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Your Blueprint for Success: Essential Materials to Conquer the NQESH
The National Qualifying Examination for School Heads (NQESH), often called the Principal's Test, is the challenging yet mandatory gateway to school leadership in the Philippines. It's a notoriously difficult exam, but it’s entirely passable with the right strategy and, more importantly, the right materials.
Forget endless, disorganized PDF downloads. To succeed, you need to focus on quality, official documents. This post outlines the absolute must-have materials and guides you on how to use them effectively.
1. The Bedrock: Legal and Governance Frameworks
The NQESH is primarily a test of applied governance. You must know the laws and policies that empower your decisions as a school head. These documents are non-negotiable study items:
Republic Act (RA) 9155: The Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001.
This is the Bible of School-Based Management (SBM). Understand the roles and functions of the School Head, the Division Superintendent, and the Regional Director.
RA 4670: The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.
A school head’s primary job is to manage personnel. Know the rights, welfare, and employment conditions of your teachers, including working hours, compensation, and leaves.
The Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH).
<strong>This is the NQESH blueprint.</strong> The exam is anchored on the five domains of the PPSSH. Do not just read it; understand the behavioral indicators for Career Stage 1 (Aspiring School Head).
RA 10533: The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K to 12 Law).
Focus on the curriculum structure, learning areas, and the provisions for inclusive education.
2. The Operational Guide: DepEd Orders and Financial Policies
Scenario-based questions often revolve around administrative and financial situations. Knowing these orders means knowing the official, correct course of action.
DepEd Orders on Child Protection: Review the policies and protocols on child abuse, bullying, and the proper procedure for handling sensitive cases in school.
Guidelines on Grievance Procedures: Know the steps for addressing complaints from teachers or staff to maintain a harmonious work environment.
Basic Financial Management: While you don't need to be an accountant, a Principal manages the school's budget. Study the principles of preparing and implementing the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and Annual Implementation Plan (AIP), and the basic guidelines for fund utilization.
Procurement: Be familiar with the basics of RA 9184 (The Government Procurement Reform Act)—especially the methods of procurement relevant to school operations.
3. The Strategy: How to Use Your Materials Effectively
Simply collecting documents won't guarantee a pass. Your strategy must focus on application.
A. Master the Acronyms
Create a running list of essential acronyms and their full definitions (e.g., EMIS, BEIS, SBM, BESRA). This prevents you from being confused by the language of the exam.
B. Translate Law into Action
The NQESH often uses situational questions. Don't just memorize the "what" (the law); focus on the "how" (the response).
Example: If a parent verbally assaults a teacher, what is the first official step you must take as a School Head, according to DepEd guidelines? Your answer must align with the Child Protection Policy and due process.
C. Use Mock Exams for Diagnosis
Use high-quality mock exams not as a memory test, but as a diagnostic tool. After taking a mock test:
Identify the specific area you struggled with (e.g., "Financial Management," or "Strand 5 of PPSSH").
Go back to the official DepEd document that covers that exact topic.
Study that section until you understand the correct rationale.
The NQESH is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency, focus on official DepEd resources, and a mindset geared toward ethical, legal, and instructional leadership will pave your way to the principal's office.
🆕 National Assessment for School Heads (NASH)
This change was officially announced in DepEd Memorandum No. 069, s. 2025.
🔍 Key Details about NASH:
- Purpose: NASH is now a developmental assessment tool rather than just a qualifying exam. It evaluates the readiness of aspiring school leaders and identifies areas for improvement.
- Target: Aspiring School Principals and Assistant Principals in public elementary and secondary schools.
- Framework: Aligned with the Philippine Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH) and uses the SOLO taxonomy (Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome) as its underpinning framework.
- Career Progression: Required under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system for promotion to school administration roles. [Department...Education]
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