AFPSAT Career Paths: Officer vs Enlisted, and Where PMA Fits
AFPSAT Career Paths: Officer vs Enlisted, and Where PMA Fits
The AFPSAT is the AFP's unified written entrance test. It is one of the screening requirements for both officer and enlisted applicants to the Philippine Army, Air Force and Navy. This post explains how those paths differ, where the Philippine Military Academy fits (it's a separate route), and what each rank earns in 2026.
The AFPSAT doesn't sort you into a track by score
The AFP does not publish an AFPSAT passing score, and each major service sets its own cut-off. There is no published "80+ for officers, 70–80 for enlisted" rule. Which track you're screened for depends on the program you apply to, not on a score band.
Officer candidate path
College graduates can apply to a service's officer-candidate program. The AFPSAT is one of the screening requirements, and the testing office schedules officer-candidate batches separately. For example, in 2026 the Army Testing Office in Cagayan de Oro ran officer-candidate batches on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays (local news report).
Age limits, degree requirements and the terms of commissioning are set by each service. Confirm them with the recruitment office of the service you're applying to.
Enlisted path (candidate soldier)
Enlisted applicants are screened for candidate-soldier training. The same Army Testing Office ran candidate-soldier batches on Thursdays in 2026. After training, enlisted soldiers serve as Privates and move up through the enlisted ranks: Private First Class, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Master Sergeant and above.
PMA: a separate route
The Philippine Military Academy does not admit cadets through the AFPSAT. PMA admission goes through the PMA Entrance Examination (PMAEE), which covers Mathematics, English and the SPMA abstract-reasoning test. Applicants must be 17–22 on admission with an SHS general average of at least 85%. PMA graduates are commissioned as officers in the AFP.
The 2026 PMAEE ran in five regional legs from 11 July to 6 September 2026, with results expected around October 2026. In 2025, 1,436 of 24,671 examinees passed (5.82%). See the PMAEE guide.
ROTC and reservists
ROTC is a college program, and Advance ROTC graduates can be commissioned as reserve officers. Whether and how the AFPSAT applies to ROTC graduates depends on the program, so confirm with your school's ROTC unit or the service's recruitment office. The ROTC and PMA pathway post explains what we can and can't confirm.
AFP base pay in 2026
AFP pay follows the MUP Base Pay Schedule (EO 107, s. 2025), not the civilian Salary Standardization Law. These are first-tranche (1 January 2026) monthly base pay figures from DBM National Budget Circular No. 600.
Enlisted
| Rank | 2026 monthly base pay |
|---|---|
| Candidate Soldier | ₱19,516 |
| Private | ₱31,151 |
| Private First Class | ₱31,774 |
| Corporal | ₱32,410 |
| Sergeant | ₱33,058 |
| Staff Sergeant | ₱33,720 |
| Technical Sergeant | ₱34,394 |
| Master Sergeant | ₱35,082 |
| Senior Master Sergeant | ₱35,783 |
| Chief Master Sergeant | ₱36,499 |
| First Chief Master Sergeant | ₱40,284 |
Officer
| Rank | 2026 monthly base pay |
|---|---|
| Cadet | ₱40,284 |
| Probationary Second Lieutenant | ₱40,284 |
| Second Lieutenant | ₱46,020 |
| First Lieutenant | ₱52,004 |
| Captain | ₱59,411 |
| Major | ₱65,683 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | ₱74,879 |
| Colonel | ₱84,612 |
| Brigadier General | ₱95,611 |
| Major General | ₱108,041 |
| Lieutenant General | ₱131,853 |
| General | ₱157,274 |
Base pay rises again on 1 January 2027 and 1 January 2028 under EO 107.
On top of base pay
- Subsistence allowance of ₱350 a day from 1 January 2026
- PERA of ₱2,000 a month
- Other allowances and bonuses that depend on assignment and length of service
The MUP pension system is under review: EO 107 set up an inter-agency working group to study it. For the full picture, see the AFP salary guide.
When an AFP career might not fit
- Physical or medical limits. Every service screens fitness and health.
- You can't relocate. Military postings move people around the country.
- Your career goal is outside the service, such as running a business or a specialized civilian profession.
If you're fit and drawn to service, the AFP offers stable employment and meaningful work.
Practice with Super Tutor
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What to read next
The AFPSAT guide covers the test and a prep plan. Area-by-area reviews: Verbal, Numerical, Logical, Spatial, General Information.
Source: Executive Order No. 107 (s. 2025) and DBM National Budget Circular No. 600 (first tranche, effective 1 January 2026).
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