Senior High · Philippines
Senior High — choosing a track and preparing for college entrance tests.
Choosing your track, starting your UPCAT review, planning for a degree and the board exam after it. Super Tutor doesn't teach SHS subjects — these pages help you plan, and our entrance-exam courses help you prepare.
From School Year 2026–2027, students entering Grade 11 follow DepEd's Strengthened Senior High School Curriculum: two tracks — Academic and Technical-Professional (TechPro) — with elective clusters in place of the old STEM, ABM, HUMSS and GAS strands. Students already in Grade 12 finish under the strand system. Schools only offer the tracks and electives they have teachers for, so check with yours. (Source: DepEd Memorandum No. 012, s. 2026.)
STEM Strand and the STEM Elective Cluster
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) was the SHS strand for students heading to engineering, the sciences, health and IT. Under the Strengthened SHS Curriculum, STEM is now an elective cluster in the Academic track. Either way, expect a heavy load of math and science — and entrance tests that lean on both.
ABM Strand and the Business and Entrepreneurship Cluster
ABM (Accountancy, Business and Management) was the SHS strand for future accountants, marketers and entrepreneurs. Under the Strengthened SHS Curriculum, the closest match is the Business and Entrepreneurship elective cluster in the Academic track.
HUMSS Strand and the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities Cluster
HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) was the strand for students stronger in reading and writing than in equations — future teachers, lawyers, journalists, psychologists and social workers. Under the Strengthened SHS Curriculum, the closest match is the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities cluster in the Academic track.
GAS Strand
GAS (General Academic Strand) was for students who didn't want to commit to STEM, ABM or HUMSS yet. Under the Strengthened SHS Curriculum there's no GAS; students in the Academic track build their own mix of electives instead.
Best SHS Strand or Track for UPCAT
Students ask which strand gives the best shot at UP. UP's UPCAT eligibility rules don't require a particular strand or track. What goes into your University Predicted Grade is your UPCAT score and your grades from Grades 8 to 11 — UP doesn't publish the weighting. So the honest answer is: take the track that fits the degree you want, keep your grades steady, and prepare for all four subtests.
Best SHS Strand or Track for Engineering
Engineering degrees are heavy on math and physics, so the STEM strand — now the STEM elective cluster — is the usual path. Students from other tracks do move into engineering, but expect to put extra work into math and science in first year.
Best SHS Strand or Track for Accountancy
Want to become a Certified Public Accountant? ABM — now the Business and Entrepreneurship elective cluster — gives you a head start on accounting and business math, but students from other tracks also take BS Accountancy.
Best SHS Strand or Track for Teaching
Future teachers come from every track. HUMSS — now the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities cluster — suits language and social studies majors; STEM suits math and science majors. Either way, you'll need an education degree and then the LET.
Grade 11 College Prep
UPCAT applications opened in March in recent cycles — while applicants were still in Grade 11 — and the test ran in early August, at the start of Grade 12. Other schools open applications from mid-year. Starting your review in Grade 11 means steady practice instead of a rush.
Grade 12 Final Stretch
In Grade 12 the entrance tests arrive one after another: UPCAT in early August, then the ACET, the DCAT and USTET from September, and PUPCET usually from January. Schoolwork doesn't stop. The way through is to focus on the areas that cost you the most points.
Grade 12 STEM Engineering Prep
Grade 12 STEM students aiming at engineering have two things to manage: the entrance tests and their final grades. Many also apply for the DOST-SEI scholarship; its exam for 2027 scholarships is scheduled for 14–15 November 2026.
SHS Summer Review
The break between Grade 11 and Grade 12 is the last long stretch before UPCAT, which has run in early August in recent cycles. No classes, fewer deadlines — a good time to build steady review habits.