If you are preparing for the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT), you have likely heard the same advice over and over: “Read everything. Memorize every formula.” We call this the Brute Force Method.
While hard work is essential, research into standardized testing suggests that brute force is rarely the most efficient way to secure a slot. There is a smarter way. We call it The Examiner’s Edge.
The Problem with “Re-Learning” Everything
The UPCAT is not just a measure of how many facts you have memorized; it is a measure of your critical thinking under pressure. Trying to re-learn four years of high school content often leads to cognitive overload.
“The test is designed to identify students who can analyze, not just recite.”— Lead Examiner
How Strategy Beats Brute Force
Here is how the Examiner’s Edge differs from standard review:
- Decoding the “Distractors”Recognizing wrong answers designed to look right. By identifying the type of error the examiner expects you to make, you can eliminate options quickly.
- Pattern RecognitionInstead of solving a complex equation step-by-step, use estimation rules to arrive at the answer in 30 seconds.
The Verdict
You cannot cheat the system, but you can certainly understand it. By adopting an examiner methodology, you stop fighting the test and start navigating it.
