Is it time for UP to abandon the UPCAT?

Since 1968, when the UP College Admission Test was first administered, thousands of college hopefuls have gone through the crucible of the hours-long exam to become an iskolar ng bayan.

To be a UP student is to be a part of a tradition — or at least the expectation— of excellence that, for some families, goes back generations, and for some others, is only just beginning.

UP President Alfredo Pascual, in his investiture speech in 2011 said:

"Our track record in academic excellence is unquestioned. Thirty-four of the country’s 57 National Artists are either UP alumni or faculty members. Thirty-six of the 37 National Scientists are from UP. Our alumni lead the prestigious higher education institutions in our land. We have gotten recognition from the Commission on Higher Education for 20 Centers of Excellence and six Centers of Development that mentor other colleges and universities."

"Our graduates and constituent universities have been the topnotchers and the best performing schools in the various board exams. We produce more international and refereed publications than all other Philippine universities combined," he also said.

But a study commissioned by Pascual in 2013 suggests that the UPCAT may inadvertently be excluding poor students, especially from Mindanao, from that tradition of excellence.

Last year, 12,000 applicants, less than 15 percent of more than 82,000 who applied, passed the UP College Admission Test.

This year, from 85,000 to 88,000 are expected to take the UPCAT over the weekend. Thousands of them will not have scores — based on UPCAT performance and their grades in high school — high enough to make the cut.

Who passes the UPCAT?

According to "Democratizing UP Education", a report released in January by the university's Study Group on Admissions, most UPCAT passers come from private schools in Luzon.

Based on data from 2009 to 2013, around 70 percent of UPCAT passers come from Luzon and the National Capital Region.

Around 20 percent of UPCAT passers in 2013 were from the Visayas, up from just 15 percent in 2009. Meanwhile, Mindanao, which, the study points out, has 25 percent of the population, contributes a little over 10 percent of UPCAT passers.

The same study found that around half of all UPCAT passers are from private schools while 20 percent are from public science high schools. Around 30 percent are from public general and vocational or barangay schools.

According to the seven-member study group, applicants from higher socio-economic brackets have a distinct advantage over other UPCAT hopefuls.

Wealthier students will have access to better teachers and better facilities, including review materials and private tutors, to prepare them not just for the UPCAT but for other college admission tests as well.

In contrast, many public general high schools suffer from a shortage of space, learning materials, and teachers. Students from some public schools might not, the study points out, even know about UP and the UPCAT at all.

"By all indicators, students coming from poor families have inadequate and inferior preparations compared with their counterparts in the more privileged strata of society," the report said.

Even when taking the UPCAT, some students have the advantage of being brought to the testing centers by their parents while others will have to commute for hours to get there.

"Ironically, students from higher socio-economic classes who can pay the actual costs of their education through higher tuition dominate the UP student populace. In effect, the richer students are the ones enjoying government subsidy," the study group said.

Beyond the UPCAT

The study group asks: "Should the UPCAT be the only door to enter UP for freshmen? Consider the following: Why should a four-hour examination determine the rest of one's possibility to enter UP?"

Among the options that the group presents are face-to-face interviews with applicants, something that the College of Fine Arts is already doing.

"In addition to the UPCAT score, an interview is necessary so the students may be briefed on the nature of their profession and the expectations from them once they enroll and graduate from these disciplines," the report said.

UP can also use external readers, like what the University of California - Berkeley does, to perform a holistic review, the study group said.

"In holistic review, UC Berkley looks beyond grades and scores to determine academic potential, drive and leadership abilities of the applicant."

Another suggestion are ladderized non-UPCAT programs as well as certificate and non-degree programs, after which students can pursue a degree program "if they are interested and academically capable."

In the meantime, the study group suggests making UPCAT review materials readily available online and in bookstores to help students who can't afford review classes to prepare for the exam.

Review centers could also institute a one paying student to one free reviewer ratio while alumni and students can help prepare review materials in coordination with local governments, the Department of Education, or their local high schools.

Although passing the UPCAT is a milestone for UP students, in the end, as then UP President Francisco Nemenzo Jr. said when he welcomed a batch of freshmen to the university more than a decade ago: Passing it only means a student has potential. Staying in UP and realizing that potential as an iskolar ng bayan is a separate challenge entirely. — Jonathan de Santos/DVM, GMA News