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CEM
What is CEM?

The Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization committed to help schools improve the quality of their educational programs through sound assessment and research.  CEM has been the pioneer provider of locally-developed assessment instruments since 1978.

To know more about CEM, see About Us.

What makes CEM the leading educational testing organization in the country?

CEM’s distinct advantage is its pioneering efforts in bringing to the classroom locally-developed tests attuned to the Philippine setting.  CEM helps and guides its stakeholders use test data to improve teaching and learning, enhance curriculum and instruction and make informed decisions.
Tests & Reports
What products does CEM provide?

CEM has developed more than 60 tests that assess student academic achievement, aptitudes, and career choices. These tests are classified as:

    CEM Online Assessments

    Tests for Measuring Competencies in the Basic Education

    Tests for Admission to High Schools, Colleges, and Graduate Schools

    Tests for Career Decision Making

    Tests for Special Purposes

To know more about these tests, see Products.

What are the outstanding features of the CEM tests?

CEM tests are standardized tests. They are normed locally and developed using a rigorous and systematic process which is based on internationally-accepted and widely-used standards in test development. Test results are thoroughly reported and interpreted to users.

Does CEM sell any of its tests?

CEM does not sell any tests. It only provides testing services and charges a minimal fee for the test administration.

How much is the test service fee?

Service fees for paper and pencil-based tests range from Php 80.00 to Php 260.00 per test.  The rates for online assessments vary depending on the type of test, number of tests to be taken, and purpose.

Does CEM offer computer-based or online testing?

CEM offers online assessments via a secured online platform. See full list here.

What kinds of test reports does CEM provide?
  • Examinee Report Form (ERF) shows the examinee’s performance in each part of the test and overall performance.
  • Masterlist of Test Results (MTR) presents all examinees’ tests scores in each area and cognitive skills.  It can be presented in two ways: by Alphabetical Listing and Performance Ranking.
  • Institutional Performance Profile (IPP) shows the overall performance of all school examinees’ in each part of the test and in the entire test.
  • Consolidated Institutional Performance Profile (CIPP) shows the general performance of the group of examinees who took both pretest and posttest. 
  • Achievement Test Report Package (ATRP) is a software application.  It lets the user browse through electronic versions of CEM achievement test reports, and data across all grade levels and school years.
  • BasicPlus and/or BasicPlus+ Reports are test report packages for BEC-based Achievement Test.
  • Examinee Report on Learning Competencies (ERLC) indicates examinee’s response to each test item.  This report complements the information in the ERF.
  • Descriptive Statistics of Test Scores presents summary profile of a school’s general performance. It provides a basis on which curricular or school instructional programs needs enhancement.
  • Frequency Distribution of Test Scores are histograms showing the frequency distribution of examinees’ test scores across the different content areas, cognitive skills and overall performance scores.
  • School Report on Learning Competencies (SRLC) reports the number of students who acquired the specific learning competencies measured by each test item.
What are the different types of CEM test scores?
  • Criterion-referenced score is based on the student’s raw score.  It refers to the percentage of items in a test, or subtest, answered correctly, which is expressed as a percent correct score.  A student’s score may fall below or above a set standard of performance (or criterion) that indicates the degree of mastery of content and proficiency in skills is an area measured by the test.
  • Scale score is a score derived from raw scores that specifies the location of a student’s level of achievement on a continuum that represents knowledge and skills measured by the test.
  • Ability Index refers to the degree of competence in relation to the aptitude measured by the test.
  • Norm-referenced score is based on scores derived from the raw scores.  It can be expressed as standard score or a percentile rank.  A standard score describes test performance in terms of how far a student’s raw score is above or below the mean of a chosen group, and provides the basis for comparing performance and students across test forms, different groups of examinees, situations, and time. 
  • Percentile rank is a type of standard score that represents the position of an examinee in relation to a group of examinees.  For example, if Ana’s percentile rank is 85, this means that Ana score better than 85% of the examinees who took the same test.
Professional Development
What are CEM’s Professional Development Programs?

Professional Development Programs are complementary programs provided exclusively to member schools and test users.

The programs are designed to help school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors build competencies and skills in improving school curriculum and instructional program.

How can a school qualify to join?

To qualify, the school must be a member of CEM; and/or uses CEM tests as part of their assessment plan to improve instructional program.

For more information about the programs, see Services.
Membership
How can I sign my school up for membership?

You can register your membership online here. The annual membership fee is Php2,000.00.

Schools outside Metro Manila may contact the nearest CEM Center Coordinator in your area.

Filled-out application form can be sent directly to CEM main office:

Post mail: Ms. Janet T. Evasco
Director, Operations Division
Center for Educational Measurement, Inc.
33rd Floor Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower
2210 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City
Email: membership@cem-inc.org.ph
Fax: (02) 8894-5536

 

What are the benefits of joining CEM?

As CEM Member School, the following benefits and privileges are given:

  1. Discounts on test fees.
  2. Special rebates for early payments.
  3. Special discounts on customized test reports.
  4. Free or exclusive discounts on annual educational conference.
  5. Free or exclusive discounts on Professional Development Programs.
Can a school take CEM tests even if it is not a registered member?

Yes. However, the school may not get the special discounts on test fees, rebates on early payments, free participation to annual conference, and other benefits that are applicable ONLY to a registered member school.
Individual Test Taker
My child is home schooled. Can my child take the tests on basic education?

Yes.  However, CEM will have to review first the curriculum of your child’s home-school program and affiliation.  A CEM representative will attend to your request and verify if the contents of your child’s home-school program matches with the contents of the CEM tests in basic education.  This is to make sure that the tests could adequately measure your child's learning in basic education.

Reviewing of a school program is a regular activity performed by CEM when a school applies to take the tests on basic education.