2026 National Assessment for School Heads (NASH)

The 2026 National Assessment for School Heads (NASH), formerly NQESH for the principal test, focuses on evaluating the competence and readiness of aspiring school leaders in the Philippines. It consists of Conceptual and situational critical-thinking questions aligned with the five domains of the Philippines Professional Standards for School Heads (PPSSH) 

Exam Composition and Key Areas

Domain 1: Leading Strategically (School vision, mission, and school improvement plan)

1. During a faculty meeting, you noticed that some teachers are not familiar with the school vision and mission statement. They treat them merely as wall decoration. As a school head, what should you do?

2. A parent asked you, why does our school follow DepEd's vision? How will you explain its importance?

3. In preparing School Improvement Plan (SIP), some members suggest projects that are good but do not align with the school's Mission. How should you handle this? 

4. you are new to the school and found out that the SIP is outdated and does not reflect the current needs. What is your immediate action?

5. During the implementation of the SIP, there is resistance from teachers because they feel the activities are additional burden. How will you motivate them? 

Domain 2: Managing school Operation and Resources (School facilities, financial management, human resource management)

1. Your school received the MOOE (Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses) allocation, but the amount is not enough to cover all repair needs. A stakeholder suggested using the fund to purchase additional chairs first, while another suggested prioritizing the repair of leaking roofs. As school head, which should you prioritize and why? 

2. The School Governing Council (SGC) wants to use the Special Education Fund (SEF) derived from the Local Government Unit (LGU) to purchase air conditioning units for the faculty room. Is this allowed? Explain your answer.

3. It is already the month of November, and you noticed that a large portion of your MOOE is still unspent. Your division office reminds you of the "No report, No Release" policy for the next quarter. What is the best action to take? 

4. A private company donated 30 units of computers in your school. The principal wants to immediately distribute them to classes. However, the accountant mentioned that there is a process to follow before they can be used. What is the correct procedure for accepting donations?

5. In preparing the Annual Procurement Plan (APP), the teacher suggested buying expensive imported materials, but you noticed that there are local suppliers offering the same quality at a lower price. Which option should you choose and what principle applies here? 

Domain 3: Focusing on Teaching and Learning (Curriculum implementation. instructional supervision, student performance) 

1. You observed that some teachers are simply reading the textbook and dictating notes during class hours student appear bored and passive. As a school head, what strategy will you use to improve their teaching strategies? 

2. The result of periodical test show that a large number of students failed in Mathematics. What is your immediate analysis and action to address this gap? 

3. There are new policies and curriculum changes issued by the central office. You noticed that some veteran teachers are resistant to adopting these changes and prefer the old methods. How will you handle this situation? 

4. You want to ensure that the curriculum is properly implemented and aligned with the standards. Which documents should you check first to verify if the topics taught match the plan? 

5. student performance is generally low despite the teachers doing their best in classroom teaching. What other factor should you look into and what stakeholder collaboration is needed? 

Domain 4: Developing Self and Others (Mentoring, Professional development)

1. A newly hired teacher is having difficulty managing the class and preparing lesson plans, she feels anxious and demotivated. As a school Head, what is the most appropriate support mechanism you should provide? 

2. During classroom observation, you noticed that a teacher is competent in content knowledge but lacks skills in classroom management. How should you approach this during the post conference? 

3. There is a Master Teacher in your school who is very good at teaching but reluctant to mentor other teachers, saying it is an additional workload. How will you explain the importance of mentoring? 

4. You want to institutionalize mentoring in your school so that expertise is shared, not kept by a few. Which DepEd program or activity is best suited for this purpose? 

5. A teacher you monitored has improved significantly and is now performing very well. What should be your next step in the mentoring process?

Domain 5: Building Connections (community partnership) 

Key Features and structure 

• Format: conceptual and situational questions that test critical thinking.
• Framework: uses the structure of the observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy to evaluate the complexity of understanding 
• Content Focus: Situational questions cover school facilities management, financial procedures, School improvement plan (SIP), and teacher evaluation. 
• Content Alignment: Covers crucial Deped regulations and policies, such as handling lost learner records (SF10), School Report Card (SRC), and donation evaluation. 
• Evaluation Structure: The exam often consists of written works and performance-based task, with weight distribution. www.deped.gov.ph

Parents Involvement and Community Partnership

1.     Which of the following is the main goal of SBM?

a.     Enhance school holding power

b.     Improve school performance and students achievements

c.      Raise quality and academic excellence

d.     Improve operations and delivery services 

2.     Where was SBM based?

a.     Modernization

b.     Institutionalized

c.      Decentralization

d.     Globalization 

3.     Which of the following are objectives of SBM?

I.       Promote effective schools

II.     Improve the quality of basic education

III.    Empower the school head to provide leadership

IV.   Mobilize the community as well as the local government units, to invest time, money and effort in making the school a better place to learn it. 

a.     I and II

b.     II, III, and IV

c.      I, II, III, and IV

d.     I, II and III 

4.  DepED Order No. 83. S. 2012 issued the revised SBM Framework, Assessment Process and Tool {APAT }  Which of the following are the principles underlying SBM?

