Last Updated on 01/03/2020

Are you an honor student who is still unsure of your readiness to take UPCAT?

Or an average student hoping to pass the exam despite your mediocre high school grades?

Whatever the case, rest assured that U.P. provides equal chances to all students.

Who cares if you didn’t perform as well as you had hoped in high school? At this point, you can still
redeem yourself by giving your best shot in UPCAT.

And it all starts with having a good, reliable UPCAT reviewer to improve your test-taking skills.

Table of Contents

Why UPCAT reviewer is better than traditional review centers.

How to use this UPCAT reviewer.

1. Mathematics.

UPCAT Math Coverage.

UPCAT Math Review Tips and Tricks.

UPCAT Math Practice Test

UPCAT Math Answer Key

UPCAT Math Mock Exam

2. Science.
UPCAT Science Coverage.

UPCAT Science Review Tips and Tricks.

UPCAT Science Practice Test

UPCAT Science Answer Key

UPCAT Science Mock Exam

3. Language Proficiency.

UPCAT Language Proficiency Coverage.

UPCAT Language Proficiency Tips and Tricks.

UPCAT Language Proficiency Practice Test

UPCAT Language Proficiency Answer Key

UPCAT Language Proficiency Mock Exam

4. Reading Comprehension.

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Coverage.

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Tips and Tricks.

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Practice Test

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Answer Key

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Mock Exam

Why UPCAT reviewer is better than traditional review centers.

Aside from hefty enrollment fees, review centers often promise more than they deliver.

Students have different weaknesses or subject areas they need to focus more time on. Unfortunately,
most review centers are driven by profit so they’re more concerned about filling as many seats as
possible than fulfilling each student’s individual needs.

READ: How to Pass UPCAT Without Review Center: Best Tips from UP Students and Alumni
In contrast, studying at your own pace allows you to choose the areas to concentrate on. And the more
UPCAT practice tests you take, the better you become in choosing the right answer no matter how
difficult the question is.

A lot of UPCAT passers aced the exam without relying on review centers. And if you’re going to ask them
today, they will all agree that UPCAT pales in comparison to the college exams waiting for you in U.P.

Therefore, develop the discipline and self-reliance as early as now by reviewing on your own. There will
be no review centers to help you out once you make it to U.P.

How to use this UPCAT reviewer.

As you might already know, your score in the University of the Philippines College Admission Test
(UPCAT) constitutes 60% of the University Predicted Grade or UPG. The remaining 40% will be computed
from your final grades in the last three years of high school.

To improve your chances of passing the UPCAT, you need not just a solid foundation in high school but
familiarity with the difficulty of the exam. The latter can be achieved by taking time-pressured exams
with almost the same level of difficulty as UPCAT.

Remember, when it comes to taking tests, repetition is the mother of skill.

As a matter of fact, studies from the Journal of Experimental Psychology and Psychological Science give
credence to the phenomenon called the “testing effect” which explains that repeated testing enhances
learning and long-term retention.

This UPCAT reviewer is driven by the same research-backed phenomenon.

This reviewer is divided into four sections based on the subtests that appear in the actual exam:

Mathematics.

Science.

Language Proficiency.

Reading Comprehension.

Each section features different subtopics that might appear in the actual UPCAT as well as free practice
tests and answer keys to test your knowledge.

Consider these practice tests as part of the diagnostic exam, the result of which can be used to find out
your weakest areas and guide you in creating your own study plan.

Once you’ve completed your initial review, you can then take the mock exam for each subtest to
measure how prepared you are and to spot any weak areas you might have missed.

Each mock exam e-book also contains additional tips and tricks to help you tackle the hurdles unique for
each subtest.

1. Mathematics.

upcat-math-reviewer

UPCAT Math Coverage.

The Mathematics subtest of the UPCAT contains questions from different topics you learned in high
school. Although UPCAT questionnaires vary every year, Math questions will most likely come from the
following subtopics:

a. Arithmetic and Number Sense.

b. Algebra.

Signed Numbers

Algebraic Expressions

Equations and Inequalities

Quadratic Equations

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

c. Geometry.

