hello there aspiring college student! hehe i wanted to take the time to share my cets experience to whoever would need them or would find them helpful! i hope all of you get into your dream schools and pass your dream courses! 🥰
okay so! first of all, i only took 3 CETs, namely the UPCAT, USTET and the PLMAT! i also took the DOST-SEI exam. i passed all of my cets but i didn’t pass the dost scholarship exam 🥺. but anyway! i didn’t go through any review center, i just studied by myself and with my friends using free review materials that i found on the internet. i spent my summer and the free time i had during grade 12 to study for cets. ok so major tip for when you’re self-studying, just really have a schedule and stick to it. for example, i would set topics for a specific subject for me to study for a whole week and then i’d answer practice tests on the first and last days of that week.
next! practice, practice, practice solving, reading and thinking quickly kasi sa dulo talaga, ang kalaban mo sa cets ay oras. mahalaga ang bawat minuto kaya ‘wag sasayangin! hone your problem solving skills and reading comprehension skills. practice under time pressure if kaya.
okay i’ll tell u my specific test experiences na HAHA these are in chronological order!
UPCAT (University of the Philippines Admission Test) ❤️ — if i had to rate this test’s difficulty out of 10... siguro mga 6 or 7/10 lang siya. the test itself is very general and it touches on all the topics talaga na you’ve learned from high school. basically, it’s a little bit of everything! ‘yung pinakakalaban mo nalang talaga sa UPCAT ay ‘yung dami ng mga taong kumukuha neto, around 100k applicants or more so ayun, you really need to do well on the test! aside from that, 60% ng magiging score mo rito ay manggagaling sa upcat mismo tas 40% will be taken from your JHS grades so ayun, heads up lang, may hila ang previous grades mo. AY tas right minus 1/4 wrong ‘yung test... personally i still answered everything, wala akong iniwang walang sagot sa upcat pero it’s up to you!
DOST-SEI Scholarship Exam 🤍 — it was similar to UPCAT! may mga extra sub-tests lang kagaya nung mechanical part ata?
USTET (University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test) 💛 — HARDEST CET for real . the way it’s laid out and the way you answer it, sobrang mas complicated ‘yung pagkapresent kaya nakakalito siya. seriously, you just need to power through it and make yourself focus. may mga topics like investments and calculus and oral communication na mahirap pero ilan ilan lang naman.
PLMAT (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Admission Test) 💙 — same lang with UPCAT pero for some reason it seemed easier! mas chill siya and it was the cet that i enjoyed the most. so ayun, basically, super general lang niya soooo make sure you’re well-rounded sa lahat ng topics.
aside from that 🥺 what i regretted with my cets experience was that i didn’t try out for more universities and colleges, so if you can and you want to, go for it lang! maganda magkaro’n ng options.
okay after allllll of that, relax. mahirap ang waiting game, please, batch 2020 knows that lmao. focus on your senior year and let the exam results come in naturally. if ever you don’t pass one or something, okay lang, don’t think of it as an indicator na hindi ka matalino or hindi ka capable. i didn’t pass the DOST-SEI test and i felt so??? defeated and i felt really dumb, i was scared na i wouldn’t pass my other cets, but look, i passed USTET, i passed PLMAT and was even part of the top 1500 passers and i passed the UPCAT. your failures do not define you! anyway if you got this far, i hope this helped you! you can message me if you’ve got anymore questions/tips or if you wanna be friends 🥰 goodluck sa mga susunod na batch! KAYA NIYO ‘YAAAAN, PARA SA BAYAN!!! 🇵🇭
The USTET is one of the very first entrance test exams I ever took. It is also, in my opinion, among the easiest. The key to acing it? Mastering your high school classes.
Or at least, passing all of them and acquiring enough stock knowledge.
MENTAL ABILITY
If I remember correctly, this subtest has 80 items and you have 25 minutes to answer it (don’t hold me on this, I’m not sure, but just know that the time is short and the subtest is long). The questions are easy, but they’re tricky. Make sure you read them correctly! It’s mostly logic questions and some basic math, if you’d call it that. A weird example I remember: “If I have 5 apples and give 2 to my friend, how many does my friend have?” My most important tip for this is to answer as many as you can. They’re going to tell you it’s okay not to finish it, but you should still aim to. Your scores on this subtest will matter.
MATH
wELP, as you can probably tell from the results, math isn’t my strongest suit. However, I found the USTET’s math part relatively easy. It would definitely easier for people who are good in it or enjoy it. The most memorable part was the trigonometry questions because I couldn’t remember any of them. So know your trigo ratios! Values of the six trigonometric ratios (sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec and cot) for 0∘, 30∘, 45∘, 60∘ and 90∘ appeared, so make sure you know those. As well as your high school Algebra and basic Geometry, of course.
SCIENCE
The USTET’s Science part dealt with basic concepts. Questions focused mostly on recurring high school science concepts like erosion, plate tectonics, basic anatomy, etc. There wasn’t a lot of physics iirc, and those that appeared simply involved Newton’s Laws. Hopefully, you paid attention in your high school classes.
ENGLISH
Scour your pile of notes for those Oral Communication lectures because they’re basically the main content of this subtest. That’s all I have to say for this.
