The post 6 Things Parents Must Do To Help Their Child Prepare For The UPCAT And Other College Entrance Exams appeared first on Review Masters.

1. The high quality of a UP education

It’s unquestionable. UP is the undisputed premier university in the country. Based on the study conducted by Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), UP is ranked number 1 for several years and up to present. Even international surveys and studies recognize UP as a top university globally.

2. The reasonable expectation of professional success upon graduation

The graduates of UP have constantly ranked high if not topped the examinations given by the Philippine Professional Regulatory Commission. Employers prefer UP graduates over other applicants. A lot of UP alumni hold respectable positions in government agencies, private institutions, and even in NGOs. You can find from different industries successful people who excel in their respective fields who were once UP students dreaming of contributing a positive change to society.

3. Tuition fee in UP is free

Because of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (also known as Republic Act 10931), UP has no tuition fee. This is for first-time college students (students who does not have a college degree yet).

UP also has the Student Financial Assistance Program. Through this program, students avail of discounted tuition fees to full tuition fee waivers, cash subsidies, according to their individual income brackets.

Do you want your child to study in UP? Make sure that he/she is well prepared for the UPCAT

4. The academic freedom enjoyed by faculty and students alike

Undaunted by any oppression through the years, democracy and freedom remain to be the tool in breaking any barrier to academic advancement. This is why UP students can freely express themselves and have confidence in facing challenges that await them in and out of the UP campus.

5. The UP’s programs accredited nationally and internationally

The Commission on Higher Education has declared UP as a Center of Excellence in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Marine Science, Music, Physics, English, Foreign Languages, Literature, Economics, Industrial Relations, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, Communication Arts, Journalism, Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Geodetic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Anthropology, History, Filipino, Geology, Medicine, Nursing, Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Forestry Education, Veterinary Education and Fisheries (Source: http://www.up.edu.ph/).

Also, UP has Memoranda of Agreement with various universities in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, making its programs accredited abroad.

The post Why Should Your Child Take the UPCAT? appeared first on Review Masters.

If you said yes to any of the questions above then you should read this before you enroll in a review center.

What are UPCAT Review Centers?

A few decades ago, College Entrance Test Review Centers or UPCAT Review Centers were practically non-existent. This is primarily the reason why your parents, uncles, aunts, family friends, teachers and the like who are above 30 would often say:

“I didn’t need a review center before, self-study is all you need.”

“It’s mostly stock knowledge.”

“They (review centers) only give you confidence, nothing more.”

But the same way that the internet has changed education, the effect of review centers have also changed.

So what exactly are UPCAT Review Centers?

The recent explosion of College Entrance Test Reviews or UPCAT Review Centers have some people scratching their heads.

In a nutshell an UPCAT Review Center is a tutorial center that specializes in helping students improve their chances of qualifying to prestigious universities here in the Philippines.

In a review center, students are guided on the relevant materials to study, familiarized with entrance exams, given mock exams and tips how to answer them effectively.

This guided review results in a more efficient use of time for the student. All this to improve the chances of a student to qualify for the university of their choice.

High School vs. Review Center

A colleague of mine once summarized the difference of a review center and a high school. He said “High Schools teaches you in 4 years (this was before K-12) all the information you’ll need to start college, a review center will guide you in 1 month which lessons in high school you need remember to qualify for college.”

High Schools teaches you in 4 years (this was before K-12) all the information you’ll need to start college, a review center will guide you in 1 month which lessons in high school you need remember to qualify for college.

Essentially, a review center is focused on how students will pass their entrance test and qualify for college.

On the other hand, a high school equips students with knowledge for college and life in general.

Is it required to enroll in a review center?

Several students and parents have been asking us whether UP requires students to enroll in a review center.

The answer is NO.

Students are not required to enroll in any UPCAT review center before they can take the test. In addition, UP does not and will not endorse any review center for that matter.

I need to mention this because some students are under the impression that they won’t be allowed to take the UPCAT if they don’t review. There is no truth to this.

We encourage students to study for the UPCAT like what they do for their other exams. However, unlike regular exams in school, they have to consider that college entrance tests like the UPCAT is a major test that needs extra attention and preparation.

A review center would facilitate proper preparation in terms of content and technique.

