Why Periodical Tests Matter?
Last Updated: August 18, 2025. In every classroom, teaching is more than delivering lessons. It’s about reading the room, responding to student needs and adjusting in real time. Teachers constantly monitor and react to student questions, comments, body language and even subtle facial expressions. Much of this process is subconscious, yet it heavily influences instructional decisions. However, these informal assessments while valuable are often unrecorded and unverified. Teachers might assume students understand the lesson, but without structured checks such as these MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests, these assumptions can go untested. When formal feedback only comes after a quiz, periodical test, or final exam, students often view it as “too late” to make changes.
This is where classroom assessment and the DepEd MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests come in. They act as early-warning systems, providing timely, actionable feedback before major evaluations. Such assessments do more than measure learning. They guide it. When given before the end of a grading period, feedback can help students correct misunderstandings, strengthen skills and build confidence.
Oral feedback, offered immediately during class has been shown to have a greater impact than written feedback because it connects directly to recent work. Students can apply suggestions instantly, turning feedback into active learning. Teachers who consistently embed feedback opportunities within lessons foster a culture where progress is continuous, not just measured.
The DepEd 1st Periodical Test is part of this system. It’s not simply a grading tool, it’s a roadmap. Designed to align with the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) and the updated MATATAG curriculum, it helps teachers identify strengths, address learning gaps and ensure that instruction stays targeted and effective.
What is the DepEd MATATAG 1st Periodical Test?
The DepEd MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests is an official quarterly assessment tool aligned with the Department of Education’s new curriculum framework. Covering the first quarter of the school year, it evaluates how well students have mastered competencies from Weeks 1–8.
It combines multiple assessment types—multiple-choice, matching type, true or false, and identification to measure both knowledge and application. Unlike generic tests, MATATAG assessments are tailored to ensure relevance, accuracy, and alignment with real-life learning situations.
Why is it Important?
- Early Detection of Learning Gaps – Teachers can identify weaknesses before they become long-term problems.
- Data-Driven Instruction – Results guide lesson planning and remediation.
- Student Motivation – Regular testing keeps students engaged and aware of their progress.
- Alignment with National Standards – Ensures all learners meet DepEd’s performance benchmarks.
- Preparation for Future Assessments – Builds confidence for midterms, finals, and national exams.
DepEd 1st Periodical Tests Schedule
AUGUST 20 & 22, 2025
( Wednesday & Friday)
DepEd 1st Quarter Examination Schedule School Year 2025 – 2026
SOURCE: DepEd School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2025-2026
Summary and Key Points
- The DepEd MATATAG Periodical Test is more than an exam—it’s a learning tool.
- Classroom assessment and timely feedback are essential for sustained student improvement.
- Oral feedback often has a stronger impact than delayed written comments.
- Aligning tests with the MATATAG curriculum ensures relevance and national standard compliance.
- Effective use of results can significantly improve both teaching and learning outcomes.

Download MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests with TOS and Answer Key | SY 2025 – 2026
Get the latest DepEd Club FREE Files below.
These are updated for MATATAG and MELC-based Curriculum |
With Answer Key and Table of Specifications (TOS)
Need a Quick Review with Questions, Answers and Explanations / Solutions?
GRADE 1 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 2 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 3 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 4 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 5 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 6 MELC-Based 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 7 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 8 MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 9 MELC-Based 1st Periodical Tests
GRADE 10 MELC-Based 1st Periodical Tests
Need a Quick Review with Questions, Answers and Explanations / Solutions?
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR QUARTER 1
Looking for more FREE DepEd teaching resources? The following DepEd files are also updated weekly:
- Daily Lesson Logs
- Summative Tests
- PowerPoint Presentations
- Lesson Exemplars (LE)
- Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) / Worksheets
- and many more!
How to Use These Tests Effectively
- Review Before Testing – Use classroom activities to reinforce competencies before administering the test.
- Analyze Results – Don’t just record scores—look for patterns to adjust teaching methods.
- Give Timely Feedback – Share results quickly so students can act on them.
- Plan Remediation – Use low-scoring areas as a basis for catch-up lessons.
- Encourage Self-Reflection – Teach students to track their own performance and set improvement goals.
Answer Keys and Notes
- Answer keys should be used responsibly. They are valuable for teacher reference, checking accuracy and facilitating peer review, but not as shortcuts for students. Encourage learners to attempt each item before checking answers to promote independent thinking.
- For every subject in the MATATAG 1st Periodical Test, each answer key is carefully crafted to align with DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs).
- These answer keys are thoughtfully designed to:
- Provide clear explanations and rationales for each correct answer
- Highlight common misconceptions that students may encounter
- Include helpful notes or references to related lessons and topics
- Many items are linked to real-life scenarios helping learners connect abstract concepts to practical, everyday situations. This approach makes lessons more relatable and easier to remember.
- Whether you’re a parent guiding your child through review sessions or a teacher leading post-test discussions, treat these answer keys as learning tools, not just grading references. Encourage students to revisit challenging questions, analyze their mistakes and apply the feedback to improve both study habits and critical thinking skills.
- By actively using the answer key for reflection and reinforcement, students can deepen their understanding, strengthen retention and build confidence for upcoming assessments.
Stay Updated
- We’ve compiled our updated DepEd MATATAG 1st Periodical Tests for SY 2025–2026 for teachers who want ready-to-use, curriculum-aligned materials.
- Download the Complete MATATAG 1st Periodical Test Compilation Here and start using assessments not just to measure learning, but to inspire it.
- Make sure you don’t miss out!
Follow us on Facebook for your weekly updates—whether it’s DLLs, LAS, Lesson Exemplars, PowerPoints, or Summative Tests, we’ve got you covered with tools that make teaching easier. - Bookmark this page and share it with fellow teachers, because effective teaching is always better when shared.