TL;DR
Answer the Mental Ability part quickly and efficiently, master high school Algebra, know your basic concepts in Science, and study your Oral Comm lessons.
Lastly, know the opposite of love.
University of Santo Tomas website: http://www.ust.edu.ph/
Your Comprehensive Guide to Passing the College Entrance Tests
College entrance tests season is a time in my life that I look back on with equal parts pain and fondness, which somewhat serves as a justification as to why I’ve been putting off this post for so long. Although I spent many sleepless nights re-absorbing lessons I never even got in the first place—all while having to deal with agonizing self-doubt and anxiety—I guess it’s safe to say that it was all worth it. After all, ya girl passed three out of the four universities she applied for: I have yet to find out if UP is willing to take me under their wing, but whether or not they want me, I can say that I am very much contented with my results.
Since I feel I’m in a position to speak on a topic like this, I’m back at it again and ready to help anyone about to tackle the beasts that are the CETs this year. I’m dividing this post into three parts, which will contain tips on how to go about everything before, during and after taking what most consider to be the most important tests of your life.
Obligatory disclaimer: This is ridiculously long and not everything that I’ve written here will apply to you, but hey, if I were you, I’d start taking down notes.
BEFORE THE TEST
One thing most people fail to stress when giving advice on this topic is the importance of adopting the best mindset. Understand that the CETs are a very serious and urgent matter, for you are tasked with preparing for the succeeding chapters of your life all within a short time frame, but at the same time, don’t allow the pressure that comes with it to lead to overthinking and comparison that will ultimately distract you from achieving your goal: passing. Stay driven and positive, and focus on yourself.
Now, on to the actual studying part. I’d hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the best way to breeze through these exams without breaking a sweat is by being a good student all throughout high school. Be the type to maintain a stellar general weighted average, keep all notes taken down during the past four years in an expanding file folder instead of using them to wrap dried fish and join as many extracurricular activities as possible. If you’ve already failed at this, it’s time to proceed to Plan B: review school.
I personally didn’t enroll in any classes over the summer, because I thought they only took place during the month of April, which was when my parents had scheduled our overseas trip for the year. Well, apparently, I couldn’t have been any less well researched and by the time I found out, it was already far too late. So, I had made the decision to opt for self-study. For some reason, I was the only one in the household who was worried out of my mind: my parents were very much convinced that I would be able to handle reviewing on my own, and prove that review school was not a requirement for acceptance into prestigious universities. I was touched by their unwavering confidence in me, but every word felt like an additional kilogram I had to carry on my back.
I got by through borrowing old review modules from my dentist (Tita Meng, I have no idea how you’re ever going to read this, but thank you so much for saving my life… and also straightening my teeth) and downloading sample tests from the Internet for me to test my knowledge later on. My efforts never felt like they were enough for me though: I remember looking up the curriculum for each subject I needed to tackle on the website of the Department of Education, researching each sub-topic that was vague to me and Khan Academy-ing my way to proficiency. Definitely an unnecessarily extra way to tackle the reviewing process, but hey, my mind was very much laden with doubt and I was willing to do the most. I also put up cartolinas on my bedroom walls with formulas for different Math and Science subjects, which proved itself useful since I actually spend a decent amount of my time staring off into space.
If the thought of doing all of this alone is stressing you out, then maybe it’s time to go down what is considered by most to be the safe route: enrolling in a review school. Doing so will provide you with all the lessons covered during high school in the form of actual lectures with qualified teachers, and hardbound notes that often come with sample tests that resemble the real thing. It guides you through the application process as well as gives updates on the schedules of most universities, and helps in parts of the test that cannot be achieved by poring over textbooks such as essay writing and even techniques for plain old guessing. All these benefits seem to provide their students with the confidence boost to top everything off, and I admit that I did feel inferior to most of my peers at some point for this reason. They all just seemed so put together, so at ease with their binders and pastel highlighters that it made me go through a period of regret and resentment. Do not let the perceived advantage they have blind you, though: do note that even if attending a review school helps you ace the entrance test, it does not measure your aptitude nor your ability to handle the workload that you will have to face as you make your way in the university of your choice.
Because I had to do everything alone, I had firsthand experience when it comes to waging a war with time: it was truly my biggest enemy during this point in my life. It’s obviously crucial to create a schedule and follow it regularly. If you’re anything like me, you’ve read this in several self-help books or heard this over and over again on productivity podcasts but planning truly is key. First, list down all the topics that you want to cover, complete with the estimated time it’ll take you to master them. Then, distribute them per day evenly so you don’t end up overwhelming yourself and cramming so much information in your head that you barely get to retain anything. It’s important to have a contingency plan ready as well, in case you needed more time digesting a particular topic.
Eliminate all distractions while reviewing. This is a cardinal rule for studying in general, so it will definitely increase in importance during a time like this. One thing I found important is to tell yourself why you have to do it, so it’s easier for you to follow through. For example, I’m pretty addicted to watching YouTube videos, so having to cut down my marathons and look at the number of videos on my Watch Later pile up was a bit painful at first. But upon conditioning my mind into thinking that I’d rather spend my five month summer vacation before college binge watching all the videos I had missed out on instead of looking for a university that was still ready to accept me, it was much easier for me to cut down on it.
