DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS, QUEZON CITY

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

2013 National Conference on the Administration of the NCAE

NCAE Overview:

Frequently Asked Questions

3

1. What is the NCAE?

NCAE = National Career Assessment Examination

It is an aptitude test geared toward providing information

through test results for self-assessment, career awareness and

career guidance of high school students for their post-secondary

courses / application for scholarship.

Test-taking is mandatory.

Test results are recommendatory.

4

2. What other features characterize the NCAE?

A locally developed test which was standardized and

validated using Filipino respondents

A paper-and-pencil test which utilizes scannable answer

sheets that are processed electronically

A multiple-choice type of test

Culture fair and sensitive

Provides an end-user-friendly report format (COR) 5

3. Why was NCAE developed?

The NCAE was developed to:

To foster the highest quality of education in the Philippines by

regulating and monitoring the flow of students to post

secondary institutions of learning and their potential contribution

to national development

To minimize indiscriminate wastage of manpower and

resources by working for a match between manpower skill

outputs and job market demands6

4. What are the specific objectives of the NCAE?

To assess the skills of high school students planning to proceed to post

secondary courses and other career options, toward providing relevant

information on their skills, abilities and readiness for academic and non-

academic courses;

To provide information that will help high school students make wise

career decision; and

To provide bases for selecting scholarship awardees and recipients of

study grants from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

7

5. How is NCAE different from NCEE?

Similarities Differences

Both are general scholastic aptitude tests (GSAT)

NCAE includes scientific ability as an area in GSAT

NCAE – without cut-off score

Includes technical-vocational aptitude, entrepreneurial skill, non-verbal ability, logical reasoning ability and interest inventory

8

6. Who are the target examinees of the NCAE?

All enrolled Third Year HS students in public and

private high schools operating with permit

Fourth Year HS Students and out-of-school youths

who are applying for the CHED and TESDA scholarship

and who were not able to take it during their Third Year

level.

9

7. What are the domains measured in the NCAE?

A. General Scholastic Aptitude (GSA) – 180 items Scientific Ability (SA) ------------------------------------------------- 40 itemsReading Comprehension (RC) ------------------------------------- 50 itemsVerbal Ability (VA) ---------------------------------------------------- 50 itemsMathematical Ability (MA) ------------------------------------------ 40 items

B. Technical-Vocational Aptitude (TVA) – 40 itemsClerical Ability (CA) -------------------------------------------------- 20 itemsVisual Manipulative Skills (VMS) ---------------------------------- 20 items

C. Entrepreneurial Skills (ES) -------------------------------------------------- 20 itemsPlanning and Decision Making (PD)Budgeting, Marketing and Forecasting (BMF)Creativity (C)

D. Logical Reasoning Ability (LRA) ------------------------------------------ 15 items E. Non-Verbal Ability (NVA) -------------------------------------------------- 20 itemsF. Occupational Interest (OIISSS)--------------------------------------------260 items

10

11

What is Occupational Interest Inventory of Students in Secondary Schools (OIISSS)

This is an inventory / checklist of occupational interests which provides an

assessment on inclinations / preferences for comprehensive career guidance.

The students are provided with a profile chart of their occupational

inclinations and preferences thru the identified cluster occupations.

These major occupations are finely divided into two specific groups – the

baccalaureate courses and vocational courses.

Areas of Occupational Interests (Domain F):

A.SciencesB.EngineeringC.CommerceD.Professional ServicesE.Personal ServicesF.Cyber servicesG.AestheticsH.EnvironmentI.Military TrainingJ.Spiritual VocationK.Agriculture and Fishery

12

8. What information is derived from the NCAE COR?

COR = Certificate of Rating

The COR contains the report on how the examinees performed in the test which is presented in a graph alongside the Standard Scores and Percentile Ranks.

The descriptive rating of the Percentile Rank is also included.

The overall GSA and TVA scores are reported along with scores in the subtests.

The GSA score is the average of the standard scores in these areas: SA, RC, VA and MA.

13

Likewise, the TVA score is the composite of the CA and VMS scores.

Additionally, the NCAE reports scores for LRA, Non-Verbal Ability and ES.

