DESPITE being topnotchers in national achievement tests, majority of students from both high schools of the University had difficulty acing the UST college entrance examination, data from the Office for Admissions showed.

In UST High School (USTHS) this year, only 38 out of 368 examinees (10 percent) passed all two courses chosen; 114 examinees did not qualify for both choices, while five others passed only one of their choices. The rest were wait-listed, either for interview or for audition.

This year’s USTHS passing rate was a huge drop from last year’s 17.05 percent passing rate, when 52 out of 305 USTHS students passed both choices. But it was slightly higher than the 9.5 percent passing rate in 2010, when only 24 out of 253 examinees passed their two chosen programs.

Only five out of 93 examinees (five percent) from the Education High School (EHS) passed two chosen courses in the University; 44 examinees did not qualify for both choices, while five others passed only one of their choices. The rest were wait-listed.

“Each college has its own cut-off scores. [Since] we do not know the exact scores of the students, we cannot immediately conclude that the reason a student did not pass was that [he or she] did not get a good score,” said EHS guidance counselor Carol Angeline Perez.

She said 29 EHS students were placed under academic placement, “so it means that their scores are still acceptable [and that] they are still considered for another program.”

Perez said the EHS holds review classes on different subject areas in preparation for the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) and the National Achievement Test (NAT). However, there are no review sessions for college entrance tests, including the UST Entrance Test (Ustet).

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“We do not hold review classes for the Ustet because it involves their own college application; it’s now the personal [choice] of the students. They are on their own,” Perez said.

“Our students in EHS are well-rounded. [Looking at] the quality of students that we admit in EHS, they are usually those who have above-average mental ability,” Perez said. “In fact, when it comes to national exams, they are usually included in the top three schools. It shows that the performance of EHS students is good enough.”

In last year’s NCAE, the EHS ranked second among all public and private secondary schools in Manila, while USTHS ranked sixth

The Varsitarian sought comment from USTHS officials, but they have yet to respond. D. J. Magturo

7 COMMENTS

  1. When I was in Pay High, a significant number of my classmates flunked their course of choice. In order for them to get in they just used the “exemption privilege”.

    • It would therefore be good to abolish the exemption privilege granted to UST High School graduates so that aside from giving level playing field to everyone who wish to enter UST in college, it will also force those who graduated from any of the two UST high schools to do their best to pass the USTET if they really want to go to college still at UST. They seem to be not taking the USTET seriously because they know that even if they fail the exam they can just use their exemption privelege and still make it to the UST college or course of their choice. This is not good as they will become complacent.

  2. Both the USTHS and EHS authorities should not accept this as good enough performance. The inconsistency is disturbing: top school in national achievement tests but poor in USTET passing rate.

  3. Perhaps the grauates of UST’s EHS and USTHS are not so interested anymore to stay on at UST that is why they flunk their USTET. This is UST after all, like a great city many are excited to get in while others leave for their next destinations in life. Perhaps its like that, they probably feel that they have already stayed here long enough. Take note, these two high schools of UST are 2nd and 6th in ranking among all high schools in Manila both public and private but they probably did not take the USTET seriously as to flunk this entrance test which could have allowed them to study in their university. They could have chosen to be consistent and validated their NCAE sterling performances by also acing the USTET but they didn’t. Ah well, they are free to go this we must admit. If they don’t like to stay on anymore hen it is their prerogative. But we must also remember that despite this disturbing trend, they also gave glory to the university by doing extremely well in the NCAE. Through this, they have shown the world that they are very good products of their respective high schools. Their teachers and high school administration can rest at night and say, we did what we had to do as supported by their NCAE results which are compared to most schools in Manila are really very good. But let us also remind ourselves that as the world evolves, we should also keep on evolving in the different areas of our teaching institution like say in the curriculum for instance. We should not just allow ourselves to be recipient of a ready made curriculum. UST should explore wonderful possibilities to develop its own unique curriculum that will turn out students into more competitive students and workers someday. The facilities are required to pursue this goal must be provided for for the good of these students. The teachers must be continuously upgraded in their respective fields be it science, math, english or the humanities. Information Technology is the way to a more productive future, may this be enhanced so as to truly tun these students into more productive and competent workers, researchers, and advanced students in the future. The university is proud has always been known for being a proud contributor to human knowledge and quality work force in this country and outside. This is the legacy that UST must continue even as the playing field becomes more complex an challenging in the times that lay ahead. I guess this principle is applicable not only for UST high schools EHS and UTHS but also for all the other high schools no matter what status they are whether science-oriented high school or comprehensive high school, or whether public or private school. Perhaps now that we’re about to embark on the new K-12 curriculum this is perhaps the most perfect time to renew and strengthen our high schools so that they become more relevant to our society’s needs.

  4. Perhaps the graduates of UST’s EHS and USTHS are not so interested anymore to stay on at UST that is why they flunk their USTET. This is UST after all, like a great city many are excited to get in while others leave for their next destinations in life. Perhaps its like that, they probably feel that they have already stayed here long enough. Take note, these two high schools of UST are 2nd and 6th in ranking among all high schools in Manila both public and private but they probably did not take the USTET seriously as to flunk this entrance test which could have allowed them to study in their university. They could have chosen to be consistent and validated their NCAE sterling performances by also acing the USTET but they didn’t. Ah well, they are free to go this we must admit. If they don’t like to stay on anymore hen it is their prerogative. But we must also remember that despite this disturbing trend, they also gave glory to the university by doing extremely well in the NCAE. Through this, they have shown the world that they are very good products of their respective high schools. Their teachers and high school administration can rest at night and say, we did what we had to do as supported by their NCAE results which are compared to most schools in Manila are really very good. But let us also remind ourselves that as the world evolves, we should also keep on evolving in the different areas of our teaching institution like say in the curriculum for instance. We should not just allow ourselves to be recipient of a ready made curriculum. UST should explore wonderful possibilities to develop its own unique curriculum that will turn out students into more competitive students and workers someday. The facilities are required to pursue this goal must be provided for for the good of these students. The teachers must be continuously upgraded in their respective fields be it science, math, english or the humanities. Information Technology is the way to a more productive future, may this be enhanced so as to truly tun these students into more productive and competent workers, researchers, and advanced students in the future. The university is proud has always been known for being a proud contributor to human knowledge and quality work force in this country and outside. This is the legacy that UST must continue even as the playing field becomes more complex an challenging in the times that lay ahead. I guess this principle is applicable not only for UST high schools EHS and UTHS but also for all the other high schools no matter what status they are whether science-oriented high school or comprehensive high school, or whether public or private school. Perhaps now that we’re about to embark on the new K-12 curriculum this is perhaps the most perfect time to renew and strengthen our high schools so that they become more relevant to our society’s needs.

  5. The facilities of USTHS are not good enough and students need to go to another room to get a chair .lacking in facilities . based above statement in terms of QUALITY EDUCATION left behind .Also. the PAASCU accreditation still level 1 , LEVEL 1 as of the present? .I just hope USTHS will do something to improve the whole School facilities. From chairs to blackboards to good ventilation to better computer units, narrow hallway, clinic inside HS building,

    I respect the openly gay teachers & whatever feelings they bring to the process of clarifying their sexual orientation but gay lingo accommodated by teachers and students to primarily create common understanding inside the classroom. However,certain constraints like the extent of gay lingo’s utilization, due to its informality may diminish the academic value of the subject being taught. Thus, it is only either Filipino or English language that is still admissible in the field of formal education.

    Teachers are hired, not only on the basis of their professional competency, but also as models of the ideological values they represent.

    USTHS has a very good name, Its a very good school. for Collegiate level but for HS. Not ideal as they claim the USTHS does not have new infrastructures and high tech teaching equipments. Student population per batch is 500, which is quite big.

    USTHS quality education should not depend on how much you pay.

  6. I graduated from UST high school batch 2006 and During those time, just in our class 40/45 passed their first choice. The facilities for year 2013 are even better compared to the year I have graduated. there are some things that the UST HS administration should consider.
    1. The quality of students they select (circa 2002, it was strict and the quality is maintained)
    2. The quality of TEACHERS!
    – I noticed on year 2013 they have a lot of new teachers. my teachers then were veterans and they uphold excellence. Teachers during our time know their craft and has mastered the art of teaching.
    3. The educational system of UST HS might not be at par with the standards of UST Collegiate level or specifically the UST entrance test.
    4. The assessment of students during their stay in high school might not be enough to be competent in the university level.

    The admin should also consider the number of UST HS graduates that were admitted to other universities like UP, Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle.

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