How to Prepare for the UCAT

Having supported medical school applicants for over 10 years, we’ve found that successful UCAT preparation starts with understanding the test format, identifying strengths and weaknesses through practice tests, and focusing revision on the areas most likely to improve your score.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key information you need to know about the UCAT and the preparation strategies that have helped hundreds of our students secure places at leading medical schools. Our network of UCAT Tutors has supported successful applicants to universities including Dundee, Edinburgh, Exeter and Queen Mary University of London. If you’re aiming to maximise the success of your Medicine application, reach out to us and join the +95% who get into their first or second-choice university.*

*Based on respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025

How to Prepare for the UCAT

• What is the UCAT Test?
• Which universities require the UCAT?
• When is the UCAT taken?
• Where is the UCAT taken?
• How much does the UCAT cost?
• What is included in the UCAT?
• How is the UCAT marked?
• What is a good UCAT score?
• 5 tips to maximise your UCAT prep

What is the UCAT Test?

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test used by many UK universities to assess students’ suitability for medical degree courses, including Medicine and Dentistry.

Which universities require the UCAT?

Most universities in the UK require applicants to take the UCAT for undergraduate Medicine and Dentistry courses. These are:

With thousands of applicants competing for a limited number of places at leading medical schools each year, a strong UCAT score can make or break your application. Our Medicine Admissions Tutors include doctors from Oxbridge and Russell Group universities who scored in the top 10% of candidates and know what it takes to achieve a competitive score.

When is the UCAT taken?

Typically, the UCAT is taken between July and September. When you decide to take the test is completely your choice, however most students choose to sit it over the summer break. This leaves plenty of time for revision before the exam, as well as giving you time to decide which universities to apply to before the October deadline.

Where is the UCAT taken?

To register for UCAT, you need to create an online account and book your test date and time. Then, you will need to find a local UCAT test centre – there is one in most UK cities. International students should be able to find local test centres in their home countries. You can find a test centre using the Test Centre Locator.

How much does the UCAT cost?

It costs £70 to sit the UCAT in the UK. Tests outside the UK cost £115.

What is included in the UCAT?

The UCAT is designed to test medical applicants’ academic ability, critical thinking, clinical aptitude, and professional behaviours. You will be given just under 2 hours in total to complete the following 4 sections:

1. Verbal Reasoning

This section assesses your ability to interpret written passages of text and draw particular conclusions from the information. You won’t have prior knowledge of the material, so you are meant to make inferences based on the text and come to the most logical conclusion.

There will be 11 passages of text and each will be around 200-300 words. For each passage, you will need to answer 4 questions.

In the Verbal Reasoning section, you will be given just 22 minutes to answer all 44 questions. This leaves you around 30 seconds per question.
There are two key question types in the verbal reasoning section:

1. True or false – Based on the text you have read, you’ll be asked to reason whether certain statements are true, false, or you cannot tell either way.

2. Free text – You may be presented with questions or incomplete statements and asked to select the free text answers that best apply.

A tip from one of our top UCAT Tutors:

“The Verbal Reasoning section is a section that many students find the hardest to score well in. One of the best pieces of advice I offer is to start by reading the question before you’ve read the stem. This will prime you to look out for keywords within the stem and allow you to find the relevant information from a sea of unimportant information much more quickly. Once you’ve identified a keyword in the stem that was in the question, make sure you read the sentence before and after it so that you’re not misled by the context that the keyword is found in.”

– Dr Joshua, Medicine Admissions Tutor, University of Cambridge (MB and BChir)

2. Decision Making

This section assesses your problem-solving skills and your ability to make logical and safe decisions when faced with complex situations. You will have 37 minutes to answer 29 questions in total. Each question will have corresponding text or data which you will need to analyse in order to choose an answer.

There are two main types of question in this section:

1. Multiple-choice – You will be presented with 4 answer options and have to choose the one correct answer.

2. Yes or no statements – You’re asked to state either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for each answer.

3. Quantitative Reasoning

This section assesses your ability to apply your mathematical and data interpretation skills to new problems. You will be presented with various data sets to critically evaluate, before answering 36 multiple-choice questions.

