Top cadets no longer exempt as PMA makes final exams mandatory for all

EXAMS. Photos of upperclass cadets taking their final exams for 1st Term of academic year 2026-2027.

Photo courtesy of the Philippine Military Academy

The Philippine Military Academy says the change is meant to reinforce academic rigor, discipline, preparation, and consistency among cadets

AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine Military Academy has ended the practice of exempting high-performing cadets from final examinations.
• This policy, implemented in the second semester of Academic Year 2025-2026, aims to evaluate cadets' understanding and retention of knowledge while reinforcing discipline and consistency.
• PMA continues to adapt its educational practices to prepare future officers for modern security challenges, while still recognizing academic excellence.

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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Even the Philippine Military Academy (PMA)’s highest-performing cadets no longer get to skip final examinations.

PMA has ended its practice of exempting cadets with exceptional academic standing from final examinations, requiring everyone to take the same assessment regardless of their grades during the term.

The policy was first implemented during the second semester of Academic Year 2025-2026 and continues this school year. Upperclass cadets are currently taking their final examinations for the first term of the academic year.

The common end-of-term assessment, the academy said, allows faculty to further evaluate how well cadets understand, retain, and apply the knowledge and competencies developed in their courses.

PMA trains cadets to become officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Its four-year program combines academic instruction with military training, physical development, and character formation.

The academy said final examinations are also intended to reinforce discipline, preparation, and consistency alongside the military, physical, and character development expected of cadets.

“Beyond measuring academic performance, final examinations form part of PMA’s continuing efforts to uphold rigorous academic standards and instill discipline, preparation, and consistency among cadets,” PMA Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Nestor Saludo said.

PMA did not say the policy change was prompted by declining academic performance or a specific problem with the previous exemption system.

The academy has also been reviewing how it prepares future Armed Forces officers for a security environment increasingly shaped by cyber operations, artificial intelligence, information warfare, and other emerging challenges.

PMA said its assessment practices are part of efforts to provide a challenging and globally competitive education, with an emphasis on knowledge, critical thinking, and professional competence.

Cadets who perform well academically can still earn recognition for their grades. But under the new policy, high marks no longer mean they can sit out the final examination. – Rappler.com