I.       Progressive

II.     Decentralized

III.    Self  empowered

IV.   Developmental 

a.     I and II

b.     II, III and IV

c.      I, II, III, and IV

d.     I, II, and III

5.     In the revised SBM principles, schools should be manage __________ the school and the community.

a.     By/to/of

b.     From/for/to

c.      By/for/to

d.     By/for/of

6.     ACESSs represents the vision of the Department of Education in successfully implementing the reform agenda BESRA,, what is the C in ACCESs?

a.     Community

b.     Country

c.      Center

d.     Child 

7.     ACCESs espouses Four Principles of a school System. Which of these principles refer to resources which are collectively organized, mobilized and managed with transparency?

a.     Principle of Community – based learning

b.     Principle of collective Leadership and Governance

c.      Principle of Convergence to Harness Resources  for Education

d.     Principle of Accountability for performance and Result 

8.     There are three levels of SBM practice. Which of the following is not a description of level III or ADVANCED (ACCREDITED)?

a.     Developing structures and mechanism

b.     Ensuring the production of intended outcome

c.      Self – renewing and self – sustaining

d.     Meeting all standards

9.     Who is responsible in organizing the  School Governing Council (SGC)

a.     School head

b.     District supervisor

c.      PTA president

d.     Education chairman of Sanggunian 

10.     Which of the following are functions of SGC?

I.       Assist the crafting the SIP

II.     Assist in generating resources

III.    Assist in development of school policies

IV.   Participate in monitoring and evaluating SIP/AIP Implementation

a.     I, II, III

b.     I, II, III and IV

c.      II, III, IV

d.     II and IV only 

11.     Who among the following is NOT an internal stakeholder?

a.     Teacher’s club

b.     Parents associations

c.      Retirees

d.     Non – teaching staff

12.     What is an example of a School Community Partnership (scp)?

a.     SH becoming a member of the community Volunteer Group

b.     Teacher participating in barangay town celebrations

c.      Local officials participating in school activities as resource person

d.     External stakeholders assist the school to bring about improved school performance 

13.  One way of mobilizing external stakeholders in encouraging them to participate in “BrigadaEskwela” which of the following can they do to ensure that schools are ready for the start of classes?

I.       Repair leaking roofs

II.     Paint faded rooms or building

III.    Clean the school campus of weeds and rubbish

IV.   Donate an amount for the construction of addition toilets 

a.     I, II, and III

b.     II, III, and IV

c.      I, II and IV

d.     I, II, III, and IV 

14.  Which of the following can help in sustaining partnership with NGO’s ?

a.     Contract signing

b.     Memorandum of understanding

c.      Memorandum of support

d.     Memorandum of linkage

15.  What is SOSA?

a.     State of the school address

b.     State of the School Activities

c.      Status of the School Actions

d.     Status of the School Artifacts 

16.  Which is the most effective way of creating a Home/School partnership? Through the

a.     School Community Associations

b.     Teachers and LGU associations

c.      Parent and Teachers Associations

d.     School and parent Associations 

17.  The revised SBM Assessment tool is guided by the four principles of ACCESs. What is the unit of analysis of this tool?

a.     Education system

b.     Community

c.      School system

d.     Barangay

18.  Who of the following is NOT a user of the SBM Assessment tool?

a.     Teachers

b.     Parents

c.      NGO

d.     Retired Principal 

19.  The assessment tool has four principles. How many  present is given to leadership and governance?

a.     15%

b.     20%

c.      25%

d.     30%

20.  There are three Levels of SBM practice. Which of the following is a description of Level II?

a.     Developing the production of intended outputs

b.     Developing extent of community participation

c.      Introducing and sustaining continuous Improvement

d.     Establishing Improvement in Learning outcomes 

21.  The following are part of the School Governing Board under the School Based Management program of DepEd EXCEPT:

a.     PTA president

b.     Student Council Chair

c.      Local Government Official

d.     School Head

22.  To be relevant in the community where school is located, school as an agent of change has to offer

a.     Vocational education

b.     Early childhood education

c.      Out of school study program

d.     Indigenous learning system

23.  Who are considered community based stakeholders in curriculum development?

a.     Government officials

b.     Civic group

c.      School boards

d.     Industry groups 

24.  As a community leader, teacher should avoid?

a.     Make efforts to help alleviate the social conditions of the community

b.     Be aloof so that she can maintain objectivity

c.      Help in finding potential sponsors

d.     Be an active member of the community

25.  The environment is greatly abused which is why schools are teaching sustainable development. Which is the best practice among the following?

