For those seeking to enter the field of medicine, it should be noted that it can be a highly competitive subject depending on where you choose to study.
Regardless of where you choose to study, The Future Medic has expert science tutors who have years of experience and understanding to be able to help you in every key area of your introduction towards medical studies. But it is a good idea to understand what is your goal as a medical student.
By knowing your goals as a medical student you can focus on key areas that help you achieve that goal.
What do you need to do to become a medical student?
Getting a degree in medicine is generally what qualifies you to pursue a career in medicine. Obtaining a degree involves you having to pursue higher education such as a university. Depending on the university you choose, there may be certain tests you have to do and specific grades you need to have in order to enrol.
One of these tests is the UCAT.
The UCAT test
The UCAT is designed to support a strong academic record by testing various situational and skill-based areas that a student would need to possess to make it in the world of medicine naturally. The scoring is split across five categories which all make up individual parts of the test. These are:
Verbal Reasoning (Score between 300 and 900): True, false and don’t know answers are required to be selected from in this section which tests a student’s ability to communicate effectively in high-pressure scenarios.
Decision Making (Score between 300 and 900): This section uses a mix of data sources to understand the individual’s decision-making style and whether they would reach the ideal outcome in various situations.
Quantitative Reasoning (Score between 300 and 900): Problem-solving based on different facts and figures makes up this section, one of the best sections for understanding whether an applicant has the core skills to make it in the medical world.
Abstract Reasoning (Score between 300 and 900): Abstract skills are required within all medical fields, with this section involving candidates facing many different shapes and patterns. The goal is to find recurring themes or predict the next steps, as would be required if the student was faced with a set of patient test records. This test covers four different pattern types and structures that test the combination of various brain parts.
All four of the above categories are combined to offer a combined scoring, whereas the situational judgement section awards candidates a banding that best represents the answers they gave.
Situational Judgement (Score between Band 1 and Band 4):Otherwise known as SJT, candidates are faced with a range of situation outcomes and tests the types of decisions they would make based on a whole host of influences. This area brings in ethical and personal opinions to understand how individuals can bypass their own thoughts and beliefs to make unbiased, patient-focused choices.
You can access UCAT question banks on the UCAT website, which we have highlighted below:
- Verbal Reasoning Question Bank
- Decision Making Question Bank
- Quantitative Reasoning Question Bank
- Abstract Reasoning Question Bank
- Situational Judgement Question Bank
Click here to access the UCAT practice tests on the UCAT website.
What happens if I fail the UCAT?
If you fail the UCAT then you won’t be able to attend any institutions that require a pass for you to study. Generally, you can retake the test the following year. Failing your UCAT does not mean you don’t have the qualities needed to be a medical student. Sometimes, these qualities need to be taught & encouraged, which is what we offer.
What is your goal as a medical student?
Sometimes, it is difficult to know your goals when you don’t know what those goals can open up for you. Knowing your goal as a medical student can be made easier when you realise studying medicine leads to endless opportunities.
A whole host of industries will eagerly welcome medicine graduates because they will value your extensive subject knowledge and transferable skills.
What can medicine lead me to?
A Medicine degree qualifies you for a role in healthcare, sciences, public health or research, but it also opens the door for alternative careers, whether that is in the UK or in Europe and beyond.
With a Medicine degree, you can:
- Work as a doctor in the Armed Forces
- Open your own private medical practice
- Become a medical manager
- Work in medical communications
- Become a higher education lecturer
- Join a public health team to keep the general population healthy and safe
- Become a research scientist
- Work in pharmaceutical sales
- Work as a forensic medical examiner
- Work as a medical writer or health journalist
- Work for a medical charity
- Work in sports and exercise medicine
- Work in medical relief work, to help people in emergencies and after natural disasters
- Become a medical advisor on television or for media outlets
- Become a medical-legal advisor
- Become a politician
So now you know just some of the many possibilities available to you as a medical graduate, it can help orient your goal towards a certain industry. Be sure to understand your motivation for studying medicine. What makes it a passionate subject for you? Knowing this will help you greatly down the line.
How else can The Future Medic help?
Is it not your UCAT test that you’re worried about? Maybe you struggle in interview situations, we can also help you thrive in interviews, we cover every aspect you need to be aware of during a medical school interview, including:
Communication Skills:
- Body language
- Rate & Tone
- Mirroring Posture
- Clarity of Articulation
- Minimising Jargon/Waffle
- How to use words you don’t understand
- Breaking bad news
- Communicating your thought process
- Active Listening
Lateral thinking / Problem solving:
This section deals with questions that seem unrelated, may cause you to fluster and lose your focus or train of thought. These are common reasons why students fail their interviews.
NHS & Hot Topics:
It is crucial for a medical applicant to have an understanding of the NHS and its structure. You may not know what you want to specialise in, but you should be aware of how GPs link to specialties, and understand the links between the public and private sector.
Medical Ethics:
In this section we tackle the hardest part of the interview – Medical Ethics. We help you integrate terminologies such as the medical pillars and GMC Guidelines into your answers as well as show you how to approach common ethical scenarios such as confidentiality, organ donation and abortion.
To see our full list of interview subjects we cover, click here.
Mentorship
This mentoring programme consists of monthly live sessions where study timetables and action plans are made according to what is most relevant at the time.
For example, at the start of Year 13, the sessions are heavily focused on applying the finishing touches to your personal statement. However, in Year 12’s summer, we help you get your balance right by starting your personal statement, coaching you for the UCAT, as well as helping you reflect on your work experience.
The very first session is based on exploring your aspirations for medicine, your personality, any apprehensions you may have and your strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, this is so that we can create a profile based on all of these factors so that we can generate a two-year plan specific to your needs which accounts for all aspects of the UCAS process.
We always stress the importance of live sessions, as the interaction helps to develop richness of feedback and allows you to obtain a higher degree of critique from non-verbal communication.
Each live session is audio-recorded which helps in numerous ways. You can use the recordings to review your performance and the feedback given and use this as a tool for continued improvement outside of the sessions. The recordings also help us to measure your progress. It is a confidence booster to see how far you have progressed!
As this is our most popular, most in-depth and detailed service, we ensure each student receives the quality guaranteed. As such, spaces are extremely limited and are appointed on a first-come, first-served basis. So book now to avoid disappointment!
Get in touch with The Future Medic today
Our team at The Future Medic understands the responsibility to provide our country with the next generation of bright minds who will innovate, revolutionise and excel in the study of medicine.
That is why we have made it our mission to supply you with all the knowledge, skills and resources you could possibly need to enter this competitive yet rewarding field of expertise. We hope to have highlighted the need to have input from our expert science tutors which can be supplemented by our courses.
We hope to have help you understand what is your goal as a medical student?
So what are you waiting for? To access the very best in medical school interview tutoring, head to our website now. Alternatively you can contact us directly, got a few more questions? Our blogpage may be able to help.
