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

44

1 minute instruction section

21 minutes test time

1 minute 15 second instruction section

26 minutes 15 seconds test time

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

29

1 minute instruction section

31 minutes test time

1 minute 15 second instruction section

38 minutes 45 seconds test time

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

36

1 minute instruction section

24 minutes test time

1 minute 15 second instruction section

30 minutes test time

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

55

1 minute instruction section

13 minutes test time

1 minute 15 second instruction section

16 minutes 15 seconds test time

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

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

Verbal Reasoning

44

300 - 900

Questions are worth 1 mark each.

Decision Making

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. 

Quantitative Reasoning

36

300 - 900

Questions are worth 1 mark each.

Abstract Reasoning

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.