Struggles during USTET

Since my mom was sick that time, I went to UST with Darla and Gosh, along with Gosh's family (and their car!). We're one of the AM takers and we also belong in the same building. Before going in my room, I waited for some of my classmates because we belong in the same building AND room (Benavides building, Rm. 207). We're an hour early, so we don't have to wait in a long line before going in. After that, our proctor (that looks like someone I won't mention) arranged us alphabetically. It was so annoying because I think she was having a hard time because of newcomers who didn't know that we were already alphabetically arranged. Ugh, I easily get annoyed. :( She looks like her, too that makes her more annoying.

*Fast forward.*

Unlike the UPCAT, USTET is one hell of a test. Not because of complex or unanswerable questions and such, but because of time pressure! We were given 30 minutes for Mental Ability test with 80 items, 45 minutes for English with 80 items, 45 minutes for Math with 60 items and 45 minutes for Science with 80 items.

My most unforgettable question in Mental Ability test: What is the opposite of love? Heh. I didn't get to finish that test though, I don't know why I got so serious in answering each question. I didn't realize that I was taking too much time on one item. Good thing, I was able to notice so I didn't do the same thing in English.

The test in English was uh.. average. Most of the items were about the synonyms or antonyms of unfamiliar words. Sadly there were no items with "finding the error". I was looking forward to that. :/ Only three reading selections were given for reading comprehension so the test didn't turn out to be that boring. Yay!

Math, on the other hand, was surprisingly easy (to think that I'm no Math wizard). It's nice that I was able to apply the lessons that we were currently discussing in school because most of the items were about linear equations. Many items including Geometry were also given and I, being a Geometry lover and an Algebra hater, got to enjoy the test and even finish it, right on time!

Science? Well, I can't recall a thing. Hah! I'm not a fan of Science. But I know, I did my best! I didn't get to finish the test though... Shotgun!

For students who chose Architecture or one of the programs in CFAD, they were given a Space Relations test. I was one of those students, since my first choice was Architecture. If you look at the test itself, you'd think it's easy... but if you get to have 30 minutes to take this 80-item test, well, think again. I was so pressured, I didn't have the time to check my answers! Pressure!!!!

One big struggle. That's what I would say If I were asked to describe the test. I was really pressured because of the time and because several "what ifs" were playing on my head. I was so nervous because I really feel the need to pass USTET, not only because I want to study there, but I'll feel that I'll be lost if I won't go there like, "Where will I go if I can't pass this?" Ah, the pressure is killing me until now!

After the test, my classmates and I waited for a while near the exit of Benavides building because some of them were still taking the talent test (for CFAD applicants). While waiting, we shared some of our experiences while taking the test and I think we were so noisy that time. The shame! Lol! We saw some of our classmates who are PM takers and gave tips (and even answers!). We were about to eat in a carinderia because we were sure that the food chains at the carpark was full of people already but it was scorching hot so we ended up eating in Jollibee Dapitan. Shortly after eating, we went home.

Results will be up on January 28,  2013. Wish me luck! :)

My UPCAT Experience

I didn't take a picture of my test permit. Heh :p

Being one of the first batch of UPCAT takers, I woke up at around 4:30 in the morning, prepared myself and departed the house at 5:30 AM. It was only a 30-minute trip to UP Manila because luckily, there was no traffic. Yaaay~

It was weird that I didn't feel nervous or anything before, during, and after taking the UPCAT. I'm not expecting to pass, but I took it as a challenge! Besides, passing the UPCAT is a bragging right. And I took it also to familiarize myself in a college entrance examination. I have two more to go! I just took USTET yesterday. But I'm not here to blog about that.

Getting back to UPCAT, I impatiently waited with my fellow UPCAT takers, AM batch infront of the College of Medicine. I have no one to talk to, so I just texted and texted. When we got to the hall where we'll take the test, it took so long before we started because the proctors were having a difficulty counting us. So before the test, I was annoyed and not nervous. At all. Plus, my seatmate was very erm.. move-y. I was so annoyed at her. =____= 

When the instruction manual was given, I was holding back my laugh because they may think that I'm crazy or something. I can't stand seeing Mario Maurer with braces in the sample test permit. He was even named "Hans Tristan Anderson Yu Sykora" and has a fanpage of his own on Facebook! Visit: http://www.facebook.com/UPCAT2013

Finally, the test booklet was given. The first thing we took was Language Proficiency. I'm not bragging, but I found it pretty easy. Few deep words were only given and the look for the error part wasn't that complicated and the errors were easy to distinguish. 

After Language Proficiency, we took Science. It's not that easy but it's not that hard. They focused more on Biology and Chemistry but few Physics questions were given. Erm.. I don't know what to say anymore. Haha! After Science, we were asked to stand and stretch for a couple of minutes. I, being lazy, didn't stand but ate my food instead. *oink*

In Math, there were no trigonometric functions given (yay!) and the formulas in solving for volume, area and such were given. Well, to some. This is the only test where I skipped a couple of numbers because I really had no idea how I would answer those questions with functions. 

Reading comprehension was so boring. I suggest you, future UPCAT taker, to read the questions regarding the reading selection and just scan for the answer. It saves a lot of time! After taking that, I just ate my food again: Sky Flakes and M&M's. 

For the first time in the UPCAT history, an on-the-spot essay writing was given. Our batch were asked to write about something we do often, whether in English or Filipino. We were lucky enough to have an easy question and kind of serious, because some found their topics weird and hilarious. I was preparing for a topic from a current event (I read PNoy's SONA the night before UPCAT) and I was surprised how their questions turned out to be, like "Tell a lie about yourself and prove it." Heh, weird.

After the test, I went home by myself. It was super boring!!! Ugh, but I was glad that UPCAT's over. :)

P.S. I took UPCAT last August 4. Super late entry! Haha!