ACET (Philippines University Entrance Tests) case studies
ACET · Put your knowledge to work in context.
ACET is a four-part aptitude entrance assessment used by some higher-education institutions to screen applicants. It is aimed at secondary-school leavers and other candidates seeking undergraduate admission, and it is built to test reasoning and communication rather than memorised syllabus content. The paper is divided into English, Mathematics, Science and Abstract Reasoning, each carrying equal weight, so a weak section cannot be fully offset by a strong one. Questions are multiple choice, which rewards accuracy, calm pacing and disciplined elimination over lengthy written argument. The ACET case studies are 5 cases and about 1,768 words.
1The Overloaded Ferry Manifest
A small ferry has a maximum safe load of 4,800 kg. The operator has already loaded 12 crates, each weighing 210 kg, and 3 vehicles weighing 640 kg, 725 kg, and 590 kg.
339 words, about 2 min2The Contradictory Witness Statements
Four students - P, Q, R, and S - each made exactly one statement about who broke a window. Exactly one student is telling the truth; the other three are lying.
327 words, about 2 min3The Cooling Curve Reading
A sealed 500 mL container holds a gas at 300 K and 1.0 atm. A student records the pressure every minute while the container is cooled in a water bath.
401 words, about 2 min4The Scholarship Essay Revision
A student drafts this sentence for a scholarship essay: "Having studied for months, the exam was finally taken by me, and despite of the difficulty, I performed good, which surprised my teacher who had predicted that I would do badly." The essay guidelines require: (1) no dangling modifiers, (2) correct use of prepositions, (3) adjectives vs. adverbs used correctly, (4) clear pronoun reference, and (5) a formal register.
380 words, about 2 min5The Pattern-Grid Deduction
A 3×3 grid follows two simultaneous rules, one applied across rows and one down columns. Row 1: shapes are circle, triangle, square.
321 words, about 2 min