How to Prepare for the 2023 National Qualifying Examination for School Heads

Are you an aspiring school head who wants to advance your career in the Department of Education (DepEd)? If so, you need to pass the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH), also known as the Principal’s Test. This is one of the requirements for appointment and reclassification of all applicants to the Principal and Assistant Principal positions in all public elementary and secondary schools.

The NQESH is a standardized test that measures your competencies in school leadership and management. It covers various domains such as school leadership, instructional leadership, creating a learning environment, human resource management, parental involvement, school management and operations, personal and professional attributes, and interpersonal effectiveness.

The DepEd, through the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development (BHROD), will administer the 2023 NQESH through a secured online platform at a designated examination site on May 26, 2024. The examination will be administered simultaneously nationwide.

In this blog post, we will guide you on how to prepare for the 2023 NQESH, including the eligibility criteria, application process, examination coverage, and tips and strategies to ace the test.

CLICK TO READ THE DEPED MEMORANDUM NO. 013, SERIES 2024

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify as a taker of the NQESH, you must meet the following criteria as of February 29, 2023, consistent with DepEd Order No. 39, s. 2007 and DepEd Order No. 41, s. 2016:

• You must be an aspiring school head, regardless of your current position.
• You must have any of the following experience requirements:
  • One year as Head Teacher, or
  • Two years as Master Teacher, or
  • Two years as Teacher-in-Charge (TIC), or
  • Teaching experience for five years as follows:
    • Teacher III or other teacher positions with same salary grade, or
    • Incumbent public school teacher who has managerial and supervisory experience in a DepEd recognized private institution or Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized higher education institution.
  • Aggregate experience as Head Teacher, TIC, Master Teacher, and Teacher III.
• You must have a valid permanent appointment as a school teacher or school administrator.
• You must not have any pending administrative case or any previous conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude.

Application Process

To apply for the NQESH, you need to follow these steps:

1. Fill out the online application form through the NQESH Online Application System from March 6 to 15, 2024. You will need to provide your personal information, educational background, work experience, and preferred examination site.
2. Submit the required documents to your respective Schools Division Office (SDO) from March 6 to 22, 2024. The documents include:

• Certified photocopy of service record
• Certified photocopy of performance rating for the last two rating periods
• Certified photocopy of certificate of eligibility
• Certified photocopy of transcript of records
• Certified photocopy of oath of office
• Certified photocopy of appointment paper
• Certificate of no pending administrative case
• Certificate of no conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude

3. Wait for the release of the final list of examinees and examination sites through a regional memorandum on March 27, 2024. You will also receive an email confirmation with your examination permit and instructions on how to access the online platform.
4. Participate in the mock examinations on May 5 and 19, 2024. The purpose of the mock examinations is to prepare and check your devices and familiarize yourself with the online platform and process of taking the test.
5. Take the actual examination on May 26, 2024. You will need to log in to the online platform using your username and password, and follow the instructions and proctoring guidelines. You will have four hours to complete the test, which consists of 170 multiple-choice questions.

Examination Coverage

The NQESH covers the following domains and competencies, based on the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) School Heads Development Program:

• School Leadership (20%)
  • Demonstrate personal and professional qualities and characteristics of a school leader
  • Establish a shared vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the school
  • Lead and manage change and innovation in the school
  • Promote a culture of learning and excellence in the school
  • Engage in personal and professional development
• Instructional Leadership (20%)
  • Develop and implement the school curriculum and instructional program
  • Monitor and evaluate the school curriculum and instructional program
  • Provide instructional support and coaching to teachers and staff
  • Promote the use of research, data, and technology in teaching and learning
  • Foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork in the school
• Creating a Learning Environment (15%)
  • Ensure a safe, orderly, and conducive learning environment
  • Manage and utilize school resources effectively and efficiently
  • Implement and enforce school policies and guidelines
  • Address the diverse needs and interests of learners and stakeholders
  • Promote the holistic development and well-being of learners and staff
• Human Resource Management (15%)
  • Recruit, select, and appoint qualified and competent teachers and staff
  • Develop and implement a performance management system for teachers and staff
  • Provide professional development opportunities for teachers and staff
  • Motivate, empower, and recognize the achievements of teachers and staff
  • Manage and resolve conflicts and issues in the school
• Parental Involvement and Community Partnership (15%)
  • Communicate and collaborate with parents and other stakeholders
  • Establish and maintain linkages and networks with external partners
  • Mobilize and generate resources and support from the community
  • Involve parents and the community in school improvement initiatives
  • Advocate for the school and the education sector
• School Management and Operations (10%)
  • Plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate the school improvement plan
  • Prepare and manage the school budget and financial transactions
  • Ensure compliance with legal and administrative requirements
  • Maintain and update school records and reports
  • Apply basic principles of educational management and leadership
• Personal and Professional Attributes and Interpersonal Effectiveness (5%)
  • Demonstrate ethical and moral conduct and behavior
  • Exhibit professionalism and commitment to the teaching profession
  • Communicate effectively and appropriately with various audiences
  • Establish and maintain positive and harmonious relationships with others
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Tips and Strategies

To ace the NQESH, you need to prepare well and follow these tips and strategies:

• Review the examination coverage and competencies, and assess your strengths and weaknesses.
• Study the relevant laws, policies, and guidelines of the DepEd, such as the Basic Education Act of 2001, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers, and the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers.
• Read and analyze the school improvement plan, the school report card, and the school learning continuity plan of your school or a sample school.
• Use various review materials, such as books, modules, reviewers, and online courses, to refresh and update your knowledge and skills. You can also join review classes or study groups to learn from others and exchange ideas.
• Practice answering sample questions and mock tests to familiarize yourself with the format and difficulty level of the test. You can also time yourself and simulate the testing conditions to improve your speed and accuracy.
• Check your devices, internet connection, and online platform before the test day. Make sure you have a laptop or desktop computer, a webcam, a microphone, and a stable internet connection. You can also use a smartphone as a backup device. Test your devices and online platform using the mock examinations and troubleshoot any issues or problems.
• Follow the instructions and proctoring guidelines during the test day. Log in to the online platform at least 30 minutes before the test time. Have your examination permit, valid ID, and other requirements ready. Do not open any other tabs, windows, or applications during the test. Do not use any notes, books, calculators, or other aids during the test. Do not communicate with anyone during the test. Do not leave your seat or move away from the camera during the test.
• Manage your time and answer the questions strategically. You have four hours to answer 170 questions, which means you have about 1.4 minutes per question. Do not spend too much time on one question. If you are unsure of the answer, skip it and move on to the next question. You can mark the questions you skipped and go back to them later. Use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices. Choose the best answer based on the given situation and information.
• Relax and be confident. Do not let stress and anxiety affect your performance. Take deep breaths and calm yourself before and during the test. Trust your preparation and abilities. Believe that you can pass the test and achieve your goal of becoming a school head.