If enrolling in a review center is not required, do I need to enroll in one?

The choice is up to you.

You may study on your own and do the preparation yourself. I have seen students make it to their dream college without enrolling in review centers. Some of them reviewed on their own online.

On the other side of the story, I have also seen students whom I believe could have made it, but didn’t, because he/she didn’t get proper guidance that a review center can give.

We found out that students who enrolled in a comprehensive review program have higher chances of passing the test.

Our data in Review Masters reveals that the review program increases the chances of passing by about 2 to 3 times. (This is our own data and is not representative of all review centers.)

So do you need to enroll in a review center? If you want higher chances, I think the choice is apparent.

If you are a student, I invite you to look into our Student’s Guide page.

If you are a parent, you might want to look into our Parents’ Guide page.

Stay tuned for the next article in this series… What to Look For in a Review Center.

The post UPCAT Review Centers: What They Are and Do You Need To Enroll In One appeared first on Review Masters.

Food to Help Your Child’s Brain

For optimal brain function, you can’t rely on a single food or even a handful of ‘super foods’ for a few days before the UPCAT.

According to dieticians, foods that contain less-processed forms of carbohydrates, such as whole grains, beans, whole fruits (not juice) and starchy vegetables, will provide a steady source of energy to the brain. When the sources of carbohydrates in the diet are sugars (as in cookies or cakes made with white flour), the levels of sugar in the blood are less stable, thus affecting brain function.

Adolescents like your child need foods from all food groups.

Your Child Must NOT Skip Breakfast

Diet experts and food researchers found that breakfast has a significant effect on academic achievement. You don’t want your child to work on old energy storage from the day before. It is important to have a fresh supply of carbohydrates each day.

If your child doesn’t refuel his/her body in the morning, your child will have to draw fuel from his/her own energy stores. When using reserves, your child’s body tries to save as much energy as possible; and all nonessential functions will not receive much fuel. So creative thinking, memory, attention span, all suffer.

Dieticians recommend breakfast that includes fruit, fiber and protein. Use fresh fruit, preferably, or canned fruit. Cereal with high fiber, fruit and milk is a great way to renew energy supplies for the morning. If your child is not a breakfast eater, help him/her build up his “breakfast endurance” before the UPCAT. So from now on, never let your child skip breakfast!

Advise your Child to Eat His/Her Snacks While Taking the UPCAT

The UPCAT takes nearly four hours, not counting the waiting time before the test. Being at the UPCAT testing center for five hours is not uncommon.

That’s a long time to go without nutrition. Fortunately, UPCAT takers can eat their snacks anytime they want while taking the test. So advise your child to eat their “baon” in the middle of the test no matter what, even if he/she doesn’t feel hungry.

What snacks are recommended? The combination of a high protein, low carbohydrate, and high tyrosine food is likely to jumpstart the brain. Milk and yogurt have this combination, so taking a carton of ultra pasteurized milk, which does not need to be refrigerated, or a light yogurt in a small cooler, would be ideal for a snack. Also consider soy nuts or other nuts; fruit like apple; egg or chicken sandwich and bottled water.

Some students who feel they may need a boost may benefit from the popular energy drinks or sports drinks. It is recommended, however, that if a student opts for this route, to drink a beverage your child has tried before and knows he/she enjoys and tolerates well. A caffeine jolt could pose problems for the uninitiated.

Research suggests that eating foods with trans fats, which includes pastries, candies and all fried foods, will deteriorate cognitive function. Eating a doughnut in the morning before the UPCAT may give you some quick energy, but it definitely will not help you think clearly.

The post Ensure that your Child is Eating a Healthy Diet appeared first on Review Masters.

If you are a parent who knows how persistent your child is when it comes to studying but also notices that your child sometimes gets a low score in a test, it may be time to learn how to help your child overcome test anxiety. This is especially true if you are certain that your child is preparing hard for the UPCAT. Here are some strategies that can be used to successfully help your child overcome test anxiety.

Strategy 1: Help your child prepare.

