The Return of the UPCAT

In the Philippines, transitioning from high school to college is a significant step toward achieving one’s goals. And attending UP is usually, if not always, one of the options on any Filipino child’s or parent’s wish list of schools. However, before this dream can be realized, one must pass the University of the Philippines College Admission Test or UPCAT, Over 100,000 high school students apply for the test every year, approximately 80,000 are given test slots, while only approximately 14,000 pass.

 

Due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic, the UPCAT was suspended for three consecutive years, including this year, but the UP administration has announced its return in 2023. Nearly 100 examination centers will administer the UPCAT 2024 on June 3 and 4, 2023. Grade 11 students who will finish high school in AY 2023-2024 can apply. The first semester of 2024-2025 will admit successful candidates.

Why are college admissions exams important?

College admissions exams are one of the most nerve-wracking experiences for incoming college students. A lot is at stake in taking such an exam, and the challenge gets even more significant when one pins all their hopes on it.  The exam is a standardized aptitude test that looks at your skills in different areas, such as verbal, math, analytical, and writing skills. These examinations are not designed to assess what you have learned in class; instead, they are intended to evaluate your capacity to perform effectively in the coming years.

 

The things you learned in high school will help you prepare for these tests. However, taking practice tests is a different way to study because it enables you to get used to the types of questions, the layout, and the amount of time needed to finish each part.

 

When anticipating taking the entrance exam, early preparation is key to increasing your chances of getting in. The UPCAT is regarded as one of the country’s most challenging college entrance examinations. Its return is also one of the most anticipated. If you plan to take the UPCAT in 2023, you are encouraged to prepare early for the exam, and we don’t only mean academically, but mentally and physically. 

Time is of the essence.

Don’t waste time; the best time to study is right now. The UPCAT will assess prospective students on the information they learned in high school, not on how much they memorized; instead, it will determine how efficiently you absorbed and applied the strategies they were taught. Your notes on Science, Mathematics and Language Proficiency, and Reading Comprehension in English and Filipino will help you a great deal, as the latter are the topics on which the test questions will be focused.

 

The amount of information you need to recall for all these subjects will be overwhelming if you decide to review them in only a short period before UPCAT. Save yourself from all that stress by starting early.

 

Here are a few more reasons why you should prepare early for the UPCAT

 

It is time-bound

Every college admissions exam has its own set of rules. Typically, these exams are time-bound and time management is important to ensure you can answer as many questions as possible. Practice tests will help you build momentum and condition your mind to divide your time well.

 

It is right minus wrong.

One of the intriguing aspects of the UPCAT is that it’s right minus wrong. Thus, guessing the correct answer does not always help. This is why it is important to prepare early for the UPCAT, to make sure you’ve read and studied as much as you can and avoid any chances of just guessing the correct answer.

 

The majority of the UPCAT questions revolve around Math and Science lessons.

When taking a college admission test, students frequently mistake using their time to study all subjects equally or even focus on those they understand the best. However, this reduces your chances of scoring well in the other subjects. You cannot rely on your ceiling-high grade in one or two subjects to raise your grade in the other subjects on these types of exams, particularly the UPCAT. If you are not as good at Science and Math, focus on those when preparing for the test.

 

Thousands of hopefuls take the UPCAT every year. Anyone has a chance to get in.

Just like you, thousands want to take the UPCAT exam to get a shot at realizing their dream of becoming an Iskolar ng Bayan. There is a competitive pool of applicants wanting to get a slot, so you’d want to be as prepared as all other aspiring students when it’s your turn to take the UPCAT.

 

Should I enlist the help of a tutor to prepare for the UPCAT?

Studying is the most effective way to improve your score on any test that measures your level of knowledge. Take college-preparatory or Advanced Placement classes throughout your high school career if available. Request score reports for practice exams to focus on the areas where you need to improve.

 

If you require additional assistance, you should consider hiring a tutor. Most high schools already have programs to help students prepare for standardized tests. But places like Tutorial Hub PH hire qualified teachers who can help you study for the UPCAT. You may consider a one-on-one review class with one of our expert tutors for a more focused review session. See here for more information.