Reasoning
Definitions, Postulates, and Theorems

Angles

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

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

Quadrilaterals and Other Polygons

Area and Volume

Circles

d. Trigonometry.

Basic Trigonometric Functions

Basic Identities

e. Statistics.

Measures of Central Tendencies (mean, median, mode)

Factorials

Counting, Permutation, and Combination

Probability

UPCAT Math Review Tips and Tricks.

Focus on the basics. Advanced math topics like calculus are nice to learn but don’t expect them to
appear in the UPCAT. Students with a good grasp of the fundamental math formulas and principles can
handle even the most complex math problems.

Trigonometry questions may appear but in only a few items. Review trigonometric ratios and basic
applications.

Since calculators will not be allowed on the day of the exam, make sure you know how to compute by
hand or through mental math techniques. Brush up on the multiplication table. Practice solving long
division problems. You can also download a PDF copy of Speed Math for Kids if you’re still struggling
with basic calculations.

Supplement your math review with free YouTube tutorials. Channels like PatrickJMT provide clear, easy-
to-follow math lessons you might have missed in school.

Master solving math problems involving fractions. Learn how to do the four basic operations on similar
and dissimilar fractions as well as how to express your answers in lowest terms.

Answer as many practice tests as possible. You may not be able to cover every single math topic on your
review but you’ll develop problem-solving skills that are essential in passing UPCAT. Besides, you can
remember math formulas better with repeated testing/application than with rote memorization.

When reviewing for UPCAT, internalize, don’t memorize. Understand the math behind every formula. If
you just memorize math formulas, you’ll fall victim to formula blindness, a phenomenon wherein
students fail to solve a problem because they assume the question is asking for a specific formula when
in fact it requires something else. To prevent this, review how math formulas are derived so you won’t
be misled to use a formula in a problem that deceptively asks for another similar formula.

Familiarize yourself with the Filipino translations of common math terms, shapes, and measuring units
(see table below). Questions in Filipino may appear in all subtests not just in Language Proficiency and
Reading Comprehension.

philippine measuring units

UPCAT Math Practice Test

UPCAT Math Answer Key

UPCAT Math Mock Exam

2. Science.

upcat-science-review

UPCAT Science Coverage.

The UPCAT will test your stock knowledge on the general scientific concepts related to Physics, Biology,
Chemistry, Earth Science, and Astronomy. To ace this subtest, brush up on the following potential topics
under each category:

a. Chemistry.

Precision and Accuracy

Conversion of Units

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

b. Biology.

The Ecosystem

Classification/Taxonomy

Biogeochemical Cycles

Plants and Photosynthesis

Animal Biology

Cell Biology
Genetics and Heredity

Human Anatomy

c. 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

d. 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 Review Tips and Tricks.

Download or create your own flashcards to help you remember key terms, concepts, and formulas.

As with the math subtest, don’t just rely on memorization when studying scientific formulas.
Understand them by heart and practice applying them to test questions with real-life scenarios.

Challenge yourself by answering difficult questions containing graphs and data from scientific research.
These often appear in the actual UPCAT.

There are relatively fewer questions from Physics than from other scientific subjects but this may vary
from year to year. Use critical thinking skills to analyze situations and come up with the best answers.

UPCAT Science Practice Test

UPCAT Science Answer Key

UPCAT Science Mock Exam

3. Language Proficiency.

upcat-language-proficiency-review

UPCAT Language Proficiency Coverage.

The UPCAT Language subtest is comprised of questions in both English and Filipino. It will measure your
fluency in both languages. Although we can’t predict what type of questions will appear in the actual
exam, they most likely will come from the following topics:

English

a. Vocabulary.

Word Meanings

Spelling

Synonyms
Antonyms

Confusing Words

b. Grammar.

Parts of Speech

Correct Usage

Punctuation

Capitalization

Subject-verb Agreement

Sentence Construction

Modifiers

Finding Errors/Sentence –Correction

Voice (active and passive)

Filipino

Note: Test questions in Filipino are incorporated in both Language Proficiency and Reading
Comprehension subtests).

a. WastongGamit

b. Bahagi ng Pananalita

c. Sawikain o Idioma

d. Tayutay

e. Paksa ng Talata
UPCAT Language Proficiency Tips and Tricks.

