How to Pass UPCAT Without Review Center: Best Tips from But how EXACTLY do you become an UPCAT
become an UPCAT Qualifier?
UP Students and Alumni
Are you anxious to know how to pass UPCAT?
Students have different reasons why they’re pressured to ace
University of the Philippines’ entrance exam.
It could be family, school, or simply the prestige of being one
of the select few to become a Iskolar ng Bayan.
U.P. has always been home to Philippines’ crème de la
crème. Declared a National University in 2008, it has
produced 7 out of 14 Philippine presidents; 12 Chief Justices
of the Supreme Court; 30 out of 31 National Scientists; and 34
out of 57 National Artists.
It is also ranked as the top university in the country by the QS
World and Asian University Rankings with the Ateneo de
Manila and the University of Santo Tomas following behind.
Also Read: 30 Things You Didn’t Know About University of
the Philippines
However, what makes the University of the Philippines a
magnet for student hopefuls and their parents is the
affordable cost of tuition fees.
U.P. is partly subsidized by the state and makes use of STFAP
or Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program to
determine a student’s enrollment fees.
Students in a lesser income bracket pay less than students in
higher income brackets.
Related Article: The Ultimate Civil Service Exam Guide for
Filipinos
For example, a student who has an annual family income of
more than P1,000,000 will pay the full cost of tuition, while a
student with an annual family income of P135,000 gets free
tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fees.
For poverty-stricken families, UPCAT is a chance to provide
an excellent college education for their children.
However, out of the thousands who take UPCAT every year,
only 15-17% make the cut. This proves that passing this
entrance exam is an achievement in itself.
In this guide, we’ll enumerate some of the best tips and tricks
shared by past and present UP students, the majority of
which got in without enrolling in a review center.
Qualifiers are determined by the University Predicted Grade
or UPG. The UPG adds up your UPCAT score (60%) and your
final grades from the last three years of high school (40%).
Just so you know, the state university reserves 70% of the
slots for those with the highest UPGs. The rest of the slots
are reserved for the best of the underrepresented minorities,
like cultural groups.
Looking at the UPG, you can see now that putting in all that
hard work in high school actually counts for something.
However, if you have less than stellar grades, it is all the more
reason to get the highest possible scores in the UPCAT to
bring your UPG up.
Here are tips and tricks on how to ace your UPCAT exams:
Start reviewing early.
Preparation for UPCAT started the moment you first entered
high school.
Just like other college entrance examinations, UPCAT gauges
not just the amount of information you’ve learned over the
years but how effective your learning strategies are in
retaining that information.
UPCAT is comprised of four subtests:
 Language Proficiency (in English and Filipino).
 Reading Comprehension (in English and Filipino).
 Science.
 Mathematics.
If you studied well in high school and understand the
concepts by heart, you have great chances of passing UPCAT.
After all, it’s a culmination of everything you’ve learned so
far.
However, it doesn’t mean you should be complacent.
Students who graduated at the top of their class but failed
UPCAT aren’t unheard of. Regardless if your high school
performance was brilliant or lackluster, reviewing as early as
6-9 months before the exam should give you a headstart.
Spend at least 30 minutes to an hour a day to refresh your
memories on the lessons you think you’ve forgotten.
While signing up for a review center is an option, the most
that they can provide are tips and tricks on how to pass
 UPCAT. At the end of the day, months (or years) of
preparation always beat the limited time you spend in a
review center.
Work on your weaknesses.
It’s impossible to squeeze everything you’ve learned in high
school into the limited time you have to review for UPCAT.
Use your time wisely. Instead of spending equal hours on all
subjects, allocate more review time on areas you’re
struggling the most.
Since you’re almost done with high school, you probably have
an idea what your weaknesses are. If not, you can use the
results of your mock exam to see the subjects where you got
the lowest scores.
Most students find Science and Math difficult. The bulk of
UPCAT questions come from these subjects so make sure to
concentrate on them especially if you didn’t take the STEM
track in high school.
Remember the following study tips for each subject area:
Science.
 Use mnemonics to remember basic formulas and concepts in
Physics, Chemistry, etc. It’s not enough that you memorize
them, you also have to know how to apply them in real-life
scenarios.
 Be ready to encounter UPCAT questions that are research-
related and ones that contain graphs. They may look
intimidating but with simple analysis, you can break them
down into simpler concepts.
 Get a good grasp of the fundamental concepts in biology,
chemistry, and general science. Physics-related questions are
relatively fewer but this may vary from year to year.
Mathematics.
 As with science, no need to take advanced Math classes to
get an edge. As long as you understand fundamental
concepts and know how to apply them to solve word
problems and equations, you’re good to go.
 Revisit your math lessons from grades 7 to 12. Review basic
concepts in geometry, algebra, and syllogism. To help you
retain the information better, you can draw or download
figures of basic geometry formulas such as triangles in circles,
Pythagorean theorem, circle formulas, and volume of a
rectangle, among others.
 Answer as many math problems as you can. The mistakes and
wrong answers can teach you more lessons than those you
answered correctly. Remember, every wrong answer is an
opportunity to improve your problem-solving skills.
