The University of the Philippines (UP) announced the suspension of its UP College Admission Test for the academic year (AY) 2022-2023 for the third straight year due to COVID-19.
"Given the continuing health risks and operational hurdles posed by in-person exams due to the pandemic, the University of the Philippines has resolved to forego the nationwide UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) for the academic year 2023-2024," Office of Admissions Director Francisco de los Reyes said in an advisory.
Delos Reyes said that the University Councils across campuses “voted overwhelmingly in favor” of the decision, noting that the move was made in consideration of the safety and welfare of over 100,000 student-applicants and 1,600 testing center personnel nationwide.
UP said that it will still use the scoring system it adopted in 2020 in assessing freshmen applicants for the next academic year.
According to Delos Reyes, the computation of admission score is based on the student's academic performance in grade levels 8 to 11, which is "subjected to transmutation and standardization to address the wide variation in the grading system of schools."
He added there will be additional screening for some academic units, adjustments for economic and geographic equity, and further fine-tuning of some aspects.