a.     Focus the curriculum on environment

b.     Integrate sustainable development on the curriculum

c.      Sustainable development is not within the grasp of students

d.     Promote environment drive in the school

 

 School Management and Daily Operations

1.     Who sets the school mission, vision, goals and targets?

a.     The PTCA

b.     The teachers

c.      The school Governing Council

d.     The school Head

2.     Which of the following is NOT  a responsibility of the SH?

a.     Recommending the Staffing complement of the school

b.     Offering educational programs projects, and services

c.      Hiring needed teachers and personnel

d.     Implementing the school curriculum 

3.     Which of the following are responsibilities of SH?

I.       Developing the school education program

II.     Introducing new and innovative modes of instruction

III.    Acting as chair of School Governing Council

IV.   Establishing school and community networks 

a.     I, II and IV

b.     I and    III

c.      II, III and IV

d.     I, III and IV 

4.     To which position in the career service do teachers and SHs belong?

a.     First level

b.     Second level

c.      Third level

d.     Fourth level

5.     Which of the following refers to movement from one position to another which is equivalent rank, level or salary without break in service?

a.     Transfer

b.     Reemployment

c.      Reappointment

d.     Demotion

6.     Which of the following employment status is issued when the regular incumbent of a position is temporarily unable to perform the duties because he is on scholarship grant?

a.     Temporary

b.     Substitute

c.      Coterminous

d.     Contractual

7.     Who among the following  employees  can monetize a minimum of 1 days provided that he/she has accumulated 15 days of vacation leave?

I.       Permanent

II.     Temporary

III.    Contractual

IV.   Casual

a.     I only

b.     I and II only

c.      I, II and III

d.     I, II, III and IV

8.     Who among married woman are entitled to maternity leave of sixty (60) days with full pay? Those who have rendered an aggregate  of

I.       One year service

II.     Two years’ service

III.    Three years’ service

IV.   Four years’ service 

a.     IV only

b.     III and IV only

c.      II, III and IV

d.     I, II, III, and IV

9.     A married male employee is entitled to paternity leave of how many days?

a.     30 days

b.     20 days

c.      10 days

d.     7 days

10.  A solo parent employee shall be granted parental leave provided she/he has rendered one (1) year of continuous or broken service. For how often can this be avail of?

a.     Every year

b.     Every two year

c.      Every three year

d.     Every four year

11.  Which of the following are classified as equipment?

a.     Desks, chairs, benches

b.     Bulletin boards

c.      World map

d.     Cabinets

12.  Which of the following should an ideal Industrial Arts room contain?

I.       Classroom area

II.     Work area

III.    Tool Cabinets, shelves/rocks

IV.   An office for the shop teacher

a.     I and II only

b.     I and III only

c.      I, II and III

d.     I, II, III and IV

13.  What is the required area for an elementary school with 2000 pupils?

a.     0.5 hectares

b.     1.0 hectares

c.      1.5 hectares

d.     2.0 hectares

14.  It is methods of acquiring a school site which capitalizes on the deed of exchange to be executed by both parties

a.     Barter

b.     Gratuitious conveyance

c.      Presidential proclamation

d.     Expropriation proceedings  

15.  The recommendation orientation of a school building in the Philippines is a:

a.     Northwest – west to Southeast – East axial direction

b.     Southwest – East to Northwest – West direction

c.      West to East axial direction

d.     All of the above 

16.  As a general rule, the different school buildings should be laid out according to functional groupings. The distance between buildings should be such that EXCEPT:

a.     Ventilation is not obstructed

b.     Natural illumination is not impeded

c.      Minimize flow of air current or breeze

d.     Sounds in one building do not carry into the next building 

17.  The recommendation minimum setback of a school from the street line is _________meters.

a.     5

b.     8

c.      10

d.     15 

18.  The main building facing the front gate should be at least how many meters from the gate?

a.     10 meters

b.     15 meters

c.      20 meters

d.     None of the above 

19.  When can a SH recommend  a school building for condemnation ? if the cost for repair or rehabilitation of the dilapidated building  is ___________  of the original cost.

a.     50%

b.     45%

c.      405%

d.     35% 

20.  Which system is a proven framework for continually improving an organization?

a.     Evaluation

b.     Management

c.      Problem solving

d.     Decision -  making

21.  The objective of organizational  Development OD is to improve the organization capacity to handle the internal and external functioning. Which  of the following are covered by this objective?

