A Guide to University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

A computer-based test, the University Clinical Aptitude Test or UCAT is conducted for admission to dental and medical degree courses in the UK. The scores of UCAT are utilised by various universities in the United Kingdom as well as by non-UK associate member institutes. This test is carried out at Pearson VUE examination venues in the UK and in more than 130 nations across the globe.

If international test takers are unable to travel to another country to attempt UCAT due to long distance, civil unrest, or other natural calamities, they can opt for the OnVUE online proctored test. Information related to OnVUE UCAT is yet to be published as the same is still being finalized. Once done, applicants can check the related details on the official website such as UCAT exam dates, UCAT syllabus, etc.

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UCAT practice test materials, developed by the UCAT consortium, are available for free for those wishing to appear for this test. This has been done so that every applicant gets easy access to all the UCAT study material and has an equal opportunity to score well in the exam. Suggestions and feedback have been obtained from candidates who had earlier scored well in the exam and the same have been published on the official website. Applicants are recommended to go through the UCAT practice tests and brush up their knowledge and preparation. 

UCAT Important Dates

UCAT Syllabus and Test Format

There is no specific curriculum or science content for the UCAT. The test measures an individual's cognitive abilities along with other attributes which are essential for health care experts or professionals.

What is the test format of UCAT?

An examinee’s mental prowess is evaluated through the test, which holds great value for university medical and dental colleges.

• The test will have five subtests which will be individually timed
• Questions will be framed in multiple-choice format
• There will be a total of four cognitive subtests, namely – Decision Making, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. A fifth subtest, Situational Judgement, will be non-cognitive.
• Random selection will be made for the test form held by you. Questions will appear randomly within every subtest.
• The duration of the test will be two hours. Once commenced a candidate won’t be able to pause the same. Please note that before every subset a 1-minute instruction section would appear.

The table displayed below features UCAT subjects, total number of questions asked and time allotted to solve each of these. 

Explanation of the Subtests

Verbal Reasoning: Candidate's ability to critically evaluate details presented in a written form is measured.

Decision Making: Candidate's ability to make judgements and sound decisions with the help of complex details are measured.

Quantitative Reasoning: Candidate's ability to critically analyse details which are in a numerical form is measured.

Abstract Reasoning: Candidate's use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from details is measured.

Situational Judgement: Candidate's capacity to comprehend real-world situations and to detect critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with the same is measured.

List of Universities Requiring UCAT

The following list of universities in the UK require UCAT scores for dental and medical course admissions.

This test is also utilised for the below-mentioned courses of the mentioned international universities:

• American University of the Caribbean: Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• University of Kurdistan Hewler: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
• Lee Kong Chain School of Medicine (LKC - Medicine), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

Calculating UCAT Score

Scoring of UCAT depends upon the total number of right answers which you provide. Negative marking for wrong answers is not applicable. For the Cognitive Subtest, raw scores will be converted to scaled marks in a range from 300-900. Individual scale marks of decision-making, Abstract Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are added to obtain the total scale score. The range of the total scaled score is 1200-3600.

Similarly, for the Situation Judgement section, an examinee will obtain full scores if their answer matches the right answer. In case their answer is close to the right answer, partial scores will be obtained by the examinee. The scores will be rated in one of four bands. They will also get an exposition of their performance.

Distribution of Marks in Subtests

Situational Judgement: A candidate will get full marks for a question if his answer matches the correct answer. In case his answer is close to the correct answer, partial marks will be given. The marks for this subtest are represented by four bands, with the 1st band with the highest.

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UCAT Registration Details

UCAT registration is divided into two parts – Account creation and Test booking.

Account Creation

Before booking a test, candidates need to open or create a UCAT account. If you are re-appearing for the test, use your old account only and do not create a new one.

Applicants need to use their legal name in order to create an account. It should match your identity card which you will be using in order to appear for the test.

One your account has been created an email will be sent to your mail ID by Pearson VUE. It will display your username with the help of which you will be able to log in to your account.

Test Booking

Once your account has been created you will be able to book your test. Once the details for UCAT are out, you will be able to check out the booking time and deadline. It is always a good idea to book your test as early as possible, i.e. an early test date. Opting for a late test date will not let you reschedule your test within the test duration in case you face any health-related or other problems. 

In case you wish to reschedule or cancel the test you will have 24 hours before the test to do so. After 24 hours you will have to pay an extra fee for thr rescheduled test.

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UCAT Exam Fee 

Applicants can pay the fee for UCAT when they are booking the test. It can be done with the help of a major debit or credit card. If taken in the UK, it will cost £70 and outside the UK it will cost £115.

UCAT Result

Examinees will be able to obtain the UCAT score report copy before exiting the Pearson VUE test venue. One may also be able to check his/her scores online (will be uploaded within 24 hours of your test) and take a printout of the same or save it in your PC.

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