UPCAT 2027 Kicks Off Nationwide with 118 Testing Centers, Boosting Accessibility
MANILA, Philippines – The highly anticipated University of the Philippines College Admissions Test (UPCAT) for 2027 officially began today, marking a significant effort by the country’s premier state university to extend its reach to aspiring “Iskolar ng Bayan.” A total of 118 testing centers have been established nationwide, ensuring the examination is closer to applicants across diverse regions.
The University of the Philippines underscored its commitment to making the UPCAT more accessible, strategically deploying these centers across all 13 regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the National Capital Region (NCR), Mimaropa, and the newly established Negros Island Region. Additionally, various UP constituent universities are serving as examination venues, further decentralizing the testing process.
The rigorous admissions test is scheduled to run for two days, with examinations taking place today and tomorrow. This widespread network of testing locations reflects UP’s initiative to streamline the application process and alleviate the burden of travel for many hopeful students.
For context, the previous UPCAT cycle (for 2026 admission) saw a significant number of applicants. Out of 147,437 examinees, 18,350 successfully passed the rigorous screening, translating to a pass rate of 12.44 percent. As the 2027 UPCAT unfolds, thousands of young Filipinos will once again vie for a coveted spot in the esteemed university.












