Before learners enter Senior High School (SHS), DepEd uses their career assessment results, and for some programs their Grade 10 grades, to check whether they have the potential to complete a chosen track or strand. This guide explains the entry criteria for each SHS track and strand in all public and private schools. It is for Grade 10 learners, their parents, and the teachers and guidance staff who help them choose.
On this page 6 sections
How the career assessment results are used
The career assessment results serve two purposes:
- Career guidance. The results support the national framework on career guidance, which DepEd said would be released in a separate issuance. Reporting and interpretation of the results are used in career advocacy, career guidance, and homeroom guidance.
- Entry assessment to SHS. The results are also used as an entry assessment for specific SHS tracks and strands. For select programs, a learner’s aptitude is measured before entering SHS to make sure the learner can complete the program.
Entry criteria by track and strand
STEM Strand
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Strand has a required cut-off. A learner must have:
- a Grade 10 final grade of 85 or higher in both Science and Math, and
- a percentile rank of 86 or higher in the STEM subtest of the career assessment exam.
Sports Track and Arts and Design Track
These tracks use two screenings:
- First screening: the career assessment result in the corresponding subtest. The learner’s aptitude must be at a percentile rank of 51 or higher.
- Second screening: given by the accepting school.
- Sports Track: skills-related fitness tests.
- Arts and Design Track: a performance and skills assessment.
There is no cut-off for Grade 10 grades in these two tracks.
HUMSS, ABM, GAS, and TVL
There is no prescribed cut-off for grades or for any subtest score for the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Strand, the Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) Strand, and the Technical-Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) Track. The summary table also lists no grade or exam requirement for the General Academic Strand (GAS).
Summary table
| Track or strand | Grade 10 scholastic grades | Career assessment result |
|---|---|---|
| STEM | Final grade no lower than 85 in both Math and Science | Percentile rank of 86 and above in the STEM subtest |
| ABM | None | None |
| HUMSS | None | None |
| GAS | None | None |
| Sports | None | Percentile rank of 51 and above in the corresponding subtest |
| Arts and Design | None | Percentile rank of 51 and above in the corresponding subtest |
| TVL | None | None |
Alternative entry requirements
Accepting schools may give alternative entry requirements as needed. These are summative assessments that match each track or strand:
| Track or strand | Examples of alternative entry requirements |
|---|---|
| STEM | Write-up of a scientific inquiry process, a draft experiment, and similar assessments |
| ABM | A simple business concept or idea, marketing ideas, and similar assessments |
| HUMSS | An essay on current social issues, a short story or article, book or movie reviews, and similar assessments |
| GAS | An essay on a project of interest, a project plan, and similar assessments |
| Sports | Skills-related fitness tests given by the accepting school |
| Arts and Design | A performance and skills assessment given by the accepting school |
| TVL | Livelihood project ideas and similar assessments |
Schools may also use other alternative assessments besides those listed, as long as they fit the chosen track or strand.
What this means for learners and parents
- If you plan to take STEM, aim for final grades of at least 85 in both Science and Math in Grade 10, and prepare for the STEM subtest of the career assessment.
- If you plan to take Sports or Arts and Design, you need a percentile rank of at least 51 in the matching subtest, then you must pass the accepting school’s own fitness or performance assessment.
- For ABM, HUMSS, GAS, and TVL, there is no cut-off, but the school may still ask for an alternative entry requirement such as an essay or project idea. Ask the school you plan to enroll in what it requires.
Frequently asked questions
What grades do I need to enter the STEM strand?
You need a Grade 10 final grade of 85 or higher in both Science and Math. You also need a percentile rank of 86 or higher in the STEM subtest of the career assessment exam.
Is there a cut-off for ABM, HUMSS, GAS, or TVL?
No. There is no prescribed cut-off for grades or subtest scores for these strands and tracks, though accepting schools may give alternative entry requirements.
How do learners get into the Sports or Arts and Design track?
They go through two screenings. First, they need a percentile rank of 51 or higher in the corresponding career assessment subtest; second, they take a fitness test (Sports) or a performance and skills assessment (Arts and Design) given by the accepting school.
What are alternative entry requirements?
They are summative assessments that accepting schools may give as needed, such as a draft experiment for STEM, a business idea for ABM, or an essay for HUMSS. Schools may also use other assessments that fit the chosen track or strand.
Do private schools follow these criteria?
Yes. The article states that the career assessment results are used for entry assessment to SHS tracks and strands in all public and private schools.
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