MANILA, Philippines – Tens of thousands of hopefuls are set to take entrance exams to the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) on Sunday, November 10.

According to PNPA Director Chief Supt Noel Constantino, a total of 18,206 qualified applicants will take the PNPA Cadet Admission Test (CAT) in 25 testing centers across the country.

Of the test-takers, 13,890 are males and 4,316 are females.

Tests will be administered in the cities of Vigan, Urdaneta, Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Cabanatuan, San Fernando, Calamba, Dasmarinas, Lucena, Naga, Legazpi, Baguio, Manila, Pasay, Quezon, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, Butuan and Cotabato.

This year, the PNPA has introduced changes in its recruitment and selection standards:

• The minimum age requirement has been raised to 18-22.
• Applicants should at least have a high school degree.
• A passing score of 70%, with no score below 50% in each of the 4 parts of the examinations: English and Communications; Mathematics and Science; Abstract and Logical Reasoning; Aptitude for the Service, General Information, and Current Events.

Those who will pass the exam will undergo a neuro-psychiatric test, physical, medical and dental exams, a physical fitness test, and a panel interview.

This year, the PNPA is waiving the test for high school valedictorians and salutatorians as well as college cum laude graduates in an attempt to recruit the best talents.

Applicants who pass all the tests will be appointed PNPA cadets in April, and will start their Bachelor of Science in Public Safety degree with the PNPA in 2014. Most join the PNP upon graduation after 4 years.

PNPA cadets earn full scholarships from the government, with monthly pay and allowances amounting to about P30,000, as well as benefits like bonuses and clothing allowance. 

PNP chief Alan Purisima has proposed to Congress that the police force be opened to non-college graduates, as long as they are high school graduates under the K to 12 program and are applying for lower ranks. – Rappler.com