Uprep Blog
UPCAT tips, topic guides, and study strategies for Filipino students.
The Complete List of UPCAT Topics You Need to Cover (2026)
Every Mathematics, Science, Language, and Reading topic on the UPCAT — organized so you can track your progress.
The UPCAT covers four major subject areas. Here's what to focus on:
Mathematics Algebra is the backbone — master linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, functions, and logarithms first. Geometry covers triangles, circles, coordinate geometry, and proofs. Statistics and Probability are often underrated but consistently appear on the test. Don't skip Number Theory and sequences.
Science Biology includes cell biology, genetics, ecology, and human anatomy. Chemistry focuses on stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, and reactions. Physics tests mechanics, waves, electricity, and thermodynamics. Earth Science covers the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and basic astronomy.
Language Proficiency English grammar, vocabulary in context, reading comprehension, and sentence completion make up the bulk. Sentence structure and error identification questions are common. Filipino covers grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension as well.
Reading Comprehension Analytical reading passages drawn from science, history, and social science. You'll need to identify main ideas, draw inferences, and evaluate arguments.
The most efficient strategy: Use the Uprep topic tracker to mark each topic as Done, In Progress, or Not Started. Focus on In Progress topics every session rather than jumping around.
How to Study for the UPCAT in 30 Days: A Proven Plan
A realistic week-by-week plan to cover the most important UPCAT topics when time is short.
30 days is tight but doable if you're strategic. Here's a realistic plan:
Week 1 — Math Foundation (Days 1–7) Days 1–2: Algebra (equations, functions, polynomials). Days 3–4: Geometry (triangles, circles, coordinate geometry). Days 5–6: Statistics and probability. Day 7: Review and practice quiz — aim for 60%+ before moving on.
Week 2 — Science (Days 8–14) Days 8–9: Biology fundamentals (cell, genetics). Days 10–11: Chemistry (stoichiometry, periodic table, reactions). Days 12–13: Physics (mechanics, waves, electricity). Day 14: Science review and mock questions.
Week 3 — Language and Reading (Days 15–21) Days 15–16: English grammar and vocabulary. Days 17–18: Reading comprehension strategies — practice timed passages. Days 19–20: Filipino grammar and reading. Day 21: Full language mock test.
Week 4 — Integration (Days 22–30) Days 22–25: Full subject reviews targeting your weakest areas from the tracker. Days 26–28: Timed practice tests (simulate real UPCAT conditions — 3 hours, no phone). Days 29–30: Light review only. No new topics. Sleep well.
Daily habits: Study in 25-minute focused blocks (use the Uprep timer). Review flashcards for 10 minutes before sleeping. Update your tracker every day — the progress bar is motivating.
UPCAT Tips from UP Students: What Actually Works
Hard-won advice from students who made it into UP — what to focus on and what to skip.
These tips are common across students who placed well in the UPCAT:
1. Don't try to memorize everything The UPCAT tests reasoning and application more than pure recall. Practice solving types of problems rather than memorizing specific answers. Past papers and practice quizzes (like the ones in Uprep) build the right kind of memory.
2. Master the easy-to-perfect sections first Statistics and basic probability are high-yield. Grammar rules in English are learnable in a week. These sections reward preparation more than talent.
3. Skip and come back during the actual test Time management is critical. If a question takes more than 90 seconds, mark it and move on. Unanswered questions score 0 but a wrong guess subtracts 0.25. Skip when genuinely unsure; guess when you can eliminate two choices.
4. Math doesn't have to be your weakness Many students with low math confidence outperform expectations by focusing on Algebra and Arithmetic thoroughly while accepting average performance on Geometry proofs. Play to your strengths and shore up the high-frequency topics.
5. Reading comprehension is trainable Read one analytical article per day in English. Practice identifying: (a) the author's main claim, (b) the supporting evidence, (c) what the author implies but doesn't say. This pattern shows up in almost every RC passage.
6. Streaks beat cramming Consistent 1-hour daily sessions over 60 days outperform 8-hour cram sessions the week before. The Uprep streak tracker exists for this reason.