Center for Educational Measurement, Inc.

What Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. does

Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization founded in 1978 and headquartered in Makati City, Philippines. It is the pioneer and leading provider of locally-developed standardized assessment instruments in the country, offering over 60 tests covering academic achievement, aptitudes, and career choices across basic education, secondary admission, college and graduate admission, and career decision-making. Its flagship product is the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT), which CEM has administered since 1985 under commission from the Board of Medical Education pursuant to DECS Order No. 52 series 1985, with CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, s. 2016 and CHED Executive Order 285, s. 2000 governing the program.

CEM's technology stack centers on psychometrically-validated, locally-normed assessment instruments developed under internationally-accepted test development standards, delivered through a secured online testing platform that integrates the Mettl Secure Browser for proctoring. Member schools access results, performance reports, and the Achievement Test Report Package (ATRP) via the CEM School Portal, while NMAT examinees register through a dedicated online registration system. Analytical outputs span multiple report formats (Examinee Report Form, Masterlist of Test Results, Institutional Performance Profile, Consolidated Institutional Performance Profile, BasicPlus/BasicPlus+, ERLC, SRLC, and descriptive statistics), enabling both individual diagnostics and institutional benchmarking. CEM also publishes research through its journals and runs an NEAP-certified Professional Development Program for educators.

CEM monetizes through a distributed, high-volume model: annual school membership at Php 2,000, per-test fees ranging from Php 80 to Php 260 for paper-based assessments and usage-based pricing for online tests, plus professional development program fees and annual conference revenues. Its customers span educational institutions (member schools from basic to higher education), individual test takers (notably NMAT examinees seeking medical school admission), and educators participating in certified training. Distribution is anchored by three regional centers in Luzon (Manila), Visayas (Cebu), and Mindanao (Davao), supplemented by self-serve web portals and a sales-led go-to-market targeting school decision-makers. Strategic partnerships with CHED, NEAP, PRC, APMC, and DepEd embed CEM within the Philippine education and medical licensure ecosystems.

Name

Center for Educational Measurement, Inc.

Legal name

Center for Educational Measurement, Inc.

Website

https://cem-inc.org.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) is a Philippine non-profit founded in 1978 that develops and administers over 60 locally-normed standardized assessments and the government-commissioned NMAT for medical school admission, serving schools, examinees, and educators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Assessment Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADAFAK

Digital Assessment Platforms & Computer-Based Testing Authorities

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Assessment, Examinations & Qualifications Authorities

Keywords

• Educational assessment services
• Standardized testing
• Medical admission testing
• Online assessment platform
• Academic achievement testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Makati City

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Test Service Fees: CEM provides testing services and charges minimal fees for test administration. Paper and pencil-based tests range from Php 80.00 to Php 260.00 per test. Online assessment rates vary depending on type of test, number of tests, and purpose.
2. School Membership: Annual membership fee of Php2,000.00 providing member schools with discounts on test fees, special rebates for early payments, discounts on customized test reports, and free or exclusive discounts on annual conferences and Professional Development Programs.
3. Professional Development Programs: Complementary programs provided exclusively to member schools and test users, including training and seminars for school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors.
4. Conference Fees: Fees from annual anniversary conferences and events for professional development and networking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) is a Philippine non-profit that develops and administers locally-normed standardized assessment instruments for schools and individual examinees. Its portfolio includes more than 60 tests spanning basic education achievement, aptitude, career choice, and admissions to high schools, colleges, and graduate programs, with the flagship National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) commissioned by the Board of Medical Education in 1985. Tests are delivered through paper-and-pencil and secured online platforms using the Mettl Secure Browser, accompanied by detailed performance reports and a members-only CEM School Portal.

