The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is used by the majority of UK medical schools as part of their application process. Our UCAT complete guide will provide you with all the information you need for registering, preparing and completing the UCAT exam in 2024, for 2025 entry.
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT (formerly the UKCAT) is a 2-hour multiple-choice exam. It’s used by universities to help fairly select applicants for medicine and dentistry, with approximately 37,000 students sitting the exam each year as part of their application.
What does UCAT test for?
The UCAT is used to assess an applicant’s mental ability, characteristics, attitudes and professional behaviours as part of the programme’s selection process.
How is the UCAT structured?
The exam consists of five individually timed subtests: Verbal Reasoning; Decision Making; Quantitative Reasoning; Abstract Reasoning; and Situational Judgement.
| UCAT Subtest | Number of Questions | UCAT Timings | What is tested? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 21 minutes | Your ability to interpret passages of text and draw specific conclusions from the information presented |
| Decision Making | 29 | 31 minutes | Your ability to analyse complex information to make sound, logical decisions |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 25 minutes | Your ability to apply mathematical skills in order to solve problems |
| Abstract Reasoning | 50 | 12 minutes | Your ability to identify patterns and relationships between shapes |
| Situational Judgement | 69 | 26 minutes | Your capacity to understand real world situations and respond appropriately |
You can find more information about each subtest in our UCAT Practice Test blog.
What universities need UCAT?
Over 30 UK universities include the UCAT as a compulsory entry requirement when applying to study medicine. You can find a full list of these universities, and how they use the UCAT in their selection process, in our UCAT universities blog.
Where can I take the UCAT?
The UCAT is delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout the UK and internationally; you can find your closest test centre here.
UCAT dates 2024
It’s important that you’re aware of the deadlines for registering, booking and completing the UCAT exam, which are all before the UCAS application deadline date of 15 October 2024.
| Opens | Closes | |
|---|---|---|
| UCAT Account Creation (registration) | 14 May 2024 (9:30am BST) | |
| Bursary Scheme Applications | 14 May 2024 (9:30am BST) | 27 September 2024 (4pm BST) |
| Access Arrangements Applications* | 14 May 2024 (9:30am BST) | 15 September 2024 (12 noon BST) |
| Booking | 18 June 2024 (6am BST) | Final deadline: 19 September 2024 (12 noon BST) |
| UCAT Exam Period | 08 July 2024 | 27 September 2024 |
*If you’re entitled to extra exam time due to a documented medical condition or disability, you will need to submit an access arrangements application during the window given. You can find more information about Access Arrangements on the Official UCAT website.
UCAT results will be sent to your chosen universities in early November, following the UCAS deadline date, but you will find out your results on the day of the test. Your test result will only be valid for the current UCAT admissions cycle, which includes 2024 entry or a deferred 2025 entry.
How much does the UCAT cost?
A bursary to cover the exam fee is available if you meet the eligibility criteria, otherwise the UCAT test fees for 2024 are as follows:
| Location of test centre | Cost |
|---|---|
| UCATs taken within the UK | £70 |
| UCATs taken outside the UK | £115 |
If you intend to apply for the bursary scheme, remember to check the application deadline above.
How to prepare for the UCAT
You’ll find lots of useful advice on how to prepare for the UCAT and a Step-By-Step Guide on our website.
The following are some simple tips to get you started:
- Create a plan. Book your exam early and plan enough time to revision fully for it. Remember you can only take the exam once per year!
- Make yourself familiar with the test so you know what’s required in each subtest and the types of questions you’ll receive; that way you can develop strategies for answering them.
- Target any areas which you need to improve. The free, adaptive, Medibuddy question bank can help you. Using artificial intelligence to identify your strengths and weaknesses, it’ll reveal the areas which you need to spend more time on, to help you improve your UCAT score.
- Practice, practice, practice answering UCAT questions, but make sure these are at the right level and tailored to the areas you need to target. A UCAT question bank which adapts to your strengths and weaknesses is ideal, as your learning will focused on the areas which you need to improve to have the biggest impact on your UCAT result.
How is the UCAT scored?
For Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning – the ‘cognitive subtests’ – raw scores are converted into scale scores. Each section is equally weighted so they have a common range of 300 – 900.
For Situational Judgement your raw score is expressed as a band, graded 1–4.
Your UCAT score is not the only deciding factor of whether you get a place in medical school, so be sure to read Whatuni's blog outlining the full entry requirements to study medicine.
For more information about UCAT scoring, including a breakdown of the cognitive subtests’ scaled scores, the Situational Judgement bands and average UCAT scores, see our UCAT Score blog.
