UPCAT vs ACET vs DLSU DCAT vs USTET: Which Tests to Take

UPCAT vs ACET vs DLSU DCAT vs USTET: Which Tests to Take

Most college applicants in the Philippines treat the big entrance tests as a portfolio, not a single choice. They sit for several, accept the best offer, and keep their options open. That's a sensible strategy — but it only works if you know how the tests differ and when each one runs.

At a glance

Fee waivers: RA 12006, the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, requires private higher-education institutions to waive entrance-test fees for natural-born Filipino applicants in the top 10% of their graduating class whose families are below the poverty threshold. UST, for example, waives its fee for RA 12006-eligible applicants and for public-school applicants graduating with Highest Honors.

The current calendar (AY 2027–28 admissions)

Always confirm on each school's admissions site — provincial and satellite centres often run on different dates.

What each test covers

UPCAT

Four subtests — Language Proficiency, Science, Mathematics and Reading Comprehension — with Language and Reading in both English and Filipino. UP combines your UPCAT scores with your Grades 8–11 grades into the University Predicted Grade (UPG). UP doesn't publish the weighting or any programme cutoffs. You can take the UPCAT only once. See the UPCAT pillar guide.

ACET

Multiple-choice questions in mathematics, English, general knowledge and abstract reasoning, plus an essay, all under time pressure. Ateneo's own FAQ says the number of items varies from year to year, the test is not right-minus-wrong, there's no Filipino section, and calculators aren't allowed. Admission also weighs your high-school record, extracurriculars, personal essay and recommendation letters; Ateneo doesn't publish the weights. See the ACET guide.

DLSU DCAT

DLSU calls its test the DLSU College Admission Test (DCAT) — "DLSUCET" is the older, informal name. DLSU doesn't publish an official breakdown. Past takers report English and reading comprehension, mathematics, science and mental-ability items. Applicants rank three programme choices. See the DLSU DCAT guide.

USTET

UST's official FAQ lists Mental Ability, English, Mathematics and Science, and says part of your USTET result comes from your grades. It's taken in person at UST's testing centres. LEAPMed applicants take an extra afternoon test. See the USTET guide.

Planning a multi-test portfolio

The subjects overlap heavily: every test here draws on mathematics and English, and three of the four include science or reasoning. That makes a sequenced plan work well:

1. Build the shared base first — mathematics, English grammar and reading, and core science.
2. Add test-specific skills — Filipino language and reading for UPCAT; abstract and mental-ability reasoning for ACET, DCAT and USTET; essay practice for ACET.
3. Map the calendar early — the tests now run on different schedules (UPCAT in August, ACET in September–October, DCAT from September to December, USTET from October to January), so plan travel and application deadlines months ahead.

The biggest hidden cost is travel for provincial applicants. Check whether each school has a testing centre near you before you apply.

How the schools decide

• UP: your UPG (UPCAT scores + Grades 8–11) against each programme's capacity.
• Ateneo: ACET results together with your high-school record, extracurriculars, essay and recommendation letters.
• UST: your USTET result, part of which comes from your grades.
• DLSU: DLSU doesn't publish how it weighs the DCAT against other factors.

None of the four publishes programme cutoffs. Treat any cutoff table online as an estimate.

Where Super Tutor fits

Super Tutor has reviewers for UPCAT, ACET, DLSU's DCAT and USTET. They share the same college-entrance chapters — mathematics, science, language proficiency, abstract reasoning and general information — each in 11 study formats with practice quizzes at three difficulty levels, plus an AI tutor and a study planner. Full mock exams are available for UPCAT only. Start free — 5-day trial, no card needed.

What to read next

The UPCAT pillar guide covers the largest of the four in depth. For the rest, see the ACET, DLSU DCAT, USTET, FEU-CAT and PUPCET guides.