If it’s one thing I’m grateful to my parents for, it’s the fact that
they instilled the love of reading in me when I was just a little kid.
Little did I know that that would serve me in good stead, especially
when I faced entrance exams like the University of the Philippines’ College Admissions Test (UPCAT).
Not everyone may be able to breeze through the English and Reading
Comprehension portions of the said exam, though. If you need help with
regard to those sections, then read on.
Tips and Strategies
The content for the English and the Reading Comprehension sections is
pretty straightforward. You’ll likely face questions that will have
you completing unfinished sentences, arranging mixed-up things in
chronological order and correcting grammatical errors. Be sure to mind
those tricky tenses, spelling, punctuation and subject-verb agreement
thingies, too.
Attacking these sections is a bit of a balancing act. The time
pressure involved makes it necessary to read through the text as quickly
as you can without compromising your understanding of it. Fortunately,
there are ways to prepare for this. (more on those below).
Oh, and remember to read the instructions very well (this holds true
for any section, actually). If you understand what the question is
asking for but you don’t follow the test instructions to the letter,
you’re in trouble.
Great Test Takers are Great Readers
Arguably, the best way to prepare for these portions of the UPCAT is
to be a voracious reader well before the test itself. Read all the books,
magazines and other publications (in both English and Tagalog) that you
can get your hands on, and then after you’re done with them, read some
more.
Another thing my parents taught me was to look up at least one new
word in the dictionary every day. It’s a great way to build up your
vocabulary if you do it faithfully. A word a day translates into three hundred sixty-five new words after a year.
A technique I learned from my mentors involves reading aloud.
Besides exercising your vocal chords, but there’s something about
reading aloud that exercises your mind as well. The processing and the
comprehension involved seem faster and more efficient. Try this and see.
A Final Word
If, after doing all these, you still need extra special help in
polishing your English skills, there are plenty of resources available
out there.
For instance, you may wish to invest in speed reading and other English classes, such as the ones being offered by the likes of Wilma Cruz Tapalla. Feel free to check out the links here for some possible leads here.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but one of the best resources you can visit is Merriam-Webster’s site. Besides having a handy dictionary and thesaurus, the site also offers word games and other resources that can help you keep your English skills razor sharp.
Above all, don’t forget to pray as you prepare. By the time that
UPCAT rolls around, you’d have gotten enough practice to tackle the
English and Reading Comprehension sections in your sleep.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
UPCAT Science Portion Tips and Strategies
While not as annoying as mathematics, science also gave me a
challenging time during my school days. Some of my teachers helped me
grasp the method behind the “madness” (read: the scientific discipline),
while other teachers drove me to madness, period.
Science comprises a major portion of the University of the Philippines’ College Admissions Test (UPCAT). If you’d like to study the science behind passing the UPCAT, then read on.
What to Expect
As with the math portion of the UPCAT, the science portion contains stuff you should already be familiar with. Questions usually cover general science, biology, physics, chemistry and Earth science as well.
For example, you may be pressed for the different parts of the cell and their corresponding functions. The test may also ask you to solve for the amount of voltage or current in a particular situation, or it may ask you to describe what happens to an object that is in motion under certain circumstances.
Be careful, though: it may be terribly tempting to take the science portion for granted just because it doesn’t involve nearly as much computation as the mathematics section, so don’t let your guard down.
Strategy and Ba’s Dimensional Analysis
Follow the same general strategy that you do for other sections: pray beforehand, attack the easy questions first, go for the harder ones next. Budget your time, and be mindful of the fact that a fourth of a point will be deducted from your score if you answer incorrectly.
One blogger by the name of ba offered a helpful suggestion in the form of the “dimensional analysis method”—a rather fancy term for the process of elimination. The trick to science questions, ba contends, is to simply compare the answers you get from your own calculations with the options provided for multiple choice questions.
From there, just find the choice (rounded down or rounded up) closest to your computed answer and eliminate the rest. Exercise caution, as sometimes the question will include certain irrelevant bits of information just to confuse you.
