More than 153,000 aspiring freshmen began taking the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) on Saturday at 118 testing centers nationwide.

According to the UP Office of Admissions, about 153,000 examinees are expected to take one of the country’s most competitive college entrance examinations during the two-day test.

Testing centers were set up across Regions I to XIII, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, National Capital Region, MIMAROPA, Negros Island Region and various UP constituent universities.

In Metro Manila, examinations are being held at UP Diliman in Quezon City, UP Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, UP Manila and the Philippine Science High School Main Campus in Quezon City.

Several examinees interviewed by the DAILY TRIBUNE traveled long distances to reach their testing sites.

“At around 10 p.m. on Friday, we left Pangasinan for Quezon City,” one examinee said after arriving at UP Diliman.

Other applicants traveled from Bulacan and Carmona City, Cavite, to take the entrance examination.

The UPCAT is a key requirement for admission to the country’s premier state university. Successful applicants will earn slots in UP’s undergraduate programs across its constituent universities.

The two-day examination continues Sunday.