Over 100,000 to take UPCAT this weekend

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100,000 applicants will take the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) in 101 testing centers across the country this weekend. After three years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s national university will again administer the pen[1]and-paper test four times today and tomorrow, with morning and afternoon sessions.

UP president Angelo Jimenez earlier said the university could accept around 15,000 applicants for the freshman intake for Aca[1]demic Year 2024-2025. Like in the past, this year’s UPCAT consists of four subtests: Language Proficiency (English and Filipino), Science, Mathemat[1]ics and Reading Comprehension (English and Filipino). “Standardized UPCAT scores are combined with the composite of final grades in Grades 8 to 11 to determine the admission score. To implement the policy of democratic access, UP also considers socioeconomic and geographic factors in its admission process,” the university said.

Eligible applicants are senior high school students who expect to graduate in 2024. Those who graduated from senior high school this year or earlier are also eligible, provided that they have not taken any col[1]lege courses and that they have not completed a previous applica[1]tion to UP. Selection for admission to a specific campus is based on the applicant’s rank, campus quota and cut-off grade. Unlike in the past when the UPCAT was scheduled later in the year, this year’s test was held in June to ensure the timely release of results.