JEDDAH, 16 October — With scholarship slots at stake from the University of the Philippines, 42 high school seniors from IPSJ and Al-Hekma International School took the prestigious UP College Admissions Test (UPCAT) yesterday at the IPSJ campus.
This year’s batch, 25 from IPSJ and 17 from Al-Hekma, is one the largest to date. Successful examinees will be given freshmen scholarship slots at either Diliman or Los Banos campus of the University of the Philippines (UP).
Dr. Esperanza Ibañez, UP’s assistant director, conducted the exams. A day before, she oriented the participants of the examination mechanics. Helping her were proctors from IPSJ and the Al-Hekma.
In the Kingdom, preparation for the UPCAT starts early, as early as the start of the new school year. According to Dr. Reinita Respicio, principal of IPSJ, as early as June, high seniors in IPSJ were already exposed to the type of questions asked in the examinations. “So as early as July, we already started our review classes. Every Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. senior students were reviewed in English, mathematics, science, and Filipino. In addition, we conducted pre-examination mock tests and enhanced the weaknesses we found in some students before they took the examinations,” revealed Respicio.
Al-Hekma had a different approach, more on psyching up the students. “We gave them the proper review regimen. We also tried to reinforce their outlook by supplying them with positive things and images. And, lastly, we tried to focus their minds in passing the UPCAT,” commented Ellen Vasquez, 4th Year adviser.
Parental support is vital for a student who is taking the UPCAT. A parent who was at the vicinity of the testing center on the day of the exams said that aside from the regular review classes offered by the school, he spent two to three hours a day with his child, as a personal tutor.
“We concentrated on reviewing math because that was where I found the weakness. After the pre-examinations, the result were good so I’m at ease,” said Juhn Gonzales.
The result of UPCAT won’t be released until March. This early, however, leaders, of both IPSJ and Al-Hekma are optimistic about the chances of their students.
Last year IPSJ had four UPCAT passers, while Al-Hekma International School had two. The Jeddah Reef and Achievers, two other schools in Jeddah that accommodate Filipino students, didn’t have examinees.
