Students planning to pursue medicine or dentistry in the UK at the undergraduate level are required to take either the UCAT (UKCAT) University Clinical Aptitude Test or the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) as an admissions test. Although more schools use the UCAT (UKCAT) for admissions, many candidates take both the tests in order to maximize their choice from a larger university pool (the tests cannot be substituted for each other).

Students are only allowed to take both exams once per admission cycle. The results from each exam are valid for only the admissions cycle in which the exam was taken, or for one or more than one year (for students applying as deferred entries).

The UCAT (UKCAT) comprises of five sections

 

Verbal Reasoning 44 Questions 21 Mins

The “Verbal Reasoning” sub-test of the UCAT determines your skills in critically evaluating written information by assessing your logical-thinking skills. This section requires students to be very discerning in order to understand the information the passage provides.

Quantitative Reasoning 36 Questions 24 Mins

The UCAT Quantitative Reasoning sub-test assesses logical-thinking abilities with regards to critically evaluating quantitative information. The section itself covers three major topic areas – problem solving, medical & research applications and data interpretation.

Decision Making 29 Questions 31 Mins

The Decision Making Test evaluates the application of logic to arrive at a conclusion, as well as consider arguments and statistics.  Questions will be associated with either text, charts, graphs, tables, or diagrams, with additional information embedded within the question itself.

Situational Judgement 69 Questions 26 Mins

The Situational Judgement sub-test measures your ability to recognise important factors in real world situations and comprehending ways to resolve conflicts. It also determines how closely your responses aligns with the General Medical Council’s values.

Abstract Reasoning 55 Questions 13 Mins

The Abstract Reasoning sub-test examines convergent and divergent patterns to recognise patterns and relationships from the presented patterns.

UCAT (UKCAT) Test Dates 2020

The UCAT is offered between 1st July 2020 to 6th October 2020 (subject to availability at your local Pearson VUE test centre). This means that within one test cycle (approximately 3 months), you may take the UCAT (UKCAT) only once, depending on the dates that the testing centre in your locality offers. Whatever time in the year you decide to take the test, it is essential that you register between 4th May to 22nd September 2020 for the test.

Registration and booking for the test can be done on the official UCAT (UKCAT) website. While taking the test early has its advantages (such as a guarantee of a seat at the local test centre as test dates fill up quickly), be sure to take it only when you are thoroughly prepared.

Candidates will receive their UCAT (UKCAT) scores as they are exiting the venue – there is no specific date as to when scores will be released.

 UCAS Application Deadline 15 Oct 2020

You can only apply to 5 universities as part of your UCAS application, out of which only a maximum of 4 can be Medicine applications. The 5th choice has to be Non-Medicine, so do make sure you choose your university choices wisely based on your UCAT score! You will receive your UCAT score report immediately after you completed the test.

More on UKCAT testing

What time to arrive at the test centre ?

Arrive at the test center at least 15 mins prior to your scheduled examination time, so that you not only have time to allow for any procedural requirements, but also can calmly set up anything you have to and mentally prepare yourself for the exam before taking it.

What to bring to test centre?

You can bring:

  • Your personal belongings. However, you will have to store them away in a locker as they are not allowed to be brought into the test room. This includes food, drinks, watches, mobile devices etc.
  • An acceptable photo ID card (check the official UKCAT website for more details)
  • A hard copy of the confirmation email for booking the test

What is the test environment like?

You will be seated in a room along with other test takers, with individual desks allotted to each person. Each desk consists of the computer you shall be taking your test on, laminated notepads, and permanent markers. Since the laminated boards are not erasable as you work out on it, each time you finish using one, you simply have to raise your notepad to get another one.

UCAT(UKCAT) Test Centers
Please visit the UCAT consortium website for the test centers details

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