The Geek Brewery

UPCAT 2010 Results (University of the Philippines College Admission Test) were released earlier today, January 18, 2010 both online and offline.

The new official results page is now non-searchable, I wonder why. But that’s not a problem because I made a searchable version of the one’s in the UP website.

I also made a super lightweight web app that checks if your 2010 counterpart passed UPCAT or not. In my case, 201041437 either didn’t pass, still has deficiences or a pending case. His or her name was not on the list.

Aside from this, I also made another one last night which is not related to UPCAT. It’s a searchable database of UP student numbers. I got those student numbers from various sources from the Internet, including past UPCAT results. Hahaha.

I really missed scripting. All those stuff above are hosted on my laptop therefore they’ll be down whenever my laptop is sleeping. LOL.

UPCAT 2010 results will most likely be released on January 15, 2010. This fearless forecast based on the previous years’ release (January 16, 2009 and January 11, 2008).

I can predict that inbound network traffic to the Diliman Network (DilNet) will be congested as a result of concurrent search queries. As a result, some may experience hard times accessing the website. Mirror sites are usually provided and they will be posted here as soon as they become available. (more…)

University of the Philippines College Admission Test or the  UPCAT is just a month away (August 1 to 2, 2009). I believe most, if not all, test takers have started preparing for the big day. Some have harnessed the power of the Internet to look for UPCAT tips. As a response, here’s a compilation of high-quality UPCAT related articles and tips.

• Tips on Taking UPCAT by The Geek Brewery
  • Sample: Don’t answer questions the way they are ordered. Try answering in random order. Some easy questions are scattered on the end part, especially in the Math part.
• What to Expect from UPCAT by Academic Clinic
  • Sample: Most of the test items are written in English, though a number of them are written in the vernacular.
• How to Increase your Chances of Passing the UPCAT by Academic Clinic
  • Sample: When in Doubt, Leave it Blank
• TIPS for UPCAT Takers (ACET, too) by Dine Racoma
  • Sample: Know where your building is located and plan how to go there and be there on time.
• Tips for UPCAT Takers by Mukamo
  • Sample: Read the comments area and get some stuff.
• UPCAT Tips 2nd Edition by oyie is forever.
  • Sample: Water is the best choice of beverage. Others end up making you a bit more thirsty. Plus it gives you a feeling of freshness without the heavy feeling that comes with soda.
• UPCAT Tips by Isobar
  • To slack off some time and haggardness, familiarize yourself with the testing center days before the exams so as to know how you can be comfortable at the date of the exam.

There we go, a compilation of good UPCAT tips from different websites.

If you have questions regarding the exam, feel free to comment on this blog entry. I’ll try my best to respond to it as fast as possible.

I have rendered an unofficial list of PSHS SMC Batch ’08 students who passed the UPCAT. Although all efforts were exerted to maintain the accuracy of the data table below, I do not guarantee accuracy of the rendered results. Some names may not be on the list. (more…)

UPCAT Results 2009 are now posted on UP campuses and on the UPCAT website!

The server for the online results must be super overwhelmed by the number of  the number of search requests.

Anyway, those people who requested to have their named checks on one of my posts will receive their notifications soon. I have started sending out notifications.

Good luck to everyone.

UPDATE as of Jan 12, 09. Comments section will be closed due to some fraud comments claiming that UPCAT results were already released. I already received 255 name-check requests, officially closing it. All further emails at upcat@conradmiguel.com will be purged. Sorry.

UPDATE as of Jan 10, 09. The Jan 9 rumor wasn’t right. According to UPCAT’s official website, it would be released on the third week of January. As of 10:06pm today, I have compiled everyone who requested for the results. Due to overwhelming number of requests, I beg that everyone follow the right format in sending the email to upcat[at]conradmiguel[dot]com as described below.

UPDATE: It’s unofficial but someone commented that it would be released on January 9. That day, anticipate heavy traffic — upcat.up.edu.ph is more likely to be inaccessible outside University Internet (DILNET). You may send your full names in advance to upcat@conradmiguel.com and I’ll email you back once I search your name in the list.

Please follow the format:
Message Subject: UPCAT – [FAMILY NAME], [GIVEN NAME] [MIDDLE NAME]
Message Receipient: upcat@conradmiguel.com
(e.g. UPCAT – GOZALO, CONRAD MIGUEL ESPINOSA)
Message Body: [Your personal message]

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Hey incoming college freshmen, I believe you’re super excited for the UPCAT Results. I will post the results of the August 2008 examination in this blog once it is released.

To keep yourself up to date, you may subscribe to my feeds thru an RSS reader or fill out the form below to receive email updates.

Good luck. Feel free to browse my blog while waiting for the results.

Looking for UPCAT Tips? Here’s a compilation of UPCAT tips around the Internet.

Hey you, yes you reading this post. If you reached this post by Googling or Yahooing UPCAT tips, then you are on the rightest page on the Universe. If not, then you’re probably one of my loyal readers.

UPCAT or the University of the Philippines College Admission Test is the entrance examination to the Philippine’s one and only national university, the University of the Philippines. It is taken by thousands of graduating high school students who aspire to study in the prestigious University.

This year’s examination will be on August 2 and 3, 2008 — on different testing centers scattered around the country.

I know I am not the perfect person authority to write tips on taking UPCAT, but at least I passed the exam last year. Here are some simple yet useful tips on taking it:

• For students from science high schools (like me), don’t review superadvanced lessons. Those topics are least probable to come out.
• Don’t answer questions the way they are ordered. Try answering in random order. Some easy questions are scattered on the end part, especially in the Math part.
• There are rumors that it is right minus (1/4) wrong. Try answering every question, if you get it wrong you get a 1/4 point deduction — meanwhile if you get it right you get a full point.
• Read the stories in the reading comprehension as fast as you can. But remember, you should be able to understand them. The reading comprehension is one of the most time-consuming part.
• Don’t bring too little or too many snacks. Chances are you’re gonna have a throbbing growling stomach or unexpected trips to the bathroom.
• Have a great sleep! Be at your best shape and condition during the exam. This helps a lot.
• Don’t overreview the night before the exams!
• Take your time, but remember that it’s time bound. Don’t mind your seatmates. Most of my seatmates (those strangers) finished the different parts faster than I did — sadly I didn’t spot any of them here at UPD. Honestly, I averaged 10 unanswered question by the end of each part.
• Familiarize the testing area in your Exam Slip. Do it at least a day before your examination. If not possible, try to go with someone who’s familiar with the place. This minimizes chances of getting lost.

Here are some of the topics (as far as I can remember) on last year’s exam:

1. Basic Functions of Different Cell Organelles
2. Simple algebra
3. Some polynomial factoring
4. Simple trigonometry
5. Simple Electricity (V = IR; P = IV)
6. Some rectilinear motion (free fall motion, a little projectile)
7. Simple grammar and error spotting
8. Triangles. Given two sides, identify the length of the third
9. Some Earth Science

I hope it helps!

Good luck.