The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an aptitude test designed for programs in Medicine and Dentistry in the United Kingdom. It is computer-based, administered on a computer, and universities use it as a common measure for evaluating candidates. The UCAT test assesses fundamental skills such as numerical reasoning, critical thinking, problem-solving, integrity, and empathy.
Unlike exams focusing on specific subjects, the UCAT focuses on assessing internal abilities and characteristics essential for healthcare professions. Thus, students are examined on their ability to evaluate written and numerical information presented in various formats.
Koutsodontis Test Prep & Admissions Center, with experience since 1981, provides successful preparation for the UCAT and support services for application submission through the respective admissions service.
Learn about UCAT preparation at the Koutsodontis Center here.
Structure of the UCAT Test
The UCAT includes 5 subtests, each with separate timing and multiple-choice questions:
| What it assesses | Questions | Time | Score | |
| Verbal Reasoning | Skills of comprehension | 44 | 21 minutes | 300-900 |
| Decision Making | Ability to solve questions related to text and visual data | 29 | 31 minutes | 300-900 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Numerical skills | 36 | 25 minutes | 300-900 |
| Abstract Reasoning | Ability to identify patterns and disregard irrelevant information | 50 | 12 minutes | 300-900 |
| Situational Judgement | Ability to understand real-life situations and exhibit appropriate behavior | 69 | 26 minutes | Bands 1- 4 |
UCAT Questions
Verbal Reasoning: Consists of 11 passages with 4 questions each. There are 2 types of questions:
- Question or incomplete statement with four answer choices
- Question where you need to determine, based on the information in the passage, if a statement is true, false, or you can’t say.
Decision Making: Questions may refer to passages, tables, graphs, or charts, while additional information may be provided in the question stem. There are several types of questions:
- Inferences
- Logical puzzles
- Identification of assumptions
- Interpretation of information
- Venn diagrams
- Probability & Statistical reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning: Questions typically relate to charts and graphs containing data. Most are presented as sets of 4 questions concerning the same data, while others are standalone questions. For this part of the exam, candidates have access to a calculator on the screen.
Abstract Reasoning: Questions involve sets of shapes and come in 4 types:
- Deciding if an example shape belongs to Set A, Set B, or None.
- Selecting the next shape in a sequence.
- Determining which shape completes a sentence.
- Deciding which shape belongs to a specific set of shapes.
Situational Judgement: Questions pertain to a series of hypothetical scenarios based on clinical settings or during medical or dental career training. Some questions ask you to rank the importance or appropriateness of a series of statements as a response to each scenario. Others ask you to select the most or least appropriate response to the given scenario.
UCAT Scores & Universities
For the first 4 subtests, individual scores are added up, resulting in a scale of 1200-3600 as the final UCAT score. However, the Situational Judgement is scored in Bands from 1 to 4, with 1 being the highest.
Some universities place great emphasis on the UCAT score when considering a candidate’s application, while others give less weight to it or use it only for marginal candidate comparisons. Additionally, sometimes the overall UCAT score is used, and other times the individual scores of each subtest. However, Admission Offices generally set minimum scores that candidates must exceed for their applications to be evaluated.
Some of the universities that require the UCAT as an entry requirement include:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- Brunel University London
- University of Cambridge
- Cardiff University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- Lancaster University
- University of Manchester
- University of Oxford
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London
- University of Warwick
Learn about UCAT preparation at Koutsodontis Test Prep & Admissions here.
UCAT Exams
UCAT exams are conducted from July to September of the previous year before the desired program starts. That is, those seeking studies in 2025 must take the exam in 2024. Furthermore, examination can be done one year with entry deferred for 2 years.
Candidates take the exam only once a year but can take the test multiple times, though in separate years. The UCAT is administered at Pearson VUE test centers, and candidates receive their scores immediately, with official results available on their UCAT account within 24 hours. Students receive their test scores before the UCAS deadline, the UK’s platform for university applications. Therefore, based on their scores, they select the corresponding study programs.
Additionally, the UCAT sends scores directly to the UK universities chosen by the candidates on the platform. After the UCAS application deadline on October 15th, UCAT collaborates with UCAS and matches data, finding those application choices that require UCAT scores.
UCAT Dates 2024
For 2024, the exam and application deadlines are as follows:
- May 14: Registration for UCAT begins – account creation
- June 18: Registration for exams begins
- July 8: UCAT exams begin
- September 19: Last day for exam registrations
- September 26: Last day for exams
- October 15: UCAS deadline Early November: Results are sent to universities
Learn about UCAT preparation at Koutsodontis Test Prep & Admissions here.
UCAT Preparation
Every year, approximately 36,000 students take the UCAT test. Competition is intense, and the test is quite demanding as it is aimed at future doctors and must assess their readiness. A critical factor is the test duration, as it is limited, and candidates must manage their time effectively.
At Koutsodontis Test Prep & Admissions, we specialize in aptitude tests since 1981! We apply a specific teaching model that has proven to lead our students to maximum scores, immediately and economically on the first attempt!
How do we achieve this?
- We constantly update and adapt to UCAT developments so that our students know how to prepare properly.
- Our material is up-to-date. It also includes full UCAT practice tests for continuous practice and full access to our online platform. Additionally, we provide UCAT computer simulation tests that provide reliable scores with very good predictions of the final score!
- Our teachers specialize in aptitude tests. They teach those methodologies and strategies that help students answer correctly under time pressure and focus on the way of thinking. Furthermore, they are there for the student until the exam, solving questions, providing feedback, and giving guidance.
- Preparation is brief and targeted. Our students have all the material and guidance to succeed in the UCAT exam without preparing for many months. Continuous practice is essential, with candidates taking the test immediately after the end of the lessons and achieving high scores on the first attempt!
Learn about UCAT preparation at Koutsodontis Test Prep & Admissions here.
Support for Applications
Our goal is to guide students correctly and effectively both in UCAT preparation and in the application process!
- Our students are entitled to a free individual appointment with our Admissions Consultant. They ask questions about the application process and receive general information about acceptance to universities through UCAS.
- Our specialized Counselor is a certified UK Agent and can handle applications through UCAS, with the corresponding application service.
Learn about Application Services at Koutsodontis Test Prep & Admissions here.
Contact
You can contact us either by phone at 2106996015 or by email at info@koutsodontis.gr.