COLLEGE

PREPARATION
🐯💛 University of Santo Tomas 💛🐯
Address:

Espana Blvd., Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines 1008

Requirements:

● Personal Information
● 2" x 2" ID Picture
● Transcript of Records
○ Form 137 - Certified copy of grades from registrar
○ Form 138 - Report Card
● Birth Certificate or Passport
● List of Extracurriculars
● High School Information

Application and Admission Timeline:

Previous SY 2023-2024
● Application Period: July to December
● Release of Results: January of following year
School Year 2024-2025
● Application Period: August 8, 2023 - November 15, 2023
● USTET: October 22, 2023
● Release of Results: Second Quarter of 2024
 🏹💚 De La Salle University 💚🏹
Address:

2401 Taft Ave, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila

Requirements:

● Copy of Grade 11 or 12 ID card

● Recent 2×2 or Passport-size Photo (in white background, with neutral facial
expression, must not be wearing eyeglasses or color contact lenses, and with ears
exposed if religious customs do not prohibit)
● Academic Records
○ Secondary Scholastic Record (in DLSU Format, signed by SCHOOL
REGISTRAR or PRINCIPAL).
○ Grade 11 Report Card or Transcript of Records/Form 137 (High school
applicants with 1st and 2nd-semester report cards must ensure that both
Report Cards are signed by the designated signatories)
○ Certificate of Non-Issuance of Numerical Grades **IF** you are an
applicant from a school with non-numerical (Pass/Fail) grades
○ Transcript of Records **IF** you are an applicant from Non-Philippine
Department of Education (DepEd) recognized schools
● PSA issued Birth Certificate
● Accomplished consent form
● Recommendation letters
○ Guidance Counselor from Grade 11 or 12
○ High School Principal or Subject Teacher from Grade 11 or 12
● List of Awards & Honors
● List of Extracurriculars
● High School Information
● Personal Essay (answering their given questions)
Application and Admission Timeline:

For Previous SY 2023-2024

● Application Period: April 3-30 2023
● DCAT: May 14, 2023
● Release of Results: 4th week of May 2023
School Year 2024-2025
● Application Period: TBA
● DCAT: TBA
● Release of Results: TBA

DLSUPersonal Statement Writing Tips:

● Keep it concise and stay authentic. Admission officers look for authenticity and
concise writing.
● Stay within the word count.
🦅💙Ateneo De Manila
University💙🦅
Address:

Katipunan Avenue Loyola Heights, 1108 Quezon City Philippines

Requirements:

● High School Record Form and Principal’s Recommendation Form

● Guidance Counselor / Class Adviser’s Recommendation Form
● Teacher’s Recommendation Form
● 2" x 2" ID Picture
● Additional documentation, if applicable (ex. IB grades, SAT results, or NCAE
results; scholarship application supporting documents)
● Personal Information
● TOR
● High School Information
● Personal Essay

Application and Admission Timeline:

For Previous SY 2023-2024

● Application Period: August 1 - September 30
● ACET: November 12, 2023
● Release of Results: May 2023
School Year 2024-2025
● Application Period: TBA
● ACET: TBA
Release of Results: TBA
 College Entrance Exams

🐯💛 USTET (University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test) 💛🐯

Exam Coverage:
● English
○ grammar, vocabulary, structure, composition, and reading comprehension
● Mathematics
○ geometry, algebra, arithmetic, and trigonometry
● Science
○ physics, chemistry, biology, life and earth sciences, and a bit of astronomy
● Mental Ability
○ abstract ideas, logic, general knowledge, and common sense
○ this section functions like an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) test

Personal Notes (unofficial and based on experience):

● English segment is focused on Oral Communication
● Gives long passages for one question
● Math part is Pre-cal, Calculus, and Trigo
● STEM centered
● SCORE = 60% exam + 40% SHS or HS grade
● For some courses may additional exam DURING the USTET:
○ AB Courses: Essay
○ Architecture: Spatial Relations
○ CFAD Courses: Spatial Relations/Drawing Test
○ LEAPMED: Additional Subtests (you are still required to take and pass
USTET to qualify to LEAPMED)
■ Anatomy, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, and Zoology.
● USTET is a FAIL ONE, FAIL ALL exam.
● If you fail even just one subtest but pass all the others, you are still
UNQUALIFIED to reserve a slot and enroll.
🏹💚 DCAT (De La Salle University Entrance Test) 💚🏹
Exam Coverage:
● Language
○ Spelling, Logical Organization, Synonyms, Analogies, Replacing a word
and/or identifying sentence errors, Choosing the best phrase to replace in
a sentence
● Reading Comprehension
○ Short passages // Articles // Graphs and Charts
● General Science
○ Chemistry and Physics
● General Math
○ Statistics, Geometry, Trigonometry, Algebra
● Life Skills
○ Values (like GMRC, Christian Living chuchu)
● Abstract and Logical Reasoning

Personal Notes:
● Focused on Senior High School Topics
● With plenty of time but with tricky questions
● Covers a lot of subjects
● Has a lot of research statistics questions (it has one whole test for it)
● Questions are connected (if u get one wrong, the following will be wrong too)
● Few grammar questions
● Subjects are mixed (they are not separated per section)
● Has a personality/values test (like GMRC- always choose what DLSU thinks is
right in this part)
● Some DCATs ask about the parts of research and citations
● There is also a break in between the exam for test takers to eat their snacks and
go to the washroom. Do go back to your exam room when your break is over and
don’t loiter along the hallways.
🦅💙 ACET (Ateneo De Manila University Entrance Test) 💙🦅
Exam Coverage:
● Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Arithmetic)
● Mathematics (Problem Solving)
● English
○ Reading Comprehension, Language Proficiency, Grammar
● General Information
● Logical & Abstract Reasoning
● Surprise Essay

