SHS GAS Strand Guide: What It Opens (and Doesn't)

SHS GAS Strand Guide: What It Opens (and Doesn't)

GAS (General Academic Strand) was designed for students who aren't yet sure of their college path. It's the most flexible strand and the least specialized in any one direction.

A note on the new SHS curriculum. DepEd is phasing out the strands. Under DepEd Memorandum No. 012, s. 2026, students entering Grade 11 from school year 2026–2027 follow the Strengthened SHS Curriculum, which has two tracks (Academic and Technical-Professional, or TechPro) with elective clusters instead of ABM, STEM, HUMSS and GAS. Most Grade 12 students in 2026–2027 finish under the old strands (891 pilot schools switched a year earlier). This guide is for GAS students and graduates. If you're entering Grade 11 now and don't know your direction yet, the Academic track lets you choose electives from several clusters.

What GAS covers

• The core subjects every strand takes: English, Filipino, math, science, social science and PE
• Applied subjects such as research and entrepreneurship
• A mix of electives in the humanities, social sciences and other areas, often borrowed from the other strands (the choice depends on your school)

GAS gives you breadth rather than depth in any single area.

College programs GAS graduates can enter

Under CHED Memorandum Order No. 105, s. 2017, SHS graduates from any strand can be admitted to any college program. A university can still require bridging subjects when your strand doesn't match the program. A rough guide (rules vary by school, so check each program's admission page):

Usually no extra requirements

• BS Business Administration and BS Entrepreneurship
• BS Hospitality Management and BS Tourism Management
• Bachelor of Elementary and Secondary Education (most majors)
• AB and BA programs such as Communication, Political Science and Psychology

Check for bridging or extra prep

• BS Computer Science and BS Information Technology (rules vary by school)
• BS Architecture
• BS Nursing and other health programs

Most likely to need bridging

• Engineering programs (civil, mechanical, electrical and others)
• BS Mathematics, Statistics, Physics and Chemistry
• Pre-med programs such as BS Biology

For these, GAS graduates can:

• Take the bridging subjects the university requires
• Compare universities, since bridging rules differ from school to school
• Review math and science on their own before college starts

Scholarships have their own rules. The DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarship is open to non-STEM students in the top 5% of their class and funds priority science and technology courses.

College entrance tests: strengths and gaps

The main entrance tests cover broad academic skills, so GAS's breadth is useful:

• UPCAT: Language Proficiency and Reading Comprehension (both in English and Filipino), Science and Mathematics
• ACET: math, English, general knowledge and abstract reasoning, plus an essay
• USTET: Mental Ability, English, Mathematics and Science
• DLSU's DCAT: DLSU doesn't publish a breakdown; past takers describe English and reading, math, science and mental ability

Plan extra review for:

• Math and science depth, especially for the DOST-SEI exam, which has a full science part and a full math part
• Algebra and geometry problems under time pressure

When GAS is the right choice

You don't yet know your college direction

GAS keeps options open. The other strands point toward a field: STEM toward science and engineering, ABM toward business, HUMSS toward the humanities.

You're good at many subjects without one standout

Some students do well across the board. GAS suits that profile.

Your school doesn't offer the strand you wanted

Smaller schools may offer fewer strands, and GAS is widely available.

You're considering education

Education programs generally don't ask for a specific strand, so GAS works well here.

When GAS might not be ideal

• You already know you want engineering. STEM prepares you better, and GAS may mean bridging subjects.
• You already know you want pre-med. STEM is more aligned. GAS to pre-med is possible but takes more work.
• You already know you want accountancy. ABM gives you a head start on accounting and business math.

Planning your entrance tests

Taking several tests keeps your options open. What to know about cost and eligibility:

Private schools must waive the entrance test fee for applicants covered by RA 12006 (the Free College Entrance Examinations Act): natural-born Filipinos in the top 10% of their graduating class whose families are below the poverty line.

Research programs while you review

Look at several programs during your review months. Visit campuses if you can, and talk to current students.

After SHS

GAS graduates have flexibility, so:

• Choose your college program deliberately rather than drifting into one
• Use your first year to confirm the choice
• If it isn't right, check your university's shifting rules early, since switching is easier in first year

Where Super Tutor fits

Super Tutor has reviewers for the main college entrance tests: UPCAT (with full mock exams), ACET, DLSU's DCAT, USTET, PUPCET, the FEU and CEU entrance exams, MSU-SASE, and the DOST-SEI scholarship exam. See every exam Super Tutor covers or start free — 5-day trial, no card needed.

What to read next

• SHS strand vs college course
• Choosing a college after CET acceptance