Taking the UPCAT

The country's premiere state university once again opened its doors to aspiring students over the weekend in their notorious entrance exam. Called the University of the Philippines College Admission Test, it is home to a lot of stories --good and bad. In the past three years, UP resorted to applications for entry of new students due to the pandemic. However, nothing beats the classic of actually taking the exam of this university known to be home of the best students in the country.

I was once there, a lonely junior high school student whose schedule was separate from the rest of her classmates. This might be because I applied the earliest out of eagerness. I didn't know anyone at the venue and the resounding voices of English-speaking students who could have come from a private school made my anxiety worse. The only source of strength I had then were a couple of prayers and that box of chocolate chip cookies that I held on to, plus the chocolate milk that came with it. The questions were hard, grueling really. Some of them were in Filipino and my generation (or even later ones) had a hard time comprehending this language. My shading of the circle even took time because we were told that imperfect shading would render a wrong answer as the machine reads the test papers.

But the UPCAT was not just a test of knowledge for me, but it was a test of patience. It taught me how to read carefully throughout every type of exam where I made sure the instructions were done right. My aversion to time limits was somehow tamed as I mastered the estimation of time for every section in that test. Although I felt that I flunked it, I was surprised to see my name on the list of passers.

I'm sure those who took it over the weekend will also have different stories to tell. They will be happy tales once they will also pass and enter the university. However, it is sad to note that some parents are holding back their children from entering this university because of the stigma it has. UP is often associated with rebels and activists, which they deem as a deterrent to quality education. While we have different views on this matter, my dad would always tell me that there is no bad school for a good student. Education in UP is free, you don't get that elsewhere these days.

It has indeed taught me a lot but the journey wasn't that easy, it was tough. The four-year roller coaster ride seemed like taking the exam four times in a row. It takes hard work, perseverance, and diligence to be able to survive. The standards set here are high and unlike any other school, it always seeks to be of honor and excellence. This school aims to produce the next set of leaders. It all starts with one exam, a couple of worn-out pencils, and circles to shade.