There are many different things that can lead to the onset of test anxiety. Lacking in the area of preparation is often a major culprit. When a student is preparing for the UPCAT, he/she should devote a certain amount of time each day to reviewing as discussed in the previous tip. Time management skills often play a large role when it comes to actually studying, and comprehending the material. If your child tends to procrastinate a little in this area, then attempts to absorb all the UPCAT materials in at once, it is quite likely that your child will encounter anxiety when the actual UPCAT is put on their desk.

Strategy 2: Assist your child to be organized.

The next common culprit for test anxiety is lack of organization. You should encourage your child to keep any and all notes and other UPCAT Review materials organized in a folder or binder. This way, while your child is preparing for the UPCAT, he can easily reference material that has been covered and may pop up during the UPCAT. You should also assist your child in creating his/her very own “study space” that is organized. This will allow your child a dedicated location for reviewing and learning new UPCAT Review materials.
Strategy 3: Uncover your child’s anxiety issues.

Many students are naturally prone to worrying and experiencing anxiety on various levels. They may experience these things due to lack of self-confidence, a low amount of motivation, pressure in school and/or at home, or they may simply be afraid of performing to the extent in which they fail. This is all very common among students – especially in high school. If you uncover any of these issues, it is important to fully support your child to help them overcome the issues at hand. By doing this, you are also helping them overcome their test anxiety.

Strategy 4: Determine if your child suffers from test anxiety.

Now, many parents often wonder if their child is truly experiencing test anxiety, or if they simply are not putting enough effort into their work. In order to determine if anxiety is the case, you should ask your child’s teachers and adviser to identify potential indications of anxiety when they are taking a test. Common symptoms include sweating, developing gastrointestinal complications, appearing scared or nervous, developing a headache, complaining of nausea, vomiting, crying for no apparent reason, and others. If your child’s teachers identify these symptoms, then you will know that anxiety is definitely an issue.

Strategy 5: Prod your child to ask questions.

If your child is having problems grasping certain UPCAT Review materials, let him/her know that you are available. It is also important to let your child know that some online community may be able to assist them. Many kids refrain from asking questions for fear that they may become made fun of, or they may not fit in among their peers. Let your child know that by not asking questions for clarification, they are showing their weaknesses, and by asking questions, they are showing their strength.

Strategy 6: Teach your child relaxation and breathing exercises.

You should instruct your child to practice relaxation and breathing exercises if they start to feel anxious during the UPCAT. These types of exercises will help the student relax and focus on the UPCAT questions without going blank.

Strategy 7: Encourage positive self-talk to your child.

Last, but not least by any means, encourage positive self-talk to your child. When your child starts to feel as if they “can’t pass the UPCAT”, tell your child to tell himself/herself that they “CAN!” Let your child know that while fear is an important part to keeping us safe, that they do not have to fear the UPCAT. They simply need to be more positive and truly believe that they are able to do what they need to do to overcome test anxiety.

You cannot take the UPCAT for your child. But, you can certainly be involved and supportive along the way. Following these seven strategies will not only help your teen gain confidence, it may maximize his/her UPCAT score.

The post Boost Your Child’s Confidence in Taking the UPCAT appeared first on Review Masters.

1. What is the UPCAT?

The University of the Philippines College Admission Test or UPCAT is the exam taken by students who wish to study at the University of the Philippines. This exam is required for all incoming new freshman.

2. How can my child qualify for UP?

Your child qualifies for UP when his/her UPG (University Predicted Grade)  is within the upper limit of the UP Campus where your child wishes to enter. For example, UP Diliman usually has a cut-off of about 2.2, UPLB has a cut-off of about 2.4 and UP Davao has a cut-off of 2.8. The UPG is computed by transmuting your child’s High School Average (about 40%) and adding it to his/her UPCAT score (about 60%).

3. Which UP Campus should your child choose?

The University of the Philippines has 9 independent campuses namely UP Diliman, UP Manila, UP Los Baños, UP Visayas, UP Davao, UP Baguio, UP Iloilo, UP San Fernando and UP Open University. Each campus has its own specialization, for example UP Manila is the center for medical science and UP Iloilo is the center for fisheries. Our advice is for your child to choose the campus that would fit the course that he/she wants to take. However, I would also like to note that UP Diliman and UP Manila has the highest UPG cut-off of all the 9 campuses. For further detail on each campus click here: https://www.upcatreview.com/universities

4. Is it true the UP has free tuition?

Yes, the tuition fee for UP is free. This is because of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act which grants full tuition subsidy for students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational schools.

