UPCAT Exam Flashcards

Q: What subjects are covered by the UPCAT?

The UPCAT has four multiple-choice subtests: Mathematics, Science, Language Proficiency, and Reading Comprehension. Language and reading items may appear in English and Filipino.

Q: How is UPCAT admission decided?

Admission is based on the UP Admission Grade, which combines standardized UPCAT performance with high school grades and ranks applicants by campus and degree program.

Q: Does the UPCAT use right-minus-wrong scoring?

Yes. The local exam metadata notes right-minus-wrong scoring, so careless guessing can hurt. Eliminate choices first and guess strategically when you can narrow the field.

Q: What should I prioritize for UPCAT flashcard review?

Use flashcards for formulas, grammar rules, science definitions, reading-comprehension moves, and commonly confused concepts, then pair them with timed mixed practice.

Question 1

UPCAT subtests

Accepted Answer

The UPCAT covers Mathematics, Science, Language Proficiency, and Reading Comprehension. A balanced score matters because admission is competitive across the whole test, not one favorite subject.

Question 2

UP Admission Grade (UPG)

Accepted Answer

UPG combines standardized UPCAT scores with high school grades, then ranks applicants for a campus and degree program. A strong test result helps, but grades are also part of the admission formula.

Question 3

Right-minus-wrong scoring

Accepted Answer

Incorrect answers can subtract a fraction of a point. Eliminate obvious distractors before guessing, and avoid random guesses when you have no basis for choosing.

Question 4

Paper-based OMR strategy

Accepted Answer

Keep answer numbering aligned, fill bubbles cleanly, and reserve time to transfer or check answers. One skipped line can misalign many responses.

Question 5

Five-hour endurance

Accepted Answer

The UPCAT is long enough that pacing and stamina matter. Practice mixed sections under time pressure instead of only drilling one topic at a time.

Question 6

Linear equation move

Accepted Answer

To solve a one-variable linear equation, collect variable terms on one side and constants on the other, then divide by the coefficient. Check by substituting the value back into the original equation.

Question 7

Order of operations

Accepted Answer

Evaluate parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division from left to right, then addition and subtraction from left to right.

Question 8

Percent discount

Accepted Answer

A discount leaves 100% minus the discount rate to pay. For example, a 25% discount means the sale price is 75% of the original price.

Question 9

Ratio vs proportion

Accepted Answer

A ratio compares two quantities. A proportion states that two ratios are equal, so cross-multiplication can solve the missing value.

Question 10

Slope formula

Accepted Answer

Slope is change in y divided by change in x: (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). A positive slope rises left to right; a negative slope falls.

Question 11

Difference of squares

Accepted Answer

An expression in the form a^2 - b^2 factors as (a - b)(a + b). This pattern appears often in algebra simplification.

Question 12

Quadratic factoring check

Accepted Answer

For x^2 + bx + c, find two numbers that multiply to c and add to b. Always multiply the factors back out to confirm the middle term.

Question 13

Function notation

Accepted Answer

f(x) means the output of a rule when the input is x. To evaluate f(3), substitute 3 wherever x appears in the function.

Question 14

Pythagorean theorem

Accepted Answer

For a right triangle, a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where c is the hypotenuse. Common triples like 3-4-5 and 5-12-13 save time.

Question 15

Circle area and circumference

Accepted Answer

Area is pi r^2 and circumference is 2 pi r. Do not confuse radius with diameter; the radius is half the diameter.

Question 16

Mean vs median

Accepted Answer

Mean is the arithmetic average. Median is the middle value after sorting the data. Outliers affect the mean more than the median.

Question 17

Basic probability

Accepted Answer

Probability equals favorable outcomes divided by total possible outcomes when outcomes are equally likely. Convert to a fraction, decimal, or percent as needed.

Question 18

Counting principle

Accepted Answer

If one choice can happen m ways and another independent choice can happen n ways, the combined choices can happen m x n ways.

Question 19

Cell membrane

Accepted Answer

The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell. It is selectively permeable, so it allows some substances through more easily than others.

Question 20

Mitochondria

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria release usable energy for the cell through cellular respiration. They are often tested as the site of ATP production.

Question 21

Photosynthesis

Accepted Answer

Plants use light energy, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The process occurs mainly in chloroplasts.

Question 22

Genotype vs phenotype

Accepted Answer

Genotype is the genetic makeup, such as allele combination. Phenotype is the observable trait produced by genes and environment.

Question 23

Food chain energy flow

Accepted Answer

Energy flows from producers to consumers and decomposers. At each trophic level, much energy is lost as heat, so higher levels receive less usable energy.