 Don’t just rely on your Math teachers. Watch YouTube
tutorials to understand confusing math concepts better.
Language Proficiency.
 Establish a good reading habit. A student who loves to read
has a wider vocabulary that the one who only reads when the
school requires it. Look for the meanings of unfamiliar words
and practice using them for better retention.
 Review the correct spellings of common misspellings in the
English language (e.g., occasion, exaggerated, etc.).
 Learn how to derive the meaning of unknown words. In an
exam, you may encounter words that you do not
understand. These words may appear in the directions, the
test questions, or the answer choices. Unless you have
superpower abilities to memorize the entire dictionary, you
can learn how to derive the meaning of unknown words by
studying prefixes, suffixes, and root words. You can also get a
working knowledge of etymology.
 Dedicate equal amount of time to studying and reviewing the
Filipino language. Note that both local and foreign UPCAT
takers will encounter test questions written in Filipino or
related to the Filipino language.
 Know the Tagalog translation of basic science and math terms
like shapes.
 Brush up on Filipino orthography or the correct spelling of
Filipinized foreign words like heograpiya for geography, etc.
Reading comprehension.
 Practice speed reading in both English and Filipino. Two of
the best speed reading strategies are skimming and scanning.
The former is the process of reading a text quickly to get an
idea what it’s all about. Scanning, on the other hand, is a
reading technique you can use to find specific information
without reading the whole text.
 Instead of reading the full text which can eat up a lot of time,
read the questions first and then use the keywords in these
questions to find the answers in the story using the scanning
technique.
Know the test composition and time allotments.
While it is possible for the below information to change, the
general structure should be as follows:
 Practice answering questions under pressure.
Time
Allotment
Nowadays, you don’t need to go to your UPCAT exam not
Number in
knowing what to expect. School-sponsored reviews, book
Subtests of Items Minutes
reviewers, and college review centers will tell you what type
of tests will most likely appear in the exam.

Language From the table above, for example, you can already get a
70 40
Proficiency good grasp of the different subtests and the allotted time for
each. Again, UPCAT is an aptitude exam. It measures how
much you’ve learned in high school.
Identifying
Errors 20
Review centers may help condition your mind but don’t
expect them to teach every lesson you missed in high school
Analogy 10 or provide questions that will appear in the actual exam. If
anything, they’re lucrative businesses that prey on students’
lack of preparation and self-confidence.
Word
Meaning 10 Having self-confidence doesn’t mean you know all the
answers to any question hurled at you. It means you know
how to choose an answer despite not knowing the actual
Antonyms 10 answer. And in UPCAT, you will encounter unbelievably
difficult questions A LOT.
So how can you boost your self-confidence? By taking as
Sentence
many practice tests as you can.
Completion 10

Don’t just rely on one UPCAT reviewer. Buy several reviewers

Sentence in the bookstore or download ebooks online. You can also use
Improvement 10 SAT reviewers since foreigners who already took SAT usually
find UPCAT relatively easier.

Science The more questions you answer, the more efficient your test-
60 50
Proficiency taking skills become. You’ll learn how to increase your
chances of getting the correct answer through the process of
elimination and other strategies.
Mathematics
60 75
Proficiency
Simulate UPCAT by using a timer. Get used to answering
questions with a time limit so you won’t be as anxious by
Reading the time you take the actual UPCAT.
60 50
Comprehension Don’t forget to practice with questions in Filipino. Because
U.P. is the state school, some of the questions in Reading
Comprehension, Mathematics, and Science will be in Filipino.
If you are not well-versed in Filipino, you will be at a
disadvantage.
By knowing the number of items for each subtest, you will
know how much to study for each subject. At the same time,
Remember, test-taking is an art. Combine it with a reliable
you can practice answering x number of items within the
stock knowledge and you’ll surely ace the UPCAT.
allotted time.
Internalize, don’t memorize.
Rote memorization is for amateurs. You can memorize
formulas and concepts all you want, but they will disappear
as soon as your nerves get the better of you.
Instead of memorizing your lessons word-for-word, learn to
internalize them. Look beyond the formulas, words, shapes,
and concepts and understand the meaning behind them.
If you can explain lessons in your own words without relying
on superficial memorization, you’re on the right track.
To prime your brain for better retention, you can perform
mental exercises, play educational games, or do positive self-
talk on the days leading up to the UPCAT.
Note cards are also an excellent way to consolidate and
organize those formulas and important concepts you need to
remember. Just punch a hole and use a ring binder to keep
them together. This way, you can bring them anywhere, and
flip through them as you study.
Make educated guesses.
The UPCAT deducts a quarter point for every mistake,
otherwise known as the “right minus ¼ wrong” penalty. The
system also does not penalize for unanswered items.
However, statistically speaking, it is better to make
educated guesses than to leave blanks when you are not
sure of the correct answer.
A blank ensures a 100% incorrect score or 1-point deduction.
If you take a chance and your answer turns out incorrect,
you’ll lose 1.25 points for the mistake.
