NATIONAL

ACHIEVEMENT
TEST:
An Overview
Presented by:

NELIA V. BENITO, PhD, CESO IV
Director III, NETRC
May 2010
 OUTLINE
„ Recent DepED Memo on NAT Administration
„ NAT Frequently Asked Questions
„ Test Results Dissemination through the NETRC
Website
„ NAT Results in Grade 6 and Year 2 (SY 2008-09)
„ Guidelines in the Utilization of NAT Results
„ Schematic Diagram on Strategies in the Improvement
of NAT Results in Schools
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DepEd Memo
No. 522, s.
2009

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DepEd Memo
No. 522, s.
2009

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 List of Private Madaris included in the NAT-Grade 3

Name of Madrasah Region/Division Enrolment

Banaybanay Pilot Madrasah XI – Davao Oriental 13
Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao ARMM – Marawi City 15
Amanoddin Mascara Integrated Learning Center ARMM – Marawi City 19
Khadija Pilot School ARMM – Marawi City 32
Jamiatu Marawi Al‐Islamia Foundation ARMM – Marawi City 39
Jamiatu Janobel Filibbien ARMM – Marawi City 51
Mahad Darul‐Ulom Al Islamie ARMM – Lanao del Sur 15
Mahad Falah Al Kharie ARMM – Lanao del Sur 41
As‐Salihen Integrated School ARMM – Lanao del Sur 27
Koronadal United Muslim Association (KUMA)  XII – Koronadal City 6
Learning Center
IBN KHALDON Asian Integrated Inst. NCR – Taguig City 14
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TOTAL 272
 What is the NAT?

The National Achievement Test (NAT) is a Philippine‐made

standardized test designed to determine pupils/students’
achievement level, strengths and weaknesses in five key
curricular subject areas at the end of the school year.

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 What is the purpose of the NAT?

The NAT was developed to measure what pupils/students in Grade Three, 
Grade Six and Second Year know and can do in five subject areas:  Science, 
Mathematics, English, Filipino, and HeKaSi (Heograpiya, Kasaysayan at 
Sibika) in elementary and Araling Panlipunan in secondary level.

Specifically, the test aims to:

1. provide empirical information on the achievement level of pupils/students        
in Grade Three, Grade Six and Second Year to serve as guide for policy 
makers, administrators, curriculum planners, supervisors, principals and 
teachers in their respective courses of action.
2. identify and analyze variations on achievement levels across  the years by    
region, division, school and other variables
3. determine the rate of improvement in basic education with respect to 
individual schools within certain time frames. 7
Who are the target clienteles of the NAT?

Grade 3 ‐ public schools only

Grade 6 ‐ both public and

private schools

Year 2 ‐ both public and 
private schools

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 What is the coverage of the NAT and
how many test items does it comprise?

TEST NAT G3 NAT G6 NAT Y2

Subject Area Coverage 1. Science 1. Science 1. Science

2. Mathematics 2. Mathematics 2. Mathematics

3. English 3. English 3. English

4. Filipino 4. Filipino 4. Filipino

5. HeKaSi 5. Araling Panlipunan

Number of Items Per  30 40 60
Subject
Total Number of Items 120 200 300 9
 Planning the Test

How is the NAT Developing the Table of Specifications

developed? Item Writing

Test Assembly and Review of Test Items

Pilot Testing or Try Out of the Test 
Test (at least 2 forms of the final test)

Development
Item Analysis
Process
No Items  Validity/Reliability
Reject Useful

Yes

Organize final form of the test

Norming

Preparation of the Test Manual/Examiner’s Handbook
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What features characterize the NAT?

• A multiple‐choice test
• A sampling of competencies intended for the whole year 
coverage
• A standardized test with mostly moderately difficult items
• Anchored on Bloom’s Taxonomy of Cognitive Objectives / 
Dimensions
• High‐Ordered Thinking Skills (HOTS) 
• The performance of an examinee is compared to the 
performance of a national populace.
• The rating is expressed in percentage score or percent of 
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correct responses.
What is the rationale of DepEd in administering the
NAT in Grade Three, Grade Six and Second Year?

