UPCAT General Science (Extended) — Scientific Method & MeasurementCheat Sheet
Scientific Method & Measurement cheat sheet for UPCAT aspirants. If you could only take one sheet of paper into your review session, this is what it would look like. University of the Philippines's most-tested concepts, all in one place.
Exam context
On the UPCAT 2026, the General Science (Extended) subtest carries a "Extended coverage for UP Science programs" weight in University of the Philippines's pattern. Scientific Method & Measurement lands at position 1st out of 6 in the standard review order. Target score is UPG ≤ 2.2 typical, and roughly 20 items come from General Science (Extended) on a typical UPCAT paper.
Scientific Method & Measurement - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Scientific Method & Measurement - covering all formulas, definitions, and key concepts for UPCAT General Science
Sections
Section Title
Scientific Method Steps
Important Facts
- Scientific method has 6 main steps: Question → Research → Hypothesis → Test → Analyze → Communicate
- Hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable
- Experiments should be repeated multiple times (trials) for reliability
- Background research uses reliable sources: journals, books, reputable websites
- Results must be communicated to the scientific community
Key Definitions
Term
Scientific Method
Example
Testing if fertilizer affects plant growth
Definition
A logical process for experimentation to explore observations and answer questions
Term
Hypothesis
Example
Plants grow taller with nitrogen fertilizer
Definition
A testable explanation or educated guess to answer a research question
Term
Controlled Experiment
Example
Testing one fertilizer type on identical plants
Definition
Scientific test where one factor changes while others remain constant
Term
Theory
Example
Cell theory, atomic theory
Definition
Well-tested explanation of a phenomenon supported by evidence
Term
Scientific Law
Example
Law of gravity, law of conservation of mass
Definition
Description of an observed phenomenon that always occurs under certain conditions
Diagrams To Know
- Scientific method flowchart
- Controlled experiment setup diagram
Section Title
Variables in Experiments
Important Facts
- Independent variable goes on x-axis of graphs
- Dependent variable goes on y-axis of graphs
- Control group receives no treatment (baseline for comparison)
- Multiple trials reduce experimental error
- Only change ONE independent variable at a time
Key Definitions
Term
Independent Variable (IV)
Example
Amount of fertilizer added to plants
Definition
Factor changed by the scientist; the cause
Term
Dependent Variable (DV)
Example
Height of plants measured weekly
Definition
Factor that responds to changes; what you measure
Term
Controlled Variable
Example
Same soil, water amount, sunlight for all plants
Definition
Factors kept constant throughout the experiment
Term
Trials
Example
Testing 10 plants for each fertilizer amount
Definition
Number of times an experiment is repeated
Diagrams To Know
- Variable identification in experimental setup
- Graph axes labeling
Formulas
Formula
Volume = Length × Width × Height
Meaning
For regular rectangular solids
Watch Out
Ensure all dimensions are in same units
When To Use
Calculating volume of boxes, rooms, containers
Formula
Density = Mass / Volume
Meaning
D = density, Mass in grams, Volume in cm³
Watch Out
Water density = 1 g/cm³; objects >1 g/cm³ sink, <1 g/cm³ float
When To Use
Determining if objects float or sink in water
Common Values
Value
1 g/cm³
Symbol
ρ
Quantity
Water density
Value
1 L = 1000 cm³
Symbol
L, cm³
Quantity
Liter to cubic centimeter
Section Title
SI Base Units and Measurement
Important Facts
- Read liquid volume at eye level at bottom of meniscus curve
- 1 dm³ = 1 liter (L)
- 1 cm³ = 1 milliliter (mL)
- 1000 cm³ = 1 liter
- Displacement method measures volume of irregular solids
Key Definitions
Term
SI System
Example
Meter, kilogram, second are SI base units
Definition
International System of Units; modern form of metric system
Term
Volume
Example
Volume of a box or liquid in a container
Definition
Amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object
Term
Meniscus
Example
Water forms concave meniscus; mercury forms convex
Definition
Curved surface of liquid in a container due to surface tension
Diagrams To Know
- Meniscus reading diagram
- Displacement method setup
- Volume measurement tools
Formulas
Formula
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
Meaning
Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
Watch Out
Remember to multiply by 9/5 BEFORE adding 32
When To Use
Converting metric temperature to imperial
Formula
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
Meaning
Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius
Watch Out
Subtract 32 FIRST, then multiply by 5/9
When To Use
Converting imperial temperature to metric
Formula
K = °C + 273
Meaning
Convert Celsius to Kelvin
Watch Out
Kelvin has no degree symbol; just add 273 to Celsius
When To Use
Scientific calculations requiring absolute temperature
