Page 28 - UKCAT 2017

PREPARATION
Test Strategies
Advice
• Candidates who take our test early do better! Getting it out of the way will allow you to concentrate on other things (such as your UCAS application!). If you book early you will have your choice of test slots and if you then feel unwell or unprepared you can reschedule. This might not be easy in the final weeks of testing.
• If you are not well, reschedule your test to a later date – even if you lose your test fee. In presenting yourself for testing, you are declaring yourself fit. We will not consider health issues as extenuating circumstances.
• Make sure you are given a laminated booklet and pen before the test starts.
• Ask for earplugs and/or headphones if you think you may find other candidates arriving/leaving disturbing.
General test strategies
• Many candidates do not complete all sections in the test. Use the practice test to ensure you know how to pace yourself. Try to answer all the questions but don’t worry if you don’t get to the end of each section.
• There is a point for each right answer, but no points are deducted for wrong answers – we do not use negative marking. Try not to leave blanks. If you really can’t work
out the answer, it is better to eliminate the answers that you know to be wrong and then make your best guess from those that are left.
• If you are struggling with a question we would advise you to make your best guess and move on. You can ag it for review if you want to come back to it later.
• Finally, stay calm in the test. Prepare, pace yourself and move on if you’re struggling. It is inevitable you will find some questions and sections easier than others.
Verbal Reasoning Strategies
• You are unlikely to be familiar with the content of the text shown to you. