Was the UPCAT really that difficult?

Question

This is only for the people who have taken the UPCAT already. :)

I've heard various comments from my friends who took the UPCAT.

Most of my schoolmates (especially my really close senior friends) said that the UPCAT was relatively easy and they didn't expect that it wouldn't be so hard. The only challenging part was Math but they've survived it. And they just told me the day after the UPCAT that it was easy and that I don't even have to enroll myself in a review center.

However, my friends from other schools (co-ed) told me that it was SO hard that it hurt their brains. Lol. And now they feel hopeless of passing.

Oh btw, I'm a Junior and I'll be taking up the UPCAT next year and of course I want to pass. UP is my dream school. :D

So I want to hear from the past UPCAT-ers. How was it? Can you say you had a hard time? Or was it easy?

Thanks to all who will respond. :)

Answer 1

UPCAT was okay. I found the Math and Science questions more difficult compared to the English and Filipino questions. But that's because my old high school did not put that much emphasis on science and math (like science high schools do). It all depends on your high school training and what subjects you're good at.

I did not review for this exam but I still passed. For sure, you'll have a better chance if you enroll in a review center.

Answer 2

UPCAT was the easiest college entrance exam that I have taken few years ago. I'm not quite sure how it is now, but during then, I dont remember breaking a major sweat. (Yabang!=P).

The only catch there is that its right minus wrong for all the test.

Answer 3

I have to disagree with most people here. I found UPCAT very easy, but without a basis of comparison (It was the only college entrance exam I took) I can't really say with all certainty. I also didn't use a review center and didn't review at all, although our school did give us some pointers. h**l, I only remembered about the exam a couple of days prior. Before the exams, I had one of those experiences where all the kids around you were reviewing each other, and since I didn't know some of the answers to what they were asking each other, I was seriously scared I wouldn't pass.

Also, it was actually the comprehension parts I found difficult, (the only part where I had to guess answers. Yes, I was confident enough of my educated guessing skills to guess answers in a right minus wrong exam). Math and Sciences parts were VERY easy. We were fourth year, and aside from the few trigonometry questions we were taught in the first month of third year, all the other Math questions were taught during our first year in High School. I always sucked at Biology, so that's a given, but again, Physics and Chem questions were all covered during the first half of our third year.

With all that said, I did really well in the test, and ended up an Oblation Scholar (One of the top 50 in around 10,000, practically the 2nd best thing to happen in my life).

So, bragging aside :D, I have to say this: The only reason I passed the UPCAT was because I came from the top of a very good public school (Manila Science High School) with an excellent curriculum (if you read more into what I wrote above, I could've passed the UPCAT before the end of my third year, if we took it then). If I hadn't studied in a good school and adapted to the competition, I probably wouldn't have had the same results.

That being said, the UPCAT isn't everything. It's the best way to get to experience the curiousity and wonder that is UP life, but it's not the only way to succeed and make the most of your life.

Answer 4

I didn't find it difficult but it wasn't a walk in the park either. My main problem then was the freakishly cold auditorium of the UP Law Center where I took the exam. It was Siberia! I hurried through the exam just to get out of that place. Imagine that, plus the fact that I was so worried about the right minus wrong rule (a portion of the wrong answers will be deducted to your right answers). Lesson: if you get cold easily, always bring a jacket, sweater or shawl.

Anyway, if you have a very good vocabulary and have very good reading comprehension, the English and Filipino parts would not be that difficult. I remember having quite a difficult time in the math part but that's because math has always been my waterloo. But... well... I did pass and got into my first choice of course (a quota course) and campus.

I don't know what those UPCAT review classes tackle but my preparation then consisted of - reading the dictionary (to widen my vocabulary) during the summer break (what a geek!) and taking seriously the NCEE review classes we had in school (there, I've revealed my age...). Good luck.

Answer 5

UPCAT is easy for those who listened and understood their lessons. d**n hard for those who took their lessons for granted.  

Answer 6

I took the UPCAT, the only college admission test I took in my entire life so I really don't have any other standards to compare it with.  Was it hard for me?  Honestly, no.   I just made sure I read the instructions very thoroughly.   My mind set was focused on passing the test coz I didn't apply anywhere else.   Thankfully I passed!

I didn't enroll in review classes but I don't see any harm in increasing the odds of you passing.  It's really your call if you wish to attend a review center.  Practice tests (or workbooks) ought to prepare you just as well.

Good luck, dearie.