Remember to prioritize breadth over depth. Cover as many topics as you possibly can, going over the basic concepts and important formulas. Then, knock yourself out with practice tests so that you’re fully familiarized with them by the time CETs roll in, because you never know how even the simplest questions can be twisted around to baffle you. A common mistake most incoming seniors make (myself included) is overthinking what could possibly be asked and going too into detail when reviewing. In my defense, it seemed like the natural thing to do during a situation of panic but if I had only known, I would have been able to save so much of my time and devote it to mastering everything I had learned.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if ever the need arises, whether it be from teachers, friends or upperclassmen. It might come off as a surprise to some of you, but there are many people who will be more than willing to help you, whether out of pity or genuine human decency. I asked tons of my classmates if I could borrow the notes they received from their review center, so I could learn more than I could have on my own (and maybe even compare their progress with mine). Sometimes, I’d disturb them at ungodly hours and call them up on Messenger to plead them to teach me the shortcuts in problem solving, mnemonics or acronyms. I was never the type of person to do that: honestly speaking, it felt like a direct blow to my pride to have to beg for something. But, it was my future at stake and upon remembering that, I no longer felt any shame [shrugs]
On another (but equally important) note: stay on top of your requirements for the different universities you’ll be applying to. Although they don’t normally start until July or August, it’s much better to get these out of the way as early as possible. Take it from me, who ran around Megamall looking for a photo studio a week before ACET apps needed to be passed. Stock up on ID pictures of different sizes, preferably 1x1, passport size and 2x2. Photocopy important documents like your birth certificate and grades forms, as well as your ID from the current or previous school year. Start thinking of who to ask recommendation letters from, brush up on your essay writing and interview skills and work on your CV if needed. Also, have a scanner ready if you plan on trying out for La Salle, since their application process is purely online. Be sure to keep track of your deadlines: don’t wait around for people to remind you, and please please please For The Love Of God do not cram everything until the very last second.
Strive to finish reviewing over summer break so you don’t have to worry about balancing CETs and academics, which is an entirely different playing field. I’ll come clean and say that I failed to do this, because there were still so many topics I couldn’t understand and questions I couldn’t find the answers to, even with the guidance of the Internet. Let me tell you, it was absolute hell as I didn’t have the time or brain capacity to digest lessons both for school and entrance tests. Please have mercy on yourself and focus on the classes you are to take during the school year, flipping through notes and flash cards sparingly when you have free time.
Now for the part that will probably be most useful to you all: the actual subject matter to study, focused specifically on the entrance tests for the Big 4 universities. Don’t use this as the sole basis of your review, since it’s not a guarantee that the topics covered this year will be the same as the succeeding ones. I remember looking up this one CET tips thread which said that the ACET was going to have mostly geometry-related questions. Since Ateneo is my dream school, I spent a ridiculous amount of time cramming everything from theorems to tangents in my head. So, you could just imagine my surprise when I actually took my test and was greeted by a maximum of four geom questions and a predominantly Algebra II and Trigonometry-centered Math portion.
ACET
Language proficiency
This test will assess your knowledge on basic grammar: correct usage of verb tenses, S-V agreement, analogy-type and a cloze test, where you are required to fill in the blanks with the appropriate word for the sentence. It also included an essay question about a particular word that differed from session to session. I had to make one on the word “superstition”, so I had written something on how I didn’t believe in them because I was raised by my family with a very strong faith in God. One tip people give out a lot is to try and relate your answer to either love for God or being a man for others, but do it only if it doesn’t come out forced. From what I remember, we were given 50 minutes to answer all of this, and I don’t mean to come off as boastful but English is and has always been my first language, so it didn’t serve as a problem on my part.
Mathematical ability
This test is feared most by previous test takers, and it was only when I crawled my way through it that I realized why it has that reputation. It’s composed primarily of basic algebra, algebra II and trigonometry questions, all of which are quite lengthy and require a decent amount of time to think through, especially if you’re not really the best in this subject.
Abstract reasoning
This test… Boy, what do I even say? It requires you to pick out the figure or shape that completes the pattern. There were 30 items all in all that needed to be accomplished within 10 minutes, and I couldn’t tell anything apart from each other. I feel anyone who tells you they took this test seriously and finished it without breaking a sweat is just messing with you. I don’t think there’s any way to answer this test without turning to our old friend (the shotgun method).
Logical reasoning
This test includes questions with a set of premises that you are supposed to analyze, and a list of choices containing possible conclusions that can be drawn from them. Your task is to pick the most logical one, which sounds like common sense at first. Apparently, this was a topic discussed in General Math, so there is a certain set of rules to follow. Not only did I not remember ever taking this up in my life, but I also skipped it during review so I had to borrow my classmate’s book and cram everything I could during ACET week (DEFINITELY NOT ADVISABLE). There was one part of the test that involved a lot of technical terms, which I did not read about or study but thank God ya girl was desperate enough and ended up finding hints in the instructions!
