Edukasyon’s All-In Guide to the PUPCET

There are so many advantages to studying at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Besides the legendary Edukasyong Dose Pesos or a tuition fee of P12 per unit, you’ll be getting quality education at the first state university of the Philippines! The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is known as well for its business courses plus its Bachelor of Arts program in Filipinology.

Ready to become a future PUP-ian? First you’ve got to make it through the PUPCET. Here’s how to go about it, from application to passing the test!

What is the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College Entrance Test (PUPCET)?

Every year, thousands of students all over the Philippines take the Polytechnic University of the Philippines College Entrance Test (PUPCET) for a chance to become an iskolar ng bayan. Only a small percentage are accepted due to the university’s limited budget. Therefore it does well to review, prepare, and apply early.

Administered yearly, the PUPCET is open to graduating Grade 12 students as well as senior high school graduates who haven’t yet enrolled in a degree.

View the PUPCET Schedule for the First Semester of the academic year 2019-2020 here.

What are the requirements for the PUPCET?

First, make sure you’re eligible for application. Qualified to apply are:

• Grade 12 Students expecting to graduate at the end of the academic year.
• Graduates from K-12 pilot schools who have not enrolled in any technical / diploma / degree program immediately after graduation with a GWA of 82% or higher.
• Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) passers, eligible for college admission with an average rating of 82% or higher in 5 subject areas: Mathematics, Communication Arts in English and Filipino, Science, and Araling Panlipunan.
• Passers of the Alternative Learning System Accreditation & Equivalency (ALS) Test for Secondary Level. Must be eligible for admission to college: with Percentile Correct (PC) 82% or higher and has 100 or higher Standard Score (SS) with Essay Writing of 82% or higher following DepEd regulations.

Did you make the cut? Now, get ready with all your requirements before proceeding to your application. Have everything on hand so you don’t go back and forth later. Here’s what you’ll need.

• 2×2 inches colored photo with name tag (saved as .jpeg, no more than 300kb in file size)
• Original or certified true copy of senior high school card (F138) with school dry seal
• Certificate of Completion for Senior High School
• Original PSA Birth Certificate
• Certification of Good Moral issued by the senior high school principal or guidance counselor with school dry seal
• Duly authenticated copy of the PEPT/ALS A&E Test Certificate of Rating, certified by the DepEd-NETRC-BALS
• School ID (for currently enrolled students) or any valid ID with picture (for previous senior high school graduates)
• Notarized certification of non-enrollment (for senior high school graduates)

Save this page for a masterlist of PUPCET eligibility and requirements.

To apply for the PUPCET, go to PUP iApply.

There are two major steps when you apply online for the PUPCET: Registering on iApply and claiming your ePermit. Here’s where you’ll need your 2×2 ID photo in JPEG format, because you will have to upload it into the system.

Here’s how to Register on PUP iApply

First, go to PUP iApply for PUPCET. Next, read and agree to the service agreement. Follow the instructions and fill out the application with your correct information. Note that it must reflect what’s on your NSO or PSA Birth Certificate. Additionally, your email address must be active and correct. In fact, it’s best that you use a professional email address that reflects your name.

Don’t forget your Reference Number!

After 5 business days, claim your ePermit

To claim your ePermit, go to PUP iApply and click Claim ePermit. Type in the information required and submit. Afterwards, you may encounter one of the following messages.

• Application Successful. Congratulations! You may now download your ePermit. Make sure to print the document in color.
• Problem With Your Photo. If you see this, your ID photo didn’t meet either the size, format, or content requirements. Whatever the case, scan and upload a new photo of the correct size and format. Allow 1-2 business days for photo validation before reclaiming your ePermit.

Pro-tip: Avoid the hassle of reuploading your photo. Check out the official PUPCET photo guidelines in this post.

What are the parts of the PUPCET?

The first step to prepare for the PUPCET is knowing what’s in it. After that, it’s just mind over matter. Don’t be too afraid of the time constraint. Although the test is around 150 to 200 questions over 2 hours, you’ve likely already studied its contents throughout your high school years. Plus, there’s no essay portion!

Here’s what you can expect to pop up in the PUPCET.

• Mathematics: Arithmetic, Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra
• English: Spelling, Grammar, Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension
• Science: Biology, Physics, Chemistry
• Abstract Reasoning
• General Information

Pro-tip: Your biggest enemy will be the time pressure. Don’t dwell on tricky questions. Answer neatly as well, since the test will be machine-checked.

Need help? Check out our other guides to acing your college entrance tests!

• CETs: One-Month Study Guide
• Tips on how to manage time constraints during an entrance exam
• 10 Review Centers in the Philippines To Enroll This 2019
• What To Do When You Can’t Afford A Review Center For Entrance Exams

What do I bring to the PUPCET?

When you go to the your PUPCET venue and testing room, you must have:

• Test Permit, printed in color
• One 2×2 inch photo (the same one in your test permit)
• #2 lead pencils, eraser, and sharpener
• Current official high school ID (for graduating senior high school students), or
• Official Certification of Graduation issued by your School Registrar or Principal with school dry seal (for high school graduates)

Pro-tip: Get rest the day before the PUPCET and arrive early during the day of your exam. Also, wear something light because it will likely be hot. You’ll be allowed to bring water and snacks, so gear up!

Get motivated, too! Did you know that the Polytechnic University of the Philippines produces the most preferred fresh hires by employees? Go forth and get into the school of your dreams!

For more tips and guides to surviving the rest of senior high or applying to college, check out our All About Senior High and College Life sections on the Edukasyon.ph blog!