DepEd opens registration for PEP test

MANILA, Philippines - Registration is now open for the 2012 Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT), more popularly known as the “PEP Test,” for out-of- school youth and children who want to go back to formal schooling, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the PEP test would be administered on June 12, on the country’s Independence Day.

Luistro said the registration for the PEPT was opened last week, March 5, and will be open until May 25.

“Our modest contribution to nation-building is to give our youth a fighting chance to succeed in life through the placement test,” he said.

The PEPR result will determine the grade or year level appropriate for the test taker to re-enter formal schooling.

PEPT covers all grade/year level from Grade 1 to Fourth Year high school so that takers can have a chance to move to the next grade or year level or even complete basic education in just one examination.

“That is possible if they are doing home schooling or if they have acquired enough knowledge and life skills,” Luistro explained.

The exam covers the regular DepEd curriculum in English, Math, Science and HEKASI for elementary and Araling Panlipunan for high school.

The takers would be given a certificate of rating attesting that they are qualified to go to high school or college depending on the score they obtain, Luistro said.

Interested parties may register at DepEd’s division offices nationwide, with documentary requirements identified as Form 137/138, birth certificate and two 1 x 1 pictures.

The DepEd’s National Educational Testing and Research Center (NETRC) will administer the test on June 12 for free.

“We want the test takers to upgrade their academic level so that when they pass, they can re-enter the formal school system, land a job or even get a job promotion,” Luistro said.

PEPT registrants are encouraged to avail of learning modules prepared by the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems, the Bureau of Elementary Education and the Bureau of Secondary Education or any other learning resources available in DepEd’s regional or division offices.

They can use these learning modules to review before the exam or even after as part of their continuing education.