Resource Links
If you’re looking for more UPCAT help, try asking around forums like http://www.peyups.com or http://www.pinoyexchange.com. Most forum members will only be too happy to answer your questions, especially if they’ve been through the UPCAT already.
You can also get some good responses on http://answers.yahoo.com as well. Blogs, such as those written by folks like Dine Racona (http://dine.racoma.com.ph/school/tips-for-upcat-takers-acet-too/), can also provide plenty of good feedback regarding entrance exams. Be sure to check out the reader responses, too—you may be surprised at the amount of insight that readers can offer there.
If you’re scouting around for review sessions, traditional word-of-mouth or sites like Sulit (http://www.sulit.com.ph) or OLX (http://www.olx.com.ph/) can help you find what you’re looking for. Just do a quick search for “UPCAT review” and you’ll come up with a gazillion possibilities.
In closing, remember that the UPCAT ultimately draws from your stock knowledge, so start stocking up on relevant information during your high school years. Once the UPCAT season rolls around, you’ll be glad you did.
Science comprises a major portion of the University of the Philippines’ College Admissions Test (UPCAT). If you’d like to study the science behind passing the UPCAT, then read on.
What to Expect
As with the math portion of the UPCAT, the science portion contains stuff you should already be familiar with. Questions usually cover general science, biology, physics, chemistry and Earth science as well.
For example, you may be pressed for the different parts of the cell and their corresponding functions. The test may also ask you to solve for the amount of voltage or current in a particular situation, or it may ask you to describe what happens to an object that is in motion under certain circumstances.
Be careful, though: it may be terribly tempting to take the science portion for granted just because it doesn’t involve nearly as much computation as the mathematics section, so don’t let your guard down.
Strategy and Ba’s Dimensional Analysis
Follow the same general strategy that you do for other sections: pray beforehand, attack the easy questions first, go for the harder ones next. Budget your time, and be mindful of the fact that a fourth of a point will be deducted from your score if you answer incorrectly.
One blogger by the name of ba offered a helpful suggestion in the form of the “dimensional analysis method”—a rather fancy term for the process of elimination. The trick to science questions, ba contends, is to simply compare the answers you get from your own calculations with the options provided for multiple choice questions.
From there, just find the choice (rounded down or rounded up) closest to your computed answer and eliminate the rest. Exercise caution, as sometimes the question will include certain irrelevant bits of information just to confuse you.
Resource Links
If you’re looking for more UPCAT help, try asking around forums like http://www.peyups.com or http://www.pinoyexchange.com. Most forum members will only be too happy to answer your questions, especially if they’ve been through the UPCAT already.
You can also get some good responses on http://answers.yahoo.com as well. Blogs, such as those written by folks like Dine Racona (http://dine.racoma.com.ph/school/tips-for-upcat-takers-acet-too/), can also provide plenty of good feedback regarding entrance exams. Be sure to check out the reader responses, too—you may be surprised at the amount of insight that readers can offer there.
If you’re scouting around for review sessions, traditional word-of-mouth or sites like Sulit (http://www.sulit.com.ph) or OLX (http://www.olx.com.ph/) can help you find what you’re looking for. Just do a quick search for “UPCAT review” and you’ll come up with a gazillion possibilities.
In closing, remember that the UPCAT ultimately draws from your stock knowledge, so start stocking up on relevant information during your high school years. Once the UPCAT season rolls around, you’ll be glad you did.
UPCAT Math Portion Tips and Strategies
As a student, there was one four-letter I particularly disliked:
M-A-T-H. I preferred to work with words and ideas, rather than cold,
hard numbers and logic. You can imagine what it must’ve been like for
me during entrance exams.
Like it or not, you’ll need to deal with mathematics anyway when it comes to the University of the Philippines’ College Admissions Test (UPCAT). It may look like a formidable challenge, but fear not. There are strategies that you can employ to help you not only pass, but pass well.
