Law School Noob: [FEATURE SERIES] Preparing for UPCAT: How to get a competitive edge in UPCAT (part 1 of 3)

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

[FEATURE SERIES] Preparing for UPCAT: How to get a competitive edge in UPCAT (part 1 of 3)

Each year, the UPCAT manages to attract tens of thousands of graduating senior high school students looking to call the prestigious University of the Philippines their home for college. What these hopefuls don't realize, though, is that they can't just wing UPCAT. Indeed, acing the UPCAT requires hard work, commitment, and a burning drive to succeed.

RELATED: How to ace the UPCAT and other college entrance tests in the Philippines: An introduction

There is no definite way to prepare for the UPCAT. After all, each examinee is different in terms of learning competencies, stock knowledge, understanding of subjects, memory retention, and attitude, among others. Imposing a uniform study plan is not only unrealistic, it is also counter-productive.

What all this means is that prior to taking the UPCAT, it is important that examinees must sport an adequate and honest sense of self-awareness of who they are, what they know, and what they are capable of. Having an accurate sense of self-awareness is fundamental in coming up with an effective study suitable to the individual examinee's unique needs.

Granted, there are some things that remain more or less universal regardless of learning styles. Here are some of them:

1. Set a calendar for review and commit to it.

Acing the UPCAT requires discipline and commitment. You may be the smartest person in the world, but it's not hard to see how you can be easily beaten by one who is committed and disciplined enough to know more than you do. Do not be complacent. Come up with a study plan and commit to it.

For example, you may devote an hour a day to brush up on your knowledge on a certain subject. Conversely, you may elect to spend your entire Saturday reviewing for UPCAT.

Similarly, you need to decide if reviewing alone works better for you as opposed to reviewing in a group. Knowing which works best for you will allow you greater chances of absorbing more at the least time possible.

2. Start reviewing for the subjects you have the most difficulty with.

If Trigonometry bums you out, then put it on top of your must-review subjects. You don't get stronger being comfortable with what you already know; you get better when you pursue difficult things and remain steadfast in learning things you have the most difficulty with. In other words, face your fears head on.

3. Have reference and review materials handy.

These days, there are a lot of reference materials available that can help you prepare for the UPCAT. Go to your library and look for books with standardized exams, such as those for SAT and even for Civil Service Examinations. Otherwise, there are UPCAT review materials at bookstores and some free modules online.

There are quite a number of review centers catering to senior high school students looking to get an edge in their upcoming college entrance tests, such as the UPCAT. These centers provide review handouts, too.

Otherwise, there are quite a number of organizations that provide free UPCAT review sessions. In UP alone, many student organizations go to different provinces to conduct UPCAT review classes and provide materials free ofcharge or at a very minimal cost. Take advantage of these as they will be chock-full of tips from UP students themselves.

4. Practice, practice, practice.

It takes time to get better. In all these, it is best to practice what you know and what you've learned by answering sample questions. Not only will this give you a feel of how it's like to take the exam itself, it will also provide you with the necessary boost of confidence useful in improving your chances at acing the UPCAT.

5. Don't be too hard on yourself.

While passing the UPCAT is without a doubt an important goal, it should not be the end-all and be-all of your entire existence.

Learn to relax. Provide your self the chance and the opportunity to regroup and have fun every now and then.

Passing the UPCAT is going to be a highlight of your young life, for sure, but it should not be at the expense of losing precious time for yourself, your family, and friends. The tightrope balance between success and personal happiness is a tough act to do but it's not at all impossible either. Find that balance.

Next in the PREPARING FOR THE UPCAT series:

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