UPCAT Study Notes

Divide your time well: - Divide time allocated for each subtest by the number of questions in the subtest. - Average time: a little less than 1 minute per question for UPCAT. - If a question takes longer than the average time, skip it initially. - Regularly check your wristwatch for time management, as proctors update time only after specified thresholds (30 minutes left, 12 minutes left, five minutes left, last minute).
Ensure enough time is left for unanswered questions.

Concentrate exclusively on the test at hand.
Avoid distractions like observing other test-takers to maintain focus.
Avoid actions that may be misinterpreted as cheating, which is penalized heavily by UP (University of the Philippines).

Read the main question first, then the entire problem: - The main question is usually the last sentence, helping pinpoint needed information quickly. - This reading order saves time in problems laden with irrelevant details.
If the question is unclear, attempt to rephrase it for better understanding.
Pay attention to key words: - Absolutism indicators: all, always, best, certainly, none, and never. - Negative words like not (e.g., “Which is not a solution of x?”); consider reversing the question in your mind for clarity.

Utilize scratch papers effectively due to limited availability.
Helps in rechecking processes without redoing entire solutions.
Trace through solutions to spot errors quickly, making it fast to verify correctness.

Eliminate obviously incorrect answers first.
Select the best answer among remaining choices.
If uncertain, decide whether to leave an answer blank or to guess: - UPCAT penalties: Each wrong answer deducts 4 points. - Blanks do not incur penalties.
Assess the risk: if too many blanks exist, you might opt to guess, as blanks reduce the highest possible score by 1 point.
For a few blanks and confidence in other answers, keeping them blank might be the best choice.

After completing UPCAT, take a break and reward yourself.
Recognize that there’s no further action for altering your answers.
Distract yourself during the waiting period for results and trust in your diligent preparation to yield positive outcomes.

English: - Parts of Speech: - Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs - Prepositions, Conjunctions, Interjections, Determiners - Agreement: Subject-Verb, Pronoun-Antecedent - Phrases and Clauses, Error Identification, Special Agreements
Filipino: - Parts of Speech: - Pangngalan, Panghalip, Pandiwa, Pang-uri, Pang-abay - Pang-ukol, Pangatnig, Pandamdam - Kasunduan, Parilala at Sugnay, Pagkilala ng Mali, Pagbaybay - Talasalitaan, Mythology and Fables, Facts and Opinion - Comic Strips, Editorial Cartoons

Earth Science: - Overview of Earth's Surface, Rocks, and Minerals, Plate Tectonics, Weather, Climate - Water on Earth, Energy Resources.
Astronomy: - Study of Origins of the Universe, Stars, Blackholes, Galaxy, Solar System, Rotation & Revolution, Phases of the Moon, Eclipses.
Biology: - Cell Biology: Structure of a Cell, Processes like Cellular Respiration, Photosynthesis, Cell Division, Genetics, Taxonomy, Human Biology - Ecology including Population Growth and Biodiversity.
Physics: - One-Dimensional Motion, Kinematic Formulas, Newton's Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics. - Conservation Laws, General Science Processes, Energy, Momentum.
Chemistry: - States of Matter, Atomic Structure, Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions, Organic Chemistry, Stoichiometry.

Arithmetic: - Order of Operations (PEMDAS), Basics of Integers, Fractions, and Decimals.
Geometry: - Key Postulates, Theorems, including Pythagorean Theorem, Lines, Angles.
Algebra: - Functions, Inequalities, Sequences and Series, including Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences.
Statistics: - Measures of Central Tendency, Probability, Permutation, and Combinations.

A compilation of words with their definitions: - acrimonious: angry, bitter - adroit: skillful - affable: friendly - and many others to build expansive vocabulary useful in preparation for exams.

Conversion values and calculations helpful for mathematical problems regarding weight, volume, distance, etc.