UCAT
UCAT
Changes in Admissions Tests (2025 Entry)
The BMAT test will be discontinued starting in 2024 (for applicants applying to start University in 2025). Multiple BMAT universities have already confirmed moving to the UCAT test, while others are to be updated - check their websites regularly for the latest updates.
2024 UCAT Course
| Subject | Lesson date | Time (HKT) |
|---|---|---|
| UCAT Course 1 (In-person at Sheung Wan Centre) |
30 Mar, 2024 (Sat)
31 Mar, 2024 (Sun) |
15:00-18:00 14:30-17:30 |
| UCAT Course 2 (In-person at Sheung Wan Centre) |
4 May, 2024 (Sat)
5 May, 2024 (Sun) |
14:30-17:30 15:00-18:00 |
What is UCAT?
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an aptitude test used by a consortium of UK medical and dental schools in the UK, Australia and New Zealand as an integral part of their selection process. This consortium includes top universities like King’s College London, the University of Warwick and the University of St. Andrew’s. UCAT was previously known as the UKCAT.
Candidates can take UCAT ONLY ONCE in the admission cycle. There are several test dates available, spanning from July to October. The test takes 120 minutes and consists of five parts: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Situational Judgement. The first four parts are scored in points, while the last part is graded in bands, from Band 1 (excellent level of performance) to Band 4.
Different universities use a candidate’s UCAT result differently. Where some use it as pre-screening criteria, some use it as
How long is UCAT and what is the test format?
The UCAT takes a total of approximately 2 hours. It is a computer-based test, and you will receive the result immediately on the same day after your test. The UCAT Consortium will communicate your results to universities so you don't need to do so yourself.
It consists of 5 subtests with 1 minute instruction time before each subtest.
| Subtests | Questions | Timing* | Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 22mins | 300-900 |
| Decision making | 29 | 32mins | 300-900 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 25mins | 300-900 |
| Abstract Reasoning | 55 | 14mins | 300-900 |
| Situation Judgement | 69 | 27mins | Band 1-4 |
Approximately 10% of questions will be trial questions, which do not contribute to your score. All questions will be presented in multiple-choice format on a computer platform.
How is the UCAT Scored?
The UCAT is scored out of 3,600. Marks are spread across four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Decision Making. Your performance on each of these sections is scaled to a score between 300 and 900 and then added together, to get to your overall UCAT score. The Situational Judgement section (SJT) is scored differently. Instead of getting a score, you’ll be put into one of four bands depending on your performance. Band 1 is the highest, and band 4 is the lowest.
In a nutshell:
- Verbal Reasoning: Score between 300-900
- Decision Making: Score between 300-900
- Quantitative Reasoning: Score between 300-900
- Abstract Reasoning: Score between 300-900
- Situational Judgement: Band between 1-4
This means that you will receive a total score between 1200 and 3600 and a band between 1 and 4 as your overall test result.
How is the UCAT used by the UK Medical & Dental schools?
The UCAT consists of five sections and is designed to give information on the candidates' cognitive abilities through four reasoning tests, with a fifth test, the situational judgment test testing attitudes and professional behaviour.
UCAT results help admissions officers identify candidates who possess reasoning and communication skills required to succeed in the rigorous courses applied. Each medical school uses the UCAT score differently:
- Some universities place a great deal of significance on the UCAT score and is a significant factor in their consideration of your application. They either:
- rank candidates by their score, or
- have a minimum cut-off, which must be achieved before progressing to the next round;
- Many universities use the UCAT score in combination with other factors such as your personal statement and exam results;
- Some only use it in borderline cases where it is helpful in deciding between two very similar candidates.
A high score on the UCAT will determine if you have an interview at the medical schools and significantly increase your chance of an offer. It is therefore worth spending time familiarizing yourself with the test format, practising with past papers, as well as learning test-taking strategies.
Our intensive course is designed to provide a concise, but thorough guide and training for students who will be taking the UCAT.
What is a “good” UCAT score?
Overall, it is hard to define a good UCAT score as this varies from year to year, but it can be generalised to say anything above a 650 average (2600 total), SJT Band 1 or 2. As most students score between 620 and 630, anything above 680 on average can be considered a high UCAT score.
How long should I spend on preparing UCAT?
This varies depending on the individuals. If you are taking UCAT this year, we recommend spending around 30 hours for the UCAT preparation. Consider increasing this as the UCAT draws closer.
When it comes to UCAT preparation, it is not just about the number of hours you invested (i.e. how long you spent preparing); more importantly, the UCAT depends on what you study and how you do it.
5 Top tips for UCAT (previously known as UKCAT) success
Who Should Enroll in the UCAT / UCAT ANZ?
Students applying to the following UK medical school for admission:
- University of Aberdeen
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Aston University
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- Cardiff University
- University of Dundee
- University of East Anglia
- Edge Hill University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- Hull York Medical School
- Keele University
- Kent and Medway Medical School
- University of Leeds
- King's College London
- University of Leicester
- University of Liverpool
- University of Manchester
- Newcastle University
- University of Nottingham
- Plymouth University
- Queen Mary University of London
- Queen's University Belfast
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of St Andrews
- St George's University of London
- University of Sunderland
- University of Warwick
*Please check the UCAT website and university websites for the latest updates.
Students applying to the following UCAT ANZ universities for admission, please check the website for latest info: https://www.ucat.edu.au/.
How do I register for UCAT and when is UCAT?
You could only take the UCAT test ONCE in each calendar year. Therefore, it is crucial that you are well prepared prior to your test.
Generally, the booking registration period is between June to September, and the test dates are between July to September. You can check the UCAT website for the latest information.
UCAT (UKCAT) vs UCAT ANZ
The test makers expanded their consortium beyond the UK and hence decided on a name change from UKCAT to UCAT. There is absolutely no change in content. The UCAT ANZ simply refers to the Australia and New Zealand version of the UCAT. The UCAT ANZ test content will be identical to that of the UK test. Aspiring medical school students will take the UCAT ANZ when applying to universities in Australia and New Zealand.
UCAT or BMAT?
Most medical schools require either UCAT or another aptitude test, BMAT. If you are uncertain whether to take UCAT or BMAT, explore which schools you are most interested in first. We also recommend that you take an assessment of both tests and see which one matches your strong suit. Contact us and we will send you mock tests for a taste of both.
How to score high in UCAT?
We offer private individual lessons and a group crash-course for UCAT candidates in the summer. While the crash course goes over techniques for all the parts comprehensively, individual lessons are tailored to your specific needs, targeting particular areas of weakness. Both the crash course and private lessons are led by UCAT instructors with a wealth of experience in preparing students for the test. All instructors are Oxbridge graduates, who have taken the test themselves and/or been educated in top UK medical schools.
For more information about our private lessons and crash course, leave us a message
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