"PUPCET was the easiest exam a student will take in the university," a phrase that circulates around PUPians once they start and fully experience the challenges within the university. A sign of what is it to expect—a long battle ahead to chase one’s dreams and aspirations. But with the call of recent events that forced the university to temporarily suspend the entrance examination and switch to admitting students solely based on their grades, it is of no wonder how uncertain it would be not just to the university’s hard-earned reputation but also to the said student’s expectations.
Taking the entrance exam is equivalent to testing the waters for the hopeful students, and passing it serves as a confirmation that one is definitely ready for college life. Now, this first step in the journey was replaced by step two--CAEPUP. Hence, freshmen students venture in this new path without knowing what to expect in the new war they are signing up for.
On late 2020, PUP has decided not to administer the PUP College Entrance Exam (PUPCET) for the next academic year because of the spread of Covid-19. Instead, PUPCET was replaced by CAEPUP or College Admission Evaluation of PUP, a system where each student aspirant is evaluated using their high school academic records.
However, it is interesting to note that the admission overview of the PUP website states, “Being a well-educated and skilled individual is the initial step towards one’s success and growth.” Is it wise to deem a person qualified for college based on junior high school and senior high school grades only? More so, is it logical to determine one’s suitability for this ‘initial step’ by one’s grades and good moral alone? The answer is dire.
While it is understandable that the university opted to have CAEPUP in the midst of the global pandemic, it would not be wise to let this type of qualification process to continue after the crisis. Admitting students only with grades as the primary basis is like enrolling soldiers in a war with a weapon on hand, but with no military intelligence to back it up. The university is in danger of admitting students with little to no practical ability to survive college courses.
According to the official Facebook page of PUP, a person is qualified to apply as a freshman to CAEPUP if: 1) He is a high school graduate and have not enrolled in any technical/diploma/degree program immediately after graduation; 2) He has final grades of at least 85% in Math, English and Science and GWA of at least 85% in grade 10, and in grade 11, he should have at least 85% grade on specific subjects under English, Math, and Science and GWA for the first and second semester of at least 85% each; 3) He is a Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) passer, eligible for admission with an average rating of at least 85% or higher in its 5 subject areas; and 4) He is an Alternative Learning System Accreditation & Equivalency (ALS A&E) Test for Secondary Level passer, eligible for admission to college and has 100 or higher standard score with Essay Writing of 2 or higher.
The grade requirements are promising indeed. These are evidence of a student’s ability in a high school setting, but those grades are not a clear proof of a student’s intelligence and competence, nor can the university prove that those grades were well-earned. A student aspirant who applied for CAEPUP for this period said, “…masasabi kong okay ‘yung wala ng exam kasi hindi na kami maghihirap pa na magreview and all…”
It is true that CAEPUP eased the burden of reviewing from those who want to be a student in PUP as they only need to make sure that they have good grades before they enter college. However, this is not applicable to all considering different circumstances.
The same student aspirant also said in the same message and said, “…however, entrance exam is important to know very well po if that student is deserving to be qualified kasi if ibabase po sa grades, there are schools na mababa talaga magbigay kahit sobra mo ng ginalingan…” and indeed, the grading system of schools are similar in spirit, but become different when applied by teachers who have different thoughts and inclinations on student outputs.
Therefore, when grades become the sole ground for college admission, those who were from those schools that give low grades lose their only weapon in the battle. Those who were depending on college exams to step onto their dream courses wouldn’t even be able to qualify for the war.
On the other hand, passing college entrance examinations demonstrates to universities that a student is more than capable of joining them. As college entrance examinations were created to assist colleges in assessing and comparing the readiness of students from various high schools, they also assist college admissions officers in determining someone’s college preparation and intellectual ability.
PUPCET itself was designed to test the students in various areas, subjects that can prove the potential of a student. It gave equal chances to those who wants to be a PUPian. So, prior to the exam, students used to review for years to ensure that they will pass. They give it their all during the test since they know that passing it would help them achieve their goals.
This type of admission process should be used again. Regardless of the numbers on papers that their high school teachers gave them, every student should have the chance to be qualified for college. PUPCET should be imposed to all PUPian aspirants once more, but not right now when there is still a danger of the pandemic around. Students should be given the hope of being admitted in PUP with the help of PUPCET. CAEPUP should only be implemented until the threat has passed, to ensure that no student is harmed while trying to be admitted in their desired school.
Every student should have the chance to be qualified for college regardless of the numbers on papers that their high school teachers gave them. When it is finally safe, students should be given the hope of being admitted in PUP with the help of PUPCET. But we also have to be reminded that the first step in college admission should be an entrance exam, which will assess the students’ preparedness to embark on one of life’s most crucial stages. The beginning of a student's college career should be the word "PASSED" in the entrance exam results, and not only that their grades are above-average - therefore accepted.
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