Common Values
Value
0°C, 32°F, 273K
Symbol
°C, °F, K
Quantity
Water freezing point
Value
100°C, 212°F, 373K
Symbol
°C, °F, K
Quantity
Water boiling point
Section Title
Temperature Conversions
Important Facts
- Water freezes at 0°C, 32°F, 273K
- Water boils at 100°C, 212°F, 373K
- Kelvin scale starts at absolute zero
- Celsius and Kelvin have same degree size
- Room temperature ≈ 25°C or 77°F
Key Definitions
Term
Temperature
Example
Body temperature is 37°C or 98.6°F
Definition
Measure of hotness or coldness of an object or environment
Term
Absolute Zero
Example
Temperature at which molecular motion stops
Definition
Lowest possible temperature; 0 Kelvin = -273°C
Diagrams To Know
- Temperature scale comparison chart
- Thermometer reading diagram
Formulas
Formula
Weight = Mass × Gravity
Meaning
W = m × g; Weight in Newtons, Mass in kg, Gravity = 9.8 m/s²
Watch Out
Mass stays constant; weight changes with gravity
When To Use
Calculating gravitational force on objects
Formula
Force = Mass × Acceleration
Meaning
F = ma; Force in Newtons, Mass in kg, Acceleration in m/s²
Watch Out
Force and acceleration are vectors (have direction)
When To Use
Calculating force needed to accelerate objects
Formula
Work = Force × Distance
Meaning
W = F × d; Work in Joules, Force in Newtons, Distance in meters
Watch Out
Force and displacement must be in same direction
When To Use
Calculating energy transferred by applying force
Common Values
Value
9.8 m/s²
Symbol
g
Quantity
Earth's gravity
Value
1.6 m/s²
Symbol
g
Quantity
Moon's gravity
Section Title
Mass, Weight, and Force
Important Facts
- Mass is constant; weight varies with gravity
- Earth's gravity = 9.8 m/s² (often rounded to 10 m/s²)
- 1 Newton ≈ weight of 100 grams on Earth
- Force is a vector quantity (has magnitude and direction)
- Work requires movement in direction of applied force
Key Definitions
Term
Mass
Example
A person's mass is 70 kg everywhere
Definition
Amount of matter in an object; measured in kilograms
Term
Weight
Example
Same person weighs 686 N on Earth, 114 N on Moon
Definition
Gravitational force on an object; measured in Newtons
Term
Force
Example
Pushing a box, magnetic attraction
Definition
Push or pull resulting from interaction between objects
Diagrams To Know
- Mass vs weight comparison
- Force vector diagrams
- Spring scale vs balance scale
Common Values
Value
10³ = 1,000
Symbol
k
Quantity
Kilo prefix
Value
10⁻² = 0.01
Symbol
c
Quantity
Centi prefix
Value
10⁻³ = 0.001
Symbol
m
Quantity
Milli prefix
Section Title
Metric Prefixes
Important Facts
- Kilo (k) = 1000 times larger
- Centi (c) = 100 times smaller
- Milli (m) = 1000 times smaller
- Micro (μ) = 1,000,000 times smaller
- Mega (M) = 1,000,000 times larger
Key Definitions
Term
Metric Prefix
Example
Kilometer = 1000 meters, millimeter = 0.001 meters
Definition
Unit that precedes basic unit to indicate multiple or fraction
Diagrams To Know
- Metric prefix ladder
- Unit conversion examples
Must Remember
- Scientific method: Question → Research → Hypothesis → Test → Analyze → Communicate
- Independent variable = what you change; Dependent variable = what you measure
- Density = Mass/Volume; Water density = 1 g/cm³
- °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32; °C = (°F - 32) × 5/9; K = °C + 273
- Weight = Mass × Gravity; Force = Mass × Acceleration
- Mass is constant; weight varies with gravity (Earth g = 9.8 m/s²)
- 1 L = 1000 mL = 1000 cm³; 1 dm³ = 1 L
- Kilo = 1000x, Centi = 0.01x, Milli = 0.001x
- Read meniscus at eye level at bottom of curve
- Hypothesis must be testable and falsifiable
Last Minute Tips
- In variable questions, ask 'What is being changed?' (IV) and 'What is being measured?' (DV)
- For density problems, remember objects with density >1 g/cm³ sink, <1 g/cm³ float
- Temperature conversion: Always do operations in correct order - multiply/divide before add/subtract
- Mass stays same on Moon/Earth; weight changes (divide Earth weight by 6 for Moon)
- When reading graduated cylinders, get down to eye level and read bottom of meniscus curve
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Meter
- m
Property
Length
Values
- Kilogram
- kg
Property
Mass
Values
- Second
- s
Property
Time
Values
- Kelvin
- K
Property
Temperature
Values
- Ampere
- A
Property
Electric Current
Values
- Mole
- mol
Property
Amount of Substance
Values
- Candela
- cd
Property
Luminous Intensity
Columns
- Physical Quantity
- Unit Name
- Symbol
Table Title
SI Base Quantities vs Units
Rows
Values
- Amount of matter
- Gravitational force
Property
Definition
Values
- Kilogram (kg)
- Newton (N)
Property
Unit
Values
- No
- Yes
Property
Varies with location
Values
- Balance scale
- Spring scale
Property
Measured with
Values
- Same as Earth
- 1/6 of Earth value
Property
On Moon
Columns
- Property
- Mass
- Weight
Table Title
Mass vs Weight
Rows
Values
- 0°C
- 100°C
- -273°C
Property
Celsius
Values
- 32°F
- 212°F
- -459°F
Property
Fahrenheit
Values
- 273K
- 373K
- 0K
Property
Kelvin
Columns
- Scale
- Freezing Point
- Boiling Point
- Absolute Zero
Table Title
Temperature Scales
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