DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Those who want to take the admission exams for the University of the Philippines (UP) need to wait for another year.
The UP University Councils (UP) announced Tuesday, November 10, to call off its UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) for incoming first-year students due to the COVID-19 pandemic and logistical issues.
“Taking into account the uncertain trajectory and uneven spread of COVID-19 in different parts of the Philippines, majority of the UC members did not deem it feasible to administer the usual UPCAT involving around 1,600 testing personnel deployed to 94 testing centers throughout the archipelago,” an announcement from UP’s official website said.
Majority of the UC members also did not consider the possibility of an online entrance examination feasible.
“This is primarily due to the length of the exam and variety of items that would require a consistently strong Internet connection to download within the time allotted for examinees to answer,” the announcement added.
The Office of Admissions (OAdms), instead, is currently modifying the admission system for the next year, the University said.
Had there been no pandemic, UPCAT 2021 would have been administered on October 10 to 11.
The University advised students who are interested in applying for admission for AY 2021-2022 to wait for further announcements from the OAdms in the University’s official website and social media platforms.
“While UP encourages online accomplishment and submission, it is cognizant of technological limitations and will accept manually accomplished forms,” the University said.
UP said the submission for UPCAT aspirants that will include personal data and high school records will be modified to account for stricter data privacy and health protocols. (davaotoday.com)
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