The NAT, which is a system‐based assessment, was 
specifically designed to gauge learning outcomes across target 
levels in identified periods of basic education. In particular, it 
spans from mid assessment of elementary education which falls 
on the third grade, and then to a terminal exit assessment 
which falls on the sixth grade.  The test results in NAT‐Grade Six 
can likewise serve as measurement of incoming first year 
students’ readiness for high school. 

On the other hand, the NAT for Second Year high school 
serves as mid assessment of the secondary level. 12
What information is derived from the NAT
Certificate of Rating (NAT-COR)?

• Raw scores obtained by an examinee five subjects are 
reported in a table alongside with the percentage scores.
• Total test scores for raw and percentage scores are revealed 
at the bottom part of the table.
• A Mastery Level Descriptive Equivalent on the obtained 
percentage scores is provided to guide end‐users in   
interpreting test results.
• Percentage of Correct Responses (PCR) per learning 
competency by subject area is likewise presented to have a 
glimpse on the performance of the pupil/student in every 
skill measured in the test.
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Facsimile of NAT-COR – Grade 6

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Facsimile of NAT-COR – Grade 6 (back portion)

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Facsimile of NAT-COR – Year 2

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Facsimile of NAT-COR – Year 2 (back portion)

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How are the NAT scores reported and
interpreted to each examinee?

• The COR comprises the Percentage of Correct Responses (PCR) per learning 
competency by subject area.  The PCR is interpreted using the Achievement 
Level Descriptive Equivalent below.

Achievement Level
Percentage Descriptive Equivalent
96%  ‐ 100% Mastered
86 %  ‐ 95% Closely Approximating Mastery
66 %  ‐ 85 % Moving Towards Mastery
35 %  ‐ 65% Average Mastery
16%  ‐ 34% Low Mastery
5%  ‐ 15% Very Low Mastery
0 %  ‐ 4% Absolutely No Mastery 18
Is there a passing score in the NAT?

The NAT has no passing grade or score. It uses 
the Mean Percentage Score (MPS) to indicate the 
percentage of correctly answered items in a test.  For 
instance, a 50 MPS would mean that an examinee 
correctly answered 20 of a 40‐item subject area test. 
The computation of grades in school, however, is done 
very differently from the NAT (Refer to DepED Order 
No. 70, s. 2003, “Revised Grading System for 
Elementary and Secondary Schools; 
www.deped.gov.ph).
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Does an MPS below 75 mean that the
examinees failed the test?

An MPS below 75 does not mean that

pupils/students who took the test failed it. For
instance, a 66 MPS in the total test would mean that
the examinees were “moving towards mastery.” The
NAT uses a seven‐descriptive equivalent of
Achievement Level based on the normal curve wherein
an MPS of 75 and above is a national target.
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 Test Results Dissemination
„ NETRC Website:

netrc.sysportal.net

• Link to Homepage:
http://netrc.sysportal.net/HomePage.aspx

• Link to Individual Accounts:

http://netrc.sysportal.net/signin.aspx
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Webpage on Terms and Conditions

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NETRC Website Home Page

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Sample Downloads from
the NETRC Website netrc.sysportal.net

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Sample Downloads from
the NETRC Website netrc.sysportal.net

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Sample Downloads from
the NETRC Website netrc.sysportal.net

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Log In to Individual Account

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Webpage on Test Results by
Testing Program

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Test Results by Region

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Sample Download: Regional
Performance by Competencies-
NCR (NAT Grade Six SY 08-09) netrc.sysportal.net

