(NCAE) National Career Assessment Examination Practice Test

(NCAE) National Career Assessment Examination Practice Test

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NCAE Results Release 2026 — When and How to Get Your Results

DepEd has not announced a fixed national release date for NCAE results: DepEd Memorandum No. 108, s. 2025 set only the testing window, so your school's testing coordinator or guidance office is the source for when results reach you. For School Year 2025-2026 the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) was given as the computer-based CB-NCAE to Grade 10 learners from December 2025 to January 2026, run by DepEd's Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) with the Schools Division Offices. Practice with the free National Career Assessment Examination practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (300+ questions with answer explanations).

Each Schools Division Office sets the exact test dates for its schools within the national window. For example, SDO Vigan City scheduled its CB-NCAE from January 6 to 21, 2026, while SDO Imus City started public schools on January 12 and private schools on January 19, 2026. Because test dates differ by division, the time until NCAE results are available can also differ from school to school.

DepEd does not announce a specific release date in advance. Check with your school's testing coordinator or guidance office after your test date, since schools coordinate with their Schools Division Office on assessment matters.

To stay informed about the official exam schedule, visit the NCAE schedule page for the latest DepEd announcements.

NCAE: upcoming dates and official changes
  • Jan 4, 2027 – Jan 29, 2027: The Grade 9 CB-NCAE Technical Assessment for SY 2026-2027 is scheduled for January 4 to 29, 2027.[1]

Full NCAE change history

  • The Grade 9 CB-NCAE Technical Assessment for SY 2026-2027 is scheduled for January 4 to 29, 2027.[1]
  • The DepEd memorandum on the CB-NCAE states no learner fee; administration costs are charged to the NASBE Program Support Fund and to school MOOE.[2]
  • The Computer-Based National Career Assessment Examination (CB-NCAE) is taken on computer, and learners must install the Safe Exam Browser on Windows or Mac or Full Exam Kiosk on Android.[1]
  • For School Year 2026-2027, the CB-NCAE is given to all Grade 9 and Grade 10 learners in public schools and in private schools with government recognition.[1]

All verified NCAE facts and sources

Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Free National Career Assessment Examination Study Tools

Interactive National Career Assessment Examination resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

Your NCAE result card presents your performance across all subtests using three types of scores. Understanding each one helps you make the most of your results when choosing a Senior High School strand.

Raw Score

Your raw score is simply the number of questions you answered correctly in each subtest. It is the starting point for calculating your other scores but is less meaningful on its own without context about how other students performed.

National Percentile Rank

Your national percentile rank shows where you stand compared to all Grade 10 learners who took the NCAE nationwide. A percentile rank of 75, for example, means you scored higher than 75% of all test-takers. This score is particularly useful for understanding your competitive standing at the national level.

Stanine Score

The stanine (standard nine) is a single-digit score from 1 to 9 that places you in a broad performance band:

Stanine 5 is the national average. Schools and guidance counselors use stanine scores to quickly identify a student's aptitude in each subject area. A stanine of 7 or higher in Science and Mathematics, for instance, suggests strong aptitude for the STEM strand.

To understand what a passing score on the NCAE means, and how cut-off points relate to strand recommendations, review the full scoring guide.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our ncae practice test resource.

NCAE Checklist

Review each subtest stanine score and identify your strongest subject areas.
Compare your scores against the recommended strands — high Science/Math stanines suggest STEM, high Humanities scores suggest ABM or HUMSS.
Discuss your results with your school guidance counselor to get a personalized <a href="/ncae/strand-recommendation">strand recommendation</a>.
Use your national percentile rank to gauge your standing compared to peers nationwide.
Research the Senior High School strands available at your preferred school.
Factor in your interests and career goals alongside your NCAE stanine scores.
Keep your original result card in a safe place — it may be requested during SHS enrollment.
If you want to strengthen your skills in weaker areas, use the <a href="/ncae/complete-reviewer">NCAE complete reviewer</a> to prepare for future assessments.
Start Free NCAE Practice Test

NCAE Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Published score scales and passing thresholds create transparent, predictable targets for preparation
  • Scaled scoring systems allow fair comparison of performance across different test dates with varying difficulty
  • Detailed score reports identify section-specific performance, enabling targeted remediation for retake candidates
  • Score validity periods provide candidates flexibility in application timing after passing
  • Multiple scoring components mean strong performance in some areas can compensate for weaker performance in others