5. Are there scholarships available?

Yes there are several scholarships available for UP students. One of the most numerous scholarship grant in UP is form the DOST-SEI Scholarship Program. Most scholarship grants are posted the Office of Student Affairs on every UP campus. The STFAP bracket system also ensures that financially challenged students have reduced tuition fees and receive monthly stipends.

6. Is my child required to enroll in a review program before he/she could take the UPCAT?

NO. Several students have been asking whether UP requires students to enroll in a review center or if UP endorses any specific review center. The answer is NO. Students are not required to enroll in any review center before the UPCAT. At the same time, UP does not and will not endorse any review center. I write this because some students have the impression that they won’t be allowed to take the UPCAT if they don’t review. That is just not true. However, we encourage students to study for the UPCAT as they would for any other exam. A review center would facilitate

7. Is the UPCAT right minus wrong?

YES and NO. The UPCAT is right minus a fraction of the wrong answer. The total correct answers that you will get in the UPCAT will be deducted by a portion, usually around one-fourth, of the number of wrong answers that you make.

If you have further questions about the UPCAT, don’t hesitate to contact us. The Review Masters team is ready to address your queries.

The post Questions That Parents Usually Ask About the UPCAT appeared first on Review Masters.

For most children, they excel in either math or English but not both. Some children may struggle in both areas but it is rare for a child to be equally good in both areas of the test. The logic states that a child can be good in the humanities like English and history but is usually weaker when it comes to math and science.

The best and also free tip is to simply read more! I know this may sound simple, maybe even boring and useless but trust me, it is perhaps the most important and useful thing your child can do to prepare for the UPCAT.

The best things to read are broadsheets or wholesome magazines. If you don't have a subscription, you can have your child read the articles online through their website for free. The New York Times is my best bet. It is an international newspaper that people around the world read. The level of grammar and the type of words used are much stronger and tougher to understand than your ordinary newspaper.

Very often, intelligent readers don't know what certain words mean. That is how you build your vocabulary and understanding of more words. By reading words which don't know their meaning, you can interpret their meaning by interpreting what the sentence is trying to say.

The best piece of advice is to work with your children as they read each sentence of the magazine or newspaper, and make sure they understand what they are reading. If they come across a word you think they don't know or understand, don't let them skip that sentence. Make them try and figure out what that word means and what that sentence is trying to tell the reader.

This is the best way of building your child's vocabulary and helping them do better on the verbal part of the UPCAT.

The post How To Improve Your Child’s Verbal Ability appeared first on Review Masters.

Teaching your child to practice good time management is so worthwhile now that he/she is in senior year in high school. Quite simply, effective time management leads to success. Graduating students who learn to manage their time effectively are able to reach their goals—especially their UPCAT dream. They are less likely to procrastinate or cram, and therefore less stressed. And while time management is certainly important at a young age, it will become crucial in college when students have a greater amount of flexibility in their schedules.

Here are a few tips on how you can help your child develop good time management skills:

1. Establish a routine.

For any UPCAT aspirant, a daily planner is an invaluable tool. Encourage your teen to record all assignments, upcoming tests, project deadlines, extracurricular commitments and other tasks on a daily basis, and mark them off as he or she completes them. Of course, there should also be an allotment of at least an hour to review for the UPCAT.

2. Encourage goal-setting.

Life is full of many exciting opportunities, and your child surely wants to get a slot in UP. Goal-setting and time management go hand in hand. Take your child's ambitions seriously by helping him or her break the UPCAT goal down into smaller ones and assigning target completion dates to each one. A student who dreams of going to UP must take a number of smaller steps along the way.