The data could be presented in a range of ways, including graphs, tables and shapes. Your ability to do quick, accurate maths is being tested here. You’ll be given an online calculator to use when you need, so it is important that you familiarise yourself with it before the test.

Each multiple-choice question will have five answers and you must choose the one you think is correct. You will be given 26 minutes to answer all of the questions, giving you approximately 40 seconds to answer each one.

4. Situational Judgement

The final section of the UCAT is most different from the others. It is marked differently and rather than assessing your academic ability, assesses how well you are able to understand real-world situations and respond, adapt and prioritise appropriately. This section is based on the clinical exams that doctors sit throughout their medical careers.

You will be given 26 minutes for this section of the exam. There are 69 questions to answer in total, relating to 22 different scenarios. There are two types of questions – one in which you have to determine what is the ‘appropriate’ action, and one in which you have to decide what is the ‘importance’ of an action. Once again, this section is very time-pressured; you’ll have just 23 seconds to answer each question.

Pro tip: When preparing for the Situational Judgement section, the good medical practice guide is a helpful resource. This is used to describe what makes a good doctor and guide medical professionals on how to use their professional judgement and expertise in the various situations they face in the field.

How is the UCAT marked?

The UCAT is divided into two components for scoring purposes. The first consists of the three cognitive subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning.

Each cognitive subtest is weighted equally. Raw marks are converted into scaled scores ranging from 300 to 900 for each section, giving a total cognitive score between 900 and 2700.

Following the removal of Abstract Reasoning in 2025, the average cognitive score for UK candidates was 1,891. However, what constitutes a competitive score depends on the universities you apply to and the strength of the applicant cohort in a given year.

Your second result comes from the Situational Judgement Test (SJT). Unlike the cognitive subtests, this section is not scored on a numerical scale. Instead, candidates are awarded a band from 1 to 4, with Band 1 representing the strongest performance.

Most candidates achieve Band 2 or Band 3. Some medical schools place significant weight on SJT performance during admissions, while others use it only as a threshold requirement, so it is important to check how your chosen universities use the score.

What is a good UCAT score for students?

UCAT scores are placed into deciles each year, meaning what is considered to be a ‘good’ score changes depending on the calibre of students that year. Some universities will set a cut-off score. If you achieve a mark lower than this, you will not be invited for an interview at this university. Your score will be used to rank you against other applicants.

For the 2025 testing cycle, the average cognitive score was 1,891, meaning a score above this placed you above the national average. Highly competitive medical schools often expect applicants to score significantly higher than this benchmark.

In 2022, the average score for each section was:

As a general rule:

• 1,890+ = around average.
• 2,010+ = top 30% of candidates.
• 2,100+ = top 20% of candidates.
• 2,220+ = top 10% of candidates.

A strong UCAT score can open doors to some of the UK’s most competitive medical schools, where acceptance rates are often below 15%. That’s why preparing early and effectively is one of the best ways to maximise your chances of success. Our specialist Admissions Tutors not only provide personalised UCAT preparation, but also wider application support, including  interview coaching and personal statement guidance.

5 tips to maximise your UCAT prep

1. Find out if and when you need to take the UCAT and leave plenty of time

Before starting your preparation, make sure you know if and when you are required to take the UCAT. This will ensure that you are able to register by the registration deadline and leave yourself plenty of time to prepare.

The UCAT is usually taken before the October UCAS deadline, between July and September. This means that you can take the exam in the summer holidays, when you don’t have other school work or commitments to worry about. Make the most of this time to prepare.

2. Learn, revise and practise each section individually

Each section of the UCAT assesses different areas of knowledge and requires different skills. For example, section 1 assesses your ability to interpret written passages of text, while section 3 tests your mathematical and data interpretation skills.

To ensure you are well prepared for the whole exam, make sure you know what is required and how you will be marked for each individual section. Enlisting the help of a tutor who can help identify which sections of the test you need most support on will help you iron out any weaknesses ahead of time.

