UCAT Essentials: 2026 guide to the UCAT

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The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is an admissions test, used by a consortium of UK and partner Universities to help select applicants to their medical and dental degree programmes. The test is used alongside other selection criteria such as your academic qualifications and interviews. The UCAT is a computer-based test, delivered in Pearson test centres throughout the UK and worldwide.

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Do I need to sit the UCAT?

• Check your eligibility to sit the UCAT and confirm which universities and courses require the UCAT.
• Note the key 2026 test cycle dates and deadlines.
• Ensure that you have the correct photo ID required to sit your test.
• Familiarise yourself with the Fitness to Test Policy before booking or sitting a test.

 

Register and Book

• Create a UCAT account and register to sit the UCAT 2026
• If applicable, submit an application for Access Arrangements. These require approval before you can book a test.
• If eligible, apply for a UCAT Bursary. Do this before booking so that you can use your bursary to pay for your test.
• Book your test. Book as early as possible and avoid booking a late test date.

 

Prepare for your test

• Use our UCAT Preparation Resources to create a personalised study plan.
• Familiarise yourself with the test tools by looking at the Tour Tutorial.
• Work through the Question Tutorials before moving onto Question Banks and timed Practice Tests.
• Find out about the test format and scoring.

 

What to expect on test day

• Find out what to expect on your Test Day and watch a video tour of a Pearson Test Centre.
• Read and understand the Test Rules.
• Remember to bring the correct photo ID with you to the test centre.
• Familiarise yourself with what to do if you experience a problem during your test.

 

UCAT results and applying to university

• UCAT results are issued on the day of your test (or shortly after if testing online).
• We publish preliminary candidate scores in mid-September and final scores after testing ends so you can see how your result relates to overall candidate performance. Mean scores from previous test cycles are available on the Test Statistics page.
• Make an informed decision about where to apply by checking the information on university websites to see how they use UCAT in their selection process.
• The UCAS application deadline for medicine and dentistry is 15 October 2026. Other courses and UCAT partner universities may have different deadlines.
• UCAT will deliver your result directly to your chosen UK universities in early November.