The level of preference for each area of occupational interest is displayed based on percentage score which is as follows: high (76-100), moderate (51-75), low (26-50) and very low (0-25)

Examinees can gauge their individual strengths and weaknesses in every domain/area measured based on the test results.

14

A. SCIENCES B. ENGINEERING D. PROFESSIONAL F. CYBERSERVICES Garments

Health - Medical B1 Mechanical Engineer SERVICES (cont...) F1 Web Designer G27 Shoe Maker**A1 Doctor of Medicine B2 Electrical Engineer D11 Registrar F2 Analy st G28 Furniture Maker**A2 Dentist B3 Civ il Engineer D12 Values Teacher F3 Programmer G29 Pottery Maker**A3 Pharmacist B4 Safety Engineer D13 College Professor F4 Instructor G30 Beadw orks Maker**A4 Medical Technologist B5 Mining Engineer D14 Non-Formal Educ TeacherF5 Transcriptionist G31 Jew elry Maker**A5 Nurse B6 Metallurgical Engineer D15 Tech-Vocational Aide** F6 Data Encoder** G32 Silk Screen Maker**A6 Orthodentist B7 Marine Engineer D16 Book Author F7 Cartoonist** G33 T-shirt Designer**A7 Optometrist B8 Agricultural Engineer D17 Composer F8 Animator** G34 Wood Carv er**A8 Cardiologist B9 Chemical Engineer D18 Guidance Counselor F9 Illustrator** G35 Art Painter**A9 Geneticist B10 Electrician** D19 School Head F10 Clerk** G36 Caricaturist**A10 Laboratory Technician** B11 Technician** D20 Assistant Principal F11 Repairman**A11 Radio Technician** B12 Car-auto Machinist** D21 School Clerk** F12 Radio Technician** H. ENVIRONMENT

B13 CP-radio Technician** D22 School Aide** F13 Online Sales Agent** H1 Urban PlannerSpecialized Areas B14 Heav y Equip Operator** D23 Janitor** F14 Technician** H2 Real Estate Broker**A12 Geologist B15 Gardener** D24 Security Officer** F15 Call Center Agent** H3 Designer**A13 Actuarial Mathematician B16 Hobby ist** F16 Database** H4 Sales Representativ e**A14 Biologist B17 Goldsmith** E. PERSONAL SERVICES F17 Adv ertising Agent** H5 Driv er**A15 Marine Biologist E1 Av iation-Pilot F18 Computer Aide** H6 ForesterA16 Food Technologist C. COMMERCE E2 Stew ardess F19 Drafters**A17 Radiologist C1 Marketing Officer E3 Ground Crew I. MILITARY TRAINING

A18 Chemist C2 Banker E4 Radio Comptroller G. AESTHETICS I1 Armed Forces OfficerA19 Botanist C3 Budget Officer E5 Technician** Cosmetics I2 Military OfficerA20 Statistician C4 Financial Analy st E6 Tow er Technician** G1 Make-up Artist** I3 Police OfficerA21 Zoologist C5 Accountant E7 Maritime-Ship Captain G2 Hair Cutter** I4 Police Aide**A22 Volcanologist C6 Bookkeeper E8 Chief Mate G3 Manicurist** I5 Desk Officer**A23 Doctor of Veterinary Med C7 Businessman E9 Marine Engineer G4 Hair Sty list** I6 Air Force OfficerA24 Seismologist C8 HR Manager E10 Messman/Cook** G5 Hair Spa Aide** I7 Traffic Enforcer**A25 Laboratory Aide** C9 Sales Manager E11 Seaman** I8 Barangay Tanod**A26 Laboratory Assistant** C10 Economist E12 Trav el Agent House Construction I9 Inv estigator

