UCAT vs. BMAT

(BMAT will not be administered from 2024 onwards)

Any student planning to pursue medicine or dentistry in the UK at the undergraduate level requires to take either the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) – two standardized tests that all medical schools require as an admissions test. Although more schools use the UCAT for admissions than the BMAT, many candidates take both tests in order to maximize their choice from a larger university pool (no one test can substitute the other).

UCAT

The UKCAT is a computer based examination that tests different aspects of cognitive thinking, with a large volume of difficult questions in a short period of time. It is composed of five subtests, namely Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Situational Judgement Test, and Decision Making. Note that candidates appearing for the exam from 2017 will take the Decision Making section as a scored subtest contributing to the candidates’ overall scores. Questions from all the subtests are in multiple-choice format.

BMAT

The BMAT, however, is a written exam testing mathematical, scientific and logical thinking, and argumentative skills. Although it runs for two hours like the UKCAT, it is only composed of three subtests – Aptitude and Skills, Scientific Knowledge and Applications, and Writing Task. The first two subtests are in multiple-choice format, while the last subtest is an essay.

So… UCAT or BMAT?

Simple – you should see which university requires which medical test to be taken. Whether you are stronger at one test or the other, you need to have a clear picture of which university needs which test, and accordingly take the tests required. For a comprehensive list of which universities need which tests, refer to our Medical School Requirements page.

Take a Diagnostic Test

It is recommended, however, that you take a full-length test of each of the test so that you get an idea on how close you are to the university’s requirements, and whether you should really apply to that university. You can take a UKCAT and a BMAT diagnostic test at any of our centres, on any day of the week, between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. We will then analyse your performance in each test, and explain (in person, preferably) how you should proceed. This free service is available across all our locations internationally. To set up a diagnostic test (or two!),  just click on the button below.

Sign Up for a Diagnostic Test

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