Product overview

Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) is the pioneer and leading provider of locally-developed standardized assessment instruments in the Philippines since 1978. The product portfolio centers on its core assessment solutions: over 60 standardized tests covering academic achievement, aptitudes, and career choices, spanning basic education, admissions testing, and career decision-making. The flagship product is the NMAT (National Medical Admission Test), commissioned by the Philippine government for medical school admissions. Testing is delivered through a proprietary secured online platform with Mettl Secure Browser proctoring. Analytical outputs are provided through the Achievement Test Report Package (ATRP) and multiple report types (ERF, MTR, IPP, CIPP, BasicPlus+, ERLC, SRLC). Access to results and institutional analytics is via the CEM School Portal for member schools. Complementary services include Professional Development Programs (NEAP-certified) and an Annual Membership program offering test fee discounts and conference access. The company also organizes annual anniversary conferences and publishes research through its journals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NMAT (National Medical Admission Test) A standardized entrance examination for admission to medical schools in the Philippines, commissioned by the Board of Medical Education under DECS Order No. 52 series 1985 and administered by CEM.
• CEM Online Assessments Standardized tests for basic education, high school/college/graduate school admissions, career decision-making, and special purposes, delivered via a secured online platform with proctoring through the Mettl Secure Browser.
• CEM School Portal Members-only web portal giving CEM member schools access to performance reports, test results, the Achievement Test Report Package (ATRP), and membership information.
• CEM Membership Program Annual school membership program providing discounts on test fees, special rebates for early payments, discounts on customized test reports, and exclusive or free access to annual conferences and Professional Development Programs.
• Professional Development Programs Training programs, seminars, and webinars for school administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors, certified by the National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) as Learning Service Provider.
• Achievement Test Report Package (ATRP) A software application that enables users to browse through electronic versions of CEM achievement test reports and data across all grade levels and school years, providing detailed performance analytics for institutional use.

Quantifiable outcome

• CEM has developed more than 60 tests covering academic achievement, aptitudes, and career choices
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1985CHED mandated the NMAT as a requirement for admission to medical schools in the Philippines. CEM has been commissioned since 1985 by the then Board of Medical Education (BME), under DECS Order No. 52 series 1985, to develop and administer the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT). CHED Memorandum Order No. 18, s. 2016 and CHED Executive Order 285, s. 2000 govern the NMAT administration.
• National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEM was certified by NEAP as a Learning Service Provider and holds CPD Provider Accreditation, allowing them to provide certified professional development programs for educators.
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)minorOthersPRC, through the Professional Regulatory Board of Medicine, requires NMAT scores as part of documentary requirements for the Physician Licensure Examination (PLE).
• Association of Philippine Medical Colleges Foundation, Inc. (APMC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEM coordinates with APMC for the distribution of Masterlist of Test Scores to all Philippine medical schools. APMC also recognizes CEM's contributions to medical education through various recognitions.
• Department of Education (DepEd)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEM has collaborated with DepEd for assessment professional development programs, including Division Authentic Assessment Workshops for subjects like Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME): U.S.-based non-profit that develops and administers medical assessments including USMLE. Comparable to CEM as the commissioned administrator of a government-relevant medical admission test with national reach and proctored delivery.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): The U.S.-based non-profit that develops and administers major standardized tests (TOEFL, GRE). Highly comparable to CEM as a non-profit assessment provider with a diversified test portfolio serving both institutions and individual examinees.
• College Board: Non-profit organization administering standardized admissions and achievement tests (SAT, AP). Directly comparable to CEM's role as a non-profit provider of standardized admissions and academic assessments for educational institutions.
• ACT, Inc. Non-profit developer of the ACT college readiness assessment and a broad suite of K-12 and workforce assessments. Comparable in non-profit structure, assessment product breadth, and delivery to schools and individual test takers.
• Cambridge Assessment: University of Cambridge's non-profit assessment division operating internationally with locally-adapted qualifications. Comparable as a research-driven, mission-focused assessment organization serving both institutions and individuals.
• NWEA: U.S. non-profit offering MAP growth assessments and a portfolio of K-12 formative and summative assessments. Comparable as a non-profit assessment provider serving schools with normed, computer-based testing tools and reporting.

Regional players

• Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER): Independent, not-for-profit educational research organization developing standardized tests across the Asia-Pacific. Comparable in mission, non-profit structure, and focus on locally-normed assessments, though operating primarily in Australia and Southeast Asia rather than the Philippines specifically.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson Assessment: Global education and assessment incumbent offering a wide portfolio of standardized tests and assessment tools. Comparable to CEM in assessment content and institutional delivery, though serving a much broader international market across K-12, clinical, and professional testing.
• Prometric: Global test delivery and proctoring infrastructure provider serving credentialing and admissions programs. Comparable to CEM's online testing and proctoring operations (e.g., Mettl Secure Browser-based NMAT delivery), though Prometric operates as the delivery layer across many programs.

Emerging players

• Curriculum Associates: Education company providing iReady diagnostic assessments and instructional tools to schools. Comparable in delivering school-facing, computer-based assessment and reporting products to the K-12 segment CEM serves in the Philippines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CEM_Inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZf4hOWP3YoQjVZTsK197ZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/cem.inc.org.ph
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cem-inc-org-ph

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for Educational Measurement, Inc.