DLSUCET: How to Prepare and What to Expect

Are you thinking of joining the green side of Taft? Before you can proudly say that you’ve officially become an Archer, you’ll have to take their entrance exam first!

Commonly known as DLSUCET, the De La Salle University’s College Entrance Test is a one-day exam that is usually held once a year, not counting special exams. 

If you’re planning to apply, keep in mind that DLSUCET runs from July to September, which gives you an extra month’s worth of time to prepare before the exam. DLSUCETs are usually administered every October, where two days of the month are allotted to accommodate all applicants inside the main campus.

Eligibility

For you to be qualified for the DLSUCET, you have to be any of the following:

• a Grade 12 student who is expected to graduate at the end of the academic year; 
• a Grade 12 student who graduated abroad before the previous academic school year AND has not taken any college course
• a fourth year High School student from a school in the Philippines who graduated before Academic School Year 2017-2018 and has not yet taken any college course; 
• passer of the Philippine Education Placement Test (PEPT), Alternative Learning System (ALS) or Non-Formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFEA&E) Program, which, based on DepEd, makes them eligible for tertiary level; 
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) result holder, AP result holder, IB Diploma/IB Certificate holder or an A-Level certificate holder who has met the DLSU criteria.

Requirements

Before anything else, you will also need a clear scanned copy of the following documents for the application process. Make sure your files are in JPEG format:

• High School ID card with photo OR an equivalent valid ID with photo
• Colored passport-sized photo that was taken within six months; must have white background with neutral facial expression, with no eyeglasses or contact lenses, and ears visible (unless religious customs do not allow it)
• Proof of Citizenship:
  • Filipino – NSO / PSA Birth Certificate
  • Filipinos with dual citizenship – NSO / PSA Birth Certificate (born in the Philippines); Birth Certificate and Valid and Unexpired Passport (born abroad)
  • Non-Filipinos – NSO / PSA Birth Certificate and Valid and Unexpired Passport (born in the Philippines); Valid and Unexpired Passport (born abroad)
• Academic Records:
  • Grade 12 student who is expected to graduate at the end of the Academic Year:
    • Grade 11 Report Card or Transcript of Records (form 137 indicating complete Grade 11 grades)
    • Transcript of Records (for applicants based abroad)
    • Certificate of Rating for Passer of the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT), Alternative Learning System (ALS) or Non-Formal Education Accreditation and Equivalency (NFE A&E) Program (for non-secondary graduates only)
    • Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) results / IB Diploma / A Level certificate for applicants who opt to use the abovementioned documents instead of taking the DLSU-CET
  • Previous graduate of Secondary School:
    • 4th Year Final High School Report Card (for applicants based locally)
    • Transcript of Records or General Certificate of Secondary Education (for applicants based abroad)

Once you’ve secured all these documents, you can now apply using DLSU’s Online Admission Facility (OAF).

Using a valid e-mail address, create an account. This is where you’ll be able to view your application status later on. After filling out your application status, upload all the necessary documents, as indicated. Lastly, the site will ask for your personal information, contact details, and parent/guardian information. Make sure that these items are accomplished on self-declaration and click the SUBMIT button.

Once you have updated your information online, pay the non-refundable admission processing fee. For Filipino citizens and dual-citizens, the fees are P600.00, while none-Filipinos need to pay P2500.00 for this.

If you are a graduate from Philippine Science or from any public high school, you don’t have to pay the processing fee.

You may either pay through over-the-counter deposit at any Metrobank or Union Bank branches nationwide or through Online Credit Card Payment via Mastercard/Visa.

Take note, however, that a verification process shall be conducted following your submission of documents and payment of application fee, so wait for a Confirmation e-mail on your registered e-mail address before you are able to have access to your Test Permit. Expect the Confirmation e-mail to arrive in seven working days.

Lastly, take note of your reference number – you will need this later on. Once you’ve received your confirmation e-mail, print out your online test permit, and bring it on the scheduled date of your DLSUCET.

Exam Composition

Just like every college entrance exams, the DLSUCET tests your knowledge of general subjects that you’ve been taught during your high school years. Expect the likes of language proficiency, reading comprehension, science, mathematics and abstract reasoning in the exam.

For language and reading comprehensions, the exam quizzes you on your comprehension of certain texts, knowledge of synonyms, and correct grammar usage.

Math and science will also require some of your formulaic skills. For math, you’ll have to brush up on your algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics.

Abstract reasoning, however, quizzes your ability to discern patterns out of different shapes and squiggles.

The one thing you have to watch out for is the essay portion, which you have to answer in English AND Filipino. The tricky part is answering these essays under a certain time limit, so you need to brush up on your writing, reading and editing skills beforehand.

After that, voila! You’ve done it! Now all you can do is hope for the best!

Exam Results

Release dates of the DLSUCET results usually come out during the first quarter of the year.

Once the results are out, you may view your application status here. Take note that you need to give your complete name and your reference number before you can access your results, so don’t lose that reference number!

Special Exams

DLSU also offers one-time special exams for those who were unable to take the first exam, which is usually offered sometime during April. Take note, however, that you can only take this special DLSUCET if you’re taking the exam for the first time. Applications are also usually held from February to March as well.

Excited to take the DLSUCET? Read more about De La Salle University and other available schools that you can sign up for on Edukasyon.ph!