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

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 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 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.