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!

200 thoughts on “PMMA Entrance Exam 2026 Schedule and Guide”

  1. Just asking lang po im a 1st year college student what if di maayos grades mo ng 1st year ka dahil di masyado nakapagfocus kasi nagwork ka papayagan ka kaya po nila magentrance exam?

    Reply
  2. Typo po ba yung age requirement?
    kasi yung nandun po sa website ng pmma is not older than 23 y.o. hindi po not a day older than 23 y.o.
    Gusto ko lang po ng clarifications.

    Reply
  3. Good Day
    Sir ask ko lng po ung anak ko kc noong 7 yrs old xa nag undergo ng appendicitis operation. Disqualified na po ba xa nun?Thank u

    Reply
    • God pm po! Sir, mag enquire lang po ako tapos napoba ang entrance examination ngayong 2020? Pa graduate po ako ngayun k-12 kasi po gusto kong mag exam sa online.

      Reply
  4. Sir pwede pa po ba magsubmit ng application through online kahit na naipa lbc na po namin yung sa amin kaso ngangayon lang po namin nalaman na sa online po pala magsusubmit?

    Reply
  5. Sir pwedi paba ako mag send ng mail na may fill up na diritso ngayon? tsaka pwedi po ba sa mismong araw ng examination ako magpasa ng requirements?

    Reply
  6. Sir hope so po masagot ang tanong ko. Kukuha po sana ako ng exam . Graduate of Education po ako. Anu po ba requirements para makakuha ng exam?

    Reply
  7. Sir bakit po ganun nag submit po ako ng application KO through mail dalawa po kami ng classmate KO nag submit pero bakit siya LNG po ang nabigyan ng test permit eh sabay nman po making nagpasa disqualified poba ako sir? Qualified nman ako Sa lahat eh pero bat wala papo ung test permit KO noong 13 po dumating ung test permit ng classmate KO Saakin wala papo sir Reply ASAP plss gustong gusto kupo mag test eh

    Reply
  8. bakit po nag eeror pag kini click po yung sa application form ?? ilang days ko na po tinatry na iopen yung link for application wala parin

    Reply
  9. Tumatangap po ba ng babae ang school ng PMMA ang anak ko po bagong graduate lang ng k-12 gusto po nya sakay ng barko panu po ba ang proseso

    Reply
  10. Good Afternoon 🙂 Pwede po bang magtanong if On Going pa po ba ang Pre-Registration? Gusto ko sanang mag apply.

    Name: Kenneth John Gomba Kangleon
    Address: 290 Tomas Oppus Street Tagnipa Maasin City, Southern Leyte

    Reply
  11. pano poh kung g-11 plng po ako pero gusto k napo mag join dito.ok lang po ba yun?ano po ba mga requirments tapos ano po ba dapt k gawin ?

    Reply
  12. Good morning! May I ask, kailan ang submission ng application for 2019 entrance exam and kailan ang schedule ng exam for next year?

    Reply
  13. Good morning sir, my friend wants to take PMMA exam next year, Sept 2019. Unfortunately he haven’t finish K-12, and he doesn’t have completer diploma in Junior High School. But he finish his Alternative Learning System or ALS. He’s qualified to all other requirements except that, can he still take an exam?

    Reply
  14. Good evening sir i just want to ask that is it okay to pass the requirements on the day of examination with the 350 examination fee.

    Reply
    • Yes, as a walk-in applicant you need to be at your preferred testing center on the day of the examination at 06:00 am with the following requirements:

      – Filled out PMMA Application Form
      – 1pc 2×2 ID Photo with Name Tag and white background
      – Proof of Eligibility:
      o Certification from School Principal that the applicant is currently enrolled as Grade 12 (for Grade 12 applicants)
      o Photocopy of Senior High School Diploma or Form 138 (for Senior High School Graduate)
      o Photocopy of Registration Form (for College Student)
      o Photocopy of College Diploma (for College Graduate)
      – PSA Birth Certificate
      – 1pc self-addressed Long white mailing envelope

      Please take note that walk-in applicants will be accommodated in FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE Basis (Limited Slots).

