TL;DR: USTET, the University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test, covers English, Mathematics, Science, and a Mental Ability subtest for college applicants, with your final rating based 80 percent on your test score and 20 percent on your English, Math, and Science grades. To prepare, apply online early during the application window (roughly August to January for the current cycle), review your high school English, Math, and Science fundamentals, practice Mental Ability questions since that subject is not taught in a regular classroom, and confirm all dates, fees, and cutoffs with the official USTET portal or the UST Office for Admissions before test day.
Introduction
If you are a Grade 12 student eyeing a spot at the University of Santo Tomas, USTET is the exam standing between you and your dream course. Unlike UPCAT or other entrance tests you may have heard about, USTET has its own format, its own scoring formula, and its own set of things to prepare for, which is why searching "USTET reviewer" months before your test date is a smart move.
This guide walks you through what USTET actually covers, how the application process works, where to find reviewers (free and paid), and how to build a study plan that fits your timeline. We will not throw out invented cutoff scores or item counts, since UST does not publish a single official passing score and old reviewer PDFs online often show outdated formats. Instead, you will get what is actually confirmed by UST's own admission site, plus practical prep advice you can act on this week.
What does USTET cover?
USTET for college applicants covers three major subject areas, English, Mathematics, and Science, plus a separate Mental Ability subtest. This is confirmed directly on the official USTET admissions site.
Applicants to the Learning Enhancement for Aspiring Physicians program, known as LEAPMed, take an additional afternoon exam that covers Anatomy, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, and Zoology, on top of the standard USTET.
Here is a general breakdown of what each area typically tests, based on the subject descriptions UST itself uses:
| Test area | What it generally assesses |
|---|---|
| English | Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary in context |
| Mathematics | Core high school math: algebra, word problems, quantitative reasoning |
| Science | General science concepts from your high school Science subjects |
| Mental Ability | Logical reasoning, pattern recognition, analogies, non-verbal reasoning |
| LEAPMed add-on (LEAPMed applicants only) | Anatomy, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Zoology |
Mental Ability tends to surprise reviewees the most because it is not a subject taught in a regular classroom. It leans on logic puzzles, sequences, and reasoning rather than memorized content, so it rewards practice with sample logic questions more than cramming notes.
UST has not published a fixed, universal passing score or exact item count for the current cycle on its official site, and specifics can change between admission cycles. Treat any number you see quoting an exact cutoff or item count on a third-party blog as unverified unless it links back to an official UST source, and confirm current details with the UST admissions office before you rely on it.
How is the USTET score computed?
Your final rating for USTET is a weighted combination of two components. According to the official USTET site, the entrance test score carries 80 percent of the weight, and your computed average grades in English, Mathematics, and Science, taken from your USTET Application Grades Form, carry the remaining 20 percent.
This means your high school grades in those three subjects do matter, not just your performance on test day. If your grades in English, Math, and Science are strong, that gives you a cushion even if one section of the actual test does not go perfectly.
How do I apply for USTET?
Applying for USTET is done entirely online through the official USTET portal. Based on the current process described on UST's own site and corroborated by independent application guides, the general flow looks like this:
- Register an account on the USTET portal and choose your applicant level, whether college, senior high school, or junior high school.
- Fill out required information, including your student verification details and, where applicable, your previous test history if you have taken USTET before.
- Accept the application guidelines and privacy policy.
- Encode your grades using the USTET Application Grades Form and complete the information survey.
- Upload required documents, typically your ID photo, PSA birth certificate or passport, and academic records.
- Submit your application for verification and wait for the UST Office for Admissions (OFAD) to check your requirements and encoded grades. You will get an email once verified.
- Select a testing center and pay the non-refundable application fee online.
- Download your Test Permit once payment and verification are confirmed.
- Take the test on your chosen date and testing center.
- Wait for results, which UST typically announces around the second quarter of the following year.
For the current cycle, application windows opened around August 2025 and ran through January 2026 for standard college and senior high applicants, with an earlier deadline in December for LEAPMed applicants and a later opening in October for junior high applicants. These exact dates shift every year, so always check the live USTET portal for your specific cycle's schedule rather than relying on last year's dates.
How much does USTET cost?