C11 Adv ertising Ex ecutiv e E13 Tour Guide** G6 Architect I10 Labor LeaderAllied Medical Science C12 Stockroom Superv isor** E14 Photographer** G7 Surv ey or I11 Training OfficerA27 Speech Pathologist C13 Salesclerk** E15 Ticketing Clerk** G8 Interior Designer I12 StrategistsA28 Occupational Therapist C14 Storekeeper** E16 Hotel-HRM G9 Foreman I13 Barangay Officer**A29 Therapy Assistant** C15 Cashier** E17 HR Superv isor G10 Building Aide** I14 Rescue Volunteer**A30 Medical Representativ e C16 Records Officer** E18 Maintenance Superv isor G11 Painter** I15 Barangay Aide**A31 Medical Superv isor C17 Clerk** E19 Chef G12 Driv er** I16 Barangay Cleaners**A32 Barangay Health Official** C18 IT Sales Clerk** E20 Attendant** G13 Pipe Welder** I17 Clerk**A33 Hospital Manager C19 Security Officer** E21 Clerk** G14 Carpenter** I18 ForensicA34 Laboratory Utility ** C20 Sales Promo** E22 Baker** G15 Mason** I19 DNA Analy stsA35 Caregiv er** C21 Warehouse Superv isor** E23 Elev ator Man** I20 Fingerprint Ex pert

E24 Chambermaid** Theater/Movie I21 Laboratory Technician**Medical Tourism/Wellness D. PROFESSIONAL E25 Barista** G16 Artist/Actor I22 Laboratory Encoder**A36 Cosmetic Surgeon SERVICES E26 Reserv ation Clerk** G17 DirectorA37 Dermatologist D1 Legal-Judge E27 Billing Clerk** G19 Set Designer** J. SPIRITUAL VOCATION

A38 Orthopedic Doctor D2 Law y er E28 Mass Comm-Journalist G20 Lights Designer** J1 Priest/PastorA39 Herbologist D3 Clerk of Court E29 New s Editor G21 Entertainer**A40 Chiropractor D4 Legal Assistant** E30 Cameraman** K. AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY

A41 Optical Aide** D5 Legal Secretary ** E31 Voice Ov er Talent** Garments K1 Canning WorkerA42 Nursing Aide** D6 Clerk** E32 Technician** G22 Tex tile Technician K2 Agriculutural WorkerA43 Spa Aide** D7 Pre-School Teacher E33 Operator** G23 Fashion Designer K3 Fish Hachery TechnicianA44 Gy m Instructor** D8 Teacher Aide** E34 Telephone Operator** G24 Wholesaler** K4 AquaculturistA45 Medical Secretary ** D9 Elementary Teacher E35 Proofreader** G25 Dressmaker**A46 Sales Representativ e** D10 High School Teacher E36 Dubber** G26 Bag Maker**

AN INVENTORY OF OCCUPATIONAL INTERESTS

Potentials/Inclinations of Students Based on NCAE Results

C lerical Ability (CA). This is a test of ability and skill to encodedata/information and file office records, as well as ability to note details. High CA is the requisite skill for secretariat jobs for these jobes require good manualdexterity; thus individuals with high CA are potential computer operators.encoders, and stenographers.

Visual Manipulative Skills (VMS). This subtest measures abilities thatrequire perceptual and visual judgment in determining figures, symbols, andnature of space as well as skills in mentally manipulating objects and concretematerials. Manipulative skills are required in occupations such as machinetechnicians, jewelers, watchmakers, engravers, handicraft makers, and the like.

Nonverbal Ability (NVA). This tests a person's reasoning abilityto identifypatterns presented in diagrammatic form. The series of figures presented in each item requires the perception of an operating principle underlying the changes inthe figures. In each instance, the examinee must discover the principle'sgoverning change/s of the figures and give evidence of his understanding byindicating the diagram that should logically follow. It tests abilities required in jobs such as engineering, science, architecture and any other jobs which involveworking with diagrammatic and similar visual information.

Logical Reasoning Ability (LRA). This measures an individual's ability tounderstandandanalyze complexwritten material and derive correct conclusionsfrom it. Those with highLRA are likely to succeed incourses which require highanalytical/critical thinkingskills like law,economics, theology,social science andmedical allied professions.

Scientific Ability (SA). This is an assessment of the individual'sscientific abilities and skills to adopt scientific methods, procedures andprocesses constructing knowledge and solving experimental or real-lifeproblems. One who has high SA has greater probability to excel in academic programs that work mostlyonscientific methodologies (e.g.medical alliedprofessions). Those with average SA can be successful in the field ofchemistry, physics, zoology, botany, biology, and other courses related to

Reading Comprehension (RC). This measures the ability tounderstand what has been stateddirectly; to anlayze, interpret,and criticizewhat has been read; to recognize reasonable application of principles oropinions expressed by the author. A student with higRC has the potentialto make sound inferences, syntheses, generalizations, or conclusions onwhat he/she read. Students who possess the skills will most likely succeedin courses that involve public speaking and even writing such as masscommunication, teaching, theology, and law.

