DepEd suspends NAT, primary assessment test

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has postponed the conduct of the national achievement test (NAT) and the early assessment for primary students originally scheduled next month.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the tests will be postponed indefinitely due to administrative and logistical limitations.

A separate memorandum will be issued specifying the new dates of test administration.

The NAT is an exit assessment tool administered to Grades 6, 10 and 12 students to determine if they are meeting the learning standards in elementary, junior high school and senior high school curriculum.

The tests were previously scheduled on March 2 for Grade 10 students and March 9 for Grade 6 students. The NAT for Grade 12 students will be implemented for the first time next school year.