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Entrance Examination 101.
What should be, and not be, on your TO DO List.
Topmost on high school seniors’ minds these days are college
applications. Many are rushing to bookstores to buy review
books. Review centers, promising increased chances of getting
into the best colleges, have been packed since the summer break.
Thousands have already taken the University of the Philippines
College Admission Test (UPCAT) yesterday. Thousands more will
take it today.
Selecting which college to go to is one of the most crucial
decisions a teenager will have to make in his young life. A
college education and what he makes out of it will determine a
very large part of his future.
According to a research conducted by an American community
college a few years ago, 77% of students are influenced by their
parents in making college choices; 54% by friends and 31% by
high school teachers. In Filipino homes, where parental
authority prevails, it’s common for parents to choose their
children’s schools for them. They have much to say even in the
choice of college courses. A number of our youth are attending
the universities their parents went to, taking up courses their
parents prescribed.
For many Filipino families, a good education represents hope for
a better future, a better life. Economic crises have brought
about stiff competition for jobs. Global trends are putting
pressure on everyone to succeed in the workplace. As a result,
parents are forced to get their kids into the best schools, the
most “in demand” courses.
The college applicant has every right to be nervous at this time
of the year. Aside from parental pressure, they have to deal
with limited slots in premiere universities. At least 70,000
seniors apply to the University of the Philippines yearly. Only
around 7,000 of them will be admitted. The Ateneo and De La
Salle likewise admit about 10% of their college applicants.
It is not only these “big three” that are selective. Almost all
colleges and universities in Metro Manila administer entrance
exams and interviews. The college applicant has to be
well-equipped, well-prepared for the competition.
What would give a student advantage over other college
applicants? For one thing, he or she should have done relatively
well in high school. Universities such as U.P. and the Ateneo
take into consideration the applicant’s grades in his first to
third year high school. These are seen as one determinant of the
student’s capacity to do well in college.
Some universities require applicants to write an essay. For
this, students would have to brush up on their composition
skills. Such essays are usually evaluated based on the
applicant’s mastery of the language and ability to make a clear
argument. Common topics are reasons for choosing a particular
course or school, current news, nationalism, and youth
interests.
Of course, there’s the college entrance test to hurdle. Most of
these exams are multiple-choice and cover English, Math,
Science, and Abstract Reasoning. Students take a series of
subtests under time pressure. Apart from competence in the major
subjects, these exams also gauge students’ test-taking skills.
Admission to one’s school of choice means meeting the assigned
cut-off grade, not just merely passing the test.
Do Review Classes Really Help?
Much talk has been going on about the effectiveness of review
classes, particularly for college entrance exams, in recent
years. Many educators have frowned upon the idea, saying it is
spoon-feeding and to an extent, cheating. Some say a review
course only teaches children to cram and allows high schools to
be lax in preparing their students for the exams. A lot of
parents feel that only students who are not-so-bright need to
review for entrance tests. They believe that such exams just
test “stock knowledge,” what students should have learned from
their first to third years in high school.
Despite the negative perception, review centers continue to
thrive—especially in the metro. In fact, in the latter part of
2003, at least three new review centers opened in the Katipunan
area alone. Several franchises of international test preparation
centers such as Kaplan and Princeton have also been put up.
Apparently, the concept of review appeals to parents. It
operates on their desire to give the best education they can
afford to their children. A college degree from a prestigious
university is a source of much pride in the Filipino home. In
times of economic difficulty, quality education is something a
parent would still willingly spend for.
Camille Sulit, who took a review course in preparation for
college entrance tests last year, says, “At first, I didn’t want
to take the review, but my mom pushed me. And it did help me.
The review was very effective.”
According to Rossana Llenado, president of AHEAD Review Center,
over a thousand enroll in UP-Ateneo-La Salle review courses
every summer. She even gets students from as far as Bicol and
Davao, who want to increase their chances of getting into these
universities. She believes students today are very lucky to have
all the academic support they need available to them. “In my
time, we didn’t have a clue about entrance exams. We just knew
we had to score high because many other students would be taking
the same test. Now, students can attend review classes or read
review books. They can prepare themselves for possible topics
and questions. They know what they’re up against,” she says.