Tips and Strategies
Expect a lot of stuff drawn from your high school math classes: algebra, geometry, trigonometry and what not. You may come across questions on ratio and proportion, polynomial factoring and length calculation. For example, you may be asked to calculate the length of a side of a triangle given the lengths of the other two sides.
Make sure to bring a watch with you, too. While this is not the “unfinishable” ACET, you will still have to deal with a fair amount of time pressure. In your mind, divide the math portion into four-phases: the easy questions phase, the hard questions phase, the “absolutely clueless” questions phase and the review phase.
Budget your time and answer questions in that ascending order of difficulty. That way, you’ll get build up points as well as much-needed morale early on for the harder questions down the road.
To Skip or not to Skip
The UPCAT reportedly employs a scoring system wherein twenty-five percent of your wrong answers are subtracted from your right answers. Opinions vary regarding the best way to handle this. Some say it’s better to take an educated guess; others say that it’s better to just skip the tricky questions.
Unfortunately, this is an arbitrary matter, and the best course of action will depend on who you are, where you are at that moment and how you’re doing. That’s why I make it a point to pray for wisdom and guidance before exams. You may wish to do the same thing.
Miscellaneous Stuff
If you’ve been keeping your math skills up to snuff since your freshman high school year, you should be well equipped to deal with the UPCAT math section. If not, start preparing as soon as you can. Look for a tutor, a review book, study group or review center that can help you. Chances are you’ll learn better when you’re in the company of others with similar goals, so seek those edifying people out.
To help you get started, here are a few resources you can check out. Conrad Miguel has some good tips and strategies on taking multiple choice exams on this site: http://conradmiguel.com/tips-on-taking-multiple-choice-standardized-exams
For a general review on math, you may also want to practice with available online reviewers such as these:
http://www.sosmath.com/
http://www.thatquiz.org/
http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/GREmathPractice.pdf
There is also a wealth of practice exam booklets available in National Bookstore and other places of learning. With these and other tools at your disposal, the math portion of the UPCAT can be whittled down to something that’s a lot more manageable than it initially appears to be.
Like it or not, you’ll need to deal with mathematics anyway when it comes to the University of the Philippines’ College Admissions Test (UPCAT). It may look like a formidable challenge, but fear not. There are strategies that you can employ to help you not only pass, but pass well.
Tips and Strategies
Expect a lot of stuff drawn from your high school math classes: algebra, geometry, trigonometry and what not. You may come across questions on ratio and proportion, polynomial factoring and length calculation. For example, you may be asked to calculate the length of a side of a triangle given the lengths of the other two sides.
Make sure to bring a watch with you, too. While this is not the “unfinishable” ACET, you will still have to deal with a fair amount of time pressure. In your mind, divide the math portion into four-phases: the easy questions phase, the hard questions phase, the “absolutely clueless” questions phase and the review phase.
Budget your time and answer questions in that ascending order of difficulty. That way, you’ll get build up points as well as much-needed morale early on for the harder questions down the road.
To Skip or not to Skip
The UPCAT reportedly employs a scoring system wherein twenty-five percent of your wrong answers are subtracted from your right answers. Opinions vary regarding the best way to handle this. Some say it’s better to take an educated guess; others say that it’s better to just skip the tricky questions.
Unfortunately, this is an arbitrary matter, and the best course of action will depend on who you are, where you are at that moment and how you’re doing. That’s why I make it a point to pray for wisdom and guidance before exams. You may wish to do the same thing.
Miscellaneous Stuff
If you’ve been keeping your math skills up to snuff since your freshman high school year, you should be well equipped to deal with the UPCAT math section. If not, start preparing as soon as you can. Look for a tutor, a review book, study group or review center that can help you. Chances are you’ll learn better when you’re in the company of others with similar goals, so seek those edifying people out.