Cons

  • Scaled scores can be confusing — the same raw score translates to different scaled scores across test dates
  • Passing cutoffs set by credentialing bodies may not align with what candidates expect based on content mastery
  • Score report delivery times vary — delays in receiving results can delay application or registration deadlines
  • Performance on a single test date may not accurately reflect a candidate's actual knowledge level
  • Score reports often lack granularity below the section level, making it difficult to pinpoint specific topic weaknesses

Pros and Cons at a Glance

ProsCons
Published score scales and passing thresholds create transparent, predictable targets for preparationScaled scores can be confusing — the same raw score translates to different scaled scores across test dates
Scaled scoring systems allow fair comparison of performance across different test dates with varying difficultyPassing cutoffs set by credentialing bodies may not align with what candidates expect based on content mastery
Detailed score reports identify section-specific performance, enabling targeted remediation for retake candidatesScore report delivery times vary — delays in receiving results can delay application or registration deadlines
Score validity periods provide candidates flexibility in application timing after passingPerformance on a single test date may not accurately reflect a candidate's actual knowledge level
Multiple scoring components mean strong performance in some areas can compensate for weaker performance in othersScore reports often lack granularity below the section level, making it difficult to pinpoint specific topic weaknesses

Sample National Career Assessment Examination Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free National Career Assessment Examination practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

  1. A student's NCAE results indicate a high percentile rank in logical reasoning, mathematical ability, and scientific ability. The Department of Education (DepEd) has specific requirements for entry into which of the following SHS tracks based on such results?

    • A. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand
    • B. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand
    • C. Arts and Design Track
    • D. Sports Track

    Answer: B. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand

    To enroll in the STEM Strand, DepEd requires students to have a percentile rank of 86 or above in the STEM subtest of the career assessment exam, along with final grades of 85 or above in both Science and Math in Grade 10. High scores in logical reasoning, math, and science are strong indicators of aptitude for the STEM track.

  2. A student enjoys building and fixing machines in the school's technology workshop. Which NCAE occupational cluster best matches this interest?

    • A. Arts and Communication
    • B. Industrial Technology
    • C. Health Science
    • D. Business and Management

    Answer: B. Industrial Technology

    Building and fixing machines aligns with the Industrial Technology cluster, which focuses on mechanical, electrical, and vocational-technical work.

  3. A Grade 9 student loves writing stories, drawing characters, and making short videos. Which track is MOST suitable after NCAE?

    • A. TVL — Industrial Arts
    • B. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)
    • C. STEM
    • D. TVL — Agri-Fishery Arts

    Answer: B. Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

    Writing, drawing, and media production align with HUMSS, which focuses on literature, communication, and the arts.

  4. Which curriculum approach starts with identifying desired results before planning assessment and learning activities?

    • A. Tyler's Rational Model
    • B. Backward Design (Understanding by Design)
    • C. Spiral Curriculum
    • D. Activity-Based Curriculum

    Answer: B. Backward Design (Understanding by Design)

    Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe's Understanding by Design) begins with desired learning results, then determines acceptable evidence of learning, and finally plans learning experiences.

Take the full National Career Assessment Examination practice test

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our ncae reviewer for grade 10 resource.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our ncae reviewer for grade 10 resource.

