Around 75,000 UPCAT examines are expected to take the state university's entrance test this weekend, August 4 and 5. Photo by Peter C. Marquez, InterAksyon.com.
TARLAC, Philippines—It seemed not too long ago when I was having jitters a few hours before taking the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). I can’t believe it’s been five years since I held a Mongol 2 pencil while carefully choosing the right circle to shade that will determine my future in college.
Time really flies by so fast. This weekend, August 4 to 5, some 60,000 state university hopefuls will be going through the same college entrance test anxieties.
Rewind to the past, one day before my scheduled exam, I was too obsessed on how I could pass the UPCAT. Call me desperate but I’ve done some weird measures believing that I will pass the exam.
For instance, I brought the rosary that a friend got for me from Vatican. I was wearing it during the exam. I also placed Php5 coins in each shoe. I forgot who told me about it but the explanation behind it was that Php5 coins represent gold and whoever has such coins inside his or her shoes will become victorious or succeed in the exam. Lastly, I wore my favorite and so-called “lucky” shirt on the day of my exam.
Meanwhile, I asked some people about the preparations or rituals they did before and or during the UPCAT. Some are unusual and amusing while some are serious. Below are some stories of those who took the UPCAT during their respective years. After all, those lucky rituals might have added to those who passed the exam.
“I watched a movie day before my exam at di ako nakatulog dahil sa sobrang kaba. Tapos yung pencils and test permit ko [ay] pina-bless pa sa pari. On the day of the exam itself, I brought a baon of two Spam sandwiches. Kumakain lang ako habang nage-exam.” Juan Niccolo Aganon, 2005 UPCAT taker, recalled.
It was a relief to hear that Bremn William Isais, 2007 UPCAT taker, also did the same thing I did before the exam: “Naglagay ako ng coins sa shoes ko for goodluck! Apparently whenever I do that something good comes out of it!”
Malaya Roxanne Santos, another former examinee who took the exam in 1997 shared: “Nagdasal kami ng nanay ko. Nagpamisa pa kami. Then on the day of the exam, I brought my lucky charms like lucky handkerchief and rosary,”
Of course, those who are nervous right now are this year’s set of UPCAT examinees who seem to be more practical in their approach.
“I studied and read the reviewer I got from REV-UP (a review program). My exam will be on Sunday, pinaplano ko po na hindi na mag-review the day before para relax na lang and get some good sleep.” Jerome Christopher Flores, a 15-year old high school student said.
Francis Nichol Quiambao, 16, shared: “I attended a review program for three weeks. My exam is this Saturday so gagawin ko mamayang gabi, magre-relax na lang ako. Also, I will pray and ask the help of God for this exam.”
High school senior Divina Gracia Sablan, 14, said, “Several weeks before UPCAT, I browsed through the materials given by the review center I attended last summer. Two weeks before UPCAT, nanghiram ako ng books sa library ng school for further information. Mag-aaral pa rin ako the day before the exam.”
It’s all in the hands of the UPCAT taker, of course. Preparation is still key. Add to that enough sleep, a good breakfast, and don’t forget to bring snacks for when one goes hungry during the grueling four-hour long exam.
To the 75,000 examinees, good luck!
