UP moves admission exams to October

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines (UP) has rescheduled its admission examinations from September to October this year.

In an advisory on social media, the university said the annual UP College Admissions Test (UPCAT) will be held on Oct. 21 and 22.

The application period will start on July 17, with the deadline set on Aug. 18 for Metro Manila private schools, Aug. 25 for Metro Manila public schools and Sept. 1 for non-Metro Manila schools.

The two-day UPCAT schedule is in anticipation of the expected influx of freshman students in 2018, with the graduation of the first batch of Grade 12 students this school year.

For the past two years, UP has administered its entrance test in just one day in limited testing centers due to lack of prospective students.

The university has yet to announce the testing centers for the upcoming UPCAT.

It is not clear if the university will continue the online application and free online UPCAT review for the examinees.

Considered as the most competitive college entrance test in the country, UPCAT and the entire admission process of the university is undergoing review to level the playing field among applicants.

 “While admission into the UP system is selective with an acceptance rate of 15 to 17 percent for freshmen, UP also takes affirmative steps in its admission process to enhance the access of disadvantaged students to high quality education,” said UP.

The UPCAT consists of four subtests: Language Proficiency (English and Filipino), Science, Math and Reading Comprehension (English and Filipino).

Standardized UPCAT scores are combined with the weighted average of three years of high school final grades to determine the admission grade.