It’s UPCAT time! The only college entrance exam that becomes a newsworthy/trending event every year—which just shows the clout and prestige of UP versus other schools, ahem, no matter what they say.
Is it really as big an ordeal as people claim it is? What about that estimated 2019 passing rate of less than 10%? Well, this close to the actual test, we can only help you with the last-minute prep if you wasted your summer having fun. Here are battle-proven tips from someone who actually passed the UPCAT and lived:
COME EARLY, SO EARLY NA MADILIM PA
If you think the dark UP campus is a scary place with rapists and NPA in the bushes, don’t be afraid—you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by jittery exam takers even at 5 a.m. It might actually be too dark to find your building though, so take the time to look around.
CHILL THE NIGHT BEFORE
You can't possibly review everything you need in one evening, so might as well take a load off the night before. Cramming might help you with a few questions, but relaxing and reading articles like this one telling you that you got this, don't sweat it! is a much better idea for your mental state.
DON’T BE SHY TO EAT
You can bring food and eat at anytime because there are no breaks. Don’t be shy and wait for other people to “start” eating first. That’s the mentality of the weak and mga di papasa.
BRING A JACKET
Not all UP classrooms are air-conditioned, but not all are the classic big-windowed open air settings you see on TV either. Bring a jacket in case you’re the ginawin type and end up in one of the campus freezers. On the other hand, bring a towel if pawisin ka.
POOP AT HOME
Not because we think pooping takes valuable time, but you can end up taking the test in a building with a really crappy CR and do you really need that stress? True story: UP students will switch buildings to take a shit. Especially if a nearby college is blessed with CR’s that have actual bidets. Something to look forward to for you passers!
SKIP TOUGH QUESTIONS
If a question is messing you up, move on to the next one rather than burning the clock on it. And if you haven’t learned this basic time management technique in high school, well, good luck sa 'yo.
DO NOT SHOTGUN
The UPCAT is scored a modified right-minus wrong scheme, if you’re out of time with 20 Math questions left, take educated guesses or leave them blank. Also, good luck sa 'yo.
TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER: IT’S REALLY NOT THAT HARD
The UPCAT isn’t filled with vague, esoteric questions that you’d never see anywhere else. The “difficulty” is more of an urban legend than anything and is comparable to most CETs. UPCAT just has a low passing rate because of the sheer number of applicants—which is why a 90% grade might not cut it but a 91% would! Okay, maybe that didn’t make you feel better after all.