      Reply
  15. Hi sir gud day!pwede po bang walkin nalng sa testing center sa date ng exam, doon barin po mgbabayad at magpapasa ng requirements.ok lang po yon , sila narin po ba mgbibigay ng permit para mka exam.pls.reply thanks po

    Reply
  16. Ma’am/sir, ask ko lng po.
    Yung mga nakapasa po ng entrance exam last year na bumagsak ng neuro test, uulit lng po ba mg neuro this year o kylangan ipasa ulit ang entrance exam?

    Reply
  17. Good day sir/mam,

    I’m a graduating student this school year of AB Philosophy and mailed my application form as well as my school requirements just before August 31 as mentioned in the procedures. However, I never received any mails coming from PMMA that would serve as my examination permit.
    I’m from Negros and the testing center I only have in my options is in Iloilo but I’m afraid that the examination day would come without my examination permit.
    Does it mean that my application form wasn’t processed or I still have the choice to compile the application requirements again and present myself in the testing center as a walk in applicant?

    Please reply ASAP.
    PS, I would love to be part of that long blue line.

    Reply
  18. good evening po sir pwdi po ba high shool grad. lng hindi ksi aku nka k12 pero college po aku ngayon 1st yr college criminilogy student at hindi pa po natatapos ang first semister namin .. pls reply po thanks

    Reply
  19. Magandang tanghali po sir/maam. Ask ko lang po kong kelan ang exam sa Tarlac National High School. Kong pwede po bang walk in isubmit ang mga requiement and gr.12 palang po ako, pwede po ba akong nag take ng exam?

    Reply
    • Yes, as a walk-in applicant you need to be at your preferred testing center on the day of the examination at 06:00 am with the following requirements:

      – Filled out PMMA Application Form
      – 1pc 2×2 ID Photo with Name Tag and white background
      – Proof of Eligibility:
      o Certification from School Principal that the applicant is currently enrolled as Grade 12 (for Grade 12 applicants)
      o Photocopy of Senior High School Diploma or Form 138 (for Senior High School Graduate)
      o Photocopy of Registration Form (for College Student)
      o Photocopy of College Diploma (for College Graduate)
      – PSA Birth Certificate
      – 1pc self-addressed Long white mailing envelope

      Please take note that walk-in applicants will be accommodated in FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE Basis (Limited Slots).

      Reply
    • Good morning po maam/sir taga zambales po ako tatanong ko lang po sana kung pwede papo bang mag exam or kailan po ulit pwedeng mag exam

      Reply
  20. SIR. PANGARAP KO PO TALAGA NA MAKA PASOK SA PMMA. PWEDE PO BA WALK IN APPLICANT THIS COMING DATE OF EXAMINATION??

    PLSS REPLY PO,, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

    Reply
  21. good morning maam/sir, ask ko po kung kailang ung schedule ng entrance examination dto sa Benguet? paki contact po ako sa email ko, TY. po
    #respect

    Reply
  22. Good Day po Sir/Ma’am may clarification lang po ako about sa nabasa ko po sa requirements at qualification po, i’m graduated in senior high school level from the course of Technical Vocational Livelihood (TVL Track) major in Bread and Pastry Production ito po bang track na kinuha ko nung senior high school po ako pwede po bang mag take ng exam this year ? at pwede pa po bang mag submit this month ?
    Hoping for your response po Sir/Ma’am Thank you po

    Reply
  23. Hello Sir/Ma’am,
    What if po kung magsa-submit ako ng application ko this september 22, 2018 or mas maaga this september … in person, and balak ko na rin po mag exam this september 29, 2018. Pwede po ba yun? Thank you po

    Reply
  24. hi sir, ang application po ba ay sa testing center na ipapasa kasama ang mga requirents?March 2019 pa po gagraduate ang anak ko sa Grade 12 pwede na po ba na kumuha ng exam? pls.reply..thanks po

    Reply
  25. Sir saan po ba magpapasa ng Application Form at iba pang Requirements sa Cebu City. Dahil sa Testing Center po kasi ang nakalagay doon ang dealine sa August 31,2018 (12. Cebu City. Abellana National School, Cebu City.) po ako nakatira, dapat po bang ipasa ito ng personal sa nakasabi na testing center? O mail po?