Subject Category Competency Mean SD

Filipino Grade V 1.a Pagsasalita 80.41 16.99
1.b Pagbasa 77.01 20.05
1.c Pagsulat 75.99 34.26
Grade VI 1.d Pagsasalita 67.43 28.02
1.e Pagbasa 71.09 14.79
1.f Pagsulat 72.27 27.49
Mathematics Grade V 2.a Computation of rational numbers 80.84 26.92
2.b Solve word problems on rational numbers 82.44 29.03
2.c Identify geometric figures 66.91 35.46
2.d Solve word problems on measurement 82.97 27.06
2.e Interpret graphs 73.23 29.18
Grade VI 2.f Interpret measurement data 65.82 41.04
2.g Solve word problems on measurement 58.21 25.79
2.h Computation of rational numbers 75.31 31.72
2.i Solve word problems on rational numbers 73.94 24.44
2.j Interpret graphs 75.14 29.80
English Grade V 3.a Speaking 83.70 22.46
3.b Reading 72.47 20.45
Grade VI 3.c Language 62.19 30
19.76
3.d Reading 53.73 17.97
Sample Download: Regional
Performance by Competencies-
NCR (NAT Grade Six SY 08-09) (cont’d) netrc.sysportal.net

Science Grade V 4.a Identify major parts of a body system and their functions 80.68 30.76

4.b Explain how a body system works 62.59 27.56

4.c Classify vertebrates into five subclasses 69.76 32.94

4.d Describe characteristics of living things for survival 60.25 37.27

4.e Describe characteristics of different kinds of plants 62.96 36.91

4.f Differentiate physical from chemical changes 69.25 37.92

4.g Describe characteristics of planets 56.43 38.12

Grade VI 4.h Identify major parts of a body system and their functions 53.94 24.00

4.i Present the feeding interrelationships among living things 64.65 31.25

4.j Illustrate the interdependence of plants and animals for gases 70.76 30.26

4.k Cite examples of chemicals which can be harmful to health 76.81 33.81

4.l Identify energy forms and their uses 55.76 28.89

4.m Identify factors that affect motion of an object 63.09 31.60

4.n identify factors that affect climate of a place 60.93 36.07

4.o Explain theories about the universe 36.08 30.40

HEKASI Grade V 5.a Naipaliwanag ang kinalalagyan at katangiang pisikal ng bansa 81.86 27.49

5.b Natutukoy ang nagawa ng mga bayani noong panahon ng mga Espanyol 72.41 25.50

5.c Nauunawaan ang mga unang Pilipino 67.64 28.31

5.d Nabibigyang halaga ang panahon ng Ikatlong Republika 65.93 31.92

Grade VI 5.e Naipagkakapuri ang pagiging kabilang ng mga Pilipinong nandarayuhan sa ibang bansa bilang mamamayan
ng bansang Pilipinas 79.55 28.21

5.f Natutukoy ang mga likas na yaman ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas 71.51 25.39

5.g Nakikilala at nasusuri ang bahaging ginampanan ng pamahalaan at mamamayan para sa kabutihan ng bansa 64.30 22.16
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5.h Nasusuri ang pagpapanatili ng kalayaan ng bansa 70.89 32.09

5.i Nakikilala at naipaliwanag ang kahalagahan ng mamamayan at pamahalaan sa pag-unlad ng bansa 75.53 24.16
Sample Download: Division
Performance-Batangas Province netrc.sysportal.net

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Sample Download: School
Performance-Nasugbu West CS netrc.sysportal.net

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NAT Results
SY 2008-2009

• Grade 6

• Year 2

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 NAT-G6 2009 National Performance
MPS by Subject Area and Total Test
80.00
Percentage Score

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
MATH ENGLISH SCIENCE FILIPINO HEKASI TOTAL TEST

2006 53.66 54.05 46.77 60.68 58.12 54.66

2007 60.29 60.78 51.58 66.02 61.05 59.94
2008 63.89 61.62 57.90 73.18 67.44 64.81
2009 68.70 62.14 59.63 72.21 68.99 66.33

2009 vs 2006 15.04 8.09 12.86 11.53 10.87 11.67

% Increase 28.02 14.97 27.50 19.00 18.71 21.36

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NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST - GRADE SIX SY2008-2009 35
 NAT-G6 2009 National Performance
PUBLIC and PRIVATE (31.8% of private schools)
Frequency and Percentage Distribution of EXAMINEES
based on the Criteria of Achievement/ Mastery Level
Mastery Level Public Private Overall

