The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a two-hour five-part admission test, which is designed and offered by what is referred to as the UCAT Consortium. The test is used by UK medical and dental schools, as a selection process to screen applicants.

Candidates are only permitted to take UCAT once per admission cycle (applying for Autumn semester, Spring semester), with several dates for testing available, ranging from July to October. The five parts will be tested consecutively, with no pause between. The parts are Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Situational Judgement. The first four parts will be graded by a point system, and Situational Judgment will be graded from Band 1 to Band 4, with Band 1 as an exemplary performance, and Band 4 as a poor performance.

However, the same UCAT result may mean different things for the candidate’s acceptance, depending on which university is shown these results. Some universities may only look at a certain part, some all five, or they can use it as a benchmark solely for borderline cases. A poor performance in Abstract reasoning, and a Band 1 performance in Situational Judgment, may get a candidate accepted at one university, and rejected at the other, or vice versa. It is an applicant’s duty to check each university, or with a careers counsellor to see how a result can weigh to their acceptance. Cardiff University only brings up a candidate’s UCAT result with another candidate’s, when they both have the similar merits in academic transcripts, references, to see which candidate is suitable for an interview.

The standard test is 2 hours. Once the test has started it cannot be paused but each subtest is preceded by a 1 minute instruction section. Candidates can apply for Access Arrangements to sit an extended version of the test if they have a documented medical condition or disability.

1. Verbal Reasoning
Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form.

2. Decision Making
Assesses your ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.

[29 Questions in 31 minutes]

3.Quantitative Reasoning
Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.

[36 Questions in 25 minutes]

4. Abstract Reasoning
Assesses your use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.

[50 Questions in 12 minutes]

5. Situational Judgement
Measures your capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.

[66 Questions in 26 minutes]

The UCAT’s five sections are used to judge the candidates' cognitive abilities through four reasoning examinations, with a fifth test, the situational judgment test testing professional behaviour in the workplace, alongside behavior. Each medical and dental school will assess a candidate’s results differently.

Admission officers of each university will use UCAT results to determine each applicant’s reasoning and logic skills. In universities where UCAT results weigh heavily in an applicant’s likelihood to be accepted, they either

• rank candidates by their score (on a curve)

• use a minimum cut-off, which must be achieved before progressing to the next round (grading on a point basis)

No university uses UCAT scores alone to determine a candidate’s chance at acceptance, they are used in conjunction with other factors such as academic transcripts and personal statements. For some, it is even only referred to when two candidates have similar merits.

However, it is universally agreed that a high result on the UCAT will ensure an interview at medical schools, and is more likely to give an offer. Because of this, it is worth the time to spend on reviewing the format of the test and past papers, as well as test strategies, such as avoiding spending too much time on one question, and moving on to the next, to avoid wasting time.

This course at Tuttee is designed to provide a thorough but easy-to-follow guide and training for students who plan to take the UCAT.

Most medical schools in the UK require either UCAT, which is for the UK or another aptitude test, BMAT, which is more universally acknowledged. If you are uncertain whether which test is appropriate for you, explore which schools you are most interested in applying to. UCAT’s five parts are entirely multiple choice, while BMAT’s first two parts are multiple choice, and the last part is a writing task.

It is also recommended that you take an assessment of both tests and see which aptitude test you are more likely suited for. Contact us at Tuttee and we will be happy to send you a sample test of each, for your assessment.