How to Approach the UCAT Test in 2024: Tips For The Best UCAT Preparation
Applying to Medical School and unsure how to tackle UCAT preparation? U2’s experienced UCAT tutor, Rhiannon (Experimental Psychology, Oxford & Graduate Medicine, Warwick), offers advice on exactly what the UCAT test requires, when to start preparing, how to structure preparation and top tips for tackling each question type.
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT is an entrance exam that is required for entry onto a number of medical and dentistry degree programmes, mostly in the UK. It is comprised of five question types, or ‘subtests’: verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning and situational judgement. Each of these sections will be discussed in more detail below.
The test is carried out using a computer in a test centre, and you should be able to book your test at a convenient location close by. The answers are multiple choice, and questions are not negatively marked.
Importantly, there is very little specific knowledge that is required for this test. It is based around ‘thinking’ skills, for example your reasoning ability, and designed to ensure your personality is a good fit for the role of a doctor or dentist. However, you can and will improve your score with thorough preparation and a good understanding of what the questions are asking you.
What is the UCAT measuring?
At first glance, the tasks assessed by the UCAT can appear far removed from the everyday requirements of a doctor or a dentist. However, the skills assessed are actually highly relevant. For example, generating hypotheses as to what diagnosis a patient may have based on a combination of their symptoms, or critically analysing a research paper to work out how you can apply its findings to a patient you are caring for. Similarly, the quantitative tasks test your ability to make medication calculations accurately and often under time pressure. The situational judgement element is designed to reflect ethical dilemmas that you may encounter as a doctor or dentist, and also ensures that you can demonstrate qualities like honesty and integrity which are vital for these careers.
When to start preparing for the UCAT?
The UCAT website recommends beginning to prepare for your test around 6 weeks in advance. However, this is of course a personal choice and depends on a number of factors. For example:
What other commitments will you have in the time leading up to the test?
How much time will you be able to commit in the weeks leading up to the test?
What is your preferred style of working? Do you work better knowing you have an upcoming assessment, or are you at risk of feeling overwhelmed as the time approaches? Some people prefer to focus solely on the UCAT for a shorter period of time, while others prefer to do some preparatory work further in advance, working ‘little and often’.
How should I prepare for the UCAT?
The UCAT website has compiled a number of official resources to help you prepare
It is really important to practise past questions, both so that you are familiar with the format of the questions, and so that you are not caught out by the time limits! It will also allow you to identify which types of questions you find the most challenging, so that you can focus your preparation on these areas
Learn how to work quickly. In the UCAT it can feel as though you are rushing, and it may be helpful in terms of your overall score to put a best-guess answer and move on, rather than spending a long time on a specific question
Devise a strategy for managing your time. Depending on the questions that you find the most challenging, you may not wish to spend the same amount of time on each type of question. Make sure you are familiar with how long you may spend on each section, so that you don’t run out of time!
Make sure you are happy with the logistics of taking the test. Make sure you know the location of the test centre, and leave yourself plenty of time to get there. It is also important to check the identification documents that you need, and make sure you have these ready in plenty of time
Familiarise yourself with the different styles of questions, all of which require a very different approach. These are discussed in more detail below:
Tackling Different UCAT Sections
Verbal Reasoning
This section is testing your ability to read a passage of text, and work out what it means. Is a particular conclusion specifically stated in the text, or is it simply inferred? Does the argument of the piece follow logically, or are they making unfounded assumptions? This is important because as a doctor or a dentist, you will be reading the latest research and thinking about how to apply it to your patients and give them the best possible care. Is a research article making a logical argument? Can you apply its conclusions to your patient group?
It can help to break down the components of an argument, for example using pictures or arrows if you are a visual person, or simply in your head. Try and find a systematic approach that works for you. Make sure you are reading the passage purposefully and critically: to do this, practice is key.
Decision Making
There are several different question types within the decision making category, all centred around how we interpret and make sense of information. In many ways, the core skills in this subtest are similar to the verbal reasoning section: you are critically analysing a piece of information, and trying to work out what it tells you. However in this section the information is often comprised of shorter text or a diagram.
If the information is very complex or you are becoming confused, it can be helpful to write down some key words or points. You will probably be able to rule out some answers, leaving you with a better chance of being correct even if you are not entirely sure of the right answer.
Quantitative Reasoning
The quantitative reasoning component tests your ability to answer a series of numerical questions. As in medicine and dentistry, it is important to be able to calculate percentages and carry out simple arithmetic, as required for example when calculating a drug dose that is adjusted for a patient’s weight. The mathematical skills required are generally fairly straightforward, but the way the question is presented may appear confusing. Make sure you practise calculations, and that you are confident in maths skills such as calculating percentages. Mental arithmetic is definitely a skill that can be improved a great deal by practice!
Abstract Reasoning
This subtest requires you to look for patterns within a set of abstract shapes. It can at first glance appear the most confusing section of the test, but after completing a few practice questions you will begin to learn the types of patterns to look out for. For example, pay attention to the type of shape, their colour, size and position. It tests your ability to think flexibly, generating hypotheses and looking to disprove them, just as when you’re trying to work out a scientific theory of a patient diagnosis. It can be helpful to have a particular structure, so that you know what to look for and don’t waste time examining the same hypothesis more than once.
Situational Judgement Test
This is designed to assess how you would respond to an ethical dilemma in a real world setting. For example, what would you do if a colleague was consistently late for work? A good rule of thumb is to think about how a good doctor or dentist would respond in such a situation. Remember, it is about what you should do, rather than what you would do. The GMC has published a booklet called ‘Good Medical Practice’ that outlines some of the core principles underlying the way that a doctor should behave.
Your patient’s best interests should be at the heart of any decision that you make, and you should answer accordingly. For example, if it appears that a patient is in danger, the correct response is one that reduces or prevents this danger, for the current patient or for future ones. Any conflicts with colleagues or patients in these scenarios should be resolved with good communication where possible; e.g. apologising and listening, and thinking about how future difficulties can be resolved.
Top Tips on the day
There is no negative marking, so make sure you always put an answer down, even if it is a complete guess
Try to stay calm, and feel confident in your preparation. Remember, the test is supposed to challenge you, and there is no need to get every question right! Even the very best candidates will get lots wrong and feel uncertain at times
Good Luck!
How can U2 help prepare you for the UCAT & wider Medical/ Dentistry application?
U2 offer admissions test preparation either as part of our wider Medical School/ Oxbridge Mentoring programmes or as separate ad hoc tuition (book a free consultation to discuss options).
The Process:
1) We suggest a medicine graduate (Predominantly Oxbridge-educated, with experience of other top UK medical schools) as a mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study Medicine (and some, Dentistry) at top UK Universities and Oxbridge. We have tutors who specifically specialise in UCAT admissions test preparation.
2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal aptitude session, where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for the test. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.
3) UCAT Sessions:
Based on the feedback from the first session, the UCAT tutor selected will curate a plan for preparation. Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and tutor. When the student and mentor run out of past papers, they will work through similar questions curated by the tutor. We offer UCAT practice online or in-person in London.
Individual sessions from £70/h.