TOP COLLEGE CHOICES
Review centers in the Philippines advise students to have at
least five schools in mind. Most universities administer
entrance exams and although high schools should have prepared
their students for these, passing the test is not always a “sure
ball.”
Schools like UP, Ateneo, and La Salle are very selective in
accepting freshmen. It’s always wise to have options. If
resources will allow, review teachers advise students to submit
applications to all the schools on their list.
College choice guides can be helpful. These books and magazines
offer quick information on the course offerings, admission
requirements, and features of selected universities and
colleges. Once such guide, Planning Ahead, which is available in
National Bookstore, profiles top-choice schools in Metro Manila.
Ateneo de Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Type: Private sectarian, coed
Application period: June to August
Entrance exam: Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET)
Exam date: September
Exam coverage: Math, English, General Intelligence
Office to Contact: Office of Admission and Aid
426-6001 loc. 5150-5158
www.admu.edu.ph
Assumption College
San Lorenzo Village, Makati City
Type: Private sectarian, exclusive for girls
Application period: July to February
Exam date: Starting August
Exam coverage: English and Math, Mental Ability
Contact information: 817-7773
www.assumption.edu.ph
Centro Escolar University
Mendiola St., Manila
Type: Private non-sectarian, coed
Exam date: Begins August
Contact information: 735-6861 to 71
736-88-51 to 54
www.ceu.edu.ph
Don Bosco Technical College
Mandaluyong City
Type: Private, exclusive for boys
Contact information: 531-8081 to 83 loc. 1240 & 1241
www.dbtc.edu.ph
De La Salle University
Taft Avenue, Manila
Type: Private sectarian, coed
Application period: August to October
Entrance exam: DLSU College Entrance Test
Exam date: To be scheduled
Exam coverage: Math, Science, English, Abstract Reasoning
Office to contact: Admissions Office
523-4230/524-4611 loc. 166/167
www.dlsu.edu.ph
DLSU-College of Saint Benilde
Taft Avenue, Manila
Type: Private sectarian, coed
Application period: August to December (1st batch)
January to March (2nd batch)
Exam dates: Saturdays and Sundays in November, December,
February, and March
Exam coverage: Aptitude and achievement test components: verbal
and quantitative;
interpersonal and spatial components
Office to contact: The Admissions Center
526-7441
www.csb.dlsu.edu.ph
Far Eastern University
Nicanor Reyes Sr., Manila
Type: Private non-sectarian, coed
Application period: Begins July
Exam dates: September to May
Office to contact: Office of Admissions
736-0005 loc. 251 & 252
www.feu.edu.ph
Mapua Institute of Technology
Intramuros, Manila
Type: Private non-sectarian, coed
Application period: August to March
Exam dates: Saturdays from the 3rd week of August to March
Exam coverage: Math, Science, and English
Office to contact: Admissions Office
527-7916 loc. 770
admissions@mapua.edu.ph
Miriam College
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Type: Private non-sectarian, coed
Application period: Begins August
Exam dates: November, February, March
Exam coverage: English, Math, Science, Inductive Reasoning
Office to contact: Admissions Office
927-2421 to 32
www.mc.edu.ph
San Beda College
Mendiola, Manila
Type: Private sectarian, coed
Application period: November to March
Entrance exam: SBC-Scholastic Aptitude Test
Exam dates: Saturdays from November to April
Office to contact: CAS Admissions Committee
735-6011 to 15 loc. 5118
www.sanbeda.edu.ph
University of Asia and the Pacific
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Type: Private sectarian, coed
Application period: July to November
Entrance exam: UA&P College Entrance Exam
Exam dates: September and October
Office to contact: Office of Admissions
637-0912 to 26
www.uap.edu.ph
University of the East
M. Recto Ave., Manila
Type: Private non-sectarian, coed
Entrance exam: UE College Entrance Test
Exam dates: Mondays to Fridays 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Office to contact: Admissions Office
735-5471 to 82 loc. 398 & 399
admission@ue.edu.ph
University of the Philippines Diliman
Diliman, Quezon City
Type: Private non-sectarian, coed
Application period: First week of May to first week of July
Entrance exam: University of the Philippines College Admission
Test
Exam date: first or second week of August
Exam coverage: Math, Science, Language Proficiency, Reading
Comprehension
Office to contact: Office of Admissions
920-5301 loc. 6346, 6347, 6363, 6464
Adms@up.edu.ph
University of Santo Tomas
Sampaloc, Manila
Type: Private sectarian, coed
Application period: July to November
Entrance exam: UST Entrance Test
Exam dates: September to November
Exam coverage: Math, English, Science
Office to contact: Office for Student Admissions
731-3101 loc. 8276
ofad@mail.ust.edu.ph
PREPARING FOR THE EXAM
With or without a review center, much will really depend on the
student himself. Some will find the UPCAT (or any other entrance
exam) a breeze. Others will just have to face the challenge.