3. Know what UCAT exam score you’re aiming for

Unlike with school assessments, the UCAT does not have a clear, set ‘top’ grade (such as A* in A levels or 7 in IB). Depending on the calibre of applicants, the average UCAT scores of a successful applicant change each year. This can lead to a misinterpretation of what you should be working towards in your test. Similarly, the average score can differ between universities (e.g. it may be higher for Edinburgh than Newcastle).

To know what you are working towards, check to see what the average score of successful applicants at your chosen university is, or whether there is a cut off grade. Then, set yourself achievable goals and monitor your progress as you move through your preparation.

Pro tip: If you are applying for multiple UCAT-requiring universities, make sure their average scores are not all the same. This will improve your likelihood of receiving an offer and will allow you to be competitive even if you miss your top university’s cut off.

4. Practise past papers under timed conditions

Practising past papers under timed conditions is one of the best ways to prepare for the UCAT. It will not only give you a clear idea of which areas you need to improve on, but also help you practise managing and prioritising your time when under exam conditions.

Make sure that you complete at least a few papers under mock test conditions. That means no phone, no laptop and, ideally, no other distractions, such as music, podcasts, or people to chat to. Only under these conditions will you get a true picture of how you may perform in the real exam.

Dr Joshua’s tip:

“I always advise that people keep an Excel spreadsheet where they log every question they got wrong within each section and make a note of what the theme was that they were missing. And with enough practice, you will see that there are common patterns that you weren’t picking up on. With careful note-taking and revision of that spreadsheet, you will start picking them up going forward and you will see your scores slowly but surely increase.”

5. Work with an expert UCAT tutor

Preparing for the UCAT can be stressful. There’s a lot of pressure to perform well so that you can get into medical school. Unlike school, you won’t necessarily have a structured learning plan that ensures you are prepared for all of the content, or teachers who understand the test specifications. The solution to this is to work with an admissions test expert.

Working with a tutor will provide so many benefits to your preparation. A UCAT tutor can:

• Identify and focus on areas in which you need extra support.
  It can be tricky to identify your own weaknesses, especially if you don’t know what exactly your examiners are looking for. Our experienced UCAT specialists can help you tailor your preparation to areas where it’s most needed.
• Offer insider knowledge on the admissions test you are taking and what the assessors will be looking for.
  The Profs’ Admissions Test Tutors have first-hand experience of the specific UCAT structure, content and wider medical admissions process, all of which will be invaluable to your preparation.
• Make the preparation more fun and engaging.
  It can be difficult to stay self-motivated and engaged when you’re juggling UCAT preparation with normal schoolwork and all of the other requirements of applying for medical school. Ensuring the preparation process is enjoyable will take some of the pressure off while still maximising your chances of success.

Pro tip: Don’t forget about the interview! You don’t need to wait until invites are sent out after completing your UCAT to begin interview preparation. Preparing for your interview early will leave you with more time and make sure all of your hard work in the UCAT is worthwhile. Our admissions experts can help you with all areas of the medical application process, including interview preparation, so reach out if you’re in need of support.

FAQs: How to Prepare for the UCAT

What is an admissions assessment?

An admissions assessment (also known as an admissions test or entrance exam) is a test that you are required to take when applying to a university. Admissions tests differ between universities and specific courses. The most common examples include Oxbridge admissions tests and medical admissions tests used by universities across the United Kingdom.

Medical admissions tests are designed to help universities assess your academic potential and suitability for Medicine and Dentistry. The UCAT is a computer-based test and electronic assessment used by many medical schools and dental schools as part of their admissions process. It evaluates skills such as verbal reasoning, problem solving, making decisions, quantitative reasoning and situational judgement.

Universities use these tests alongside your UCAS application to determine whether to offer you an interview and, ultimately, a place on the course.

Are UCAT and UKCAT the same thing?

UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) was previously called UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test). The admissions test changed its name in 2019, however the exam itself, including the content and structure, remains the same.

The UCAT consists of four cognitive subtests and a Situational Judgement Test. These include Verbal Reasoning, the Decision Making Subtest, Quantitative Reasoning (QR) and Situational Judgement. Across these different subtests, candidates face different question types, including multiple choice questions and scenario-based tasks.

