How do you think students get into the advance placement (AP) programs in the Ateneo?

“We were all under the impression that it’s determined by the essay portion of the ACET, but we were never sure. I don’t think it’s 100% accurate either way, particularly because I know this one guy in my class who got double F’s in English 12 and Literature 13, and was transferred after the first sem. I think that shows that some people just aren’t ready or suited for it quite yet and maybe a bit more [weeding] out is necessary.”

Marianne Vitug (III AB PoS)

“I think [getting into a Merit English class is] based on your ACET English grade. I’m not sure if they take the application essay into consideration too. But I think a concern about that—at least in the context of English 101, which is a writing course—is that your ACET English score only measures your comprehension, how well you read. It doesn’t measure how well you write, which is something that you’re expected to do well in a merit class.”

Nica Dobles (II BS ME)

“I don’t know as much since it’s a selection undisclosed to the students, but given that there are 6 merit English sections—if I recall correctly—it’s a lot more subjective compared to the CEP (Credit by Examination Program) format.”

David Cuajunco (I BSM AMF)

“Personally, I don’t think one test is enough to determine who will or will not get in the AP Filipino class. I mean, I know people who are a lot better in both spoken and written Filipino than I am, but who weren’t able to get into the AP Filipino class because their diagnostic test scores didn’t reach the cut-off score.”

Gilana Roxas (II BS Psy)

“The diagnostic exams at the start of the semester [for AP Filipino] and the ACET English test and essay [for merit English] are great ways to select AP students. The problem, however, with the Filipino AP is the conflict in schedule. Since these students are first sorted into their courses’ block schedules, conflicts may arise when they pass the Filipino diagnostic test one month into the semester and are made to transfer to the Filipino Honors class. Not everyone who [does well on] the diagnostic test gets to be transferred [to an AP Filipino class] because of conflicts in schedule.”

Roxette Angelia (II BS Psy)