UPCAT 2027: Over 150,000 test takers expected nationwide

An estimated 153,000 examinees across the country are expected to take the 2027 University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) on August 1 and 2, the UP System Office of Admissions said Saturday.

"We are expecting 153,000 examinees in 118 test centers nationwide. In UP Diliman, we are expecting 53,000," UP System Admissions Director Gerald Franco said.

The UPCAT 2027 will determine who will qualify for admission to the state university for Academic Year 2027–2028.

Applications were opened to current Grade 11 students for School Year 2025–2026, as well as Grade 12 students who had not previously taken the test. The application period closed on March 30.

Data from UP System Admissions shows an increase in nationwide testing centers this year to 118, up from 114 in 2024 and 117 in 2025.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), four testing centers were designated: UP Manila, UP Diliman, UP Bonifacio Global City, and the Philippine Science High School–Main Campus.

UP remains the country's premier state university, ranking as the top Philippine institution in the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings.

During the UPCAT 2026—the results of which were released last April—the passing rate stood at 12.44%, with only 18,350 out of 147,437 examinees qualifying.

According to UP, public school students made up the majority of successful examinees at 57.1%.

The socioeconomic background of qualifiers remained stable, with 21.45% coming from families earning an annual income of P200,000 or lower.

Further, a total of 2,323 qualifiers (12.7%) represent first-generation college students, underscoring UP's role in expanding access to higher education.

The UP Office of Admissions has yet to announce the release date for the UPCAT 2027 results. — VDV, GMA News