Malu Rule, who supervises the college entrance programs of a
review center in Greenhills has several tips for test-takers.
Months before the exam. . .
1. Inquire about the coverage of the exam and review the various
subject matters covered.
2. Look for a review center that offers patterned reviews. This
means that the review program is designed specifically for the
admission test of a certain school. This is
important because every school gives a different type of exam in
terms of coverage, level of difficulty, and format.
3. Remember that it is not how long you review that counts. What
really matters is that you review the right things, meaning
those topics which will most likely be covered in the exam.
4. Read. Certainly bits of information will be retained in your
memory. These may come in handy during the exam.
5. Visit the venue of the examination. Familiarize yourself with
the place so you will feel more relaxed during the actual
examination. Remember to look for the washroom nearest to the
room assigned to you.
6. Seek the emotional support of friends or relatives.
7. Pray. It really works!
The night before the exam . . .
1. Prepare your bag. It must contain at least six sharpened
pencils with erasers, a pen, a sharpener, a small ruler, your
test permit, ID, a jacket, a hand fan, and the right kind of
snacks and drinks if allowed.
2. Prepare an easy-to-read wristwatch (without a calculator
function since it will be disallowed) for you to use while
taking the exam. Use this to budget your time in
answering the test questions.
3. Prepare your clothes and shoes. Choose your most comfortable
outfit. Do not wear anything new.
4. Do not eat anything that you are allergic to or anything that
can give you indigestion.
5. Do not sleep too late or too early.
6. Do not study 24 hours before the exam except to glance
occasionally at your notes. You have to psyche yourself up;
prepare your physical and mental self. Relax.
On the day of the exam. . .
1. Check if you have everything you need for the exam.
2. Be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the exam. This
will allow you to relax so that you don’t feel tense and anxious
during the exam.
3. Just before the exam starts, go to the washroom so that you
need not go while the exam is in progress.
4. Make yourself comfortable during the exam. Sit properly and
relax.
HELP LINES
With the limited slots in top universities and the number of
college applicants each year, many parents are now sending their
children to review centers to prepare them for the all-important
college entrance test. These centers offer a variety of
programs, each promising to increase students’ chances of
getting into the schools of their choice.
AHEAD Tutorial & Review Center
Test-based Review for College Entrance Exams
Katipunan, Greenhills, SM Megamall, Robinsons Galleria, Binondo,
Makati, Alabang
426-0034 to 36
www.aheadph.com
Unfortunately, review programs can be expensive. With rates
ranging from P8,000 to P15,000 per course, it is usually only
the students from “exclusive” schools who avail of the programs.
Some rely on review books and study guides, the rest on sheer
luck. Of course, review coaches remain that a test preparation
class is a lot times better than reviewing on one’s own. One
review center espouses Edgar Dale’s cone of experience theory,
which basically says that people remember 10% of what they read;
20% of what they hear; 30% of what they see; 50% of what they
hear and see; 70% of what they say and write; and 90% of the
tasks they perform. This center believes that students learn
through experience from mock tests and sample exercises given by
a review course.
The good news is some review centers have started to offer
discounts and scholarships. AHEAD, for instance, takes in public
school students into its UPCAT review course every year. This
2004, it is giving out more scholarships in cooperation with
Zonta Pasig president Rosalinda Magat and San Juan Jaycees
president Chiela Pepino.
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