USTET goes viral as netizens express mixed reactions to alleged cancellation of entrance test

“USTET” went viral Thursday as netizens expressed mixed reactions to the alleged cancellation of University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test (USTET) for academic year 2021-2022.

In a now deleted update on its website, UST said it would not administer the college entrance exam this year due to the quarantine restrictions currently in effect in the Philippines.

Instead, the university would implement the UST Admission Rating (USTAR), a score that will be computed based on the academic performance and records of the applicant.

The USTET website has been updated with the following announcement:

“Application for Academic Year 2020-2021 is now closed. Application period was from June to November 2019.

“Application for Academic Year 2021-2022 shall begin soon. #USTAR2021”

There will be no USTET for sy 2021-2021 and the UST Admission Rating will be use instead.
In short, admissions will be based only in your grades and records etc. THERE WILL BE NO EXAM. pic.twitter.com/xxUlo9WtQQ

— UPCAT QUESTIONS (@UPCATQuestion) August 13, 2020

Many netizens immediately took to social media to express their reactions over the alleged school decision.

“Sa mga nagsasabi na ustar is the safest alternative for ustet, then you haven’t screened all avenues. Students who have been a victim of professors politicizing grades are on a verge of academic suicide because of this b*llsh*t," said Twitter user @BudotsII.

Sa mga nagsasabi na ustar is the safest alternative for ustet, then you haven't screened all avenues. Students who have been a victim of professors politicizing grades are on a verge of academic suicide because of this bullshit

— PLBN • #AcademicFreedom #SeeUsHearUs (@BudotsII) August 13, 2020

Twitter user @miaoponce shared: “U have high grades? Good for u but what abt students who may not have high grades but have the potential to pass the ustet and actually study sa ust?”

Some were confused. User @nondailyrevelry wrote” "WALANG USTET AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO FEEL"

WALANG USTET AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO FEEL

— ? (@nondailyrevelry) August 13, 2020

Others, meanwhile, had hilarious replies to the update.

me upon reading the news about ustet pic.twitter.com/DkzEEDC356

— Puñeta (@filostrathoe) August 13, 2020

UST to aspiring thomasians after announcing no USTET this year: pic.twitter.com/bvQywqtEjk

— mark geronimo (@markgeronimo_) August 13, 2020

GMA News Online sent a request to UST to clarify the procedures for USTAR, but no confirmation has been made as of writing.

Many schools have shifted to online learning for this school year as the coronavirus pandemic rages on in the country. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News