UPCAT Tip: What is the University Predicted Grade
By now, you’re probably already aware of the fact that the University of the Philippines considers many factors when admitting students. One of these is the University Predicted Grade (UPG). But what exactly is the UPG and how much of it really gets factored into your UPCAT grade? Let’s find out.
Strictly speaking, the UPG is a composite score—it is a combination of the applicant’s High School Weighted Average (HWSA) and the UPCAT score. Between the two, the UPCAT score carries the bigger: sixty percent of the UPG. The HSWA makes up the remaining forty percent.
The History Behind the UPG
Interestingly enough, the UPG never existed prior to 1976. In fact, the practice from 1925 up to 1970 was to simply use either the senior high school grades or ranks or the UPCAT scores as the quantitative criteria for admissions.
The year 1970 saw a change in the admission system. A resolution, approved by the University Council, provided for a new system. This was put into effect during the 1971-1972 academic year. Basically, it called for a combination of the applicant’s scores from the College Admissions Test and an average based on three years-worth of high school.
The ratio was something out of Pareto’s Principle: the total rating combined eighty percent of the applicant’s UPCAT score with twenty percent of the applicant’s high school rating. It wasn’t exactly the UPG yet, yet it was effectively the UPG’s precursor.
Thing is, this new system had some unfortunate results. For one thing, students had an even harder time getting into the university. The institution sought to refine its admission system further, so in 1976, a venerable mathematics professor by the name of Romeo L. Manlapaz came up with a solution to the problem.
The UPG Formula
Professor Manlapaz employed a highfaluting technique known as multiple regression analysis to come up with this new system. Like the previous system, it was a combination score. Unlike the previous one, however, this one added a predictive ability factor known as regression weights. The professor dubbed the resulting number the UPG.
Being a mathematics professor, you’d expect the good professor to come up with a formula for his brainchild. Well, you’re right. The formula for the UPG is as follows:
UPG = K – W1 x S Engl
– W2 x S HSWA
– W3 x S Math
– W4 x S Read
– W5 x S Engl x S Sci x S HSWA
In case you’re wondering, K is the constant in the equation. The terms S Engl, S HSWA, S Math and S Read stand for the standard UPCAT scores in English, HSWA, Math and Reading Comprehension, respectively.
The S HSWA is a mini-formula in itself. It’s computed by multiplying the HSWA by 85 and then dividing the resulting value by five. The applicant’s grades from his or her first three high school years make up the HSWA.
Finally, the five Ws in the formula above are the regression weights mentioned earlier.
A Final Word
Sounds complicated, doesn’t it? Maybe it is, but the computation shouldn’t really be your concern. Leave that to the university. Your job is to make sure that you do well enough in high school and pass the UPCAT as well. As to how you can do the latter, that my friends, is best discussed in another article…
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[...] are some things you should know about the UPCAT UPG cut-off figures, though. Before you apply for reconsideration or apply at another U.P. branch, [...]
what if I scored a really high mark in the upcat (enough to be a topnotcher, for example) but my upg exceeded a few points from the required in my desired up campus, will I still have a chance to be accepted ?
It depends on the campus. UP Diliman, for instance, does not reconsider so – unless you get a DPWS (Degree Program With Available Slots status in that campus, then that’s a no-go). If your UPG is very, very close to the cut-off of a UP campus that does reconsider applicants, then you should try to apply (especially if the campus is one of your two campus choices). There’s no guarantee that your application will be considered, of course, but if they at least accepted your application – then that means that you’ll have a chance (provided there are remaining slots in that campus’ programs.courses, that is).
Read the other comments here and you’ll see one case where the student exceeded the cut-off score by a few points and his reconsideration application was accepted. At the time the comment was made, the student’s reconsideration status was still pending; this means that the application was accepted, but no guarantees of admission were made. Nevertheless, the fact that the application was even accepted means the campus was willing to give the student a chance if slots become available.
i took the upcat last aug .8 ….
oh..well… math was my enemy !!
promise..
but i hope i’ll still pass the exam !!
Hi Lui,
Math… I know a lot of people who can relate. We at Academic-Clinic hope you pass the UPCAT. Good luck! ;D
Aw, what if the school gives higher/lower grades than other schools?
UP has already taken that into account – thus, it actually standardizes high school grades before using them in UPG computations.
whoa. now my hope is getting brighter. As far as I know, I did pretty well for my past three years in high school. I hope my perseverance and dedication will get something in return. nevertheless, i’m still doubtful about my performance during the upcat. well. who knows?
@Gefferson
Indeed. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.