You may still see references to the UKCAT online, but any UCAT guide or preparation material published today will refer to the exam as the UCAT.

When should I start preparing for UCAT?

Each student is different, so there is no set amount of preparation time that will be adequate for everyone. However, most students benefit from beginning their preparation several months before their exam date.

You should start thinking about the UCAT during your first year of sixth form or college. Once registration opens, create a detailed study plan and begin your UCAT study early. This gives you enough time to identify areas of weakness, work through practice materials and gradually improve your score.

A good approach is to create a study plan that combines content review, timed practice and regular progress checks. As you progress through the question bank, you can refine your approach and personalise your preparation to focus on the sections that need the most attention.

Many students also benefit from UCAT workshops, one-to-one tutoring or online courses. A structured workshop can provide expert advice, help you develop effective exam techniques and ensure you’re making the best use of your valuable time.

As your exam approaches, shift your focus towards practice tests nearer your test date and full mock exams. These will help you become familiar with the test, improve performance under timed conditions, and prepare you for the pressure of the actual exam and UCAT test day.

When will I get my UCAT results?

You will receive the results of your UCAT test immediately after completing the assessment. Unlike many other exams, you do not need to wait weeks for your score.

Your UCAT results are automatically shared with the universities you apply to. They will then be considered alongside your academic grades, personal statement and interview performance.

The Situational Judgement section is reported using bands, with Band 1 representing the strongest performance. Universities use these results in different ways, so it is important to research the requirements of your chosen medical schools before applying.

What is the GAMSAT and do I need to take it?

If you are applying for a graduate-entry Medicine course, you may be required to sit the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT). Universities such as Nottingham, Swansea, Liverpool and Cardiff use the GAMSAT as part of their admissions process.

The UCAT and GAMSAT assess different skills and are used by different institutions. If your goal is to get into medicine, make sure you check the entry requirements for each university before applying.

Many graduate applicants use a combination of online resources, useful resources, free UCAT materials and structured preparation programmes to prepare for admissions tests. Whether you are preparing for the UCAT or GAMSAT, successful candidates typically follow a step-by-step guide, complete questions and mock exams, review example questions, and develop strategies for tackling each single question efficiently.

There is no shortcut to success, but consistent preparation, effective UCAT revision, and careful use of preparation materials can significantly improve your performance. Remember to schedule rest breaks throughout your revision period and avoid trying to learn everything at once.

Many successful applicants, including current medical students, recommend focusing on quality rather than quantity. Learn from your mistakes, revise regularly, and utilise mock exams to build confidence before the live test.

UCAT Preparation Resources

Choosing the right UCAT preparation resources can make a significant difference to your final score. The official UCAT website should always be your starting point, as it contains the latest information about the UCAT exam, registration deadlines, scoring methods and test specifications.

Alongside the official materials, many students use dedicated UCAT prep platforms such as Medify and MedEntry. These platforms provide extensive question banks, timed practice tests, mock exams and performance tracking tools. Some providers now offer AI-powered learning tools that analyse your strengths and weaknesses and recommend targeted areas for improvement.

When selecting resources, prioritise those that include:

• A comprehensive UCAT question bank.
• Thousands of UCAT practice questions.
• Full-length practice exams.
• Detailed performance analytics.
• Video tutorial content.
• Realistic test simulations.

Combining official UCAT resources with high-quality third-party materials will give you the best chance of success.

UCAT Question Banks and Practice Questions

One of the most effective ways to improve your score is to complete as many UCAT practice questions as possible. A strong UCAT question bank will expose you to the different question styles used throughout the assessment and help you build speed and accuracy.

Many students use question banks from Medify and MedEntry alongside the official UCAT Consortium materials. These platforms provide thousands of practice questions covering every section of the exam, including Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Situational Judgement.

When using question banks, focus on understanding why answers are correct rather than simply memorising solutions. Reviewing mistakes carefully is often where the greatest improvements occur.

A good UCAT prep strategy should include:

• Daily practice questions.
• Regular timed exercises.
• Weekly mock exams.
• Performance reviews.
• Targeted improvement sessions.

The more exposure you have to realistic UCAT questions, the more comfortable you will feel on test day