Verbal Ability (VA). This subtest measures the assertive ability of aperson in view of grammatical rules and logical arrangement of ideas.Individuals with hig VA have high sense of analogy; hence, they havepotential in mass communication, law, teaching, and preaching vocation.Those with average VA can be developed in advertising careers.

Mathematical Ability (MA). This subtest is used to assessquantitative abilities and computational skills, particularly, on working withnumbers, perceiving relationship between two quantities and solving wordproblems. One with high MA has high sense of mathematical calculus, arequisite skill in engineering courses, aeronautics and marine courses.

TDPU-pjdc/7/16/12

Facsimile of the NCAE COR (2012)

FRONT BACK

15

EXAMINEE # SURNAME GIVEN NAME M.I. GENDER DATE OF BIRTH12-MAR-1993

HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL ID REGION DIVISION EXAMINATION DATE

STANDARD SCORE

PERCENTILE RANK

GENERAL SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE (GSA)SCIENTIFIC ABILITY (SA) 456.23 33READING COMPREHENSION (RC) 523.94 59VERBAL ABILITY (VA) 543.79 67MATHEMATICAL ABILITY (MA) 562.55 74 PERCENTAGE PREFERENCE RANK

OVERALL GSA 531.79 63 SCORE LEVEL OVERALL

TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL APTITUDE (TVA)CLERICAL ABILITY (CA) 626.85 90 A. Sciences 64.50 MP 2VISUAL MANIPULATIVE SKILLS (VMS) 504.03 52 B. Engineering 56.94 MP 5

OVERALL TVA 578.84 79 C. Commerce 50.00 LP 9.25NON VERBAL ABILITY (NVA) 512.22 55 D. Professional Services 70.00 MP 1LOGICAL REASONING ABILITY (LRA) 617.80 88 E. Personal Services 52.56 MP 6ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL (ES) F. Cyberservices 62.50 MP 3

PLANNING & DECISION MAKING (PD) 499.65 50 G. Aesthetics 60.63 MP 4BUDGETING, MARKETING & FORECASTING (BMF) 563.74 74 H. Environment 50.00 LP 9.25CREATIVITY (C) 468.59 38 I. Military Training 51.04 MP 7

OVERALL ES 527.72 61 J. Spiritual Vocation 50.00 LP 9.25

Excellent (E) PR 99+Very High (VH) PR 98 - 99Above Average (AA) PR 86 - 97Average (A) PR 51 - 85Low Average (LA) PR 15 - 50Below Average (BA) PR 3 - 14Poor (P) PR 1 - 2Very Poor (VP) PR 0 - .99

NOT VALID WITHOUT NETRC SECURITY LOGO

NATIONAL EDUCATION TESTING AND RESEARCH CENTERMeralco Avenue, Pasig City

National Career Assessment Examination

Descriptive Rating of NCAE

406924 26-AUG-2009

AREAS

AREAS OF OCCUPATIONAL INTEREST

Occupational InterestNCAE Ratings

PERCENTAGE OF PREFERENCE PER OCCUPATIONAL INTEREST *

26% - 50%

0% - 25%

K. Agriculture & Fishery

Undersecretary

NELIA V. BENITO, Ph. D., CESO IV

Director III, NETRC

YOLANDA S. QUIJANO

LEVELS OF PREFERENCE FOR THE OCCUPATIONAL INTEREST

High Preference (HP)

Moderate Preference (MP)

Low Preference (LP)

Very Low Preference (VLP)

76% - 100%

51% - 75%

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

SA RC VA MA GSA CA VMS TVA NVA LRA PD BMF C ESGEN.

SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE

TECH. & VOCATIONAL

APTITUDE

NON VERBAL ABILITY

LOG.REAS. ABILITY

ENT.SKILL

P

BA

LA

A

VHE

AA

VP

9. How are the NCAE scores reported and interpreted?

The scores are reported in Standard Scores and Percentile Ranks.

