100+ Free DCAT Practice Questions

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Key Facts: DCAT Exam

A multiple-choice college entrance test for De La Salle University covering aptitude, Mathematics, Science, English and Reading Comprehension; AY 2026-2027 offers on-campus (April 19) and online (April 25, May 2, May 9) testing with a required Mock Online Test for online examinees.

Sample DCAT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your DCAT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Find the next term in the sequence: 11, 14, 19, 26, 35, ___

A.44

B.42

C.48

D.46

Explanation: The differences between consecutive terms are 3, 5, 7, 9 — increasing odd numbers. The next difference is 11, so 35 + 11 = 46. This pattern of growing gaps is a classic DCAT numerical-reasoning item.

2A 500-foot canal can be cleaned by 24 volunteers in 4 hours. How many volunteers are needed to clean the same canal in 2 hours, assuming everyone works at the same rate?

A.48

B.12

C.36

D.24

Explanation: This is an inverse-proportion (work) problem: people and time are inversely related. To halve the time from 4 to 2 hours, you must double the workforce: 24 x (4/2) = 48 volunteers.

3If 12 workers can finish a job in 3 weeks, how many workers are needed to finish the same job in one-third of that time?

A.4

B.36

C.24

D.18

Explanation: One-third of 3 weeks is 1 week. Since workers and time are inversely proportional, cutting the time to one-third triples the number of workers: 12 x 3 = 36.

4Complete the analogy: Thermometer is to temperature as barometer is to ___

A.humidity

B.altitude

C.pressure

D.wind speed

Explanation: A thermometer measures temperature, so the analogy seeks what a barometer measures. A barometer measures atmospheric (air) pressure. Verbal analogies of the 'instrument-to-quantity' type are common DCAT aptitude items.

5Find the next number in the series: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ___

A.40

B.36

C.44

D.42

Explanation: Each term equals n(n+1): 1x2=2, 2x3=6, 3x4=12, 4x5=20, 5x6=30, so the sixth term is 6x7=42. Equivalently, the differences increase by 2 each time (4, 6, 8, 10, 12).

6All roses are flowers. Some flowers fade quickly. Which conclusion logically follows?

A.Some roses may fade quickly

B.All flowers are roses

C.No roses fade quickly

D.All roses fade quickly

Explanation: From 'all roses are flowers' and 'some flowers fade quickly,' you cannot conclude anything certain about roses, but it remains possible that some of those fading flowers are roses. Only the tentative 'some roses may fade quickly' is consistent with the premises.

7If CAT is coded as 3-1-20 using each letter's position in the alphabet, what is the code for DOG?

A.4-14-7

B.4-15-7

C.3-15-7

D.4-15-8

Explanation: Using A=1, B=2, ... Z=26: D is the 4th letter, O is the 15th, and G is the 7th. So DOG is coded 4-15-7, matching the system used to code CAT as 3-1-20.

8A man is 4 times as old as his son. In 20 years he will be twice as old as his son. How old is the son now?

A.8

B.12

C.10

D.15

Explanation: Let the son be s, so the father is 4s. In 20 years: 4s + 20 = 2(s + 20). Expanding gives 4s + 20 = 2s + 40, so 2s = 20 and s = 10. The son is 10 and the father is 40.

9Which word does NOT belong with the others?

A.Square

B.Triangle

C.Rectangle

D.Circle

Explanation: Square, triangle, and rectangle are all polygons — closed figures made of straight line segments. A circle is a curved figure with no straight sides, so it does not belong with the others.

10Find the next term: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ___

A.36

B.30

C.32

D.49

Explanation: These are the perfect squares: 1=1 squared, 4=2 squared, 9=3 squared, 16=4 squared, 25=5 squared. The next is 6 squared = 36.

About the DCAT Exam

The DCAT (De La Salle College Admission Test) is the multiple-choice entrance examination used by De La Salle University in Manila to evaluate first-year college applicants. It combines an aptitude/mental-ability section (abstract, numerical and logical reasoning, patterns and sequences) with subject sections in Mathematics, Science, and English and Reading Comprehension, plus general-information and situational items. For AY 2026-2027, DLSU runs a Special DCAT Application with on-campus testing in Manila on April 19, 2026 and online testing sessions on April 25, May 2, and May 9, 2026; online examinees must first attend a Mock Online Test before their scheduled exam. The application period runs February 2 to April 4, 2026, and admission is holistic, weighing the DCAT result alongside high school grades and, for some programs, interviews. This free practice set mirrors the real DCAT's section mix and difficulty using authentic question styles.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Several hours across all sections (DLSU announces the exact duration each testing schedule).

