UCAT Test Centre Photo ID Policy

The following are not accepted under any circumstance:

• Transport passes
• Library cards
• Student/employer ID cards
• Proof of age cards (e.g. CitizenCard, Post Office PASS card, Young Scots Card)

If you have a query about your ID, submit a Help Request via your UCAT account at least 10 working days before your test date. Upload a photo of your ID with the enquiry.

Permitted Government-Issued Photo ID that does not include your signature, will be accepted as Alternative ID if presented together with an unexpired bank or credit card that has your printed name and signature. This also applies in the case of child passports signed by a parent.

If your bank or credit card does not include your printed name or signature refer to the FAQ “I do not have Permitted Photo ID, what should I do?”.

Test centre staff will refer to the Pearson VUE Name Matching Guidelines to check whether variations in name are acceptable. Some common scenarios where ID would be accepted are given below:

Non-Western names: If a non-Western name has been entered into the incorrect fields during account registration, the ID will be accepted if all names on the candidate’s account also appear on the ID. 

If you need to correct or change your registered name you should submit a Help Request via your UCAT account at least 5 working days before your test date. Upload a photo of your ID to verify the request.

If a name has changed, proof of the new name must be provided (e.g. a copy of their marriage or civil partnership certificate or a 'deed poll').

UCAT does not permit name changes once a candidate has sat their test. Corrections to minor typographical errors may be permitted to prevent issues with the delivery of results to universities.

Please refer to the Pearson Aadhaar ID Policy.

If your Aadhaar ID does not include a signature, refer to the FAQ “My ID does not include my signature, what should I do?”.

Candidates testing at a test centre who do not have Permitted Photo ID should arrange Alternative ID.

Permission to use Alternative ID is at the discretion of Pearson and the UCAT Consortium Office to ensure the security of the test.

Alternative ID for candidates testing in the UK and currently in education

If you are testing in the UK and currently in education you should obtain a document confirming your identity from your school/college/university to use as Alternative ID.

The identity document must follow these guidelines to be accepted as Alternative ID: Alternative ID for candidates testing in the UK

Candidates out of education or testing outside the UK

If you are out of education or testing outside the UK you need to request an ID exception in order to present Alternative ID. Please refer to the FAQ 'How do I request an ID exception?'.

Candidates out of education or testing outside the UK that do not have Permitted Photo ID should arrange an ID exception to present Alternative ID (as detailed below).

Permission to use Alternative ID is at the discretion of Pearson and the UCAT Consortium Office to ensure the security of the test.

Alternative ID exception request for candidates out of education or testing outside the UK

If you are out of education or testing outside the UK you need to request an ID exception in order to present one of the following forms of Alternative ID:

• a document confirming your identity from your school / college / university / doctor / solicitor or an official government organisation. This should follow the format of the sample identity document.
• An expired Passport (no more than 12 months) if the photograph is still a true likeness and it meets the usual ID requirements.

You can request an ID exception by submitting a Help Request via your UCAT account at least 10 working days before your test date. Upload a photo of your Alternative ID (expired passport or identity document) to verify the request.

Candidates with an approved ID exception must present the original expired passport or identity document (printed copy) at the test centre to be admitted. Changes to the identity document after the ID exception is approved will be considered misconduct.

Candidates seeking asylum in the UK or with refugee status who cannot obtain a form of Alternative ID should submit a Help Request via their UCAT account to seek further advice.

If you arrive without Permitted Photo ID (or approved Alternative ID), you will not be allowed to test. Your test fee will not be refunded, and you will have to pay again to book a new appointment on another day. The availability of appointments will be limited towards the end of testing and you may not be able to rebook within the test window.  For security reasons, test centre staff have no discretion to vary the ID rules.

For information about rebooking a test, refer to the Missed Test Policy.

If you have been approved to sit an online proctored test, refer to the OnVUE UCAT ID Policy.