Now, if you make an intelligent guess, you get a 25% chance
of getting the correct answer. Your odds of answering
correctly can be increased by excluding the wrong choices
right off the bat. If you’re a master in the process of
elimination, this is a risk worth taking.
Note that this isn’t a foolproof technique. If you absolutely
have no idea about what is being asked, it’s up to you
whether to leave it blank or make the best guess.
Here is a general tip on how to eliminate answer choices: Out
of, say, five choices, one or two will be obvious wrong
answers. Mentally cross those out.
Next, there will be at least two choices that will be the most
likely correct answer. Sometimes, a giveaway is when two or
three choices are very close to each other in value or
meaning. Do as much analysis as you can to arrive at the
most logical choice.
Manage your time wisely.
Easy or difficult, test items have the same point value. And,
they’re jumbled up in the exam too. To manage your time
optimally during test-taking, answer the easy questions first.
Then, go back for the more difficult ones. Spending too much
time on difficult questions might eat up your test time and
leave you no more time to answer questions you would
normally be able to answer.
As a rule of the thumb, don’t spend more than 2 minutes on
a single item. In the case of the reading comprehension
subtest, you don’t have to read the entire text or story. Doing
so will waste a lot of time especially if you’re not adept in
speed reading.
Instead, go directly to the question and then scan the
paragraphs to find out the answer.
Make sure you are answering the correct numbers on your
answer sheets. Some poor souls have been known to
unknowingly skip a number and ruin their entire test.
Another tip: Bring a wristwatch so you can keep track of the
time.
Although the proctor will update you on how many minutes
are remaining, it’s better if you have your own watch so you
can pace yourself and finish each subtest within the allotted
time.
Relax. Don’t put undue pressure on yourself.
The more you think that taking the UPCAT is a life-or-death
situation, the more likely you are to fail.
See, our minds are powerful. If you’re thinking of failing the
exam even before taking it, chances are the universe will
conspire to turn your thoughts into reality.
As the law of attraction guarantees, our thoughts become
things.
Also called the power of positive thinking and visualization,
this law states that positive thoughts bring about positive
results. Throughout your review period, focus only on
positive thoughts. Visualize yourself passing the UPCAT.
Using editing software, create and print pictures of yourself
as an Iskolar ng Bayan. Look at your photos when you wake
up and before you sleep.
Putting too much pressure on yourself also results in poor
concentration. It happens when you regard UPCAT so much
as if your whole life depends on it.
The truth is, UPCAT only measures your readiness for
college, not your intelligence.
This is why there are valedictorians and salutatorians who fail
at it. It doesn’t mean they’re dumb, it’s just that they’re not
as ready to handle the pressures of college as those who
passed the exam.
If you fail to be qualified in any of the competitive quota
courses like Accountancy or Business Administration, you can
still make an appeal.
As long as your UPG is still high enough to be qualified in the
campus you applied for, you’ll be considered for DPWS
(degree program with available slot). In other words, you
can still enroll in courses with open slots.
Even if it’s not your first choice, you can still shift to your
preferred course after a year.
Another option would be to enroll in another campus with a
lower cutoff. You can also be accepted to UP by virtue of your
talent or athletic skills.
Other students enroll in another university, earn the required
grades, and then transfer to UP after a year.
Your options are plenty so there’s no reason to torture
yourself into passing UPCAT.
Besides, failing UPCAT isn’t a bad thing if you look at the
bigger picture.
Being a UP graduate isn’t a guarantee that you’ll be
successful in life. There are a lot of non-UP grads with stellar
careers just as there are UP grads who didn’t achieve
anything significant.
So don’t stress yourself. Who cares if you didn’t do well in
high school? You can’t change what already happened or
control things that are already out of your control.
Relax, do your best, and never look back.
Here are a few more quick reminders:
 Do an ocular inspection of your test building and room a few
days before the exam. Knowing how the place looks like
means less frazzled nerves. This is especially true if your test
venue is within UP Diliman. Since the campus is huge, it’s
easy to get lost. Therefore, find the exact location of your
classroom in advance so getting to it on the day of the
examination will be a breeze. By doing so, you can also
prepare for possible traffic congestion and determine
whether to wear a comfortable shirt or a light jacket (for air-
conditioned rooms).
 Bring a jacket. In the 2013 exams in Diliman, some test
takers reported that the proctors turned up the aircon
REALLY high, making the room an icebox. Extreme
temperatures can ruin your concentration.
 In case you have colds or a cough on the day of the exam,
don’t forget to take your medicinesbefore going to the
venue to prevent distracting yourself and other examinees.
 Arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam so you can relax
and prepare yourself mentally. Important instructions are
also given prior to the start of the exam.
 Bring sweets or foods that are easy (and not noisy) to eat.
They help keep your energy up for those long grueling hours.
 Don’t eat or drink too much before taking the UPCAT. It’s
easier to stave off hunger than to stop the urge to go to the
bathroom in the middle of the exam.
 Don’t cram the night before the exam. Spend it instead to
pep-talk yourself into giving UPCAT your best shot.
 Get enough sleep and rest. You can’t study everything so
just calm your mind instead.