How to use these UPCAT reviewers?

Your admission to UP is going to be based on the University Predicted Grade or UPG. It is an aggregate
rating composed of:

your UPCAT scores (60%)

your combined grades in the last 3 years of your high school (40%)

plus other socio-demographic factors called palugit and pabigat.

Thus it is not enough that you excel in high school and getting good grades.

READ: Computing the UPG for the UPCAT

You need to get high scores in the test, right?

You scores in the UPCAT takes on the bigger part, that's why you need to master test-taking.

These reviewers are intended for you to be familiar with questions appearing in entrance examination.

We recommend the following methods of use for these materials:

Method 1: Answer the reviewer based on the recommended time and simulate a college entrance test
environment.

Method 2: Set a regular schedule and do bite-size review. Answer just 10-15 items per session. This
method helps you create a study habit as the exam date approaches.

Remember that your goal is to score higher. And practice will give your the results you need.

In fact, doing practice tests and quizzing yourself turns passively absorbed information into usable
knowledge, thus increasing your scores.
Although you can study and prepare on your own, we would also recommend that you seek expert help.
An UPCAT review center will surely help you prepare along with these UPCAT reviewers.

READ: What are UPCAT review centers and do you need to enroll in one?

A good preparation for your entrance exam is the utilization of all resources possible and dedicating
time and effort to succeed.

A combination of self-study, expert help, good materials and proper attitude will surely bring you
success.

Mathematics Reviewer

UPCAT Math Coverage

The Math subtest in this reviewer will cover your high school math topics. It will also involve your basic
math skills that you've learned from elementary days like fundamental operations, fractions, shapes,
and other basic concepts.

Here's a breakdown of the topics that you'll encounter in the test:

Arithmetic and Number Sense

Order of operations

Fractions, decimals, percents

Algebra

Signed Numbers

Algebraic Expressions

Equations and Inequalities

Systems of Equation

Polynomials

Functions and Relations

Fractions and Rational Functions

Cartesian Coordinate System (Graphing)

Word Problems

Exponents and Logarithms

Radicals

Sets and Set Notation

Complex Numbers

Sequences and Series

Geometry

Reasoning and Logic

Definitions, Postulates and Theorems

Angles

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Triangle Postulates and Theorems (ASA, SSS, etc.)

Quadrilaterals and Other Polygons

Area and Volume

Circles

Trigonometry

Basic Trigonometric Functions

Basic Identities

Application
Statictics

Measures of Central Tendencies (mean, median, mode)

Measures of Spread (variance, standard deviation, percentiles)

Factorials

Counting, Permutation and Combination

Probability

UPCAT Math Tips

Strengthen and polish your basics. A solid foundation on the basics of the fundamentals of mathematics
is your key to passing the Math part of the UPCAT. All other topics that are covered will need the basics
on math. So before getting into more complicated topics like calculus and trigonometry, focus on the
basics.

Study the basics of trigonometry ratios. aIt would be best to study the basic trigonometric ratios and its
applications as UPCAT is known to throw in some trigonometry questions.

Calculators are not allowed during the exam. That means YOU are your calculator. It’s best if you brush
up on your manual and mental computation skills. There are a lot of learning resources out there that
you can choose from. This PDF copy of Speed Math for Kids might be able to help

Supplement your review with other math learning resources. You can check out channels like PatrickJMT
and KhanAcademy. There are also a handful of tutorials from other authors on Youtube.

Master calculating fractions, decimals and percents. This is also a key area that you should focus on.
Study on how to masterfully apply the basic mathematical operations on fractions and you will go a long
way. Believe us. You’ll thank us later.

Keep practicing. The best way to see if you are ready to take the actual UPCAT is to keep taking practice
tests and find out where you’re having a hard time so you can focus on getting better on those topics.

The UPCAT has NO Filipino questions. Aside from becoming good in computations, you should also
practice your English comprehension skills to understand word problems better.

Internalize & analyze, NOT memorize. Lastly, we all know mathematics is riddled with tons of formulas.
It would take years if you wanted to ‘memorize’ all of them. The secret here not to memorize the
formulas, but to internalize them and understand what they’re for and what they do. When you
understand that, the formula will naturally come to you because you understand how it’s supposed to
work.

Science Reviewer
UPCAT Science Coverage

The Science subtest covers It also focuses on your analytical skills - how you make connections from
science concepts and draw conclusions from observations - aside from the information and facts that
you've memorized.