To help you get started, here are a few resources you can check out. Conrad Miguel has some good tips and strategies on taking multiple choice exams on this site: http://conradmiguel.com/tips-on-taking-multiple-choice-standardized-exams
For a general review on math, you may also want to practice with available online reviewers such as these:
http://www.sosmath.com/
http://www.thatquiz.org/
http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/GRE/pdf/GREmathPractice.pdf
There is also a wealth of practice exam booklets available in National Bookstore and other places of learning. With these and other tools at your disposal, the math portion of the UPCAT can be whittled down to something that’s a lot more manageable than it initially appears to be.
College Entrance Exams: General Math Coverage
To an applicant going through a lot of stress, math sections of college entrance
tests may appear as odd assortments of numbers, problems and
headaches. Fortunately, there is an inherent pattern to it—a method to
the “madness,” if you will.
Since the tests almost always draw from general high school math, here’s a listing of some topics and subtopics you can expect to see on most exams.
Algebra
source
Since the tests almost always draw from general high school math, here’s a listing of some topics and subtopics you can expect to see on most exams.
Algebra
- polynomial factoring
- ratio and proportion
- word problems
- simplifying algebraic expressions
- matrices
- linear equations
- graphs and lines
- rational expressions
- exponents and roots
- factoring
- polynomials
- squares
- quadratic equations
- inequalities
- negative numbers
- dimension calculation (length, area, etc.)
- Euclidean geometry
- non-Euclidean geometry
- angles
- proof and logic questions
- circumference, diameter, area, etc.
- word problems
- trigonometric functions (sin, cosin, tan and inverse)
- identities
- laws
- word problems
- MDAS = multiplication, division, addition, subtraction
- Integers
- fractions
- percents
- decimals
- real numbers
- values
- algebraic principles
- word problems
- statistics
- sets
- sequences/series (Fibonacci, et al)
- probability = combinations and permutations
- probability
- logic
- diagrams
- lines, points, infinities
source
College Entrance Exams: General English Coverage
In anime and manga, a nosebleed refers to a male character’s manly interest in an attractive female character. In college entrance tests, though, a nosebleed is a sure sign that one is struggling with the English section of the exam.
Fortunately, the old cliché “to be forewarned is to be forearmed” still holds true today. To get a better idea of what to expect (and consequently, what to prepare for) as far as college entrance exam English grammar and reading are concerned, please consult the following list:
Vocabulary
Fortunately, the old cliché “to be forewarned is to be forearmed” still holds true today. To get a better idea of what to expect (and consequently, what to prepare for) as far as college entrance exam English grammar and reading are concerned, please consult the following list:
Vocabulary
- word meanings
- homonyms, synonyms and antonyms
- words that people commonly confuse
- punctuation
- capitalization
- modifiers
- sentence construction
- sentence correction
- spelling
- parts and figures of speech
- analogies: similes and metaphors
- phrases and clauses
- voices (active and passive)
- essay writing (may not applicable for all college entrance exams)
- poetry
- essays
- articles
- short stories
- mythology and fables
- speeches
- local and international literature
- famous authors
- literary/textual criticism: plot, themes, style, summaries, etc.
- inference
College Entrance Exams: General Science Coverage
Like the math portions of college entrance exams, the science portions also have a kind of pattern to them. The tests draw from certain major branches of science, each with their respective sub-branches.
If you’d like a listing of the kind of high school science subject matter you’ll see on nearly every college entrance test out there, then look no further. Here it is:
Biology
Earth Science
Physics
Astronomy
If you’d like a listing of the kind of high school science subject matter you’ll see on nearly every college entrance test out there, then look no further. Here it is:
Biology
- Classification/Taxonomy
- Plants and photosynthesis
- Bacteria
- Cell biology
- Animal biology
- Heredity and genetics
- Human biology and anatomy
- The Periodic Table
- Mixtures and compounds
- Chemical reactions and solutions
- Diagrams
- Minerals and nucleotides
- States of matter
- Measurement
Earth Science
- Rocks and minerals
- The Earth’s interior
- Bodies of water
- The ecosystem
- Fossils
- Plate tectonics
- Weather, climate, atmosphere
- Volcanoes and earthquakes
Physics
- Laws of Motion
- Force
- Light, sound and waves
- Matter and energy
- Magnetism and electricity
- Measurement
Astronomy
- Planets of the solar system
- Other heavenly bodies: stars, asteroids, comets, black holes, etc.
