Philippine E-Journals

Impact of the Respondent’s Demographic Profile in Passing the Armed Forces of the Philippines Service Aptitude Test: An Analysis

Jose Napoleon M. Gamos | Laurence P Usona

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) relies on the AFP Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT) as the first filter to ensure a high service aptitude within its ranks. This research studied the impact of age, gender, educational attainment, and region of origin on the AFPSAT performance of AFP applicants. It aimed to determine whether a respondent’s demographic profile has a significant effect on passing the AFPSAT. In so doing, the characteristics of a passing AFPSAT candidate can be forecasted, thereby providing information to optimize the test’s administration. The researchers used data from 530 applicants from the 17 regions of the Philippines who took the AFPSAT during the 1st semester of 2023. To determine the outcome of the study, binary logistic regression was used pitting the sample population’s age, gender, educational attainment, and region against their AFPSAT performance. In the conducted analysis, the sample population’s demographic profile significantly affected their passing of the AFPSAT. The analysis determined that respondents that belong to the age bracket of 22-26 years old had a higher odds ratio of passing compared to the 18-21-year-old age bracket. It was also found that females have a higher likelihood of passing compared to males. Likewise, college graduates were more likely to pass compared to respondents who had lower educational attainment. Also, the analysis determined that belonging to a region with a higher “functional literacy rate” would increase the likelihood of passing the AFPSAT.