Vocabulary
Pretty self-explanatory type of test, with 25 words in five minutes. It seems overwhelming, but contrary to popular belief, it’ll be easy even for those who aren’t voracious readers.
Reading comprehension
This test will require you to fully understand the message of the text, and apply it practically or draw sensible conclusions from it. I breezed through this one as well, because I’ve been reading since I was in the womb, but this can prove to be difficult for those who aren’t used to it. I’ve been seeing this tip circulating that goes “Look at the questions first before the passage itself, so you know what to find” and although it can fool just about any lazy reader out there, I tried it for myself during the ACET because I was in the mood and it didn’t help me at all. If anything, it just slowed me down because I was doing twice the work: looking at the question then going over the whole thing to find the answer, then repeating the process instead of just reading the text once.
Numerical ability
This test was all word problems—age, work, mixture, speed—with a dash of ratio, proportion and variation. This was the last portion of the ACET, and not only was my brain fried to a crisp but I was also very eager to leave so this definitely made me want to scream as I was taking it. It could have been much easier if I had memorized the exact formulas, and practiced lots so I could work rapidly without sacrificing accuracy.
DCAT
Mema test
I don’t know the actual name of this test, but I called it as such because it was so all over the place it felt like the ones in charge of making the DCAT looked at the final draft, saw they were an entire subtest short and crammed these questions two hours before the deadline. It was a mix of both abstract reasoning and vocabulary, and was generally easy: the AR patterns were understandable and didn’t require a lot of analysis, while the vocab words were very few and quite common.
Math I
I read in this one CET tips post that this portion was, and I quote, “pretentiously difficult and time-consuming” and it’s absolutely true! It’s big on derivations of formulas and advanced concepts in algebra, it barely had any basics much to my dismay. My mental block during this part was at its peak: I didn’t know how to solve anything, so I simply substituted each of the missing values in the problem with a number and worked it around until both sides of the equation were equal. That obviously took a lot of effort, which stemmed from my refusal to let go of an item until I feel like I’ve tried my best in solving it. But, it doesn’t have to be the case for you, especially if you’re terribly pressed for time: don’t hesitate to skip if you can’t move forward!
Math II + logical reasoning
Undoubtedly the hardest part of the exam, because no one saw it coming and thus, no one was able to prepare for it. And to think I was already warned by my friends who took the DCAT the week before I did to review statistics: I went through my notes from Grade 9 on combination and permutation, completely unaware that it was going to focus on hypothesis testing and estimation of parameters, which we failed to cover in Grade 11. I thought I’d be able to get by, I remember even praying that there would be only a few items but the entire test revolved around it so I almost literally crawled my way through. As for logic, it was alright until they started using technical terms like I had no idea what modus ponus (hocus pocus?) is and I don’t think I’ve ever had to study that in my life, so I think it’s safe to say I didn’t perform well there.
Reading comprehension
This was pretty similar to the ACET, so the same description and tips apply. Nothing to worry about.
EAPP/Research
This test was the plot twist of the year: DLSU completely took out the traditional type of English subtest (identifying errors, vocabulary, cloze test, etc.) and replaced it with citing in APA format, the principles of academic writing and the parts of a research paper. I had no idea that this was going to be included, and thankfully, those who enrolled in review centers didn’t either so we were all pretty much on equal footing. But, I walked out of it without a scratch: I guess it’ll be easy for you if you contribute to the making of your research papers, but if you’re a freeloader, ayan diba sinabi ko sa inyo may araw rin kayong lahat O ETO NA YUN
Science
This test covers the four major areas: earth science, biology, chemistry and physics. It was so much easier than I expected, because it only centered on terms and definitions of important concepts. I was most worried about the physics portion, since I’ve always considered it to be my waterloo, so you could just imagine my relief when I saw that it was very formulas-based and could be aced by anyone who took it up in Grade 10. (Super long run-on sentence, I’m sorry) I definitely wouldn’t have been able to survive it without the help of Tyler DeWitt, the best Chemistry teacher anyone could ever ask for – I found him on YouTube during a moment of desperation and binge-watched all his videos the day before DCAT, and he is probably the sole reason behind my success.
Life skills
The easiest and best part of the DCAT, because it’s simply a test of your character. It provides you with a set of situations, and all you have to choose which one best applies to you—so, yes there are no wrong answers. It’s easy to think that the most logical way to answer would be to feign sainthood and pick which one makes you look like an Ideal Lasallian/Catholic/Person, but I advise you to stay as true to yourself as possible. Those in admissions have probably seen many people apply this strategy in the past, and will most likely appreciate your honesty and view it as a way of seeing a true glimpse of your character.
UPCAT
Language proficiency
I think I was only sure of about 75% of my answers in this test, and to think this was the easiest part of the UPCAT for me as language is supposed to be my forte. Although it revolved around the basics—identifying errors in sentences, cloze set, rearrangement of sentences to form a paragraph and vocabulary—it came in both English and Filipino, which really tired me out early on.
Science
Hardest test of them all, to the point that taking it felt like my brain was getting hit by different trucks all at once. It covered all four major areas, including earth science. There were a ton of tables, graphs and diagrams that needed to be interpreted, and experiments to be analyzed: it’s big on practical applications and understanding of concepts. Don’t memorize any formulas, acronyms and mnemonics as you definitely will not need it at all.