- Moon cycles
- Lunar and solar eclipses
- Galaxies and the universe
Points to Ponder: Tips on How to Pass College Exams (Academic Clinic)
Reviewing for exams can be really tedious and will require a lot of
effort. I myself experienced this. You can’t review for an exam if you
don’t know how to start in the first place. That’s what this article is
for —to give you insights of what to do and how to go on about it. Here
is a list of all the topics that you should focus on:
Language Proficiency
-Parts of speech
-Punctuation
-Capitalization
-Modifiers
-Figures of speech
-Phrases and clauses
-Identifying errors
-Sentence arrangement
-Sentence completion
-Choosing the best sentence
-Commonly misspelled words
-Vocabulary (synonyms and Antonyms)
Reading Comprehension
-Articles
-Poems
-Short stories
-Comics
-Fables
-Speeches
-Diagrams
-Graphs and charts
-Stories in dialogue form.
-Interpreting plot, themes, data, style, inference, mood, vocabulary, etc.
Science
-General Science(Rocks and minerals, earth’s interior, ecosystem, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, planets, heavenly bodies, moon cycles, eclipses galaxies and the universe),
-Biology (Classification & Taxonomy, plants, cells, genetics, cell biology, anatomy),
-Chemistry (Periodic table, mixtures and compounds, stoichiometry, chemical reactions and solutions, diagrams, minerals and nucleotides, states of matter, measurement),
-Physics (Laws of motion, force, light, sound, waves, matter, energy, magnetism, electricity, measurement)
Mathematics
-Algebra (Word problems, radicals, fractions, complex numbers, sets and arithmetic, systems and quadratic equations, sequences and series, exponents, signed numbers, factoring and special products)
-Geometry (Reasoning and common sense, postulates and theorem, solids, volumes, circles and spheres, angles),
-Statistics (Sets of complex numbers, interpreting data of graphs/charts, probability, concepts of regression and correlation, counting, permutation, combination)
-Arithmetic (MDAS, integers, fractions, percents, decimals, real numbers, values, series, sequences.
Abstract Reasoning
-Relationships between verbal and non-verbal ideas
-Forming theories about the nature of objects
-Ideas/recognizing patters
Logical Reasoning
-Investigative
-Deduction
-Induction
-Precondition.
How to Conquer Entrance Exams
•First thing that you should do is to prepare early. It would be very beneficial for your sake if you know what to study. That way, you’d be able to figure out where you’re weak at and what to do about it. Take practice tests and set a time limit so that you’d get accustomed to what it feels like being under extreme time-pressure. Practice makes perfect, after all.
•Make sure you understand what the question is asking. If you are penalized for a mistake and can’t seem to eliminate one or two of the choices, leave it blank. Continuous guessing will hurt your scores.
•Use your common sense and answer smoothly. If you are having a hard time answering a particular question, you might as well skip it first and answer it later if you still have time. Mark the question so that you can come back if you’ll have time to spare.
•Keep a positive attitude. Do not let the thoughts about failing let you down. Keep that attitude during your review until the exam itself. Do not even think of faltering. Think about it. Many were able to make their dreams come true. So can you, right?
•Avoid cramming. This will only cause you to be in “Panic” mode and besides, forcibly remembering information at the last minute is both fruitless and fallacious.
•Get sufficient rest during your review and the night before your exam. Do not be tempted to drink coffee or anything that has caffeine Restlessness will cause you to be in a bad mood and not be at your best during your exam. Trust me, I’ve experienced it myself.
•Eat a well-balanced diet. Brain foods such as peanuts, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and chocolate will energize and alleviate you. You don’t want to review or take an exam with an empty and grumbling stomach, do you?
