PLM Admission Test
PLM receives thousands of applications from all over the Philippines every year. Graduates or senior students of the Division of City Schools-Manila and private high schools recognized by the Department of Education, provided they are qualified residents of Manila, may be admitted as freshmen to PLM based on the following:
- General Weighted Average (GWA) obtained in the Fourth Year level in high school of 80% or its equivalent
- Performance in the PLM Admission Test (PLMAT)
Qualifying Criteria
When PLM opened its doors in 1967, it exclusively admitted the top 10% of the graduating class of then-29 public high schools under the Division of City Schools-Manila (DCS-Manila).
Many years after, applicants for admission came from any high school in Manila (public and private) who could either be a Manila resident or Manila-born, or both. Qualification was extended to high school students from other cities and provinces who belong to the upper 4% of the graduating class.
In 2005, only high school graduates who were Manila residents had been allowed to take the PLMAT. Honor graduates (Valedictorian, Salutatorian, First to Third Honorable Mentions) of Manila's public high schools have automatically qualified for admission.
At present, Manila residents who are graduates of DCS-Manila, and other high schools in and outside Manila recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) may be accepted as applicants for PLMAT. Additionally, PLM has permitted non-Manila-resident honor graduates (valedictorians and salutatorians) of all high schools in Manila, including those from high schools outside of Manila, to take the PLMAT.
Acceptance Rate
For SY 2006-2007, the acceptance rate is mere 3 percent. PLM admitted approximately 2,000 high school graduates who met the cut-off scores required by the college in which they applied for, out of 5,000 pre-selected applicants from more than 40,000 college applications nationwide.
In the recent years, there had been a decrease in the number of students from low-income families that pass the PLMAT and an increase in the number of students from middle-income families that enroll at PLM. Because of this, the administration carried out the "PLM Big Brother" project which aims to provide review classes to graduating high-school students who come from poor families in Manila and enable them to be on equal footing with students coming from middle-income families, who normally perform better in the PLMAT. This is also a way of upholding the university's life purpose and mission.
Admission Privileges
1. Manila residents who are honor graduates of public high schools of the Division of City Schools-Manila (Valedictorians, Salutatorians, 1st to 3rd Honorable Mentions) shall automatically qualify for admission upon presentation of a certification issued by a duly authorized school official indicating the honor received.
2. Graduates of other high schools recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) who are either Valedictorians or Salutatorians may qualify for admission upon passing the PLMAT.
3. Children/direct descendants of PLM employees may qualify for admission upon passing the PLMAT.
Qualifying Requirements
Bring the original copy and photocopy of the following:
- Fourth-year high school report card with a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 80% or better
- Parent's latest Voter's ID/Voter's Registration record, SK Voter's ID of the applicant (as primary proof of Manila residency)
- Parent's Income Tax Return/Real Property Tax receipt (2009)
- Birth Certificate (to establish the applicant's relation with the parent)
- Barangay certification of residency, or the parent's company ID (as secondary proofs in support of the primary proofs)
Upon satisfaction of the qualifying criteria, submit the following requirements:
- Correctly and completely accomplished PLMAT Form No.1 (Application Form); and
- Two (2) 1.5" x 1.5" identical photographs taken within the last six months
The PLMAT is a 3-hour examination consisting of sub-tests on language proficiency, reading comprehension, mathematics, science and reasoning, written in English and Filipino. It is usually administered in November or December of every year. Applicants' scores upon taking the PLMAT are weighted against a standardized PLMAT score. If their score satisfies the suggested cut-off score, they will qualify for enrollment. The range of cut-off scores approximates the applicant's expected performance in the University. PLM reserves the right to accept or reject applicants on the basis of their performance scores in the admission test and other factors as deemed appropriate by PLM.
The PLMAT Examinee's Report is a system-generated output that indicates whether or not the applicant is qualified to enrol at PLM. Qualified applicants are advised to see the Office of the University Registrar for enrolment purposes. From 2005-2008, PLMAT passers were admitted under the General Education Program (GEP) of the College of Liberal Arts. Starting SY 2009-2010, PLM reverted to the regular system of admitting the new freshmen to the specific colleges that they qualified to.
Important Reminders:
1. Students who took the PEPT, the Non-Formal Education (NFE) test and the Alternative Learning System are also eligible to apply.
2. As a matter of policy dictated by good norms, fine bearing and deportment expected of a PLM scholar, no applicant with body tattoo shall be admitted to the University.
3. Required credentials filed in support of the application become the property of the PLM and will not be returned to the applicant.
Note:
Upon passing the PLMAT, graduates of DCS-Manila and graduates of any school in and outside of Manila who are residents of Manila shall be admitted as full (non-paying) scholars. All other PLMAT passers shall be admitted as highly-subsidized (minimal-paying) scholars.
PLM Admission Test (PLMAT) for School Year 2010-2011
• Beginning November 2009, General Information on Freshman Admission will be available at PLM, Intramuros, Manila, and all public high schools of the City of Manila under the Department of Education.
• November 16, 2009 - Start of processing of applications for PLMAT. The application form, which is free of charge, is security coded and available only at PLM.
• Admission tests will be administered on the following dates:
• December 06, 2009 • January 17, 2010
• December 13, 2009 • January 24, 2010
• Valedictorians and Salutatorians will be scheduled tentatively by 3rd week of April 2010.
Upon confirmation of honor received, please submit all verifiable credentials for the processing of application.
• Test results will be released on February 19, 2010.
For more information, pls. visit the FAQ section.