I.       Effective communication

II.     Appropriate leadership style

III.    Effective decision process

IV.   Skill in leading with conflicts 

a.     I and II

b.     I and III

c.      I, III and III

d.     I, II, III and IV

 

22.  At what package rate of their appraisal  values shall government school building be insured under GSIS?

a.     0.5%

b.     1%

c.      1.5%

d.     2% 

23.  Who has the power to change the name of the school through ordinance?

a.     The Regional Director

b.     The Secretary of Education

c.      The Schools Division Superintendent

d.     The Local Sanggunian

24.  What is the most important component among the Physical Facilities of the school?

a.     School furniture

b.     School building

c.      School playground

d.     School library

25.  What a SH do to make sure  that all his/her responsibilities are carried out? Through Daily ______________

a.     Inspection

b.     Observation

c.      Routinary schedule of activities

d.     Checking of attendance and activities

26.  Which of the following techniques in direction making choose the alternative with the highest probability weighted utility?

a.     Pros and cons

b.     Elimination by objects

c.      Simple prioritization

d.     Preference trees

27.  Which of the following problem solving strategies test possible solution until the right one is found?

a.     Trial and error

b.     Abstraction

c.      Reduction

d.     Analogy 

28.  Which of the following is NOT a feature of Total Quality Management (TQM)?

a.     Focuses on Continuous Improvement

b.     Involves top Employees to further sharpen their skills

c.      Works Horizontally across Functions and Departments

d.     Focuses at continual increase of customer satisfaction

29.  How can you make your school continuously improve?

a.     Check the lesson plan of teachers everyday

b.     Observe teachers teach and assess learners learning

c.      Require all teachers and non - teaching staff to be punctual everyday

d.     Encourage and motivate everyone to share responsibility to prevent problems and to fix them when they occur.

30.  What is emphasized by the system Analysis of Peter Senge?

a.     Individual approach

b.     Group approach

c.      Pair work approach

d.     Team approach

31.  What is considered as the lifeblood of any organization?

a.     Men

b.     Machines

c.      Money

d.     Materials

32.  Which of the following are included in the SBM fund?

I.       Special education

II.     PTCA Contributions

III.    Donations from Alumni

IV.   School Income Generating Projects

V.     20% barangay social development fund allocation

a.     I, II, III, IV, and V

b.     II and III only

c.      I, III and IV

d.     II, III, IV and V

33.  In preparation of  the SOB, Which of the following should be given  priority?

I.       Student Assessment

II.     Instructional Materials for pupils students

III.    Training of teachers

IV.   Supplies and materials    

a.     I only

b.     II and III

c.      Ii AND iv

d.     I, II, III and IV

34.  As a principal, what should you prepare based on the approved SOB?

a.     Monthly Procurement Plan

b.     Monthly  Cash Program

c.      Monthly Liquidation

d.     Monthly Summary of Financial Operations

35.  Shopping can be resorted to when there is an unforeseen contingency requiring immediate, provided that the amount shall not exceed___________

a.     P 50,000

b.     P 80,000

c.      P 100,000.00

d.     P 150, 000.00

36.  What classroom management techniques refer to teacher’s establishing repeated procedure for a smooth flow of teaching learning students?

a.     Management of time

b.     Management of routines

c.      Management of instruction

d.     Management of relationship

37.  What do you call a teacher’s management technique that sets positive climate and develops quality relationship between the teacher and students?

a.     Management of instruction

b.     Management of time

c.      Management of relationship

d.     Management of physical Environment

38.  What technique in teacher’s management refers to preventing misbehaviour to happen in the learning environment?

a.     Management of time

b.     Management of discipline

c.      Management of relationship

d.     Management of instruction

39.  Mrs Esmero as a teacher wants to have collaborative relationship with members of her community. Which among the activities will promote her social and economic awareness of the community?

a.     Organizing spelling bees

b.     Sponsoring ball games

c.      Promoting health awareness

d.     Joining leaders in organizing community projects

40.  A high school principal would like to know the causes of drop – out in his school so he could find solutions to this problem. What type of research is used?

a.     Applied

b.     Action

c.      Pure

d.     Experimental