Application fees vary depending on your applicant category. Based on the official USTET site:
| Applicant category | Application fee (PHP) |
|---|---|
| Standard Filipino applicants | PHP 600 |
| International applicants / foreign school graduates | PHP 1,000 |
| LEAPMed applicants (domestic) | PHP 3,600 |
| LEAPMed applicants (international) | PHP 9,000 |
| International testing centers | PHP 6,000 |
Fee waivers are available for top honor students, qualifiers under RA 12006 (the Free Tertiary Education law's related provisions), and children of UST support staff, per the official site. All fees are non-refundable once paid, so make sure your documents are complete and verified before you pay. Confirm current fees with the official USTET portal or UST OFAD, since fee schedules can be adjusted between admission cycles.
Where can I find a USTET reviewer?
You have two general paths: free self-review materials, or a paid, structured review program.
Free options include:
- Old USTET-style mock tests and Mental Ability practice sets shared on platforms like Scribd, Studocu, and Course Hero
- Flashcard sets on Quizlet built around common USTET topics
- YouTube channels focused on Philippine college entrance test review, which often post walkthroughs of sample Mental Ability, English, Math, and Science questions
- Your own high school textbooks and notes in English, Math, and Science, which remain the most reliable free review material since USTET draws heavily from the standard high school curriculum
Keep in mind that free reviewer PDFs circulating online are often old copies from previous years and are not official UST materials. They are useful for getting a feel for question style and pacing, not as a guaranteed preview of the current exam's exact content or difficulty.
Paid options include commercial review centers that offer USTET-specific or general college entrance test review packages, usually with timed mock exams, topic drills, and instructors who can explain Mental Ability strategies in more depth. These can be worth it if you want structure and accountability, or if you are also reviewing for other entrance exams like UPCAT at the same time. If you are also prepping for UP's exam, our UPCAT reviewer guide walks through a similar free-vs-paid decision that applies here too.
How should I build a USTETstudy plan?
A workable study plan usually breaks down into three phases:
- Diagnose (Week 1-2): Take one full mock test cold, without reviewing first, to see which of the four areas, English, Math, Science, or Mental Ability, needs the most work. This tells you where to spend your limited study hours.
- Build (the bulk of your timeline): Spend most sessions on your weakest areas first. For Mental Ability specifically, drill logic and pattern questions daily in short bursts rather than long cram sessions, since the skill builds through repetition. For English, Math, and Science, revisit your Grade 10 to Grade 12 notes and textbooks, since USTET draws from that range.
- Simulate (final 2-3 weeks): Take full-length timed mock tests under exam-like conditions at least once a week. This builds pacing and stamina, since running out of time is one of the most common reasons reviewees underperform relative to their actual knowledge.
Because your final rating also includes your English, Math, and Science grades at 20 percent weight, keep those grades as strong as possible through your remaining school terms rather than treating grades and test prep as separate tracks.
Tips to pass USTET
- Start two to three months out. Cramming a week before test day rarely covers Mental Ability adequately, since it is an unfamiliar skill for most reviewees.
- Do not neglect your school grades. Since grades make up 20 percent of your final rating, consistent classroom performance in English, Math, and Science pays off directly on USTET day.
- Practice pacing, not just content. Full mock tests under time pressure reveal whether you actually know the material fast enough, which is different from knowing it untimed.
- Verify every number before you rely on it. Cutoff scores, exact item counts, and fee amounts you see on old blog posts or forum threads may be outdated. Cross-check with the official USTET portal or UST OFAD directly.
- Prepare your documents early. Verification delays from incomplete uploads (PSA birth certificate, grades form, ID photo) are a common reason applicants miss their preferred testing date.
- Have a backup plan. Apply to more than one school if your course of choice is competitive. Review our guide on how to choose a school in the Philippines if you are still weighing UST against other options.
Figures, fees, and dates in this guide reflect what is published on the official USTET admissions site as of this writing. Admission requirements, fees, and schedules can change between cycles, so confirm current details with the UST admissions office (UST OFAD) or the official USTET portal before you finalize any decision.
Sources
- USTET Official Admission Portal - test coverage, scoring formula, fees, application timeline
- UST Admission - Choose Levels - applicant categories (college, SHS, JHS)
- How to Apply to UST: A Step-by-Step Guide - AHEAD Tutorial and Review - application process steps and required documents
Explore more on SchoolFinderPH
If UST is one of several schools you are considering, check our guide to college admission requirements in the Philippines for a broader view of what different schools ask for, and our UST tuition fee guide to plan your budget alongside your entrance exam prep. Still deciding on a course? Our guide on what course to take in college can help you narrow it down before you fill out your USTET application grades form. Eyeing UST for pre-med or LEAPMed? See our roundup of the best medical schools in the Philippines for context on where UST stands.
Ready to compare schools beyond UST? Search and browse verified school profiles on SchoolFinderPH to find the right fit for your course and budget.
