What is UCAT?
If you have considered studying medicine or dentistry, you have like heard that UCAT is an essential requirement to pass before you commence any studies. The exam is one that an increasing number of prospective students will come across as the UK hopes to increase the number of people studying medicine by at least 5000 people per year.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is one of the many forms of admissions tests that is used by a selection of Universities within the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The test is required to be completed in addition to passing A-Levels for those who wish to study medicine. Prior to 2016, straight A’s across the board would have been enough to enter medical school, but the revised process proves the importance that the UK, Australian and New Zealand governments are placing on the high-quality medical staff. Covering a range of different topics in addition to academic suitability, the test is designed to understand if the prospective student has the emotional intelligence and decision-making skills required to work in the medical field.
The test was first launched in 2016 as UKCAT but was rebranded in 2019 to UCAT as part of a major development to expand the test into Australia and New Zealand. Whilst it has been popular since its launch, 2018 was a definitive year for the test, which saw almost 27,500 hopeful students sit the exams.
With an average acceptance rate into UK medical school of only 31.6%, at The Future Medic, we think that extra training should also be considered to give you the best chance of success. Feeling confident and prepared for the UCAT exam is the only way to truly stand out from the rest and make a positive start to a career within the medical field.
If you want to know more about the UCAT you are in the right place, as our complete guide covers everything you need to know. Continue reading to find out more.
Which Universities require the UCAT to be sat?
If you are applying to study medicine at any of the following universities during the next academic year or for a deferred place, a UCAT will need to be passed to secure a place to study. As well as this list of UK places of study, an additional 16 within New Zealand and Australia use the UCAT as one of their entry tests.
University of Aberdeen | Anglia Ruskin University | Aston University | University of Birmingham |
University of Bristol | Brunel University London | Cardiff University | University of Chester |
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 | King’s College London | University of Leicester | University of Liverpool |
University of Manchester | University of Newcastle | 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 Surrey |
University of Warwick | University of Worcester |
If you are applying to study medicine at any of the following universities during the next academic year or for a deferred place, a UCAT will need to be passed to secure a place to study. As well as this list of UK places of study, an additional 16 within New Zealand and Australia use the UCAT as one of their entry tests.
University of Aberdeen
University of Bristol
University of Dundee
University of Exeter
Kent and Medway Medical School
University of Manchester
Queen Mary University of London
University of St Andrews
University of Warwick
Anglia Ruskin University
Brunel University London
University of East Anglia
University of Glasgow
King’s College London
University of Newcastle
Queen’s University Belfast
St George’s, University of London
University of Worcester
Aston University
Cardiff University
Edge Hill University
Hull York Medical School
University of Leicester
University of Nottingham
University of Sheffield
University of Sunderland
University of Birmingham
University of Chester
University of Edinburgh
Keele University
University of Liverpool
Plymouth University
University of Southampton
University of Surrey
Why is UCAT so important?
Many universities have adopted this particular aptitude test as it allows a way for pre-existing entry criteria to be examined in a more structured way than previously done. Interviews and individual tests have long been a part of the application process, as students must possess the academic skills and wider personality traits to make them suitable for the study. As the fields of medicine and dentistry require the perfect balance of emotional intelligence, the UCAT test has been adopted by many establishments to ensure that the best crop of students is selected each year for the study.
It is a combination of academic results, a personal statement, a university interview, and the UCAT itself, which combine to create an application.
Whilst a lot of information can be ascertained from academic scores, personal statements, and interviews, the UCAT is designed to unlock other areas of an individual’s skill set to give a more detailed look at their capabilities. The test covers numerical, spatial, abstract, verbal, and ethical areas, all of which directly impact a medical professional’s ability to do their job correctly.
Numerical skills are needed as the very nature of medicine is underpinned by science and data. While A-levels can represent whether a student is academically skilled enough to pass mathematics equations, it is completely different when applied to the medical field. This section is therefore influenced as it allows universities to understand if the individuals have a core understanding of the numerical skills needed within medical settings.
Spatial skills are an essential part of practical examinations and analysis. They directly impact the ability to diagnose patients successfully and are therefore tested by the UCAT. Understanding how objects are related and being able to process a range of information at any given time is an essential skill to master in any medical field. Medical professionals must be able to interact with people and pull on their extensive knowledge bank simultaneously whilst also being aware of what is going on around them.
Verbal skills also need to be high, as communication is key within the medical sectors. Solid verbal skills help medical staff liaise with each other, and they are also essential for dealing with the large variety of patients that will be dealt with. Strong communication between medical staff and patients is also said to increase patient satisfaction, lead to better treatment plans, and allow for quicker results to be seen.
Ethical skills are all about the decision-making that medical staff will be responsible for. Choosing the best treatment plans, making tough decisions, and be proactive are all skills within various medical jobs that an understanding of ethical practices must underpin. Medical ethics must consider a whole of factors and result in a decision that is not influenced by individual opinions or viewpoints.
Abstract skills relate to being able to think outside of the box. Conceptualising and interpreting data in a way that may not be expected requires a certain type of individual. Whilst there are lots of learnt skills within the medical field, abstract abilities are not something that can be taught which is why they are included in the UCAT.
You may think, ‘why are academic results alone insufficient to get into medical school’? This precise mix of skills proves that being successful in medicine requires a balance of many other strengths. By making the job easier for admissions officers, the test also allows a fairer entry point for students proving that background has nothing to do with the chance of success. Instead, if you are the right person with the skills needed to excel, then there should be no reason that gets in the way of passing.
What are the UCAT sections formatted?
As we have mentioned above, the test covers five different areas that all make up the skills that medical professionals must possess. The format for each section is slightly different, which is what our UCAT tutoring service helps you ace.
