Medicine Admissions Tests in the UK
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is part of the selection process of some UK medical and dental schools. It is an online test designed to test cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. There are four reasoning tests and a situational judgement test.
- Verbal reasoning: Assesses ability to think logically about written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion: 21 minutes, with 11 passages to read and 44 questions.
- Quantitative reasoning: Assesses ability to solve numerical problems: 24 minutes, 9 tables, charts, graphs etc. as information and 36 questions.
- Abstract reasoning: Assesses ability to infer relationships from information by convergent and divergent thinking: 13 minutes and 55 questions.
- Decision analysis: Assesses ability to deal with various forms of information to infer relationships, make informed judgements, and decide on an appropriate response: 32 minutes, 1 scenario full of information and 28 questions (basic calculator provided)
- Situational judgement: Measures your responses in situations, and your grasp of medical ethics: 27 minutes and 67 questions on 20 scenarios.
The test is taken at your local test centre, with each subtest in a multiple choice format. Past papers are not available but there are specimen questions on the UCAT website. UCAT can be taken by applicants at the following universities:
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
The Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is an entry test for students who wish to apply to medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry and biomedical science courses in the UK. The test lasts for two hours and is divided into three sections:
- Aptitude and skills: Tests problem solving, understanding arguments, data analysis and inference skills.
- Scientific knowledge and applications: Tests the ability to apply scientific knowledge typically covered in school Science and Mathematics by the age of 16 (for example, GCSE in the UK and IGCSE internationally).
- Writing: The ability to select, develop and organise ideas, and to communicate them in writing, concisely and effectively.
*The BMAT is being phased out in 2024 and the majority of UK Medical Schools will use either the UCAT or a new test system.
Get help preparing for your UCAT
SI-UK North America are pleased to offer a range of UCAT courses to ensure you are well-prepared for your exams. To find out more please head here or speak to your Consultant.
UCAT Tutors
Rahul
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Rahul is a Fourth-year medical student studying at the University of Cambridge and has lots of experience tutoring students for the UCAT as well as generally prepping them for the medical admissions process. With a UCAT score of 3400, Rahul was among the top UCAT scores in the world during the 2018/19 admissions cycle. As well as Cambridge, he also applied to and received offers from King's College London and the University of Edinburgh, and received a scholarship offer from Imperial College London. |
Rahul has delivered presentations on medical admissions to 100s of students, and organized a medical admissions conference for over 100 attendees, considering all aspects of the admissions process.
Manal
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Manal is a Third-year medical student at the University of Nottingham. Her UCAT score was in the 90th percentile during the 2020/2021 admission cycle. She has extensive experience tutoring students for their UCAT and helping them prepare for the medical school admissions process. Through her guidance, Manal has helped students receive offers at the University of Nottingham, the University of Southampton, and the University of Liverpool to name a few. |
Manal is Canada-based, over the Summer break, and so is available to Canadians who would like 1-2-1 UCAT tutoring, speak to an SI-UK Consultant if you would like more information about private tutoring options.
Apply to study medicine in the UK
If you are interested in learning more about medical school admission tests, arrange your free consultation today. Our Medicine Service will help prepare you fully for being accepted at a UK medical school. Need help preparing for the UCAT? Register here.
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