PRECISE - APMED Background
Cebu Institute of Medicine — Accelerated Pathway for Medicine
REGISTRATION FOR THE ENTRANCE EXAM TO THE ACCELERATED PATHWAY FOR MEDICINE - PRECISE PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE OCTOBER 15, 2026
| EXAM DATE | REGISTRATION PERIOD | ORIENTATION DATE |
|---|---|---|
| December 5, 2026 @Epifania Mendoza Velez Memorial Hall | OPEN UNTIL DECEMBER 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM | DECEMBER 3, 2026 via Zoom ( link to follow ) |
Background
Historically, the Basic Medical Education in the Philippines is a four (4)-year post-baccalaureate program offered by a medical college recognized by a regulating government agency (Commission on Higher Education). As stipulated in the Medical Act of 1959, the four (4)-year post-baccalaureate program consists of basic and clinical subjects, which upon completion shall lead to the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Recently, the global education curricula have shifted and has transformed into a 6-year Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Program which includes two years of preparatory courses designed to prepare students for the succeeding 4-year medical sciences courses. Many ASEAN countries have adopted the same curricula with their graduates qualified to take the licensure examinations and achieve the license to practice medicine in their mother country. The Philippines is now the only ASEAN country where the MD degree is post-baccalaureate making it the longest program pathway, requiring eight (8) years to produce physicians.
As per CHED Memorandum Order No. 11 Series of 2023, CHED has recently recommended a pilot study of the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine, shortening the preparatory requirements of the MD program by at least two (2) years as a consequence of the K-12 program, with the aim to reduce the gap of physician-population ratio. The concept is not new but the program of Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (APMED) has been implemented as similar programs as INTARMED (UPCM) and LEAPMED (UST).
Cebu Institute of Medicine has been identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to be among the pilot sites for the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (APMed) as the school meets the requirements for a medical school to start this program because of its exceptional Faculty and learning facilities, a commendable performance in the PLE for the past 5 years and beyond, and a Level III PAASCU Accreditation for the Doctor of Medicine program.
With this program of Accelerated Pathway for Medicine at Cebu Institute of Medicine, this opens the program to the Visayas-Mindanao Area, geared to the premiere Senior High School Programs of the Department of Education in these areas. APMED offers to the Cebu Institute of Medicine the opportunity to partner with the Commission on Higher Education in addressing the gaps of the healthcare delivery of the country.
The design of the curriculum is Problem-based, Reflective, Excellence-centered, Community-accountable, Innovative System of Education (PRECISE). This approach integrates various learning modalities and strategies to enhance the learning experience of students in the field of medicine. Problem-based learning is a student-centered approach that focuses on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills through the exploration of real-world scenarios. This will be the backbone of pedagogy.
The Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences is an Accelerated Pathway to Medicine Program of CIM which offers comprehensive knowledge and expertise in various aspects of human biology, including human anatomy, physiology, and overall health and well-being. The focal point of the program is the study of human psychology and its relationship to both individual well-being and societal dynamics, contributing to the broader goals of nation building.
This program goes beyond preparing students solely for careers in healthcare, particularly medicine. It equips them with the necessary skills for diverse professions such as medical research, medical transcription, public health practitioners, data analytics, and other related fields, thus expanding their career opportunities and potential impact in the healthcare industry.
The BS in Health Sciences curriculum include foundational courses such as chemistry, anatomy and physiology, medical microbiology, human genetics, physics , mathematics , social sciences , foundations of medical practice , organizational leadership and management. It also has competencies regarding man and his relations to the community and society.
The curriculum of the Accelerated Pathway for Medicine (PRECISE) is a six (6)-year straight program for medicine of the Cebu Institute of Medicine, offered to eligible Senior High School graduates. It has a pre-medical degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, which is under the Faculty of Pre-Medical Health Sciences of Cebu Institute of Medicine.
The curriculum consists of a two (2)-year preparatory medicine program and a five (5)-year medicine proper program. The first four years of the program (PMYL 1-4) is inclusive of the two-year preparatory medicine and the two years of basic sciences medicine proper. This culminates with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and is conferred at the end of the fourth year.
This degree will be the entry-level requirement to the program of Doctor of Medicine (third year medicine proper) or PMYL 5. The degree of Doctor of Medicine is conferred at the end of the sixth year, which is the Senior Clerkship Program (PMYL 6), a 12-month program where the student is honed on the basic physician skills.
After the Senior Clerkship Program, the student is then eligible to graduate with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and is qualified to join the National Internship Matching Program for Clinical Internship. Students take the National Physician Licensure Examination after completion of the Clinical Internship Program.
| Year Level | Program | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PMYL 1-2 BS Health Science | Regular med year level | Foundational courses in basic sciences and humanities |
| PMYL 3 BS Health Science | PBL 1 | Biomedical Sciences |
| PMYL 4 BS Health Science | PBL 2 | Integrated Clinical Sciences I |
| PMYL 5 ( Medicine proper ) | PBL 3 | Integrated Clinical Sciences II |
| PMYL 6 ( Medicine proper ) | Senior clerkship program | Senior year rotating clinical clerkship |
Key Features
Accelerated Timeline
Complete medical education in 6 years, saving 2 years compared to the traditional track.
Problem-Based Learning
Learn through real-world clinical cases, developing critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills.
Community-Accountable
Develop empathy and compassion through early patient interaction and community exposure.
Research Integration
Engage in research projects from the early years, contributing to medical knowledge.
Dual Degree
Earn both BS Health Sciences and Doctor of Medicine degrees.
Premier Education
Level III PAASCU Accreditation and CHED recognized program.
Application Process
Register for AMCAT
Complete the registration form for the PRECISE-Med Entrance Examination (AMCAT).
Take AMCAT
Take the Allied Medical College Admission Test on the scheduled date.
Submit Application
Complete the online application form and submit all required documents.
Personal Interview
Qualified applicants undergo a panel interview with the Admissions Committee.
Deliberation & Acceptance
The committee deliberates on all applications and successful applicants receive their acceptance letter.