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Department of Science and Technology

SCIENCE EDUCATION INSTITUTE

FOREWORD

The Science Education Institute (SEI) of

the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) provides
opportunities to talented young students
who wish to pursue careers in science
and technology through its scholarship
programs.
A highly competitive qualifying
examination is administered annually.
Applicants must meet the eligibility
requirements and pass the exam to
become scholars.
We designed this Primer for the DOST-
SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination to help applicants prepare
well for the test. Sample test items are also provided to help applicants
get a sense of what to expect on the exam day.
We hope applicants find this Primer helpful in readying themselves for
the examination. We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of DOST
-SEI scholars.

JAYEEL S. CORNELIO, PhD

Director IV

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 ABOUT THE DOST-SEI UNDERGRADAUTE
SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION

The DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination

continuously evolves as we try to have the best instrument that
identifies who among you will be successful in a career in
science and technology. This aligns with our S&T human
resource development plan.

While you may have taken many examinations already,

taking a scholarship exam may cause some anxiety because
your performance on the test is life-defining. Passing the test
can lead you to a career that you will pursue in your lifetime. You
must do your best, thus, this Primer.

First, let us look at the basic makeup of the examination.

It is a multiple-choice test consisting of three main parts and
timed as follows:
Time in
Part Domain Sub-domains
Minutes
Mechanical Reasoning
Creative Reasoning Spatial Reasoning
I 35
Verbal Reasoning
Language and Literature
Biology
Chemistry
II Science Earth Science 75
Physics
Space Science
III Mathematics 70

When you finish a part before the end of the allotted time,
you can use the remaining time wisely by reviewing your
answers to that part only or close your test booklet. You are not
allowed to go back to the previous part nor proceed to the next
part of the test.

The actual examination will be taken in approximately

three hours including reading of instructions and filling out some
information on the answer sheet. Instructions will be given step
by step so you will be properly guided. It is designed to be taken
in one sitting.

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 You will encounter multiple-choice items in the test.
There will be four options per item, and only one is the correct
answer. You will indicate your answer by shading the circle in
the answer sheet with the letter of your choice. Your score will
be the total number of correct answers you make.

You may eat your snacks or drink water at any time

during the examination but make sure that you do not smear the
test materials. You may also be allowed to go to the comfort
room as necessary, but you will use your time in the test.

Helpful Tips When Taking an Exam:

1. On the day before the exam, prepare your Test Permit,
School ID, Parent Waiver, pencils, an eraser, and maybe
a sharpener. Do not forget your snacks and water.
2. Rest well the night before the exam so you will be
mentally alert and ready for the rigors of it.
3. Go to your Test Center early. It will be easier if you know
the location of your designated Test Center before exam
day so you can plan your trip and arrive at the site long
before the start of the exam.
4. Dress properly. Wearing shorts and slippers is not
allowed. The host school may not allow you to enter the
premises if you are attired inappropriately.
5. Time Management in Taking an Exam: Given the limited
time per test, manage your time wisely. Do not spend too
much time on any particular item you find difficult.
Answer all the test items you know and if there is still
time, go back to the difficult or unfamiliar test item and
choose your best option.
6. Follow instructions diligently. The Examiner will give
step-by-step instructions.
7. Pray. Do your best!

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To have a better idea of the DOST-SEI Scholarship Examination, try answering
the sample test items :
Part I: Creative Reasoning and Language and Literature
A. CREATIVE REASONING. This consists of verbal, spatial and
mechanical reasoning.
1. Mechanical Reasoning test items measure your ability to acquire
information about everyday physics and to comprehend mechanical
relationships. This test consists of mechanical and electrical problems
and items that deal with physical forces.
Sample Test Items

1. If you are carrying this glass of soda while riding a bus accelerating in the
direction of the arrow, which of the following BEST represents the shape of
cross-section of the water surface in the glass?

