UCAT 2026 anticipates over 24k applicants

Pampanga State University (PampangaStateU) expects 24,360 applicants to take the University College Admission Test (UCAT) for Academic Year 2026–2027 after opening its entrance examinations on March 1.

According to the Counseling and Testing Center, around 3,480 examinees are scheduled every Sunday until the end of the admissions period, as the university accommodates thousands of aspiring enrollees. As of March 14, the Office of Admissions reported that 14,674 first-year applicants have been processed and confirmed to take the exam, indicating that more than half of the projected examinees have already secured testing slots.

The office added that the admissions process remains ongoing, allowing applicants with incomplete or incorrect documents to submit the required files, even after the online application closed on March 13 following an extension for selected programs.

In an interview with The Industrialist, University President Enrique G. Baking emphasized that passing the UCAT remains a key requirement for admission despite the implementation of free tuition.

Meanwhile, an applicant from Pampanga High School applying for a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management shared his concerns over the competition for limited slots.

“Kinakabahan… wala po akong mahanap na ibang school na pwedeng pag-applyan sa area namin, so importante sa akin ’to,” he said.

Another applicant, Ivy Rose Villanueva from Pasig National High School, said she chose to apply at the university based on her sister’s recommendation despite the distance.

“Pinili ko po ang PSU kasi nag-aral din po dito ang ate ko at sabi niya maganda naman daw po dito at kumpleto yung mga gamit sa pag-aaral… relieved po kasi first time ko rin pong makapunta dito,” she said.

Examinations are being conducted at the main campus, with Bachelor of Science in Nursing applicants assigned to the Old College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Building, while those applying for other programs are taking the test at the Extension Lot (Dubai) SHS Building and the New CAS Building.

The UCAT will run until April 26, with results expected to be released from May 27 to 29 through the applicants’ registered email addresses.