Math
This test ran through a little bit of everything: from basic algebra to geometry, trigonometry, word problems and even statistics, sequences and number theory. It’s important to memorize all the formulas and learn how to solve problems fast even if they’ve already been twisted around. Math has never been my strong suit, so at this point, I was very close to hyperventilating. I even remember shading the wrong circles for ten questions in a row because I skipped one item. I also took around three bathroom breaks at this point, and spent 30 seconds sat on the toilet praying.
Reading comprehension
This was the first time I ever loathed this kind of test, when it’s supposed to be my strong point. It’s just that the previous subtests were so mentally and emotionally draining, that I didn’t have the brainpower to tackle it. It didn’t help at all that the passages chosen for the UPCAT were not the usual narrative types that are actually entertaining to read, but were incredibly information and detail-heavy. (They made really good memes on Twitter, though: no one was over the patis, newsboy or Super Ferry 9 for a long while.) The best thing to do at this point would be to go for the easiest and shortest ones first, to give your brain time to repair and prepare itself.
USTET
Mental ability
This test seeks to assess your common sense through a mix of logical reasoning, analogical and basic language and arithmetic problems. I don’t think I have to give you tips about this part at all, because it’s that easy.
Science
This test also includes question on all four major areas, but the main difference is that there are close to no practical applications of concepts – surprisingly, UST only cares about the definition of terms. Thus, intensive review probably won’t be needed: you could just skim through your notes from junior high school and have a good grasp of what’s going to be included.
Math
This test had mostly basic algebra and geometry, as well as some word problems – nothing too difficult. One other fun thing was that there was so many of the same type of question, so if you have the formulas memorized and a certain technique in answering, you could get so many (if not all) correctly.
English
This test focused mainly on basic grammar, figures of speech and subject-verb agreement. There was also a tiny part about oral communication and research, which I wasn’t able to prepare for but it’s a good thing I actually bothered paying attention to my teacher in Grade 11 or else I wouldn’t have been able to answer a thing.
THE DAY BEFORE – DURING THE TEST
Now, normally people would tell you to rest the day before any big test: drop all books and notes and mentally psych yourself for the battle up ahead in the form of face masks and comfort food. Although it sounded incredibly tempting, I obviously didn’t follow it because I was running short on time and had so many things I had yet to fully understand. Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t experience any adverse effects and even retained everything I had crammed into my head. So, you’re technically still allowed to review: run through flash cards and try a bit more practice problems if you wish. The only thing you have to make sure of is that you do not stay up late: sleep is crucial for memory retention and BASTA PARA DI KA LUTANG, and you do not want to realize that you’ve taken it for granted on such an important date.
Pack all your essentials the night before in (preferably) a small backpack that you can easily lug around. Bring two #2 Mongol pencils, an eraser, your test permit, a school ID just in case and food to snack on: my personal favorites of the season were seaweed crisps that I got for a buy one, take one deal in Robinsons Supermarket, raisins and trail mix. Scientific studies in the past have claimed that chewing motions can help stimulate your brain, but I just believe it just doesn’t feel right to engage in battle on an empty stomach. Coordinate with friends who’ll be in the same testing center as you, in case you won’t be able to survive in such an environment without someone to sympathize with you. Personally, I didn’t bother meeting up with friends for three out of my four tests because I wanted to feel independent and possibly run into new people.
If you’re anything like me and you hold on to God for dear life in almost every situation that brings you difficulty, don’t forget to pray for enlightenment and the capacity to accept His will, whatever it may be. As much as possible, try to hear Mass the day before your entrance test. Funny story, I was supposed to do this on ACET Eve, but we got stuck in traffic and missed the opportunity to. I ended up running to my parish while the staff were closing it (I didn’t even know that was a thing – what about the troubled souls who need guidance in the wee hours of the morning!) and muttering the most desperate prayer under my breath in a minute. I even lit a candle outside because I wanted to pass Ateneo that badly. Looking back, I found that it helped me lots because I was able to lift up all my worries to Him so I wouldn’t have to bring them along with me the next day.
On the test day itself, the best weapon to have in your arsenal is a good mindset. Walk into the testing center like you already passed, stroll along the corridors like it’s your first day in that university and look at every question as another step closer to freedom. Do not overthink or panic: I know it is much easier said than done, but it won’t hurt to fake it till you make it (sometimes, in situations like this, it’s the best option available).
Keep track of time limits: don’t be afraid to glance at the wall clock or your wristwatch from time to time so you can pace yourself properly. Don’t take too long on one item: if you don’t know what to do with it in 20 seconds, just come back to it when you have extra minutes to spare. If you’re not sure about the answer to an item, make the most intelligent guess you can by racking your brain for the very limited stock knowledge you have on that topic. Choose one letter to be your go-to choice if you really don’t know the answer: mine was C (for Christ, truly) although I don’t know if that’s still a wise decision because universities might start picking up on this strategy.
