THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines has again canceled its College Admission Test for Academic Year 2023-2024 because of the pandemic.

UP Office of Admissions Director Francisco delos Reyes said University Councils of eight constituents of the UP System unanimously adopted a resolution to suspend UPCAT.

University Councils are the “highest policy-making body” of each UP constituent university composed of the chancellor, professors, associate professors and assistant professors.

Delos Reyes cited the “safety and welfare of more than 100,000 applicants from all over the country and the 1,600 personnel in testing centers nationwide” as the reason for the resolution that cancelled the exam.

This means that the university will use the scoring system it adopted in 2020 in assessing freshmen applicants.

UPCAT was also cancelled for academic years 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 because of the quarantine restrictions.

Without an admission exam, students are assessed based on their high school performance.

“In the absence of a college admission test, a composite of the final grades in Grades 8, 9, 10 and 11 shall be the basis to determine the UPG,” UP said.

The university may ask for additional requirements for specific degree programs for admission if deemed necessary.

It will also consider socioeconomic and geographic factors in assessing applicants.