Those who wish to study at the university take the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT). It is administered on the first weekend of August every year. The UPCAT is a four-hour long examination consisting of subtests on language proficiency, reading comprehension, mathematics and science. The UPCAT is in English and Filipino.
Standardized scores on these subtests are combined with the weighted average of final grades in the first three (3) years of high school to determine qualification into UP. Moreover, to implement the policy of democratization to make the UP studentry more representative of the nation’s population, socio-economic and geographic considerations are factored in the selection of campus qualifiers.
UPCAT applicants are ranked based on their admission grades which are the combinedUPCAT scores, high school grades, and equity factors where applicable. Admission grades like the University Predicted Grade (UPG) measure the applicant’s potential to do well in the University.