DepEd Term Examinations Guide (DO 015, s. 2026) + Free Ready-Made Test Questions & TOS Downloads

Summary & Free Downloads: Master the official guidelines for preparing and administering Term Examinations (TEs) under DepEd Order No. 015, s. 2026. Learn how to integrate both critical and least-mastered competencies, understand exact test item limits per Key Stage, and download free ready-made Term Examinations with TOS templates and automated test generator tools below!

Under the revised assessment policy of DepEd Order No. 015, s. 2026 (Revised Guidelines on Classroom Assessment, Grading System, and Awards and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program), Term Examinations (TEs) serve as a major component of official Examinations (EXs).

This article provides a complete breakdown of Term Examination rules, test item allocations, Table of Specifications (TOS) requirements, and ready-to-use downloadable test questions for public and private school teachers across all Key Stages.

What is a Term Examination (TE) Under DO 015, s. 2026?

Term Examinations are cumulative summative evaluation instruments administered at key points near the end of an instructional term (quarter/semester). Designed to assess learner achievement across knowledge, skills, and values, TEs must abide by the following foundational rules:

• Teacher-Made & Competency-Aligned: All TEs must be crafted by teachers and strictly based on competencies and lessons actually covered in class.
• Cumulative Evaluation Strategy: TEs primarily cover competencies taught after the Second Summative Test (ST2). However, they must also integrate selected critical or least-mastered competencies from earlier parts of the term (ST1 and ST2 periods).
• Not the Sole Basis: While significant, TEs are part of the Examinations (EXs) category and must never be used as the sole basis for determining a student's final grade or achievement level.
• Guided by Table of Specifications (TOS): Every TE must be mapped against a teacher-formulated TOS to ensure balance across cognitive levels.

Key Distinction: "Critical" vs. "Least-Mastered" Competencies in Term Exams

Paragraph 26 of DepEd Order No. 015, s. 2026 explicitly states that when constructing a Term Examination, teachers must not rely exclusively on newly taught lessons after ST2. Instead, the TE must integrate selected critical OR least-mastered competencies from earlier in the term. Understanding the distinct difference between these two categories is crucial for effective Table of Specifications (TOS) design:

🎯 Critical Competencies

Definition: Foundational, non-negotiable learning competencies (e.g., prerequisite skills or Most Essential Learning Competencies) that serve as anchor skills required for success in upcoming lessons or subsequent grade levels.

Selection Criteria: Selected based on curricular importance and vertical articulation, regardless of whether students performed well or poorly on them during ST1 or ST2.

Purpose in TE: To ensure long-term retention of core concepts that students must carry forward.

📊 Least-Mastered Competencies

Definition: Specific learning competencies where student performance analysis (item/error analysis from ST1 and ST2) indicated low mastery rates or recurring misconceptions.

Selection Criteria: Selected based on empirical student data and diagnostic evidence from previous summative tests within the term.

Purpose in TE: To evaluate whether post-ST remediation and targeted re-teaching efforts were effective in closing learning gaps.

Key Takeaway for Teachers: Do not limit your items to only topics students failed previously. A well-balanced Term Exam strategically includes critical competencies (to verify core foundational mastery) and least-mastered competencies (to confirm successful remediation).

Term Examination Rules & Number of Test Items per Key Stage

DepEd Order No. 015, s. 2026 sets clear, developmentally appropriate limits on the number of items in a Term Examination depending on the learner's Key Stage:

Key Stage	Term Examination Provision	Standard Number of Items*
Key Stage 1 (Kindergarten)	No Term Examination. Progress is tracked using the Tracking Our Progress: Kindergarten! framework through observational, oral, narrative, and performance-based tasks.	Not Applicable
Key Stage 1 (Grades 1 to 3)	Optional & Limited. May be administered only for selected learning areas where competency is best measured via short, written responses and learners have had sufficient practice. Must be low-pressure.	Minimal & Teacher-Determined
Key Stage 2 (Grades 4 to 6)	Required. Cumulative assessment aligned with grade-level learning competencies.	40 Items
Key Stage 3 (Grades 7 to 10)	Required. Competency-based evaluation designed to measure Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS).	50 Items
Key Stage 4 (Grades 11 to 12)	Required. Discipline-specific, competency-based examination for Senior High School strands.	60 Items

*Note: Item limits refer to test item counts. Total point values may vary depending on item types specified in the teacher's Table of Specifications (TOS).

💡 Key Rule for Summative Tests (STs): As a general rule under DO 015, s. 2026, the number of test items in any individual Summative Test (ST) shall not exceed half (50%) of the total items specified for the Term Examination in that Key Stage (e.g., maximum 20 items per ST in Key Stage 2).

How to Construct Term Examinations Using TOS

When preparing your Term Examination, follow these key steps in alignment with DepEd standards:

1. Prepare the Table of Specifications (TOS): Map out competencies, time spent, percentage allocation, and target cognitive levels (Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating).
2. Allocate Post-ST2 Lessons: Focus majority of items on competencies taught after the Second Summative Test (ST2).
3. Integrate Critical & Least-Mastered Skills: Review ST1 and ST2 results. Allocate a portion of test items specifically to critical prerequisite competencies and least-mastered competencies identified during earlier assessments.
4. Ensure Competency Alignment: Avoid including topics that were skipped or not thoroughly discussed due to class interruptions.
5. Manage Time & Difficulty: Ensure the test length fits comfortably within the allotted class schedule for the learning area.

Assessment Accommodations for Inclusive Education

In adherence to DepEd's inclusive education mandates, all learners with disabilities must receive appropriate test accommodations during Term Examinations. These include:

• Time Adjustments: Extra time allocations or structured breaks.
• Format Modifications: Large-print test papers, braille materials, or oral read-aloud assistance.
• Environmental Settings: Quiet, distraction-free testing areas.
• Response Modes: Accepting oral answers, dictated responses through scribes, or assistive devices.

📥 Free Downloads: Ready-Made Term Examinations & TOS

Access standardized, teacher-made Term Examination test papers complete with Tables of Specifications (TOS) and answer keys:

Grades 1 - 3 Term Exams

Short, low-pressure sample tests for early grades with complete TOS.

Download KS1 Exams

Grades 4 - 6 Term Exams

40-item cumulative examinations aligned with DO 015 s. 2026.

Download KS2 Exams

Grades 7 - 10 Term Exams

50-item examinations with HOTS items and editable TOS templates.

Download KS3 Exams

Grades 11 - 12 Term Exams

60-item discipline-specific SHS core & applied subject test papers.

Download KS4 Exams

⚡ Automated DepEd Term Exam Generator

Generate customized, competency-aligned Term Examinations and TOS automatically.

Open Term Exam Generator

Official Reference: Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 015, s. 2026 – Revised Guidelines on Classroom Assessment, Grading System, and Awards and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program