Yes, DLSU uses the DCAT. The fee is around ₱800, public high school students don't pay, and RA 12006 can waive it for others. Here's what to know.
Mariano Luiz King
Published October 31, 2026
Yes, De La Salle University (DLSU) has an entrance exam. It's called the DCAT (DLSU College Admission Test), and it costs around ₱800, based on what applicants shared for the latest cycle. Public high school students don't pay. This post covers the fee, who gets it waived, and what to review.
After reading this, you'll know how much you'll pay for the DCAT, or whether you'll pay at all.
Around ₱800, based on what applicants shared for the AY 2027-2028 cycle. DLSU doesn't post the fee on its undergraduate admissions page, so confirm the exact amount in your application. Fees can change between cycles.
Public high school students. Applicants from public high schools say the fee shows as "N/A" in their application, which means it's waived.
Private school students who qualify under RA 12006. DLSU is a private university, so the Free College Entrance Examinations Act applies. If you're in the top 10% of your class and the DSWD certifies your family is below the poverty threshold, the law says the fee must be waived. See who qualifies under RA 12006.
If you think you qualify for any waiver, ask DLSU's Admissions and Scholarships Office (AdSO) before you pay.
DLSU doesn't publish a passing score or a pass rate. So nobody outside DLSU can honestly give you a number.
What past takers do agree on is the mix. The DCAT covers Mental Ability, Reading Comprehension, Math, Science, and a notably heavy Statistics part. If Statistics is your weak spot, start there. The full topic list is in the DCAT coverage.
For the AY 2027-2028 cycle, DLSU's application period ran from 15 July to 30 September 2026. So if you're in Grade 11 now, watch for the next window around mid-2027. DLSU hasn't announced those dates yet.
If you already applied this cycle, these are the testing dates on DLSU's undergraduate admissions page:
| Testing | Date |
|---|---|
| Manila campus | 08 and 15 November 2026 |
| Laguna campus | 04 December 2026 |
| Online | 27 November, 04 December, and 11 December 2026 |
Results, confirmation, and enrollment dates are still to be announced. Your exact schedule is on your test permit.
DLSU's Admissions and Scholarships Office is on the second floor of Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, DLSU Manila (2401 Taft Avenue). Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
₱800 is cheap compared with DLSU's tuition, and many students won't pay at all. Check if you're from a public school or qualify under RA 12006 before paying. Then put your energy into Statistics and reading, where you can gain the most points.
Yes. DLSU uses the DCAT for incoming first-year students.
Around ₱800, based on what applicants shared for AY 2027-2028. Confirm the exact amount in your application.
Applicants from public high schools report that the fee is waived.
Yes. For AY 2027-2028, DLSU lists online testing dates in late November and December 2026.
Ready to practice? Try the free DCAT reviewer and mock exam questions.
