UCAT Test Format

The UCAT assesses a range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important.

The test consists of five separately timed subtests in multiple-choice format.  There are four cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning) and a fifth non-cognitive subtest of Situational Judgement.

The standard test is 2 hours.  Once the test has started it cannot be paused but each subtest is preceded by a 1 minute instruction section.

Eligible candidates can apply for Access Arrangements to sit an extended version of the test. 

UCAT Subtests

Questions

Time

Score

Verbal Reasoning
Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form.

44

21 minutes

300 - 900

Decision Making
Assesses your ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.

29

31 minutes

300 - 900

Quantitative Reasoning
Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.

36

25 minutes

300 - 900

Abstract Reasoning
Assesses your use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.

50

12 minutes

300 - 900

Situational Judgement
Measures your capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.

69

26 minutes

Bands 1 - 4

Each year we create several test forms drawn from a large question bank.  The test form that you sit is selected at random and within each subtest questions are presented randomly.  This ensures that every candidate's test experience is different.  

All test forms are equated and balanced to ensure that the scaled scores that candidates receive are equivalent between forms.  Questions in the UCAT have been pretested and have passed rigorous data analysis and statistical screening.


UCAT Scoring

Detailed information on how the UCAT is scored is here.


UCAT Subtests

The information below provides an overview of the five subtests.  More detailed information can be found in the Question Tutorials.  The tutorials include general advice on how to approach the test as well as in-depth tips and strategies on how to approach and answer each of the different question types within all five subtests.

Verbal Reasoning

Decision Making

Quantitative Reasoning

Abstract Reasoning

Situational Judgement Test