Test Day

You should familiarise yourself with this important information so you know what to expect on your test day and what to do if there is a problem before or during your test.

You should also refer to the confirmation email you were sent after booking your test which includes important details about your appointment. Your appointment details are also shown in your UCAT account.

Fitness to Test

If you attend your test you are declaring that you are fit to test.

If you are aware of anything that might affect your performance on the day, you should not sit the test. This applies even if you fall ill or experience issues on the day of your test.

If you are not fit to test refer to this advice.

Arrival

You must arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to complete the check-in process.

If you miss your appointment for any reason, your test fee will not be refunded. You will have to pay again to book a new appointment.

Take the Test Centre Tour and watch this video to see what a UK Pearson VUE test centre looks like and what to expect on arrival.

Check-in process

Photo Identification check

You must present accepted government-issued photographic ID which meets all the requirements of the Photo ID Policy.

Your photo ID will be checked and staff will take a digital photograph of you.

If you do not bring the correct photo ID you will not be allowed to test and you will lose your test fee.

Agree to the UCAT Test Rules

You will be asked to read the UCAT Test Rules before entering the test room.

You will be asked to sign to confirm you understand the information provided and agree to follow the rules. Your signature will be checked against your ID.

You are expected to meet minimum standards of acceptable behaviour during testing. The Misconduct Policy deals with cases of suspected misconduct and other unacceptable behaviour.

Store personal belongings

Nothing is allowed in the test room apart from indoor clothes, photo ID, permitted comfort aids and approved access arrangements.

There are exceptions permitted for religious, cultural and medical apparel.

You will be asked to store personal belongings in a designated area before you enter the test room.

Food and drink (including water) is not permitted in the test room (unless approved as an access arrangement) as it may damage technical equipment. If brought it must be stored in a designated area and used outside the test room.

Security check

Staff will conduct a routine visual inspection of your clothing, hands/arms, ears (if covered) and any comfort aids or approved access arrangements. This is for security purposes.

If you have any concerns over the check-in process contact Pearson VUE Customer Services at least 5 working days before your test.

Test centre receptions are restricted to test takers only for security reasons. Waiting areas are not provided for anyone accompanying you to the test centre.

Test Room

After check-in is completed, you will be taken into the test room. Test centre rooms usually accommodate up to 15 candidates.

Once the invigilator has launched your test, you are under exam conditions.

For purposes of security, you will be monitored at all times; both audio and video may be recorded.

Equipment provided

You will be allocated a desk space at which you will find a PC, keyboard and mouse.

You will be given a laminated notebook (A4 in size) and a pen. If you require replacements hold the notebook or pen in the air to request one from the invigilator.

An onscreen basic calculator is integrated into the test.

Test environment and noise

Our test centres are quiet spaces but there will be other people taking tests in the same room. There may be limited disturbance as test takers arrive and leave or staff assist them.

You may request earplugs to block out noise. Alternatively, you may bring your own non-electronic ear defenders or earplugs (such as 'Loops'). They must not have Bluetooth capabilities or be able to connect to any device. They will be allowed into the testing room after visual inspection and do not require prior approval.

On occasion, there may be routine testing of fire alarm systems during your test. Signage in test centres should advise you if this is likely to occur. In the event of there being a genuine incident test centre staff will advise you how to evacuate the building safely.

Breaks

If you need a break (e.g. to use the toilets), raise your hand to notify the invigilator. Unless you have been approved for pause-the-clock breaks, the test cannot be paused. You will lose time when out of the room. You may want to take breaks between subtests to limit impact on test time.

Problems during testing

If you become ill during testing, raise your hand to notify the invigilator. If you are not well enough to continue, please ask to end your test. You then need to contact the UCAT Office as soon as possible. If you choose to continue testing, UCAT will not normally take any action.

If you experience hardware/software problems, noise disturbance or other distractions, you must raise your hand immediately to inform the invigilator. If a problem is not reported during your test, UCAT will not normally take any action. The invigilator cannot answer questions about test content.

If you feel that a problem during testing has not been satisfactorily resolved, you must obtain a case number before you leave the test centre to allow you to request an incident investigation (if appropriate).

After testing

After completing the test, raise your hand. The invigilator will end your test and escort you from the room to collect your score report.

Your score report will also be accessible through your UCAT account approximately 24 hours after testing.

Find out how universities receive your results.