UCAT Guide

Masterclass UCAT Guide: An Introduction to UCAT

In this UCAT Guide, we give you a comprehensive overview of what to expect in UCAT and how to ace it.

What is the UCAT?

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an admissions test for entry into medical, dental and clinical science degree programmes at universities in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

UCAT is run by the UCAT Consortium in partnership with Pearson VUE (a computer-based testing company). The test contains the same content as the UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test), which has been administered in the UK since 2006.

In Australia, the UCAT replaces the UMAT from 2019 (for university entry in 2020). It will be considered alongside your ATAR and an interview.

Why do you need to sit the UCAT?

The UCAT aims to help universities select applicants with the most appropriate “mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviours” that are deemed desirable in future doctors and dentists in order to be successful in their clinical careers.

It is more similar to an IQ exam than the types of knowledge-based exams that you may have been required to sit in high school. The biggest challenge of the UCAT exam is the limited time within which you have to complete the questions. It is unlikely that you will be able to do every question in the exam, so exam strategy and being selective about the questions you do choose to complete becomes extremely important.

UCAT Guide: Exam Format & Structure

Now let’s look at the format and structure of UCAT.

What is the format of the test?

The UCAT is a computer-based test which you will be required to sit at a Pearson VUE approved testing centre.

The computer-based format of the exam presents its own challenges.

• You will not be able to write on the exam paper but you will be provided with a laminated noteboard and pen.
• If you take the test at a smaller testing centre, you may just be given some spare blank paper for working throughout the test.

You can sit the exam on any day during the testing period. In Australia and New Zealand, this will be in the month of July. In the UK, this will be between July and October.

You will receive your results almost immediately after you have finished the test. These will be available online on the Pearson VUE website.

What is the structure of the exam?

The UCAT is a 2-hour computer-based exam that contains 233 multiple choice questions across 5 subtests.

1. Verbal Reasoning – interpret and evaluate written information.
2. Decision Making – apply logic to reach a conclusion, evaluate arguments and analyse data
3. Quantitative Reasoning – use numerical skills to solve problems
4. Abstract Reasoning – infer relationships from abstract information
5. Situational Judgement – understand real-world situations and act appropriately

The first four subtests test your cognitive ability and the last subtest, Situational Judgement, assesses your ability to make moral and ethical decisions.

The timing and structure of each subtest is shown below:

There is a 1-minute instruction screen shown before each subtest. This is your time to take a break in between each subtest during the exam.

Want to ace your UCAT Exam?

UCAT Guide: How to Register for and Sit the UCAT

Now let’s discuss registration and when to sit it.

When should you sit the UCAT?

You must be in your final year of high school or higher to be eligible to sit the UCAT. You can still sit the UCAT if you have commenced or completed an undergraduate degree. However, not all the undergraduate programs for which UCAT is a prerequisite offer places for non-school leavers.

The UCAT should be sat in the same year that you apply to medicine, dentistry or your health science program.

You can only sit the UCAT once in that year and your UCAT score will be valid for one year only. If you decide to reapply for your program the following year, you will need to resit the UCAT exam.

The UCAT dates for UK & ANZ are listed below.

What universities require you to sit the UCAT?

The following universities in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom require you to sit UCAT:

AUS & NZ

UK

When should I register?

A timeline of key UCAT dates is shown below.

See the official UCAT website for more details on Access Arrangements and UCATSEN application deadlines and concession scheme or bursary eligibility.

How much does it cost?

The test fees are shown in the tables below.

UK

AUS & NZ

Test fees depend on the location of the test centre, not on your nationality or place of residence.

Make sure you read all about the subtests in the rest of our UCAT Guide.