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108+ Free DCAT Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: DCAT Exam

For AY 2027–2028, DLSU's first-year DCAT application runs July 15–September 30, 2026, with earlier provincial-location cutoffs. Published options include Manila and Laguna campus tests, provincial sites, and three online exam dates paired with required morning mock sessions. DLSU does not publish a fixed current item count, universal duration, or numeric pass mark on the application page.

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 108+ 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 is De La Salle University Manila's first-year college admission test. The AY 2027–2028 application runs from July 15 through September 30, 2026, with earlier location-specific provincial cutoffs. DLSU publishes campus, provincial, and online testing options; online examinees must attend their assigned morning mock session. Applicants rank three program choices and must use the live Archers Hub, test permit, and DLSU email as the controlling instructions.

Assessment

Question count not published by the exam provider

Time Limit

Follow the test permit; current public AY 2027–2028 application guidance does not publish one universal duration

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

Current Archers Hub fee or approved RA 12006 waiver, where eligible (De La Salle University (DLSU), Manila — Office of Admissions and Scholarships)

DCAT Exam Content Outline

Not published by DLSU

Aptitude and Mental Ability

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

Not published by DLSU

Mathematics

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

Not published by DLSU

Science

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

Not published by DLSU

English and Reading Comprehension

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

Not published by DLSU

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.
  • Assessment: Question count not published by the exam provider
  • Time limit: Follow the test permit; current public AY 2027–2028 application guidance does not publish one universal duration
  • Exam fee: Current Archers Hub fee or approved RA 12006 waiver, where eligible

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 108 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • 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 application and testing cycle for AY 2027–2028?

The general application runs July 15 through September 30, 2026, but provincial venues have earlier cutoffs. DLSU publishes Manila, Laguna, provincial, and online testing schedules; use the live portal and permit for the exact venue and date.

Is the DCAT offered online?

Yes. For AY 2027–2028, DLSU publishes online test dates of November 27, December 4, and December 11, 2026. Each is paired with a required morning mock session two days earlier; the assigned invitation controls.

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.