Verbal Reasoning (21 minutes): In this test section, you will be given eleven passages of text linked to four questions. The section lasts twenty-one minutes and includes three answer options which are true, false, and can’t tell. Designed to make students think about medical scenarios, the shorter completion time also represents the field’s fast-paced nature. This section is, therefore, not just testing the student’s standpoint but also if they can think effectively under pressure.
Decision Making (31 minutes): This twenty-nine-question section uses various information sources to direct decision-making ability. Whilst mathematical matters are included, this section is not testing those skills. Instead, it looks at how easily data is interpreted and the outcomes. During this section, specific decision-making definitions should be used and referred to, which are echoed within the medical field.
Quantitative Reasoning (25 minutes): Across thirty-six questions, students are asked to problem solve and come up with rational answers using provided sources of information. The task is simple, choose the best answer. This is one of the best sections for understanding whether an applicant has the core skills to make it in the medical world.
Abstract Reasoning (12 minutes): The four questions in this section involve the individual being asked to identify patterns and trends with various shapes. This represents the various symptoms that a medical professional is likely to face and highlights whether the individual has the skills needed to pick out any recurring patterns, no matter how well hidden they are. The four different types of patterns are all designed to use separate parts of the brain, which allows further insight into suitability.
Situational Judgement (26 minutes): The SJT portion of the exam applies academic and personal skills to real-world examples. These questions do not need a medical background but can only be passed by individuals who are adaptive and resilient in the hardest of situations.
Whilst the sections’ format remains the same every year, the topics and examples used are often mixed up to better represent current influences. Medical professionals must be strong characters that are able to combine academic understanding with emotional intelligence. This is made up of each of these five personality facets and can only be passed by balanced and aware individuals.
How does the UCAT scoring work?
Scoring within the cognitive subtest (verbal reasoning, decision-making, quantitative reasoning, and abstract reasoning) is based on a points-per-correct answer model. The only section that differs slightly is the decision-making one, as it gives a single mark for one-choice answers, two marks for multiple statement questions and one mark awarded for partially correct answers. The create a summary of the marks, a total scale score range is worked out by combining these four sections.
Situational judgement scores are worked out slightly differently and bandings are applied based on the given answers. According to the official UCAT website, the bandings are:
Band One | Those in Band 1 demonstrated an excellent level of performance, showing similar judgement in most cases to the panel of experts. |
Band Two | Those in Band 2 demonstrated a good, solid level of performance, showing appropriate judgement frequently, with many responses matching model answers. |
Band Three | Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest level of performance, with appropriate judgement shown for some questions and substantial differences from ideal responses for others. |
Band Four | The performance of those in Band 4 was low, with judgement tending to differ substantially from ideal responses in many cases. |
It should also be noted that as this is not a right or wrong section, that different courses will look at this section in various ways. While better banding represents stronger judgement skills, there is also some room for interpretation by the universities at this stage.
How long does the UCAT test take?
The test itself only takes two hours, but it is the preparation work that really adds to the hours. Without thousands of people fighting for competitive medical school places, the more work you put in, the more chance you have of succeeding in meeting your goals. The best is designed to make you think quickly and act reactively, which is why the sections are short in time but content rich.
Whilst you do not need a medical background or knowledge to take the UCAT, understanding the reasons behind each section and how this relates to the real world is essential for achieving a strong score.
How much does the UCAT cost to take?
The UCAT costs £70 for UK students and £115 for international ones. There is also lots of planning that needs to be considered when taking a test so as not to result in losing any money.
The dates are published annually in accordance with the academic year, so you should ensure that you have correctly planned in any preparation or tutoring before this. You can find out the full details for booking your UCAT here.
What steps are there to taking the UCAT?
If you decide you want to take the UCAT, all processing must be done by the student as any schools and colleges have nothing to do with the process. The steps that should therefore follow are:
- Understand the registration dates. These open every year at the start of June for the following academic year, and anyone wishing to take the date must adhere to this; otherwise, they will not be included.
- Find the perfect tutoring company to guide you through the process. Once you have decided to take the UCAT and familiarised yourself with the associated dates, it is important to put the right steps in place to give you the best chance of success. A tutoring agency is always recommended as the test itself is complex, requiring expert insight. There is also added pressure, as if you fail, you will have to wait a year before attempting the test again. You can find out the full details of our UCAT tutoring service here.
- Ensure that your UCAS application is also being processed at the same time as the two go together to form your overall medical school application. You may also be asked for information by either body regarding the status of the other.
- Once exam dates are released, you will be able to book your test for a time and day that suits you.
When the UCAT is complete, the results will be available a day after it is taken so there are no nail-biting waits to consider.
How can The Future Medic prepare you for a UCAT?
As we have covered, preparing for the UCAT is not an easy task. The pressure of knowing that it is needed to secure a place and knowing how many other people are taking on the same challenge means that without some targeted help, you run the risk of taking on the test unprepared.
At The Future Medic, we think that the UCAT does not have to be intimidating if you are well prepared. Our online service aims to help you understand our strengths and weaknesses to ensure you have the best chance of getting to the university you want. Our UCAT service includes:
– UCAT online courses let you practice taking the test and gain a deeper understanding of what the test is looking for and how you can improve to meet the criteria.
– Personalised one-to-one sessions which let you ask questions and benefit from direct support. As no two people are the same, this is essential for understanding your skills and how they can be adapted to pass the UCAT.
– Access to highly qualified tutors who understand first-hand the pressure that you are facing and who genuinely care you passing.
The results speak for themselves, with the average student score with support from us being over 130 points higher. What is UCAT? Put simply; it is the final part of the puzzle piece that stands between you and success at medical school, which with the proper support, you can pass easily.