Look back on all your answers: if you have the luxury of time, re-read everything from the instructions to the passages to the choices provided, because sometimes, even if you were 110% sure of what you were answering during that moment, you may have missed something important. If you happen to be one of those beasts who come prepared enough and you’re completely sure of everything already, catch a quick nap to recharge those batteries instead of scouting for attractive fellow test-takers. I swear, there will be many more of them in college: at present, it’s best to exhaust all efforts into actually getting a university.
AFTER THE TEST
The minute the proctor makes you put your pencil down one last time and submit the questionnaire forward, let it go. Completely forget that it happened: don’t spend the succeeding days discussing answers with peers, as it will almost always end with you regretting things you can no longer change. Do not keep a countdown until judgment day ticking in your head either: choose to take this time to let your life return to its normal state. Shift your focus back to your academics for the school year, and be preoccupied with your interests once again during your free time. Remember to treat yourself as well, because we all know it’s not easy to study while simultaneously worrying about your future. After all my CETs, I made sure to eat out with my family and spoil myself with chick flick marathons and skin care products. Most importantly, be sure to keep praying as it is the key to accepting what happens in the future and regaining peace of mind. As cheesy as it sounds, trust in God’s plan for You and know that He has a reason for everything that is about to happen.
Now, on to the final stretch: the release of results. (This is a pretty timely thing to be talking about right now, since as of this writing, I’m waiting for UP to make a move within the week) If you pass your dream school—or any university for that matter—congratulations! Your hard work has finally paid off, and the promising future you’ve built up in your head is slowly turning into a reality. Don’t forget to thank all those who made this possible for you: God, your family, friends and teachers who believed in you through every sleepless night and mid-morning breakdown. Remain humble though, and be careful not to gloat in front of those who didn’t pass. I know you’re not really obliged to act a certain way to please them, especially during a time as joyous as this, but it’s all a matter of empathy: I’m sure you’d feel the same way if the roles were reversed. One thing you’re left to decide with if you’re lucky enough to pass more than one college is where you’re headed off to. Personally, it’s course over school: go for the program that suits you best and will help you pursue the career path you wish, since that will do you more good in the future than the reputation of any institution. If you are not entirely convinced by that spiel, do not hesitate to ask help from those you trust most: preferably family members, teachers and counselors. I left out friends, because I don’t think it’s a wise decision to choose a specific school just because that’s where they’re headed.
If you fail to make the cut, however, indulge in your right to cry right now. I’m sure that it must be disheartening, planning out a future in a school that ended up “rejecting” you in the end, but news flash: the race does not finish here! Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get ready for the results of the other schools you have applied for. Be sure to surround yourself with only people who are capable of uplifting your spirits and helping you believe in yourself during such a trying time. If the worst case scenario happens and you are left with no college at the end of the day, it’s time to get hustling: look for universities that are still accepting applications (some schools out there have entrance tests every month, and results come out instantly), or send in letters of appeal if ever you truly have your eyes set on a specific campus. That’s not something I have much expertise on though, but almost everything you will need to know is on the school’s official website.
And, there you have it! Everything I could tell you about the college entrance tests! I spent approximately three days trying to kick my writing slump in the ass: my eyes hurt and I may be suffering from carpal tunnel but all of that means nothing as long as I’ve been able to guide one hopeless soul out of the dark. (Yes, I patterned that after my comprehensive guide to surviving Grade 11 – my brain is dying, and I have no time to think of an ending catchier than that.) I’m on summer break now and I’ll be going to Korea next week, so expect a lot of lighter and more amusing content!
12 mn, release nang ustet result. todo dasal na talaga ko before pumatak ng 12 mn that night kasi sobrang desperada na ko makapasa sa uste knowing na dream univ ko talaga sya ever since with my dream course/program (architeture). ayon, exact 12 mn, naglog in ako, ayaw pa nga nung una invalid applicant daw. sa sobrang daming natingin nang result, nagcacrash na yung site ng ust. ang funny lang sa part na yon. then, nakapaglog in na ko. todo takip ako sa screen ng laptop kasi dangggg, super kiakabahan na .ko asi in, nanlalamig na buong katawan ko. BANG.. PUTANGINA. HAHA. ANG SAKET. mabasa nung ‘did not meet the cut off score’. feeling ko gumuho mundo ko. nung pagkabasa ko non, kahit man lang sana on-waiting-list man lang kasi may pagasa pa talaga yon. kaso hindi, puta. ‘we regret to inform you...’ sinampal talaga sa muka ko na hindi ako qualified maging tomasino. tanginang yan. nung una, tawang tawa pa ko kasi ambaba talaga ng score ko, although it is my fault talaga kasi sumabak ako sa gyera na walang sandata kundi lakas lang talaga ng loob. no reviews talaga, mahina pa naman ang memory ko at hindi ako papalag sa mga stock knowledge na yan. andon yung panghihinyang, puta talaga. yung mga ‘what ifs’. what if, nagreview ako. makakapasa ba /ko? what if pinaghandaan ko talaga tong ustet na ‘to, hindi ko ba mabibigo sarili ko. ganon ba. hindi pa ko naiyak nung nalaman ko ung result kasi natatawa tawa pa ko. haha pero nung 5 am na, gising na si mama. chinat ko sya, sabi ko “ma, hindi po ko nakapasa. :( “ pagkasend ko non, tulo luha ko tangina. hindi ko ineexpect kala ko okay lang sakin. na hindi ako apektado ganon. kaso daig pa sa sakit ng break up naramdaman ko. naririnig na ‘ko umiyak ni mama tas lumabas ako ng kwarto yumakap ako sa kanya kasi hindi ko na kaya. sobrang bigat sa pakiramdam na kailangan ko ng yakap ni mama para lang at least kahit papaano gumaan man lang sana. nagbreakdown ako sakanya, yakap ko sya. feeling ko naging baby na naman ako.hindi ko inaasahan na iiyak rin si mama kasi alam kong ayaw nya ko magUST pero siguro kasi bunso ako at mahal na mahal nya ko, ayaw nya ko makitang nasasaktan at disappointed sa sarili ko kaya ganon na lang din naging reaksyon nya. habang yakap nya ko at nasa leeg nya ulo ko. sinasabihan nya ko ng mga advices at comfort words na super effective naman talaga kasi sya talaga yung kailangan ko during that time.
