PMMA Entrance Exam 2026 Schedule and Guide

The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) opens its doors once again to aspiring cadets through the PMMA Entrance Examination 2026. This nationwide test serves as your first step toward becoming part of the country’s elite corps of merchant marine officers.

As a PMMA cadet, you’ll enjoy free tuition, board and lodging, and the rare opportunity to undergo shipboard training aboard international vessels—all while earning a world-class maritime education. Graduates of PMMA are highly sought after by global shipping companies and may also serve as commissioned officers in the Philippine Navy or the Philippine Coast Guard.

Recognized as the premier state-run maritime institution in the Philippines, PMMA continues to uphold its tradition of excellence in producing competent, disciplined, and globally competitive seafarers. The academy offers two flagship programs—Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE)—along with specialized maritime training for officers and ratings.

Located in San Narciso, Zambales, the Academy combines academic rigor, military-style discipline, and world-class maritime training to prepare cadets for leadership and success at sea. If you’re ready to take on the challenge, read on for the 2026 entrance exam schedule, application process, and admission requirements.

PMMAEE 2026 Schedule and Application

The online application for the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Entrance Examination 2026 officially opens on November 5, 2025. Aspiring cadets are encouraged to complete their application early through the official portal at https://admissions.pmma.edu.ph. A non-refundable application fee of ₱500 is required upon submission.

Applicants must ensure that all requirements are uploaded and submitted no later than January 10, 2026 (Sunday), at 12:00 NN. The PMMA entrance examination will be conducted on January 31, 2026 (Saturday) at designated testing centers nationwide.

Requirements and How to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to submit their documentary requirements as early as possible, but no later than February 28, 2026. The specific documents depend on the applicant’s current academic status:

For current Grade 12 students: A certification from the school principal confirming current enrollment in Grade 12, or a copy of the Grade 11 report card.
For Grade 12 graduates currently in first-year college: A copy of the senior high school diploma or Grade 12 report card.
For current college students: A copy of the registration form or a certified true copy of grades.
For college graduates: A copy of the college diploma or transcript of records.

To apply for the exam, go to https://admissions.pmma.edu.ph/register to register an account.

Walk-In Applicants

Walk-in applicants are welcome to take the January 2026 PMMA Entrance Examination at any designated testing center on the day of the exam, subject to slot availability. Interested applicants must bring the following:

mobile phone with internet access and a QR code scanner,
Mongol pencil No. 2
valid photo ID.

To ensure a smooth experience, candidates are advised to arrive at the venue at least one hour before the exam. The required dress code is a white T-shirt and pants, while calculators, sleeveless shirts, shorts, ripped jeans, and slippers are strictly prohibited.

PMMA Basic Qualifications

Applicants to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) must meet the following minimum qualifications to be considered for admission:

Natural-born Filipino citizen
Physically fit and in good health
Single and has never been married nor has children out of wedlock
Free from criminal charges or convictions
At least 17 years old but not more than 23 years old upon enrollment (by August 1 of the incoming academic year)
A Grade 12 student, college level, or college graduate with good academic standing
Minimum height requirement:
- 160 cm (5’3”) for males
- 155 cm (5’1”) for females
Body Mass Index (BMI) below 25
Has not been previously enrolled in PMMA

Meeting these basic requirements ensures that applicants are eligible to proceed to the next stages of the PMMA selection process, which include written, medical, and physical examinations.

Medical Disqualification Criteria

PMMA enforces strict medical standards to ensure cadets can handle the rigors of maritime training.

For Male Applicants: Conditions such as undescended or missing testicles, varicocele, redundant prepuce, or height below 5’3” lead to disqualification.
For Female Applicants: Disqualifications include pregnancy, history of childbirth or lactation, severe menstrual disorders, ovarian cysts, uterine or breast masses, endometriosis, and height below 5’1”.

For both male and female applicants, the following conditions are disqualifying:

Musculoskeletal issues like scoliosis, bowlegs, knocked knees, flat feet, or arthritis.
Skin disorders including severe acne, warts, or keloid scars.
Eye and vision problems such as poor visual acuity (below 20/30), wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, color blindness, or strabismus.
Ear, nose, and throat problems including deafness, chronic sinusitis, or perforated eardrums.
Cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neurological conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, asthma, tuberculosis, seizures, or vertigo.
Metabolic and infectious diseases like diabetes, hepatitis B, anemia, or sexually transmitted infections.
Any ongoing medication for chronic conditions like asthma, epilepsy, or hypertension is also a ground for disqualification.

Dental Disqualification Criteria

Applicants must have healthy, well-aligned teeth and proper oral function. PMMA disqualifies those with cleft lip or palate, severe malocclusion (Class II or III), open or cross bites, missing four or more front or molar teeth, complete dentures, orthodontic braces, oral cysts or tumors, or facial asymmetry.

TOPNOTCHER Philippines encourages applicants to go to their local hospital or clinic for these examinations, especially the color perception tests. This way, you will know if you are qualified before filing your application. Doing so will save you time and effort once you found out you are not qualified for the failure of these exams means disqualification. Any false declaration on the application form shall be subject to disqualification regardless if he or she passes the examination.

PMMA Application Process

The application process at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) is designed to be both comprehensive and competitive, ensuring that only the most capable and committed individuals earn the privilege of becoming cadets.

The journey begins with the PMMA Entrance Examination, where applicants must demonstrate strong academic aptitude and analytical ability. Those who pass advance to the Neuro-Psychological Evaluation, a crucial stage that measures emotional stability, cognitive capability, and mental readiness for the challenges of a maritime career.

Qualified applicants then proceed to the Medical and Dental Screening, which determines their physical fitness and overall health—both vital for withstanding the demanding life at sea and the disciplined environment of the Academy.

Candidates who successfully pass all assessments move on to the One-Month Orientation and Training, an intensive preparatory phase that introduces them to the Academy’s military-style discipline, core values, and daily routines. This period serves as their formal transition before they officially take their oath as Fourth Class Cadets (1st Year Students).

Through this meticulous multi-stage process, PMMA upholds its standard of excellence, selecting only those who embody the discipline, intelligence, and resilience required to become future leaders in the global maritime industry.

Benefits of Being a Midshipman in the PMMA

Being a cadet of the PMMA makes you a government scholar. This is where you will experience a semi-military lifestyle of a leadership environment. In addition to the free tuition and board/lodging, a midshipman is entitled to the following benefits:

A chance to join the pioneer institution in maritime education in the country;
A chance to travel the world for free while still studying;
An assured shipboard training onboard international ocean-going vessels;
Automatic commissionship in the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard as Ensign (2Lt);
100% employability, immediate hiring by more than thirty (30) partner international and manning companies; and
Promising careers in the seafaring industry as master mariners; chief engineers; shipping executives, naval or coast guard officers, educators, and trainers in maritime-related enterprises/institutions.

What are you waiting for? Here is the chance to become one of the successful seafarers at little or no cost! Submit your application now and be a part of the long BLUE LINE as a member of PMMA Class of 2030!