•Do your best to gain confidence and just relax. I know it’s hard to do, but if you can sit down in the room without being jumpy and jittery, you’re more likely to score better.
•Pray fervently. Always ask for His guidance. I believe that He won’t let you down if you just keep faith and draw strength from him. He is the reason you have the courage and willingness to go far.
Whatever the outcome may be, always remember that God has better plans.
source
Language Proficiency
-Parts of speech
-Punctuation
-Capitalization
-Modifiers
-Figures of speech
-Phrases and clauses
-Identifying errors
-Sentence arrangement
-Sentence completion
-Choosing the best sentence
-Commonly misspelled words
-Vocabulary (synonyms and Antonyms)
Reading Comprehension
-Articles
-Poems
-Short stories
-Comics
-Fables
-Speeches
-Diagrams
-Graphs and charts
-Stories in dialogue form.
-Interpreting plot, themes, data, style, inference, mood, vocabulary, etc.
Science
-General Science(Rocks and minerals, earth’s interior, ecosystem, plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes, planets, heavenly bodies, moon cycles, eclipses galaxies and the universe),
-Biology (Classification & Taxonomy, plants, cells, genetics, cell biology, anatomy),
-Chemistry (Periodic table, mixtures and compounds, stoichiometry, chemical reactions and solutions, diagrams, minerals and nucleotides, states of matter, measurement),
-Physics (Laws of motion, force, light, sound, waves, matter, energy, magnetism, electricity, measurement)
Mathematics
-Algebra (Word problems, radicals, fractions, complex numbers, sets and arithmetic, systems and quadratic equations, sequences and series, exponents, signed numbers, factoring and special products)
-Geometry (Reasoning and common sense, postulates and theorem, solids, volumes, circles and spheres, angles),
-Statistics (Sets of complex numbers, interpreting data of graphs/charts, probability, concepts of regression and correlation, counting, permutation, combination)
-Arithmetic (MDAS, integers, fractions, percents, decimals, real numbers, values, series, sequences.
Abstract Reasoning
-Relationships between verbal and non-verbal ideas
-Forming theories about the nature of objects
-Ideas/recognizing patters
Logical Reasoning
-Investigative
-Deduction
-Induction
-Precondition.
How to Conquer Entrance Exams
•First thing that you should do is to prepare early. It would be very beneficial for your sake if you know what to study. That way, you’d be able to figure out where you’re weak at and what to do about it. Take practice tests and set a time limit so that you’d get accustomed to what it feels like being under extreme time-pressure. Practice makes perfect, after all.
•Make sure you understand what the question is asking. If you are penalized for a mistake and can’t seem to eliminate one or two of the choices, leave it blank. Continuous guessing will hurt your scores.
•Use your common sense and answer smoothly. If you are having a hard time answering a particular question, you might as well skip it first and answer it later if you still have time. Mark the question so that you can come back if you’ll have time to spare.
•Keep a positive attitude. Do not let the thoughts about failing let you down. Keep that attitude during your review until the exam itself. Do not even think of faltering. Think about it. Many were able to make their dreams come true. So can you, right?
•Avoid cramming. This will only cause you to be in “Panic” mode and besides, forcibly remembering information at the last minute is both fruitless and fallacious.
•Get sufficient rest during your review and the night before your exam. Do not be tempted to drink coffee or anything that has caffeine Restlessness will cause you to be in a bad mood and not be at your best during your exam. Trust me, I’ve experienced it myself.
•Eat a well-balanced diet. Brain foods such as peanuts, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and chocolate will energize and alleviate you. You don’t want to review or take an exam with an empty and grumbling stomach, do you?
•Do your best to gain confidence and just relax. I know it’s hard to do, but if you can sit down in the room without being jumpy and jittery, you’re more likely to score better.
•Pray fervently. Always ask for His guidance. I believe that He won’t let you down if you just keep faith and draw strength from him. He is the reason you have the courage and willingness to go far.
Whatever the outcome may be, always remember that God has better plans.
source
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