PMA Entrance Exam Guide: Coverage, Eligibility and Prep Plan

PMA Entrance Exam: The Complete Guide for Filipino Applicants

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) at Fort Gregorio del Pilar in Baguio City trains the officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Its four-year course leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the Army, Navy or Air Force. The PMA Entrance Examination (PMAEE) is the first step.

2026 exam (Class 2031): finished. It ran in five regional legs at 48 testing centres — 11–12 July (Eastern Mindanao), 25–26 July (Western Mindanao), 8–9 August (Visayas), 22–23 August (Metro Manila and Regions IV-A, IV-B and V) and 5–6 September 2026 (Central and Northern Luzon). Results haven't been released yet; recent results came out in late October (30 October 2024 and 18–19 October 2025), so expect them around October 2026.

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2027 exam (Class 2032): not yet announced. In recent years, online applications opened around March at admission.pma.edu.ph, with testing from July to September. PMA announces each applicant's exact exam date on its official Facebook page.

1. What the exam covers

According to PMA, the entrance exam "aims to measure the mental ability of applicants" in:

• Math — algebra and geometry
• English — grammar, composition, and reading and comprehension
• Abstract reasoning, called the SPMA — verbal and numerical reasoning, and pattern analysis

That's the whole official coverage. There's no science subtest and no general information subtest — ignore reviewers that list them. PMA doesn't publish the number of items or the duration.

What to bring, per PMA: two #2 pencils and a valid ID (preferably a school ID or driver's licence). Be at the exam centre by 7:00 AM.

Area guides: Math, English, SPMA reasoning.

2. Who can apply

Per PMA (as reported by the Philippine News Agency for the 2026 exam), applicants must be:

• natural-born Filipino citizens, physically fit and of good moral character
• single, with no children or legal obligation to support one
• free of administrative or criminal cases
• senior high school graduates — Grade 11 students may also take the exam
• holders of a general average of at least 85%
• 17 to 22 years old on the date of admission
• 5'0" to 6'4" tall (same range for men and women)

Women have been admitted as cadets since 1993.

3. How competitive it is

PMA receives about 35,000 to 40,000 applications a year, and about 20,000 to 25,000 applicants take the exam. For the 2025 exam, 33,640 applied online, 24,671 took the exam, and 1,436 passed — 5.82%. The 2024 pass rate was 5.02%.

Passing the written exam is only the first stage of PMA's screening. You also need to be ready for the later stages, including the physical fitness test — PMA's 2026 announcement names a 3.2 km run, push-ups and sit-ups. PMA doesn't publish how the stages are weighted.

4. What cadets receive

Cadets get a free college education, training and allowances. In 2026 the monthly base pay for a Cadet under the uniformed services pay schedule (EO 107, DBM NBC 600) is ₱40,284. Graduates are commissioned as Second Lieutenants (Army and Air Force) or Ensigns (Navy), with 2026 base pay of ₱46,020 a month. See PMA officer career and pay.

The degree is a BS in Management major in Security Studies under PMA's updated curriculum. Since 1993 PMA has been a tri-service academy, with branch-specific courses in the last two years. More in PMA cadet life.

5. A 6-month prep plan

Aim to be ready before applications open for the next cycle.

Months 1–2: foundations

• Take a timed diagnostic in math, English and reasoning. Start with PMA's own sample questions on its application page.
• Rebuild algebra and geometry; review grammar rules; read one English article a day.
• Start running and bodyweight training three times a week.

Months 3–4: practice

• Daily practice sets, rotating math, English and SPMA reasoning.
• One timed mixed set every Saturday; review every mistake.
• Build up to the 3.2 km run, push-ups and sit-ups.

Months 5–6: rehearsal

• Two timed practice tests a week under exam conditions (7:00 AM start, pencils only).
• Keep training for the fitness test.
• In the last week, rest and review your error log.

See the practice test strategy for a detailed schedule.

6. Fees

Third-party sources report that the PMA entrance exam is free to take. Confirm on admission.pma.edu.ph when you apply.

7. If you don't pass

• Try again next cycle if you're still within the age limit and meet the other requirements.
• Consider the PNPA, which trains officers for the PNP, BFP and BJMP — see PNPA vs PMA.
• Go to college and keep a military career open — the AFP also recruits through other routes.

Where Super Tutor fits

Super Tutor's PMAEE reviewer is built on the same college-entrance chapters as our UPCAT reviewer — mathematics, science, language proficiency, abstract reasoning and general information — plus PMA-specific chapters on PMA's organisation, cadet life and career progression, the Articles of War and military law, Philippine history and civics, and current defence affairs. For the exam itself, the mathematics, language proficiency and abstract reasoning chapters are the ones that map to PMA's coverage. Every chapter comes in 11 study formats, with practice quizzes at three difficulty levels, an AI tutor and a study planner. It doesn't include full PMAEE mock exams.

Start free — 5-day trial, no card needed. After the trial, plans start from ₱249/month with auto-pay (cancel anytime) — or ₱1,999 for a full year, pay once.