Question 24

Atomic number

Accepted Answer

Atomic number equals the number of protons in an atom. It identifies the element, so changing proton count changes the element.

Question 25

Acid vs base

Accepted Answer

Acids have pH below 7 and donate hydrogen ions in water. Bases have pH above 7 and accept hydrogen ions or release hydroxide ions.

Question 26

Physical vs chemical change

Accepted Answer

A physical change alters form or state without making a new substance. A chemical change produces new substances, often with gas, color, heat, or precipitate evidence.

Question 27

Newton's second law

Accepted Answer

Force equals mass times acceleration: F = ma. More force increases acceleration; more mass reduces acceleration for the same force.

Question 28

Speed vs velocity

Accepted Answer

Speed is how fast something moves. Velocity includes both speed and direction, so changing direction changes velocity even if speed stays constant.

Question 29

Series vs parallel circuits

Accepted Answer

In a series circuit, current has one path and a break stops the whole circuit. In a parallel circuit, current has multiple paths.

Question 30

Plate tectonics

Accepted Answer

Earth's lithosphere is divided into moving plates. Plate boundaries explain many earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain ranges, and ocean trenches.

Question 31

Rock cycle

Accepted Answer

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks can transform through melting, cooling, weathering, compaction, heat, and pressure.

Question 32

Tides

Accepted Answer

Tides are mainly caused by the Moon's gravity, with the Sun also contributing. Spring tides have the largest range; neap tides have a smaller range.

Question 33

Subject-verb agreement

Accepted Answer

The verb must agree with the subject, not with a nearby prepositional phrase. Identify the true subject before choosing the verb form.

Question 34

Pronoun antecedent

Accepted Answer

A pronoun must clearly refer to a noun and agree with it in number and person. Ambiguous pronouns weaken sentence clarity.

Question 35

Parallelism

Accepted Answer

Items in a list or paired structure should use the same grammatical form. Parallel structure makes comparisons and sequences clear.

Question 36

Misplaced modifier

Accepted Answer

A modifier should sit near the word it describes. If it is too far away, the sentence can suggest the wrong meaning.

Question 37

Context clues

Accepted Answer

Use surrounding words, contrast signals, examples, and tone to infer an unfamiliar word's meaning before looking at answer choices.

Question 38

Idiom

Accepted Answer

An idiom has a meaning that cannot be fully predicted from the literal meanings of its words. Both English idioms and Filipino sawikain may appear in language review.

Question 39

Figure of speech

Accepted Answer

Figurative language uses comparison or exaggeration for effect. Common types include simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and irony.

Question 40

Synonym vs antonym

Accepted Answer

A synonym has a similar meaning; an antonym has an opposite meaning. In vocabulary items, match the word to the sentence's logic, not just a memorized definition.

Question 41

Main idea

Accepted Answer

The main idea is the passage's central point, not a small detail. It should cover the whole paragraph or passage without being too broad.

Question 42

Supporting detail

Accepted Answer

A supporting detail proves, explains, or illustrates the main idea. Return to the exact part of the passage instead of relying on memory.

Question 43

Inference

Accepted Answer

An inference is a conclusion supported by clues in the text. It should go one step beyond the words, not contradict them.

Question 44

Author's purpose

Accepted Answer

Purpose asks why the author wrote the text: to inform, persuade, criticize, compare, explain, or entertain. Look at tone and structure for clues.

Question 45

Tone

Accepted Answer

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject. Word choice reveals whether the tone is neutral, skeptical, admiring, critical, humorous, or urgent.

Question 46

Vocabulary in context

Accepted Answer

Use the sentence's job in the passage to decide meaning. A familiar word may have a less common meaning in context.

Question 47

Cause and effect

Accepted Answer

Signal words such as because, therefore, as a result, and consequently often identify cause-effect relationships.

Question 48

Contrast signals

Accepted Answer

Words like however, although, despite, but, and whereas show a turn in logic. They are especially useful for vocabulary and inference questions.

Question 49

English and Filipino passage readiness

Accepted Answer

UPCAT language and reading items may use English or Filipino. Build speed in both languages so a passage language switch does not slow your reasoning.

Question 50

Mixed-review priority

Accepted Answer

Rotate math, science, language, and reading review. UPCAT rewards broad readiness because all four subtests affect the ranking used for admission.

Free UPCAT Exam Flashcards

Filter by Topic

Jump to Card

About These UPCAT Flashcards

Topics Covered

Frequently Asked Questions

UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test)

Explore More Philippines University Entrance Tests

ACET (Ateneo College Entrance Test)

AdUCET (Adamson University College Entrance Test)

DCAT (De La Salle University College Admission Test)

PUPCET (PUP College Entrance Test)

USTET (University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test)