Early this school year, I heard my batch mates buzzing about taking UPCAT. I was like, "Eh. Why should I bother? I'll never get accepted." UP wasn't really my dream school. I never aspired to be studying there or even to study at the capital, Manila. But when I knew that my best friends will be taking it, I thought, "Why not give it a shot? It's not like I'm going to study there or what. All this for fun and I hope, glory. Hahahaha!" Okay, I admit to have glory and bragging rights was what pushed me to take the exam. Pardon my pride. So I worked on the requirements and fortunately passed before the deadline. A few weeks later, I received my test permit. It was a this-is-it-oh-my-gawd-my-knees-are-shaking moment.
Weeks then days drew closer to my examination date. I was one of the many last takers, August 5 - 12:30PM. It was a Sunday. I was very nervous since I did not review for anything. All I have with me was 2 pencils, an eraser, a sharpener, 2 pieces of bread, bottled water and what I learned all throughout high school or you might say, stock knowledge. Mehehe. During the day of the examinations I woke up around 9AM. I took a bath, ate a lot, you know the usual. Then around 11:30, we traveled all the way to UP Mindanao in Mintal. It was very far from our place. I was late. I arrived around 12:15PM and everybody was in their respective testing rooms. Good thing I was still able to take the exams. My testing room was non-aircon but it was okay since there were a lot of electric fans. Unfortunately, I knew no one at my testing room. Bummer. The test was 5-hours long. The test includes Reading Comprehension, English, Mathematics, Science and an Essay. Those were the tests that I can only remember During the test, some of my co-test takers were eating and is in a carefree vibe. Well, me? I didn't eat. My back hurts. I was pressured. I was sweating. I don't know how they can afford eat and relax when taking admission tests. I salute them tho. The test was finished about 6PM. I was very tired. It was like my brain and muscles was ripped out of me. But it was one heck of a memorable experience.
X Review. Read some of your first year and second year lessons since you might have forgotten them
X Science exam was damn hard. So if you're thinking to take up BS Biology or Chemical Engineering, think again.
X Don't read. Skim. Especially on Language and Reading Comprehension since the time given is very limited to the number of items.
X It's a right minus .25 wrong. So you better think twice about shading just any circle.
X Bring extra Mongol#2 pencils. They don't allow UPCAT takers to use just any other pencil but they do provide the brand of pencils stated above.
X UPCAT is a time-pressured test. You better have a watch when taking the exam.
X Bringing snacks isn't really that necessary. In my case that is.
X Be early. I've noticed that some of my batch mates arrived early so they were placed in the air conditioned room.
X Have a good night's sleep. You don't want to be slouchy during the exam. You need to be alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic!
X Smile. Be optimistic. It's just a test. Lol.
X Most importantly, PRAY.
Thousands aspire to get accepted in this prestigious university. I mean who doesn't want to study at the best college, if not state college, in the Philippines. It is every student's dream. And remember be optimistic and if it's for you, it's for you. X, LRC