A. B. C. D.

2. Which of the kites illustrated below will fly the highest in the shortest
possible time?

I II III
A. I C. III
B. II D. There is no difference among I, II, and III

3. Four identical bulbs, W, X, Y, and Z as shown below are initially operating

with equal brightness. If bulb Y is busted, which of the following are TRUE?

I. Bulb Z will be darker than before.

II. Bulb Z will be brighter than before.
III. Bulbs W and X will be darker than before.
IV. Bulbs W and X will be brighter than before.

A. I and III B. I and IV C. II and III D. II and IV

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 2. Spatial Reasoning test items measure your ability to understand
objects in two and three-dimensional terms and draw conclusions about
them with limited information. You visualize, rotate, or disassemble
objects in your mind into alternate formats by reasoning about shape,
measurement, depiction, and navigation.

Sample Test Items

1. What shape is needed to complete the series below?

A. C.

B. D.

2. If a piece of paper containing two circular holes as shown is folded along

the dashed lines, which of the following is the resulting figure?

A. C.

B. D.

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3. Which of the four figures below will show when all the given parts are fitted
together?

A. C.

B. D.

4. Which of the following is a rotation of the solid ?

A. C.

B. D.

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 3. Verbal Reasoning tests your ability to understand, analyze and
interpret information. It also measures your ability to extract meaning
from complex information and to think logically and analytically.

Sample Test Items

1. LIFEBELT : SEA :: AIR : _____________

A. pilot C. balloon
B. strap D. parachute

2. ANTERIOR : POSTERIOR :: FRONT : _____________

A. side C. head
B. hind D. midsection

3. GEO : EARTH :: FERRO : _____________

A. air C. iron
B. fire D. sand

4. NEWTON : CALCULUS :: COPERNICUS : _____________

A. astrology C. archaeology
B. meteorology D. astronomy

5. HAMMER : CARPENTER :: _____________

A. anchor : sailor C. blueprint : architect

B. brush : painter D. shaves : barber

6. AFFECTION : INFATUATION :: _____________

A. lenient : forgive C. timidity : cowardice

B. large : gigantic D. frankness : candor

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B. Language and Literature. This test measures your ability to apply the
rules of the English language in grammar and syntax, vocabulary, and
reading comprehension.

Sample Test Items

1. Which underlined part of the sentence shows an ERROR?

The old lady picked up the struggling puppy

A B
straightening her hat grimly and took it to the veterinarian.
C D

2. Which pair of words does NOT have the same meaning?

A. shy - effusive C. slim - svelte

B. visible - conspicuous D. talkative - loquacious

3. We will submit our report ___________ next month because our computer
was damaged by the flood.

A. some time C. sometime

B. sometimes D. some times

4. Which is the appropriate response to this sentence?

“Do you mind opening the window?”

A. Not at all. C. Why? Do you feel hot?

B. Later. I’m busy. D. Yes, please. I’d like that.

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For item nos. 5-8, read the passage below and choose the best answer for each
item.

The koala bear, a marsupial commonly found in Australia, is endangered.

Often mistaken as bears, they are, in fact, associated to wombats. Their
newborns stay in their mothers’ pouches for several months after birth.
Koala bears live on gum trees known as eucalyptus. Being a nocturnal animal,
koala bears usually rest during the day and become active only at night.
Koala bears are soft. They have thick, woolly, grey or brown fur. Their fur
keeps them warm during the cold season. On their limbs are rough pads,
enabling the koala bears to grip the branches of the eucalyptus.
Koala bears are herbivores. They feed on the gum leaves. Having a keen
sense of smell, they are able to differentiate between edible and poisonous
gum leaves.
Source: ELITE Level 4. First Edition 2011. SAP PTE Ltd.

5. ____________ belong to the group of mammals known as marsupials.

