PICE Unveils Official Guidelines for the 41st National Civil Engineering Students’ Quiz

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Inc. (PICE) has officially released the guidelines and timetable for the 41st National Civil Engineering Students’ Quiz (41st NCESQ). Spearheaded by Engr. Aure Flo A. Oraya, Chair of the Awards & Student Affairs Committee, and noted by PICE National President Engr. Nerie D. Bueno, the annual competition gathers top civil engineering students from across the country to showcase their technical prowess.

Timetable and Key Dates

The 41st NCESQ journey begins at the regional level, leading up to the grand finals held during the 25th National Civil Engineering Students' Conference.

• Regional Eliminations: October 24, 2026 (9:00 AM – 12:00 NN). Conducted simultaneously across regions at venues assigned by Host Chapters and Regional Coordinators.

• Submission of Regional Winners (Email): On or before October 28, 2026.

• Submission of Hard Copies/USB to PICE National: On or before November 3, 2026.

• National Finals: Date and venue to be announced.

Eligibility and Requirements

To participate, student competitors must meet the following criteria:

• Student Membership: Active PICE Student Chapter members in good standing enrolled in a BSCE program through October 2026.

• Required Identification: Valid school ID alongside a PICE student membership ID (or Certification of Good Standing from the National Office).

• No Previous Grand Winners: Official representatives must not have won 1st place in any previous NCESQ competition.

• Conference Registration: All regional winners qualifying for the Finals must be registered participants of the 25th National Civil Engineering Students' Conference.

• Active Coach: Coaches must be active members of PICE with a valid Certificate in Good Standing.

Breakdown of Finalists per Region

A total of 32 finalists will advance to the National Finals from 18 distinct regions across the Philippines:

RegionStudent Chapters

Max Finalists

National Capital Region (NCR) - 4

Region III - 3

Region IV-A - 3

Region I, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, IV-B - 2 each

CAR, Region II, IX, BARMM, Region XI, XII, XIII, NIR - 1 each

Total Finalists—32

(Note: Each region will also designate one alternate contestant based on elimination rank.)

Competition Structure & Subject Coverage

Questions for both rounds cover three core subjects:

1. Mathematics, Environmental and Energy, and Transportation Engineering (including Surveying)

2. Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering

3. Design and Construction

Participants are allowed to use non-programmable calculators that comply with the latest list approved by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

The Regional Elimination

Contestants answer 4 questions per subject with escalating difficulty and points:

• Question 1 (1 min) = 1 pt

• Question 2 (2 mins) = 2 pts

• Question 3 (3 mins) = 3 pts

• Question 4 (4 mins) = 4 pts

(Perfect Score: 30 Points)

The National Finals

The Finals are divided into two parts:

• Part 1: Written Test (30% Weight) — A 2-hour multiple-choice exam.

• Part 2: On-the-Spot Q&A (70% Weight) — Consists of two rounds:

  • Round 1: Standard 4-question format per subject (30 points maximum).

  • Round 2: High-stakes round with 3 questions worth 5 points each (5 minutes per question, read only once).

Cash Prizes and Distinction

In addition to trophies and certificates, top performers in the Grand Finals will receive cash prizes:

• 🏆 1st Place: ₱30,000 + Plaque of Distinction

• 🥈 2nd Place: ₱20,000 + Plaque of Distinction

• 🥉 3rd Place: ₱10,000 + Plaque of Distinction

• 🎖️ Consolation Prize: All other National Finalists will receive ₱3,000 along with a Certificate of Participation.

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