    Reply
  26. Good day po, e pano po pag hindi nakapasa sa entrance exam ng Pmma pwede pa rin po bang makapasok at makapagaral maam/sir ?

    Reply
  27. Good day Mam/Sir. Am i still qualified for taking the entrance exam if i have a slightly underbite? I hope you will reply to this message. Thanks.

    Reply
    • sir pag 81 average ng marka, qualified po ba kumuha ng entrance examination/
      pag i me mail po ba kasama na yung bayad na 350? salamat

      Reply
  28. Good pm. Imail lang po nmin ang application for entrance exam…Ask lang po kung papaano namin ipadala ang examination fee. Thank u

    Reply
  29. Hello maam/sir pwedi po bang mag take ng entrance exam kahit hindii pa graduate ng high school?? Pero po next year mag gragraduate po ako?? Grade 12 po ako ngayon????

    Reply
  30. Good day po ma’am sir ask ko lang po kung paano po ifi-fill uo yung application form tsaka kung ano pong email add nung pagpapasahan. Balak ko po kasing magtest sa batasan hills sir medyo malapit po kasi sa bahay. Thank you po ma’am sir godbless

    Reply
  31. Hi sir, Ive seen the requirements. Pano po magbabayad? Nakalagay lang po how much.
    Plano po mag exam sa laguna. Bale kng magssend po ba kami ng req thru mail pano din malalaman kung nrecv nila at pano kami magbabayad un pang po salamat

    Reply
  32. Good day po sir. Sir can i take the entrance exam if below 85% GAP? Noong grade 11 po sir final average po nya ay 85% but after graduate po sya ng grade 12 naging average po nya ay 82% GAP nalang po. Qualified pa po ba sya?. I hope you will response this .. Thank you sir. And god blese

    Reply
  33. Ma’am/sir what if I graduate already the k-12 program Me i do not get the certification from school principal?? I’m looking forward to your reply..

    Reply
  34. Good day, Sir/Ma’am! Wala na po bang consideration dun sa age limit (Not a day older than 23 years old upon enrollment on august 1)? Kasi I’ll be turning 23 yo on April next year po.

    P.s. I just graduated from college last march 2018 po

    Reply
  35. Hi Maam/Sir, pwd po bah Arts and Design Track ang nakalagay lang po any strand, eh yung sakin po Track ang akin. Pwd po ba yan? Mag wait po ako ng reply ninyu

    Reply
  36. open po ba kau ng saturday?submit po sana kami ng anak ko ng application form for entrance exam.working mom kc ako.

    Reply
  37. Ma’am,sir can I apply I’m K to 12 graduate of TVLstrand (technical vocational and livelihood) with the course of ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE.Im looking forward to your reply thank you very much.

    Reply
    • The PMMA Entrance exam is conducted by the Admissions Office on the last Saturday of September every year. This year, it will be on September 29, 2018.

      Reply
  38. ask ko lng po,maggagraduate next year ang anak ko pwede pa rin po bang magfile form for entrance examination dis september.

    Reply
  39. Sir, pwede po magtransfer? halimbawa po, nagschool ako sa isang mariner school ng 1 year tapos mag eentrance exam po ako sa pmma, kung makapasa po, pwede po ba magtransfer? tapos kung mag uulit po as a freshman?

    Reply
    • Yes po pwede yan. Di ko lang sure if ulit as freshman but malamang. balik ulit. To be sure, contact them directly po.

      Reply
    • If u mean u have to go to Zambales to file ur app form there’s no need to. You can mail it addressed to PMMA. I think it’s written in the app form on how to submit it.

      If u passed the entrance exam and all other exam like physical, medical, dental etc. plus the 1 month orientation period you will be a “4th Class Midshipman” or freshman in other term. Meaning your past school credentials will not be credited.

      Reply
  40. Good evening sir/ma’am , Am i still qualified , I’m turning 23 this coming Sept. 9,2018 ? My DOB is 09/09/1995.

    Reply
  41. Goodday, Im currently in college and planning to shift and transfer in PMMA. Maccredit po ba yung subjs ko?

    Reply

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