A. Koala bears and eucalyptus

B. Wombats and koala bears
C. Bears and koala bears
D. Wombats and bears

6. The word that has the same meaning as “active at night” is “__________”.

A. endangered C. nocturnal
B. herbivores D. keen

7. The __________ keeps the koala bears warm during the cold season.

A. pouch C. gum leaf

B. thick fur D. rough pad

8. The koala bears use their __________ to tell the non-poisonous leaves

A. thick fur C. ability to smell

B. ability to see D. body resistance

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Part II. Science
This test consists of items in Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics and
Space Science that will test your ability to accomplish important scientific
tasks.

Sample Test Items

1. Legumes can be important for agricultural production because bacteria in

root nodules fix nitrogen that can then be used by the plant. Which of the
following four crop rotation programs would be MOST DESIRABLE to
increase soil fertility?

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6

A. Munggo Munggo Munggo
Corn Corn Corn
beans beans beans
B. Munggo
Corn Corn Tomato Corn Tomato
beans
C. Munggo Munggo Munggo
Rice Corn Corn
beans beans beans
D. Munggo Munggo Munggo Munggo
Corn Corn
beans beans beans beans

2. What should be the final temperature of a 25.0 L sample of hydrogen gas

at 1.00 atm and 35°C if it is compressed to a volume of 20.0 L and a
pressure of 2.00 atm?

A. 164 °C B. 220 °C C. 330 °C D. 493 °C

3. Consider the projectile shown in the figure below.

y w

x p

Ignoring air resistance, which of the following statements is CORRECT?

A. Velocity at point Z is zero.

B. Acceleration at point Z is zero.
C. Speed at point X is equal to the speed at point P.
D. Velocity at point Y is equal to the velocity at point W.

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 4. Geothermal energy is possible where there is _________.

A. wind C. coal
B. oil D. magma

5. The amount of solar energy reaching the surface of the earth is maximum
at the equator and minimum at the poles. Which of the following cause/es
the uneven solar heating of the Earth’s surface?
I. Sunlight strikes the earth at a nearly perpendicular angle at the
equator
II. Atmosphere absorbs a certain fraction of the sunlight striking the
earth
III. Amount of solar activity varies in time

A. I only C. I and II only

B. II only D. II and III only

6. What is the largest planet in the solar system?

A. Uranus C. Neptune
B. Jupiter D. Saturn

Part III. Mathematics

This test consists of items/problems in Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry,
Statistics, and Calculus that will test your ability to comprehend quantitative
relationships and their representations.

Sample Test Items

1. In how many points do the graphs of 2(x + 1)2 + (y - 2) 2 = 25 and

4(x + 1)2 - 3(y - 2)2 = 15 intersect?

A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4

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2. Two chips are drawn simultaneously from an urn containing 10 chips
numbered from 1 to 10. What is the probability that one of the numbers on
the chips is even, and the other is odd?

A. 2/9 B. 4/9 C. 5/9 D. 5/18

3. Consider the figure below. Arc CD measures (x – 3)°, while arc AB

measures (3x + 11)°, what is the measure of CMD?
B C

M
D
A

A. 4x + 8 B. 2x + 4 C. x + 1 D. 2x + 14

4. Consider the table below.

Math Score History
Score
Joan 100 90
Jose 90 80
Maria 50 40
Marion 70 60
Carmen 80 70
Carlos 60 50

If X represents Math test scores while Y represents History test scores,

which of the following notations best represents the relationship between
math and history scores?
A. X = Y– 10 C. X = (Y) 10
B. Y = X - 10 D. X = (Y) - 10

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 Answer Key:

Mechanical Reasoning Language and Literature

1. C 1. C
2. B 2. A
3. B 3. C
4. A
Spatial Reasoning 5. B
1. C 6. C
2. B 7. B
3. B 8. C
4. C
Science
Verbal Reasoning 1. D
1. D 2. B
2. B 3. C
3. C 4. D
4. D 5. C
5. B 6. B
6. C
Mathematics
1. D
2. C
3. B
4. B

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