Mariano Marcos
State University

MCAT top passers receive cash incentives

By Michael Visaya

Mariano Marcos State University recognized its top-performing College Admission Test (MCAT) passers in an awarding ceremony held on August 18 in front of the FEM Hall. 

Out of the 7,320 passers, 11 achieved outstanding scores. Six of them chose to enrol in the university and were given special recognition for their exemplary performance. 

The top 6 students, who are now officially admitted to their respective programs are: Pearl Jhomarayne Ruiz (BS Accountancy), Gabrielle Aundrea Macadangdang (BS Nursing), Mark John Cacacho (BS Civil Engineering), Christine Grace Hernandez (BS Accountancy), Adrianne Barroga (BS Accountancy), and John Lynyrd Ganitano (BS Nursing). 

In his message, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. lauded the top students, encouraging them to persevere in their academic journey in the university and bring glory to MMSU in their future licensure examinations. 

“MMSU wants you to always do your best, since you are in a good university. You started strong, you must end stronger”, Dr. Manzano added.

Each awardee received a certificate of recognition and a ₱5,000 cash incentive, as stipulated in BOR Resolution no. 7, series of 2025. The awards were presented by the university, joined by Engr. LJ Tagata, OSAS Director;  Prof. Henedine Aguinaldo, University Registrar; and Mrs. Amelita Pungtilan, Chief of the Cashier’s Office.

The awarding ceremony highlighted academic excellence, and it served as a warm welcome to the new students of MMSU, setting the tone for their journey toward higher education.

The MCAT is a standardized admission exam used for admission to the university, which measures English Proficiency (50 items), Science Proficiency (40 items), Mathematical Proficiency (20 items), and Analytical Ability (20 items) in a two-and-a-half-hour scholastic test.

For MCAT 2025, 21,581 applicants registered, 10,617 took the exam, and 7,320 qualified based on the 30th percentile passing rate.