UCAT Test Format
The UCAT is a two-hour computer-based test which assess a range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important. It consists of five separately timed subtests which each contain a number of questions in a multiple-choice format. Once started the test cannot be paused for a break but before each subtest there is a timed instruction section.
Candidates either sit the standard UCAT or one of the extended versions of the test if they are entitled to extra time due to a documented medical condition or disability. Please see the information on Access Arrangements for how to apply for approval to sit an extended version of the test.
UCAT Subtests |
Questions |
UCAT |
UCATSEN |
Verbal Reasoning |
44 |
1 minute instruction section 21 minutes test time |
1 minute 15 second instruction section 26 minutes 15 seconds test time |
Decision Making |
29 |
1 minute instruction section 31 minutes test time |
1 minute 15 second instruction section 38 minutes 45 seconds test time |
Quantitative Reasoning |
36 |
1 minute instruction section 24 minutes test time |
1 minute 15 second instruction section 30 minutes test time |
Abstract Reasoning |
55 |
1 minute instruction section 13 minutes test time |
1 minute 15 second instruction section 16 minutes 15 seconds test time |
Situational Judgement |
69 |
1 minute instruction section 26 minutes test time |
1 minute 15 second instruction section 32 minutes 30 seconds test time |
Scoring and Marking
The UCAT is marked on the number of correct answers you give. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Your performance on one question does not influence which other questions are presented.
As the number of questions varies between the four cognitive subtests it is not possible to make a direct comparison of the raw marks between these subtests. Raw marks are therefore converted to scale scores that share a common range from 300 to 900.
A total scale score is generated by summing the individual scale scores of Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning. In 2019 a total scale score ranges from 1200 to 3600.
Cognitive Subtests |
Questions |
Scale Score Range |
Marking |
44 |
300 - 900 |
Questions are worth 1 mark each. |
|
29 |
300 - 900 |
Questions with one correct answer are worth 1 mark. Questions with multiple statements are worth 2 marks. One mark is awarded to partially correct responses on the multiple-statement questions. |
|
36 |
300 - 900 |
Questions are worth 1 mark each. |
|
55 |
300 - 900 |
Questions are worth 1 mark each. |
|
Total Scale Score Range |
1200 - 3600 |
Situational Judgement Test
Within the Situational Judgement test, full marks are awarded for a question if your response matches the correct answer and partial marks awarded if your response is close to the correct answer.
Raw scores for the Situational Judgement subtest are expressed in one of four bands, with band 1 being the highest. Alongside your band, you will be given an interpretation of your performance:
Band 1 |
Those in Band 1 demonstrated an excellent level of performance, showing similar judgement in most cases to the panel of experts. |
Band 2 |
Those in Band 2 demonstrated a good, solid level of performance, showing appropriate judgement frequently, with many responses matching model answers. |
Band 3 |
Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest level of performance, with appropriate judgement shown for some questions and substantial differences from ideal responses for others. |
Band 4 |
The performance of those in Band 4 was low, with judgement tending to differ substantially from ideal responses in many cases. |
As the Situational Judgement test is a measure of non-cognitive attributes, it will be considered by universities in a different manner to the cognitive subtests. Please refer to their websites for more details.
Please refer to the Results page for test statistics.