Read professionally written and edited pieces from books, journals, major broadsheets, or magazines.
These reading materials are fueled by good writing so immersing in them can sharpen your vocabulary
and grammar skills, not to mention help you read faster which is valuable in acing the Reading
Comprehension subtest.

In contrast, poorly written blogs, tabloids, and similar reading materials may skew your perception of
what constitutes good writing. Avoid them like a plague.

When writing a message through text, e-mail, or messaging app, don’t use shortcuts. People who are
used to spelling words incorrectly to save time tend to dull their abilities to use proper spelling and
grammar.

Enrich your vocabulary by learning at least one new English word a day. You can discover new words
either by reading books or watching TV shows/movies. We also suggest downloading the PDF version of
“The 1000 Most Common SAT Words” which features a rich collection of uncommon English words,
some of which have appeared in the actual UPCAT questions in the past.

Use a dictionary to find the definition of unfamiliar words. Rather than relying on memorization, try
using these new words in your daily writing activities or conversations for better retention.

Refrain from watching Tagalized movies and TV shows for now. If you want to improve your English
proficiency, the best options would be informative American TV shows that use formal English like those
in the Discovery, History Channel, and National Geographic, just to name a few.

Learn how to find the meaning of a word using context clues. This way, you can guess the answer even
without a dictionary or thesaurus. For example, in the sentence “She was an assiduous student who
promptly submitted her homework and projects on time,” you can infer that assiduous most likely
means “studious” by merely looking at the context clues following it like “promptly” and “on time.”

Play games like Scrabble or Word Factory that can help expand your vocabulary and improve your logical
thinking.

Know how to guess the meaning of words by looking at their root words, prefixes, or suffixes. For
instance, “Philos” is a Greek root word which means “love” so English words that originated from it like
philanthropy, philosophy, and hydrophilic all have positive connotations.

For the Filipino part, you can improve your vocabulary by reading literary works of Ricky Lee, Lualhati
Bautista, and Jose Rizal. Questions in Filipino may also be included in the Science and Math subtests so
familiarize yourself with Filipino translations of shapes, scientific terms, and the likes.

Practice communicating in both languages. Whether it’s through speaking or writing, the only way to
improve your communication skills is through constant application. Start your own blog/vlog. Volunteer
to edit articles on the Internet. Do whatever it takes to improve your language proficiency. It’s one skill
that will help you succeed not just in U.P. but in the real world.

UPCAT Language Proficiency Practice Test

UPCAT Language Proficiency Answer Key

UPCAT Language Proficiency Mock Exam

4. Reading Comprehension.

upcat-reading-comprehension-review

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Coverage.

The UPCAT Reading Comprehension subtest is all about speed reading and quick thinking. Expect to
encounter long essays that can easily consume a lot of your time if you’re not careful.

This subtest includes questions in both languages (English and Filipino) and may contain the following
question types/formats:

a. Essays

b. Getting the Main Idea/Topic Sentence

c. Appropriate Title of Selection

d. Poetry

e. Short stories

f. Speeches

g. Comic Strips

h. Figures of Speech (simile, metaphors, etc.)

i. Author’s Point of View

j. Meaning Through Context Clues

k. Drawing Conclusions

l. Inference

m. Fact and Opinion

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Tips and Tricks.

Unless you’re a gifted speed reader, it’s impossible to read all the passages/stories within the allocated
time of roughly 30 to 40 minutes. So instead of reading them from start to finish, go straight to the
question and use the clues you can find to zero in on the answers embedded in the stories/passages.

Learn how to read fast while maintaining 100% comprehension. Practice with both English and Filipino
reading materials. Master the art of skimming and scanning to understand important information
without reading the entire blocks of text.

As you can see from the “Coverage” section above, the Reading Comprehension subtest may include
questions that will ask you to analyze a wide variety of reading pieces ranging from essays, lines in plays,
and poems to articles containing graphs and charts similar to those appearing in the Science subtest.

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Practice Test

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Answer Key

UPCAT Reading Comprehension Mock Exam

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