Ganto pala yung pakiramdam na ma-reject nang first love. pangarap ko talaga uste kahit na alam kong ang shitty ng sistema. ang hirap tanggapin na minahal ko na ng sobra tas hindi rin pala ko tatanggapin kasi hindi ako enough. ano mang sabi nila sakin na marami pa naman jan ibang school, sobrang sakit pa rin talaga. nakakababa ng tingin sa sarili, lalo na’t first ever entrance exam ko yon kasi hindi naman ako nalipat nang ibang school. siguro nga challenge lang sakin ni Lord ‘to. may mas magandang oppurtunity syang nakahanda para sakin kasi ganon nya ko kamahal. itong failure na’to ang hindi makakapagpabagsak sa’kin, ito pa yung magiging pundasyon ko para magsikap pa ng mabuti para lang maachieve ko yung goals ko sa buhay. iiyak ako. magmumukmok ako. magluluksa ako. pero babangon ako. oo, oa man pakinggan pero kasi isa sa pangarap ang pinaguusapan dito. ganon ako kababaw. kahit na alam kong hindi siguro ako para sa ust, magtatry pa rin ako. magpaparecon ako. sana man lang, sa pagkakataon na ‘yon. tanggapin na ‘ko at yakapin ng buo ng UST. alam ko pagdating ng panahon babalikan ko tong araw na pinost ko to at yung january 28 na yon, tatawanan ko lang yon at sasabihing tangina mo eto na ko ngayon. matagumpay na sa buhay. haha! it is not time to say goodbye yellow heart bcos there is still hope that you will eventually accept me. see you again!!
hell,o. I am currently a grade 12 senior high school student (graduating na ko bes whooo!) and I took the USTET or University of Santo Thomas Entrance Test last December 3, 2017 (last batch). I don't really know if someone will see this (idc tho) I’ll still do this since this day is very special to me. I got to go to my dream school, UST, and hopefully I’ll pass the test kahit di ako nagbuklat maski isang libro man lang.
Btw, the courses that I chose are architecture and advertising arts (puro arts bessywap) The USTET normally just have 4 tests (Math, Science, English, IQ) But since I chose architecture they added an additional test (Space relation) AND since i picked an art course (advertising arts) I had another test again which is the drawing test. The drawing test btw varies on what art course an examiner chose (fine arts, industrial arts...) So overall, I had a total of 6 test :c
TIPS:
1. BRING A BAG FULL OF JACKET
Ang lamig bes! Partida naka-long sleeve na ako nun ah hahaha. Batsa bring a very thick jacket, if you don’t want to, edi wag.
You can eat while taking the exam just make sure not to distract other examinees (mag-share ka oy)
4. STUDY (?)
Actually it’s not necessary to study. It’s your choice. But if you really want to pass the USTET, then study. ( di po aq nagaral hihihi)
5. PRAY
Since dis girl right here didn’t study...
ABOUT THE TEST:
Yung test ko 50/50. 50 hula, 50 hula ule. Charing lang medyo may naalala naman ako sa nilesson ni maam at sir so alam nyo na hahahaha. Yung sa dagdag na 2 test ko, madali lang sya. AS IN. Ewan ko lang sa iba ah. Yung math tsaka science syempre matik na ahirap yun. Wag nyo na kong tanungin. Pero yung English basic lang. Basta wag kayong mapressure sa time uki? Uki. Sayonara.
For incoming high school seniors, your last year in high school is approaching, and this means you’ll start applying to different colleges and/or universities where you could potentially spend the next chapter of your life in. Here’s a list of tips that will guide you every step of the way, from choosing schools to filling up your application form.
Before Applying
1. Select your CETs carefully.
The summer before my last year in high school, I was planning to apply to at least 8 schools. I ended up applying to only 4. The application process can be stressful and time-consuming (filling up application forms, preparing requirements, writing essays, etc.). Apart from school work, I had application requirements added to my workload. Not to mention the precious weekends you’ll miss because of taking the college entrance tests. Because of this, I advise you to think carefully about the schools you apply to. Only apply if you’re actually considering attending that school in the future. Overdoing it could just add unnecessary work or stress on yourself.
