For this update, I examined how the National Achievement Test (NAT) is implemented in Philippine schools. The NAT is a nationwide standardized assessment given to specific grade levels to measure students’ mastery of key learning areas. It follows a fixed format, uses multiple-choice items, and is administered under strict testing conditions to ensure consistency across schools.

One strength of the NAT is that it provides reliable, large-scale data that helps DepEd identify learning gaps and monitor overall educational performance. It also guides schools in improving instruction based on competency trends. However, its weaknesses include test anxiety among learners, the risk of teaching “to the test,” and the limited scope of multiple-choice items, which may not fully capture higher-order thinking or real-world skills.