Here's the breakdown of the science reviewer:

Earth Science and Astronomy

Rocks and Minerals

The Layers of the Earth and its Composition

Land Formations and Bodies of Water

Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes, Volcanoes

Climate, Weather and the Atmosphere

Fossils

Biology

The Ecosystem

Classification/Taxonomy

Biogeochemical Cycles

Plants and Photosynthesis

Animal Biology

Cell Biology

Genetics and Heredity

Human Anatomy

Chemistry

Precision and Accuracy

Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

States of Matter

The Periodic Table

Electronic Configuration and the Quantum Numbers

Nuclear Reactions

Chemical Reactions

Stoichiometry

Gas Laws

Redox Reactions

Basic Organic Chemistry

Physics

Scalar and Vector Quantities

Laws of Motion

Relative Velocities

Force

Work, Energy and Power

Fluid Mechanics

Light, Sound and Waves

Electricity and Magnetism

Thermodynamics

UPCAT Science Tips

Use flashcards. An effective way to remember key terms, concepts, and even formulas is to use
flashcards when reviewing. They can easily be downloaded online or you could create your own.

Internalize. Similar to mathematics, key to being effective is not to memorize but to internalize.
Understand the concepts and its terms, understand how and where they are applied, and understand
their effects. That is the best and fastest way to review them.
Practice computations in science topics. When mathematics is also involved like physics and chemistry,
doing practice tests with the computations will also greatly help you in preparing for the actual test.

Always try to challenge yourself. When you’re confident with the simpler problems already, challenge
yourself and try out the more complicated problems so you can be confident at solving them too.

Language Proficiency Reviewer

UPCAT Language Proficiency Coverage

The Language Proficiency subtest mainly focuses on grammar, vocabulary and proper composition of
sentences and paragraphs.

Here are the topics covered in language proficiency reviewer:

Vocabulary

Word Meanings

Spelling

Synonyms

Antonyms

Confusing Words

Grammar

Parts of Speech

Correct Usage

Punctuation

Capitalization

Subject-verb Agreement

Sentence Construction/Fragment Sequencing

Modifiers

Finding Errors/Sentence Correction

Voice (active and passive)

Sharp vocabulary and grammar skills is the key to acing the language proficiency subtest. An effective
way to hone these skills is by reading professionally written materials such as journals, books,
magazines, and academic articles.

It is best to avoid poorly written editorials or blogs as though they may have decent and understandable
content, they tend to skew your understanding of proper grammar and vocabulary.

Another good practice is to write in complete words and sentences when sending text messages, emails,
chats, and even when writing comments on social media. This will help you a lot in getting accustomed
to using properly structured sentences.

The dictionary is your best friend. It’s best to learn a new word everyday. Here’s another reference you
can use to learn new words that are most likely to appear in the test so be sure to check it out here.

If you want to improve your english proficiency, we advised that you refrain from watching Tagalized
shows for the duration of your review until after the test. Watch informative shows that are in full
english instead. This will help you be more familiar with the language.

Guessing the meaning of the word is actually possible, even if you don’t have a dictionary or a thesaurus
with you. You can do this by using context clues. Example: "The wounded soldier languished in pain as
there was no nearby medical team to aid him." You would infer that the meaning of the word "languish"
is to be forced to remain in an unpleasant state.

Word games will definitely help you in expanding your vocabulary and understanding of the words, and
also your logical thinking. This means playing word games like Scrabble, Word Factory, or even Boggle
during your downtime can help you a lot in preparing for the test.

Learn how to guess the meaning of a word by looking at the root word, and then looking at the prefix or
suffix. Example: “Circum” is a Latin word which means “around” so English words that originated from it
like circumference, circus, and circuit all have that sense of going around.

Practice communication using the language. Both speaking and writing in english will drastically help you
improve your mastery of the language. What better way to learn it that to put it into action, right?
Practice on writing essays, editing blogs and articles, or better yet, start your own. Do everything to
improve your language proficiency because it is one competency that you will need 24/7 not just for the
UPCAT or in UP but even in the real world after that

Reading Comprehension Reviewer

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Coverage

The Reading Comprehension subtest of the UPCAT is comprised of different written materials, as well as
diagrams and figures, which measures the level of understanding and analysis of the student.
This subtest may include the following:

Essays

Getting the Main Idea/Topic Sentence

Appropriate Title of Selection

Poetry

Short stories

Speeches

Comic Strips

Graphs and Other Diagrams

Figures of Speech (simile, metaphors, etc.)

Author’s Point of View

Meaning Through Context Clues

Drawing Conclusions

Inference

Fact and Opinion

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Tips

Read the questions first before passages. Reading all the stories and passages given during the test from
start to finish will be impossible to do in under 30-40 minutes, especially if you will be answer questions
after. One good technique to overcome this is to go straight into reading the questions. This way, you
know what you’re looking for and you can use clues to find the answers in the story or passage.

Practice reading fast while maintaining full comprehension of what you’re reading. This may sound hard,
but you just have to keep on doing it until you master the art of skimming and scanning so you can
understand important information without having to read a entire blocks of text.