Personal Notes:
● Their time pressure is insane
○ Language Proficiency: 50 min. for 100 items + an essay on a surprise topic
○ 15 secs to answer 1 question
○ Mathematical Shapes: 5 mins. for 30 items
● Has no science and filipino subjects
● Has lots of questions
● There were like 2 math sections:
○ One section was full of functions, graph the functions, find X, simplify the
expression, etc.
○ The second section is about number ability: age problems, investment
problems, uniform motion problems, distance word problems, etc.
● Try SAT and ACT practice exam papers. For the ACET, the 2010 edition and
ACET's first part +math/english sections in the 2nd part resembled the SAT and
ACT exams by 60-70%.
○ if you're not satisfied with your vocab's coverage, you can google 1000
SAT words. Most words on the ACET were from that booklet.
● The ACET essay question is usually about abstract concepts: hope, maturity,
talent, or “the Ateneo.” Prompts: “What is ___ to you?” Or “Write an essay that
defines the word ___.” Ateneans love philosophers.
● Make sure your essay is structured and uses proper grammar. Give your essay a
proper introduction, body, and conclusion. Outline your thoughts on your
scratch paper before you write. The ACET essay portion not only tests your
thought process and how you work under pressure, but it also serves as a
grammar and style check.
ADMU Admission Essay Writing Tips:
● Choose between English and Filipino, and stick to it. Don’t mix both languages
in your writing. Pick the language where you feel you can express yourself most
fluently with.
● Highlight in your essay Ateneo’s core values: leadership skills and exemplified
values of competence, compassion, commitment, conscience, and most of all,
being Christ-centered. This will make you stand out better than the rest of the
applicants.
● Keep your message concise, and avoid words that are too flowery.
● Avoid filler statements. Always ask yourself if the part you’re writing drives the
essay. The admissions will read more essays, so don’t make it tedious.If you
really wanna praise ADMU for something/say why it's _the_ school for you,
explain why that is! Is there something in the curriculum? Do you have a very
particular personal experience that will move the reader?
● Stay consistent with your tenses. Don’t switch between present, past, future
within the same sentence or paragraph. Avoid passive voices.
● Watch out for contradictions and exaggerated claims. Avoid sounding cocky. Be
confident, but not cocky. Be humble, but not self-destructive. Use this essay to
sell yourself.
● Your essay should talk about your 'why,' your 'essence,' what it means for you to
be an Atenean, and what you can do if you were already one.
 The Ultimate Guide to Passing CETs

Preparing for the Exam

● Familiarize and research about the CET you are taking: know the coverage and
the catch per school.
● Gather study resources and review materials.
● Take a pre-mock test to see where you’re at. This will show your weaknesses and
strengths, enabling you to use your time more wisely and fill in your knowledge
gaps.
● Create a study schedule.
● Time yourself! Track how long you take on each segment and have target
durations.
● Study tips:
○ Math
■ Focus on studying and knowing the rules. (everything relies on the
basic concepts and rules)
■ Memorize the formulas. (go stick index cards to your wall, para
kahit mag-zone out ka may nababsa kang formula LOL).
■ Fold your scratch paper to save space (trust me, this is a classic
mathlete trick ;>).
○ Science
■ Know and understand the processes and terms. (God bless nalang)
○ English
■ Read well-written books/works in english
■ Take note of all the words you did not understand while reading
■ Remember common prefixes, root words, and suffixes
■ Give yourself time to practice writing well-structured essays, with a
proper introduction, body, and conclusion. Outline your thoughts
before writing.
○ Abstract & Logical Ability
■ Take practice IQ tests online
● General tips:
○ Learn and practice how to read fast
○ Practice shading circles LOL
■ Trick: Mark now, shade later. Don’t waste time shading your circles.
Put a slash on the letter, and just come back to shade your answers
after.
 ○ Use intelligent guesses. If ‘di talaga kaya, i-shotgun mo HAHA! Shade
letter C: C for Correct and, most importantly, C is for CHRIST. Jesus is
always the answer. XDD
● Take Mock tests.
● Lastly, DO NOT STUDY 24hrs BEFORE THE EXAM. This will mess with your
long-term memory. If you’re willing to, FAST and PRAY.
● Prepare everything you'll bring the night before.
● Know your exam venue
● Memorize your test permit ID number or, if possible, keep a copy. They’ll ask
you to write this more than once in the exam.
●
● Get enough sleep and rest

On the Exam Day

● Wake up and show up early. Do not be late! (Heavy traffic is expected during
CET days, and some will ask you to line-up).
● Make sure to eat breakfast
● Put all your requirements in a folder. (baka maiyak ka nlng pag may nalaglag)
● Go to the restroom before the exam
● Listen very carefully to the proctor. ‘Wag mo siyang pangunahan, ‘di ka
manghuhula.
● Put your phone on silent.
● Skip hard questions and go back to it later. Don’t leave any question blank,
shotgun it if you don’t know the answer (unless UPCAT).
● Double check your answers
● WEAR A WATCH
● Wear comfy clothes and bring a jacket
● Things to bring:
○ Your exam permit (May the Lord help you in keeping it. It is your ticket to
take the exam)
○ 2-3 pcs. of Mongol #2 pencils (better safe than sorry)
○ Sharpener
○ Ballpen
○ Eraser
○ Correction Tape
○ WATCH (you need this to monitor your time)
 ○ Jacket (you’re not sure whether the venue is as cold as the antarctica or
not, so be prepared)
○ Snacks

After the Exam

● Keep your confirmation code.
● Ease yourself from the pressure and anxiety. Rant to your friends, cry, or reward
yourself.
● PRAY. (na kay Lord ang awa FR)