The deadline for the application for the National Competitive Exam for Philippine Science High School (PSHS) is slated for JULY 13, 2012.
Exam will be on Sept 29, 2012 (just one exam).
The exam is designed for graduating GRADE school students, typically, Grade 6. Because of the transition to the K-12 system, this year Grade 7 students also need a CERTIFICATION from their Grade School saying that Grade 7 is the terminal year for GRADE school (i.e. it isn’t High School yet).
There is a different exam for “real” 1st year HIGH School students, perhaps in February? This is for what they call “lateral entry” into 2nd year and there will just be a few slots based on attrition; I believe PSHS students from other campuses who wish to transfer to Diliman will have priority over outsiders.
Next year (for incoming June 2014), Grade 7 students will NO LONGER be eligible to take the NCE. So if your school is maintaining a 7-grade Grade School program for whatever reason, their Grade 6 students MUST take the NCE this year even if they are not graduating yet.
By the way, starting with the incoming batch this year 2012-2013, PSHS is already implementing a 6-year high school program.