Passing Score

No fixed numeric pass mark; DLSU admits holistically, combining the DCAT result with high school grades and, for some programs, interviews and recommendations.

Exam Fee

Application/testing fee set by DLSU per cycle; confirm the current AY 2026-2027 amount with the Office of Admissions (fees vary for local on-campus, local online, and international online examinees). (De La Salle University (DLSU), Manila — Office of Admissions and Scholarships)

DCAT Exam Content Outline

20%

Aptitude and Mental Ability

Abstract, numerical and logical reasoning, number and figure patterns, sequences, analogies, coding, and blood-relation and clock puzzles.

20%

Mathematics

Algebra, factoring, linear and quadratic equations, age/work/mixture/rate word problems, geometry, trigonometry, percentages, business math, statistics and probability.

20%

Science

Chemistry (symbols, formulas, nomenclature, atomic structure, acids and bases), physics (Newton's laws, energy, SI units, light) and biology (cells, genetics, respiration).

29%

English and Reading Comprehension

Vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, sentence construction, idioms, word roots, and analytical reading of passages and data.

11%

General Information and Situational

Philippine history, geography, culture and current events, plus situational-judgment items on conduct, teamwork and decision-making.

How to Pass the DCAT Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No fixed numeric pass mark; DLSU admits holistically, combining the DCAT result with high school grades and, for some programs, interviews and recommendations.
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Several hours across all sections (DLSU announces the exact duration each testing schedule).
Exam fee: Application/testing fee set by DLSU per cycle; confirm the current AY 2026-2027 amount with the Office of Admissions (fees vary for local on-campus, local online, and international online examinees).

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DCAT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill the aptitude section: practice number and figure patterns, sequences, analogies, letter/number coding, and work/age/clock puzzles until you can solve them quickly.

2Review senior high school Mathematics broadly — algebra and factoring, quadratic equations, trigonometric ratios, geometry, percentages, business math, and statistics and probability.

3Memorize core Science facts the DCAT favors: chemical symbols and formulas, naming compounds, atomic structure, the pH scale, Newton's laws, SI units, and cell and genetics basics.

4Practice converting between chemical names and formulas (for example NaCl is sodium chloride), a question type DCAT examinees frequently report.

5Build reading stamina by analyzing passages that mix long articles with graphs and figures, answering both detail and inference questions under time pressure.

6Strengthen English mechanics: subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, parallel structure, punctuation, commonly confused words, vocabulary, and idioms.

7If you are taking the DCAT online, attend the required Mock Online Test and test your device, connection and exam environment in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DCAT and who administers it?

The DCAT (De La Salle College Admission Test) is the entrance examination used by De La Salle University in Manila for first-year college applicants. It is administered by the DLSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships.

What sections does the DCAT cover?

The DCAT is all multiple-choice and covers an aptitude/mental-ability section (abstract, numerical and logical reasoning, patterns and sequences) plus Mathematics, Science, and English and Reading Comprehension, with some general-information and situational items.

When is the DCAT held for AY 2026-2027?

For the AY 2026-2027 Special DCAT Application, on-campus testing in Manila is on April 19, 2026, and online testing sessions are on April 25, May 2, and May 9, 2026. The application period runs February 2 to April 4, 2026.

Is the DCAT offered online?

Yes. DLSU offers both on-campus testing in Manila and online testing for local and international examinees. Online examinees are required to attend a Mock Online Test (morning session) before their scheduled exam.

Is there a passing score for the DCAT?

DLSU does not publish a fixed numeric passing score. Admission is holistic, combining the DCAT result with high school grades and, for some programs, interviews and recommendations, with standards varying by program.

How difficult is the DCAT?

Applicants describe a demanding test, especially the Mathematics section (trigonometry, factoring and word problems) and the Science section (chemical symbols and compounds, physics and biology), along with reading comprehension that mixes passages with graphs and data.