DepEd's competency test set next month

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education will conduct the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) test on four Sundays in October to measure the competencies of those who have not finished formal elementary or secondary education.

In a press statement, DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus said that passing the A & E test will pave the way for their reentry to formal schooling or allow them a chance to pursue other productive endeavors.

The A & E test is one of the many ways to make education accessible to all, and is part of DepEd’s commitment to attain the goals of Education For All program by 2015.

The A & E test is given free. The registration of examinees has started last July and has been extended to August 31.

Examinees should register at any of 199 registration and testing centers nationwide.

The test will be administered for three hours and 30 minutes for the elementary level and will be an hour longer for the high school level.

The test covers five learning strands in communications, problem solving and critical thinking, sustainable use of resources and productivity, development of self and a sense of community, and expanding one’s world vision.

It also includes a 30-minute composition writing task.

The unemployed or underemployed out-of-school youths or adults, dropouts or those who have left the formal schools, persons with physical disabilities and inmates, rebel or soldier integrees are qualified to take the examination.

Lapus said members of cultural minorities or indigenous peoples, industry-based workers, housewives, helpers, factory workers and drivers can also take the test.

Elementary dropouts who pass the elementary level test can enroll as high school freshman.

Those who pass the A&E Test for the secondary level may choose to enroll in post-secondary technical and vocational courses.

Another choice for the passers is to enroll in three, four or five-year course in college. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)