The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test used by many UK Universities for their medical and dental degree programmes. It is a two-hour computer-based test which assesses a range of skills. There is a fee to take the test, and it varies depending on which country you live in. There are five separately timed sub-tests which each contain multiple-choice questions.
The following are the themes of the sub-tests:
Verbal reasoning – evaluating information in a written form.
Decision making – making decisions and judgements based on a range of information.
Quantitative reasoning – evaluating information in a numerical form.
Abstract reasoning – inferring relationships from information, usually in the form of shapes/letters.
Situational judgement – assessing how situations are approached in the workplace.
Raw marks are converted to scale marks so that direct comparison can be made between the sub-tests. The raw score for situational judgement is processed into one of four bands, where band 1 is the highest. Results are only applicable to the application made in that year. For example, sitting the UCAT in the summer of 2020 means that the results will only be applicable to the application for 2021 degree entry.
The UCAT result is used in different ways by universities during the admissions process. Keep this in mind and try to make informed choices with your result on which universities you apply to. But also remember, this is only one part of the application process!
Exam format: familiarise yourself with the types of questions in each sub-test and the skills they assess. This can help with targeting areas of improvement.
Test booking: dates for the UCAT tests go fast, so booking earlier will limit disappointment. Having a date to work towards will also help with structuring studying.
When to start and planning: preparation will vary for every person. The earlier you start, the more time there is to try different resources and see what works for you. There is also more opportunity to spread out practise and reduce burnout. Have an idea/timetable of what aspects of the test you want to cover each day and how long for.
Resources: there are a range of free and paid resources available. From books to online question banks to courses, it can be confusing to know what you should use. However, a question bank is essential for practising and understanding the different question types. Most question banks require payment so use the free trials to decide which you would like to use. So much is available which can get overwhelming at times, so I’ve made a list of resources available that I am aware of!
Time management: timing is extremely important in the test, so once you feel comfortable with the question styles, mimic the exam timing conditions when practising. It is inevitable that you will skip questions due to time in the real test, so if you’ve reached a time limit for the question, mark an answer, flag the question (and come back to it at the end if there is time) and move onto the next question.
Mock exams: once you are ready to tackle the exam format in its entirety, focus on mock tests to fine tune your pace and timing. Question banks often have mock exams, but the official UCAT consortium mocks are the best because that is the format you will be faced with on the exam day. Use the on-screen calculator to familiarise yourself with how to use it. There is a selection of keyboard shortcuts which can make its use easier if you wish.
Verbal reasoning: read the question first, and then skim the text to look for the answer. From personal experience, timing was the most difficult in this section, so if you are running out of time, go with your instinct.
Quantitative reasoning: review fractions, ratios and percentages, as well as the basics of maths (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). Read the question properly so you know exactly what is being asked of you. Having good mental maths skills is a bonus if it saves time from using the calculator. Identify the questions types that you need improvement in, and review the mathematical principles used in them before tackling the questions again.
Decision making: understand the different question types and what you have to answer. Only draw conclusions from the passage of text given to you. Graphs and Venn diagrams can come up on the statistical part of the section, so familiarise yourself with them.
Abstract reasoning: again, familiarise yourself with the question types. Identifying the pattern can be easier in some questions and harder in others; if you are struggling then skip the question and come back to it after having done the easier ones. Practising will help with identifying common patterns. The ‘set A and set B’ questions tend to have reciprocal patterns, so if you cannot identify the pattern in set A then try and grasp it from set B. Perspective can change the way you see patterns, so feel free to move closer or further away from the screen to help you identify it. A mnemonic that some may find useful in identifying patterns is SCANS: Shape, Colour, Angle/Arrangement, Number and Symmetry. There are several other mnemonics too.
Situational judgement: the General Medical Council’s Good Medical Practice or the General Dental Council’s standards help with understanding the themes that will be tested in this section, such as honesty, dealing with pressure, team working, and safety. I highly recommend reading and understanding the basis of the document. Make sure you know your role in each question, as this can change your responsibilities and actions.
Never leave empty answers because there is no negative marking. If you are running out of time, make an educated guess with what you have already worked out.
Replicate full exam timings when doing mock tests.
Doing well in the UCAT is a combination of being quick but thorough and picking up on patterns swiftly – I think practise is a good way to improve. Being consistent and familiarising yourself with style of questions will improve your outcome. Just a reminder that the official UCAT practise papers are the best replication of what you will face in the test.
* It is possible to do well on the UCAT with just a question bank and a book (example: me!).
