The UPCAT is the test you take to get into the University of the Philippines (UP). It checks your skills in English, Filipino, reading, math, and science. Your test score and your school grades are put together into one number called the UPG. UP uses that number to choose who gets in. More than 135,000 students take the UPCAT each year. Only about 13 out of 100 pass. So it helps to know how the test works before you study.
This guide tells you what is on the test, how it is scored, who can take it, and the dates for the August 1–2, 2026 exam, which has now taken place. UP has not yet announced the UPCAT 2028 dates.
UP calls this test UPCAT 2027 because students who pass will start college in 2027. But the test was taken in 2026, on August 1–2. That is why many students call it "UPCAT 2026." It is the same test with two names.
Quick facts about the UPCAT
| Exam | UPCAT |
|---|---|
| Full name | University of the Philippines College Admission Test |
| Given by | UP Office of Admissions |
| Gets you into | UP, to start college in 2027 |
| Exam dates | August 1–2, 2026 (held). UPCAT 2028 dates not yet announced. |
| How it's taken | On paper. Multiple choice. |
| How long | About 4 hours |
| Parts | 4 — Language, Reading, Science, Math |
| Languages | English and Filipino |
| Calculators | Not allowed |
| Who takes it | More than 135,000 a year. About 13 out of 100 pass. |
What the UPCAT is
The UPCAT is one big test. UP looks at your test score and your school grades together. This helps them decide if you can get into a UP school and the course you want. The test is not about facts you just memorized. It checks if you can read fast, solve problems, and use math and science to answer questions in time.
Your test score is put together with your grades from Grades 8 to 11 to make your UPG. UP also looks at things like where you live and how much money your family has. This gives more kinds of students a fair chance. That is why two students with the same score can still get different results.
The four parts (sub-tests) of the UPCAT
The UPCAT has four parts. They are all multiple choice. The test uses both English and Filipino. There is no separate Filipino part and no Abstract Reasoning part. Filipino questions are mixed into the language and reading parts.
| Part | What it covers |
|---|---|
| LanguageEnglish & Filipino | Words and their meanings, spelling, and grammar. You also fix mistakes in sentences. In both English and Filipino. |
| ReadingEnglish & Filipino | You read stories, essays, and poems. Then you answer questions about them. You find the main idea and what the writer means. You have to read fast. |
| MathNo calculator | Numbers, algebra (the biggest part), shapes, basic trig, and stats. You solve it all by hand. |
| ScienceA little of everything | Biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. Most questions ask you to use ideas, not just remember them. |
Filipino words can also show up in the math and science parts. So learn the Filipino names for shapes, units, and science words. It is an easy way to get more points.
How the test works
- On paper. Each question is multiple choice with four choices.
- About four hours. You take it in the morning or afternoon. Your test permit tells you when.
- Bring pencils and an eraser only. No calculators.
- Two languages. Questions come in English and Filipino.
A wrong answer can take away a small part of a point (often said to be 0.25). But you lose nothing if you leave a question blank. These rules can change. So check UP's official guide before the exam.
Who can take the UPCAT
You can take this UPCAT if you are:
- A Grade 11 student who expects to finish senior high school by the end of the next school year; or
- A senior high school graduate; and
- Someone who has not taken the UPCAT before and has not taken any college courses.
The rules can be a little different for some students, like those who studied in other countries. UP shares the full rules each year. Check UP's official guide to be sure.
Key dates for the Aug 1–2, 2026 exam
- Online application (Form 1): March 3–30, 2026, extended to April 13, 2026 Closed
- School records (Form 2A), Grade 11: March 3 – April 10, 2026, extended to April 24, 2026 Closed
- Test permits released: July 2026 Done
- UPCAT exam: August 1–2, 2026 Done
- Submit Grade 8–11 records (Form 2B), and Form 2A for Grade 12 and graduates: August 3–24, 2026, extended to September 21, 2026 Closed
- Results: expected in the first half of 2027 Upcoming
The UPCAT 2027 has taken place, and the last paperwork deadline (September 21, 2026) has passed. Results are expected in the first half of 2027. If you are aiming for the UPCAT 2028, UP has not yet announced its dates. Now is a good time to start studying.
What "passing" really means
There is no one passing score for the whole country. Each student gets a number called the UPG. The UPG is made from:
- Your UPCAT score from the four parts, and
- Your grades from Grades 8 to 11.
Most of your UPG comes from the test (about 60%). The rest comes from your grades (about 40%). UP then lines up all students from highest to lowest. Each UP school and course has only so many slots. Some courses care more about certain parts. For example, Engineering looks closely at Math and Science. Mass Communication looks more at Language and Reading. UP also looks at where you live and your family's money.
To "pass" the UPCAT, you do not need one set score. You need to rank high enough to get the UP school and course you want.
How to prepare for the UPCAT
The UPCAT is long and has four parts. The students who do best study each topic many times. They also take practice tests that feel like the real thing. Cramming at the last minute does not work as well. Slow and steady wins.
- Find your weak spot first. Take one full practice test. See which part is hardest for you. Spend more time on that part.
- Practice a little each day. Do short drills on school days. Take one full, timed practice test each weekend.
- Check every wrong answer. Make sure you can explain it. This is how your score goes up.
- Practice math without a calculator. Doing math fast in your head takes practice.
A review center gives you a class, a teacher, and a schedule. Those things help a lot. GUIA works with your review center, not against it. It gives you practice every day, quick feedback on each answer, and a plan made just for you. Many top students use both.
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