F % F % F %

Mastered 96-100% 1 0.00% 0.00% 1 0.00%

Closely 86-95% 113,047 6.82% 353 0.36% 113,400 6.46%

Approximating
Mastery
Moving Towards 66-85% 864,038 52.16% 19,98 20.26% 884,025 50.37%
Mastery 7

Average Mastery 35-65% 625,541 37.76% 68,20 69.13% 693,742 39.53%

1

Low Mastery 15-34% 53,582 3.23% 10,10 10.25% 63,690 3.63%

8

Very Low Mastery 5-14% 156 0.01% 4 0.00% 160 0.01%

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Absolutely No 0-14% 53 0.00% 3 0.00% 56 0.00%
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NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST - GRADE SIX SY2008-2009
Mastery
 NAT-G6 2009 National Performance
PUBLIC and PRIVATE (31.8% of private schools)
Frequency and Percentage Distribution of SCHOOLS
based on the Criteria of Achievement/ Mastery Level
Mastery Level Public Private Overall

F % F % F %
Mastered 96-100% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

Closely 86-95% 1,033 3.31% 3 0.13% 1,036 3.08%

Approximating
Mastery
Moving Towards 66-85% 16,456 52.75% 114 4.78% 16,570 49.34%
Mastery
Average Mastery 35-65% 13,367 42.85% 2,235 93.67% 15,602 46.46%

Low Mastery 15-34% 340 1.09.% 34 1.42% 374 1.11%

Very Low Mastery 5-14% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

Absolutely No 0-14% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

Mastery

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NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST - GRADE SIX SY2008-2009 37
 NAT-Y2 2009 National Performance
(Excluding Private Schools)
MPS by Subject Area and Total Test

2009vs2006 -2.81 1.17 0.38 4.55 -1.14 0.43

% Inc./Dec. -6.63 2.28 0.88 9.76 -2.21 0.92
**Private schools not included
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NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST – SECOND YEAR SY 2008-2009

 FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF EXAMINEES
BY ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL
(PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE)

Public Private Overall

Achievement Level
n % n % n %
96-100% Mastered 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00
86-95% Closely Approximating Mastery 1,505 0.13 27 0.01 1,532 0.10
66-85% Moving Towards Mastery 144,669 12.35 16,233 5.04 160,902 10.77
35-65% Average Mastery 795,182 67.89 231,031 71.69 1,026,213 68.71
15-34% Low Mastery 229,576 19.60 74,910 23.24 304,486 20.39
5-14% Very Low Mastery 278 0.02 48 0.01 326 0.02
0-4% Absolutely No Mastery 73 0.01 14 0.00 87 0.01
Total 1,171,283 100.00 322,263 100.00 1,493,546 100.00
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 FREQUENCY AND PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOLS
BY ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL
(PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE)

Public Private Overall

Achievement Level
n % n % n %
96-100% Mastered 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00
86-95% Closely Approximating Mastery 4 0.06 0 0.01 4 0.04
66-85% Moving Towards Mastery 584 8.64 28 5.04 612 5.42
35-65% Average Mastery 5,783 85.55 4,116 71.69 9,899 87.68
15-34% Low Mastery 389 5.75 386 23.24 775 6.86
5-14% Very Low Mastery 0 0.00 0 0.01 0 0.00
0-4% Absolutely No Mastery 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00
Total 6,760 100.00 4,530 100.00 11,290 100.00
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What are the guidelines in the utilization
of NAT results?

DepED Memo. No. 228, s. 2007

“Utilization of the Certificate of Rating in the

National Achievement Test in Grade Six for Remedial
Instruction in First Year”

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 Schematic Diagram on Strategies in the
Improvement of NAT Results in Schools

CONTEXT INPUTS THROUGHPUTS OUTCOMES

DepEd-NETRC NAT Results: Strategies in the

Policy Statement: - Institutional Improvement of Improved NAT
Maximized utilization Performance NAT Results Results in the
of NAT Results: Profile succeeding
School Level - Competency school year
Analysis Profile assessment

Division Classroom
Level Level Stakeholders

District School
Level Management

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FEEDBACK
“Assessment helps
us see the
difference between
teaching and
learning.”

-Carole Cooper
Global Learning Communities
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Thank you!

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