2. Be Updated about Application Periods and Deadlines
As early as June, start browsing the websites of the schools you’ve selected. Take note of important dates, such as the start and end of application period, the deadline of applications, and the date of the exam.
3. Inquire if your school does batch processing.
Batch processing is very convenient because the school/guidance office is responsible for getting application forms and submitting the accomplished ones afterwards. You can save yourself a lot of time and effort from going to the school to submit your application form yourself. The only downside to this is that you can’t accomplish your application form at your own pace since the school will pass every student’s forms and requirements all together.
4. List down your achievements and past membership in organizations.
Some application forms will ask you to list down your past achievements (whether academic or extracurricular), participation in competitions/seminars, and your membership in school organizations (such as varsity teams, student council, etc.) and even organizations outside school (youth group). Before application period starts, try to recall the details of these so that it would be easy for you to write it down on your application form later on. You may even ask the help of your teachers or parents if there were some achievements/activities you missed.
Application Period: Requirements
1. Learn about the nature of the application process.
While some schools still give out paper forms to be filled out by applicants, others have upgraded their application process. Find out how you’re supposed to apply to these schools, whether you need to fill out a form by hand (like in the case of Ateneo) or fill out an online form and submit scanned copies of your requirements (like in the case of DLSU). Some online applications also require you to download the forms to be filled out (recommendation forms, scholastic record, etc.). By learning about the process, you’ll know what to prepare (like a scanner, for example).
2. Prepare your requirements as early as possible.
Once application period has started, start preparing your requirements. In particular, you’ll most likely be needing ID pictures (the size depends on the school you’re applying to), a photocopy of your birth certificate, and your transcript or report card. While you can easily take care of the first two yourself, make sure to request a copy of your grades from your current school if needed. If you are given a form that needs to be filled up with your grades (like for the UPCAT), make sure to give this to your school principal/registrar (or anyone else that is authorized to fill up your grades). It’s best to prepare these early so that you won’t find yourself desperately looking for your birth certificate or begging a school official to rush the production of your transcript record a few days before the deadline.
*For convenience, when having your picture taken, get it in various sizes (1x1, 2x2, passport, etc.) so that you won’t need to have it taken again.
3. Take note of the special instructions when it comes to requirements.
Some universities have special instructions when it comes to the requirements you need to submit. For example, for last year’s application, UST requested for a photocopy of an applicant’s birth certificate on long bond paper instead of A4. Another example is DLSU’s requirement for the ID picture. Applicants should make their ears visible and refrain from smiling in the passport-size photo.
4. Start writing your personal essay.
The only schools I know that require a personal essay to be submitted together with the application form are ADMU and UA&P. I only applied to the former, but I found it very difficult to finish writing my essay. The question/theme given for the essay was not difficult. I just kept changing the main topic of mine because I wasn’t sure what the admissions committee would be interested in. My advice is to start drafting your essay early then have it proofread by your parents or your teachers/guidance counselor.
5. Choose a teacher who knows you well for the recommendation letter.
Some schools (like ADMU) require students to submit recommendation letters. In ADMU’s case, they provide a recommendation form together with the application kit. If you are given freedom to choose any teacher, choose someone who knows you well, particularly your good qualities. (It also won’t hurt if you choose a teacher who is good at writing! Haha)
Application Period: Filling Out the Form
1. Draft your application form.
It’s a little nerve-wracking to fill up an application form (especially if erasures aren’t allowed!), so my guidance counselor required our class to photocopy our application forms first and fill up the photocopied form. By doing so, you can still have it checked by your parents or teachers if you did the right thing.
2. Pay attention to instructions.
Some universities have specific instructions written on their application form. For instance, some forms will require you to mark your answers with an “X” instead of a check mark. Other forms ask for your mother’s name before she was married (don’t make the same mistake I did lol). Just to be safe, read the instructions carefully and follow them.
3. Write legibly.
I think this is self-explanatory. Write your answers in ALL CAPS print.
Submitting Your Application
1. Submit early.
Chances are that many other students will be rushing to submit their application forms a few days before or on the deadline. To avoid long lines (and possibly missing the deadline altogether), submit yours at least a week before the deadline. If your school is doing batch processing and they asked you to submit your application requirements to them on a certain date, stick to that deadline. Remember, you're not only delaying your submission but possibly also delaying the application of others.
2. Take care of your test permit.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive your test permit. This is very important because it is the only proof that you applied and are eligible to take the test. Don’t lose it. Bring it on the testing date.
3. Take note of your application number.
The numbers you see on your application form or test permit (application number, reference number, or pretty much any other number used to identify you) is also important. You might need it to access the results later on.
4. Check out your testing site before the scheduled date.
This tip is helpful for those who are not familiar with the area where the school is located. Explore the campus and look for your specific testing site to familiarize yourselves with the route and the time it takes to get there.
Disclaimer: Some of these tips are only applicable in some countries because of the differences in the college application process/procedures. Nevertheless, I wish everyone who reads this can still find a helpful tip!
