026 to April 2027, including physical, medical and neuropsychiatric examinations.

Successful applicants will form part of the incoming PMA Class of 2031, tentatively set to convene in May 2027.

PMA also released its top-performing examinees, led by Jilian Alexis Chan Lapada of Philippine Science High School-Baguio City and Gabriel James Valdez of Philippine Science High School-Ilocos Sur, who shared the top rank.

Francesca Marinella Estacio Aquino of Saint Pedro Poveda College and Zeke Marcus Esperancilla Macadat of Cainta Catholic College shared second place, while Justyn Carlo Barsalote Apilat of Precious International School of Davao ranked third.

The academy said the next phase of screening will determine who will ultimately join the Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines.