Project SURP (Senior High School UPCAT Review Program): A Contributory to the Readiness of Grade 12 Students in Taking the UPCAT

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the challenges to prove the quality of education offered to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics strand of Plaridel Integrated National High School is to have their students pass the UPCAT.

As an intervention, the STEM department, with the support and coordination of the whole senior high school department launched Project SURP which aims to prepare students who would take the examination.

This study assessed the effectiveness of Project SURP as a contributory factor to the readiness of the students in taking the UPCAT.

METHODS

The descriptive method of research was used in this research. Teacher-made survey questionnaires were distributed among the eighteen student-respondents who were purposely selected for the research since they are the ones who applied to take the UPCAT. Also, the result of the mock examination given at the end of the review program was utilized. After which, responses were analyzed and interpreted by the researcher.

RESULTS

More than half of the respondents viewed that the time allotted for Project SURP was sufficient. Review providers were rated excellent in terms of competence and very satisfactory both for being approachable and techniques used. Overall, Project SURP was excellent when teacher factor was considered.The students were readied to take the UPCAT as revealed by the overall MPS of the results of the mock examination given at the end of the review program. Their Science and Mathematics scores were rated “ready” while just “somehow ready” on their English scores.

All respondents agreed that the Project SURP has been beneficial to them for UPCAT. The most significant benefits of the review program were gaining new/ additional knowledge and learning techniques in taking examinations.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results, more time could be allotted to the review program to ensure higher mastery of topics reviewed and provide more exercises. Teachers could explore other creative ways of conducting the review for the students to stay focused and interested. Generally, Project SURP has been beneficial to the students since they were able to gain new/ additional knowledge, learn techniques in taking the examination, prepare for the examination, train toanswer an examination under time pressure, have review materials, and refresh past topics.