Standard Score - where the mean is 500 and the standard

deviation is 100. The highest scores are in the 700’s; the lowest

scores are in the 300’s.

Percentile Rank - shows the examinees’ position among all the

examinees. If an examinee scores at percentile rank 99+, it means

that he scored above the other 99 percent of the examinees.

16

10. What is the legal basis of the NCAE?

17

11. Is NCAE a prerequisite for entry to college?

Yes. NCAE will be part of the requirements for admission to

the tertiary education institutions starting SY 2010-2011.

Although a requirement, the results of the NCAE are still

recommendatory. There is still no passage of law that makes the

results of the NCAE mandatory prior to enrolment in

college/university courses or in vocational/technological courses

or other short entrepreneurial courses.

18

19

19

12. Is there a testing fee required in taking the NCAE?

None.

The cost in the preparation of test materials and

administration of the test does not entail any amount

from the schools, parents and students.

All expenses are shouldered by the Department.

20

13. How long does it take for an examinee to receive his/ her individual COR (test results)?

3-4 months

21

14. How will the NCAE guide high school students and their parents in determining the career track they should take?

The NCAE intends to provide information that will help outgoing high

school students make wise career decisions based on the results of the three

domains of the test.

It also provides an interest inventory that will show the inclinations of the

students in a particular occupational field.

The test results will validate the previously thought career choice by

showing the student’s strengths and weaknesses in the aforementioned

domains.

22

15. How has the general public responded to the results of the exam? Are parents willing to follow the test results for their children’s career plans?

In 2007, DepED-NETRC conducted a survey on the utilization of the

NCAE results for SY 2006-2007.

Nineteen (19) higher education institutions and TESDA accredited

schools in twelve (12) schools divisions participated in the survey.

The NCAE annual administration was viewed positively by 81.31% of

the students.

80% of their parents affirmed in the necessity to administer the NCAE

yearly.23

The results validate DepED’s decision to put great stress on tech-voc

program, that is, to equip high school students with technical-vocational skills

that can empower them to find meaningful employment, whether or not they

pursue college education.

DepED’s tech-voc curriculum is being aligned with the training regulations

of TESDA. This will allow tech-voc high school graduates to acquire TESDA

certificates.

It is also the Department’s goal to improve the abilities of students in the

general scholastic domain.24

Moreover, the Department is currently working on

intensifying the career guidance programs in public

national high schools and in orienting the guidance

staff in the schools and division offices on how to

maximize the utilization of the NCAE results in order

to properly guide students in making wise career

decisions.25

17. How can the results of the exam help solve the problem of job mismatch?

With the results of the NCAE, the students will be

directed to occupational fields where they would be

potentially productive and successful.

26

18. Can the results of the NCAE be used in ranking schools?

No.

The results of the NCAE should NOT be used for

other purposes other than career guidance.

27

28

SCHOOL LEVEL1. Train the non-Registered Guidance Counselors to analyze the test results to be

able for them to successfully communicate these to the end users.2. Design an action plan having an intent to provide activities vis-à-vis the

weaknesses in the test results as a “Stop Gap” mechanism.3. Make career awareness permeate the teaching-learning episodes instead of

delimiting it to career guidance undertakings.4. Develop an outreach program involving the school’s successful graduates as

source of inspiration during career orientation fora.5. Acquire a list of DOLE in-demand occupations to be factored in the career

orientations of junior students.6. Strengthen / implement a comprehensive and developmental Career Guidance

Counseling Program.7. Formation of clubs and organizations need to be part of school activities to

further enhance the aptitude of students and their work paths.8. Conduct a mock job fair in school.9. Conduct a quarterly career fora involving the parents.10. Conduct an environmental scanning for exposure to job opportunities.

Policy Recommendations

29

DIVISION LEVEL

1. Document the best practices of schools in career guidance activities.2. Make test results utilization check (e.g. NCAE and NAT) part of the

conferences with School Heads.3. Monitor the schools’ activities in career guidance.

CENTRAL / REGIONAL OFFICE

4. Identify the training needs of the field staff on the NCAE test results utilization.

5. Monitor on the career guidance process using the Division level’s consolidated data.

6. Document the best practices on NCAE test results utilization and career guidance.

Policy Recommendations

End of Presentation

Thank you for listening