3. Teach your child to prioritize.

A large portion of your child's day is spent in school, but what must he or she accomplish after the school bell rings? Consider the following sample schedule (lifted from 3 Sure Ways to Achieve Your UPCAT Dream):

4:00am        Morning Prayer and Bible Reading
4:30am        Visualization and Internalization Session (part 1)
5:00am        Physical Exercise
5:30am        CR Moment
6:00am        Breakfast
7:00am – 5:00pm    School (make use of the vacant time productively like play                 practices, group report preparation, science project, etc)
6:00pm        Study/Review
7:30pm        Dinner
8:00pm        Online Time (for research, assignment, and social networking)
9:00pm        Visualization and Internalization Session (part 2)
10:00pm        Evening Prayer then Sleep

This child's schedule has approximately 2 hours of available time for school assignments and UPCAT Review, but how will he or she spend it? Let's say the child has a Physics test in two days, Math homework due tomorrow and a school play in a week. Obviously the Math homework should be first priority, followed by studying for his or her test. And there should be still some time left to review for the UPCAT. And remember that all children need some down time, but with their busy lives, it can't hurt to plan ahead. In the above example, if the child wants to read or watch television in the 8:00 to 9:00 window, he or she should make sure to be efficient between 6:00 and 7:30. Help your child keep his or her schedule in mind when making plans with friends or joining a new club or sports team so that he or she can avoid the stress of over-committing.

One final tip for parents who want to teach their children to become good time managers: practice what you preach. Do you struggle to manage your own time? Are you constantly running late or regularly missing deadlines or appointments? Remember that you are a role model to your child. Do your best to effectively manage your own schedule.

Good time management skills will help your child achieve his or her goals, enjoy his or her free time, avoid anxiety and stress, and most importantly, lead a productive life. Encourage these techniques early and your child will gain the very most out of each and every day.

The post UPCAT Review vs School Activities: The Value of Time Management – UPCAT Tip No.6 for Parents appeared first on Review Masters.

If any of those UPCAT takers sound familiar to you, Review Masters suggest these “UPCAT Taking Do’s and Don’ts for Parents.”
 

•    Do provide a quiet, comfortable place for reviewing at home. Focus is a key for effective studying. But…

•    Don’t be too anxious about your child’s scores during his review.  Putting too much emphasis on review or practice test scores can upset a child.

•    Do encourage your child. Praise him/her for the things that he/she does well.  If your child feels good about himself/herself, he/she will do his/her best.  But…

•    Don't pressure your child. You may stress him/her out. It is important for your child to stay relaxed on the test.

•    Do give your child a well rounded diet.  A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind.  But…

•    Don’t let your child over eat either. Your child should avoid high fatty or greasy foods such as French fries.

•    Do help your child release himself/herself. Talking about the UPCAT with your child can relieve stress about the UPCAT. But…

•    Don't say "You can score high in the UPCAT!  or "Good luck to you with your UPCAT!" It is because when your child hears the words like that, he/she may feel burdened. Of course, it is for your child, but also it can be harmful to him/her.

•    Do make sure your child is well rested on school days.  Students who are tired are less able to handle the demands of the UPCAT. Let your child relax for a few hours before bedtime. It can be stressful for a child to review all night. But…

•    Don’t let your child get disorganized. Studies indicate that organized children are often better test takers. So help your child prioritize the things that would help him/her pass the UPCAT.

•    Do provide books and magazines for your child to read at home.  By reading new materials, a child will learn new words that might appear in the Reading or Language subtest of the UPCAT.  But…

•    Don’t forget to remind your child to practice their Math skills and master the Science concepts.  Your child needs to have a balanced review so that he/she can score high in all the subject areas covered in the UPCAT.

•    Do push your child to review until July.  Even though the review season is over, your child still needs to continue on reviewing because of the competitive nature of the UPCAT. But…

•    Don’t allow your child to review one week before the UPCAT especially the night before the UPCAT. Have your child review for a short period of time each day on a regular basis until last week of July and avoid the one week or one day “cram session.”
 

Wouldn’t it be great knowing that you’ve helped your child succeed rather than being part of the reason that they fail?

The post Don’t Fail Your Child on the UPCAT Day – UPCAT Tip No.5 for Parents appeared first on Review Masters.

A good review program, combined with hard work and practice, can create staggering results.  Several average students (including my own children) were able to pass UPCAT just by applying our tips and advice. We decided to create this page for parents like you so that we can also give you the most needed tips that you can use to help and guide your child as he or she is preparing for the UPCAT.

The post UPCAT Tips For Parents – Introduction appeared first on Review Masters.