THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines announced that it will not administer its college admission test for Academic Year 2021-2022.

The University Councils of UP unanimously decided to suspend  the entrance test because of the pandemic.

A memorandum issued by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs said that the UCs “unanimously voted NOT to administer UPCAT in light of logistical issues in the paper-and-pencil testing of about 100,000 17-year old applicants.”

University officials also ruled out an online examination because of the inconsistent internet connection.

“This is primarily due to the length of the exam and variety of items that would require a consistently strong Internet connection to download within the time allotted for examinees to answer,” the school said.

Under Sections 16 and 17 of Republic Act 9500 or the UP Charter of 2008, the university can “fix the requirements for admission to any college or unit, graduation and grant of honors subject to minimum system-wide requirements,” as approved by all the Constituent Universities.