🗓️ 🗓️ When will CB-NCAE results be released?
DepEd Memorandum No. 108, s. 2025 sets the CB-NCAE testing window but does not announce a results release date. The test is run by DepEd's Bureau of Education Assessment (BEA) with Schools Division Offices, so ask your school testing coordinator or guidance office when results will be available.
🎓 🎓 Who takes the NCAE for School Year 2025-2026?
All Grade 10 learners enrolled in public schools and in private schools with a government permit or recognition. Earlier NCAE rounds were given in Grade 9, so older articles that say Grade 9 describe the previous setup.
💻 💻 Is the NCAE computer-based now?
Yes. For School Year 2025-2026 it is the Computer-Based NCAE (CB-NCAE), taken on computers, laptops or tablets. Schools with too few devices may borrow units from nearby partner schools within the district.
📅 📅 When is the CB-NCAE schedule for 2025-2026?
DepEd set a testing window from December 2025 to January 2026, during regular classes. Each Schools Division Office picks the exact dates with its regional office; for example, Vigan City tested from January 6 to 21, 2026.
🧠 🧠 What subtests are in the NCAE General Scholastic Aptitude (GSA)?
The GSA has seven areas: Abstract, Logical, Mechanical, Numerical, Spatial and Verbal Reasoning (English and Filipino), plus Perceptual Accuracy and Response Efficiency (PARE). Your results show how you performed across these aptitude areas.
🧭 🧭 What is the CORE part of the NCAE?
CORE stands for Career and Occupational Roles Explorer, an inventory of occupational interests. It has two parts, CORE-A based on the RIASEC model and CORE-B based on the Thurstone model, and it supports career guidance rather than scoring right or wrong answers.
🔤 🔤 What does RIASEC mean in NCAE CORE-A results?
RIASEC stands for Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional, the six interest types in Holland's career model. CORE-A uses these types to describe which kinds of work match your interests.
🎯 🎯 What are NCAE results used for?
DepEd says the NCAE is designed to give individual learners career guidance for their future education and career choices. It also serves as a basis for profiling learners' aptitudes.
📝 📝 Is there an NCAE mock test before the real exam?
Yes. DepEd required all Grade 10 learners to take a mock test starting December 1, 2026, at least one week before the national administration. It lets learners and teachers get used to the computer-based testing setup.
♿ ♿ Can learners with disabilities take the NCAE?
Yes, as long as the test accommodations in Section 9 of DepEd Order No. 55, s. 2016 are met. Learners who have difficulty seeing may skip image-heavy subtests: Abstract Reasoning, Mechanical Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and PARE.

NCAE Results Questions and Answers

When will NCAE 2026 results be released?

DepEd has not published a fixed release date for CB-NCAE results. DepEd Memorandum No. 108, s. 2025 set a December 2025 to January 2026 testing window for Grade 10 learners, with exact test dates chosen by each Schools Division Office, but it names no results date. Ask your school's testing coordinator or guidance office for the timeline that applies to your school.

Can I check my NCAE results online?

No. DepEd does not provide an online portal, website, or SMS service for NCAE results. There is no individual lookup system. All result cards are distributed exclusively through your school's guidance office. You must collect your result card in person.

Do NCAE results expire or affect SHS enrollment?

NCAE results do not expire and are not a requirement for SHS enrollment under DepEd policy. However, some schools use NCAE stanine scores to guide strand placement. Results remain on record and can be referenced at any time, but they do not block you from enrolling in any strand.

What if I lost my NCAE result card?

If you lose your result card, contact your school's guidance office or registrar first. If the school cannot provide a copy, request a certified copy from the DepEd Schools Division Office (SDO) that served your school at the time of the exam. Bring a valid school ID and a request letter addressed to the SDO superintendent.

What NCAE score do I need for the STEM strand?

There is no official passing score required for SHS strand enrollment, but a stanine of 7 or higher in Mathematics and Science subtests generally indicates strong aptitude for the STEM strand. For detailed score benchmarks per strand, review the full NCAE strand recommendation guide.

How is the NCAE different from the NAT?

The NCAE (National Career Assessment Examination) is a career-guidance test; for School Year 2025-2026 it was given to Grade 10 learners as a computer-based test covering General Scholastic Aptitude (GSA) subtests and the CORE career-interest inventory. The NAT (National Achievement Test) measures academic achievement at different grade levels. Both are DepEd assessments, but the NCAE is designed to guide learners' educational and career choices.

How much does the NCAE cost?

The DepEd memorandum on the CB-NCAE states no learner fee; administration costs are charged to the NASBE Program Support Fund and to school MOOE. (Verified Oct 26, 2026 against Department of Education.)

Sources & last verified

  1. depedph-my.sharepoint.com — testing window, delivery, eligibility (official source). “January 4 to 29, 2027” Verified Oct 26, 2026.
  2. Department of Education — exam fee (official source). “Expenses relative to the conduct of the CB-NCAE, including the travel and incidental expenses of the Division Testing Coordinators (DTCs) and examiners, shall be charged…” Verified Oct 26, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.

Official Resources

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