UCAT
The UCAT, previously known as the UKCAT, stands for the University Clinical Aptitude Test. The UCAT "assesses a range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important".
Your score can be used by the university to decide whether to invite you to interview. However, each university will use the results differently, so make sure that you check with the university about how they use the score. Some universities may have a cut-off point for interview, whereas others may simply use it as a final deciding factor if necessary.
The UCAT consists of 5 different sections - Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Abstract Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and a Situation Judgement Test.
The UCAT lasts for a total of 120 minutes (or 2 hours). However, you are limited in terms of time for different sections, the timing for each of the sections differ.
Find below the Official UCAT Timings for the UCAT Subtests (Sections):
Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning are all scored between 300 and 900, but the number of questions in each section can differ.
The way in which the Situational Judgement Test is scored is different, full marks would be awarded to a fully correct answer, and partial marks will be awarded if the answer is close to the correct answer. In addition to this, the Situational Judgement Test is also marked by awarding candidates Bands. See below for the Official UCAT Definitions for each of the Bands.
The Situational Judgement Test is taken into account in different ways by different universities - take a look at each universities website to find out more about how they take it into account.
Once you take the UCAT you will get a score straight after your test, scored as above. However, unless you take the UCAT in late September, you will not have any statistics to compare your score against until the preliminary results are released, or until the final results are released - in 2020 this will be before 8th October. Once these results are public, you will then be able to compare your results to the cohort - from this you will be able to calculate which percentile you are in. Keep an eye on the UCAT Results page for the results to be released.
Take a look at the Mastering the UCAT Pack for more information, along with some great Tips and Tricks on how to Master the UCAT.
