Overview
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) is the written aptitude test that applicants must pass before entering the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy or Philippine Air Force. It is used for both officer and enlisted routes. Examples include the Officer Candidate Course (OCC), the Officer Preparatory Course (OPC) and the Army's Candidate Soldier Course (CSC).
The test measures reasoning ability rather than school subjects. It is used to judge whether an applicant can handle military training and duties. Applicants to the Philippine Military Academy take a separate exam, the PMA Entrance Examination, not the AFPSAT.
Who can apply
The AFPSAT itself is the first screening step. Each service, and each course within it, sets its own rules on age, education, height and fitness. Check the specific course you are applying for before you book a test slot.
When you sit the test, bring:
your transcript of records and diploma (for college graduates), or your Form 137 (for high school graduates)
your PSA birth certificate
a valid government-issued ID
2x2 photos with a white background
Exam pattern
The AFPSAT is reported as a 150-item multiple-choice test, scored out of 150. Most review guides describe three parts:
| Part | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Abstract Reasoning | Reasoning with figures and patterns |
| Verbal Reasoning | Working with words and written text |
| Numerical Reasoning | Working with numbers |
The AFP does not publish an official item count or time limit for each part, and review sites describe the parts differently. Some list more than three. Treat any per-part figures you find as a guide only.
Marking and results
Results are given as a raw score that falls into a grade band. Under the scoring table reported for the current form of the test (in use since April 2019), a higher band is needed for officer commissioning than for enlistment. A score just below the passing range allows a retake after at least six months. The lowest band is a fail, with no retake.
There is no single cut-off across all courses. Each service and course sets the raw score it accepts, and officer courses need a higher score than enlisted courses. Ask the recruitment office of the service you are applying to for the score you need.
Important dates
The AFPSAT has no single national exam date. Each service's testing office schedules applicants on a rolling basis. For 2026, the Philippine Army published AFPSAT dates for OCC and CSC applicants from March to May 2026, at venues across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.
How to apply
Contact the recruitment or testing office of the service you want to join, then book an AFPSAT slot. Reported testing sites include Villamor Air Base in Pasay City for the Air Force, and Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City for the Army and the Navy. The Army also holds tests at regional venues, which its recruitment offices announce.
After the exam
The Army, Navy and Air Force all recognise an AFPSAT result, and it stays valid for three years. If you switch to another branch within that time, you do not need to sit the test again. After the AFPSAT, applicants move on to their chosen course's own screening.
Preparation tips
Aim well above the minimum, because a score that only just passes can be too low for officer courses, and the lowest band rules out a retake. Practise all three areas (abstract, verbal and numerical reasoning) under timed conditions.
Is the AFPSAT the same as the PMA Entrance Exam?
No. The AFPSAT is for applicants entering the Army, Navy or Air Force through their own courses, such as the Officer Candidate Course or the Candidate Soldier Course. The Philippine Military Academy has its own entrance exam.
How long is an AFPSAT result valid?
Three years. The Army, Navy and Air Force all recognise it during that time.
Can I retake the AFPSAT if I fail?
It depends on your score. A score just below the passing range allows a retake after at least six months. A score in the lowest band is a fail, and no retake is allowed.
What is the passing score?
It depends on the service and course. Officer courses need a higher raw score than enlisted courses, so ask the recruitment office for the current cut-off.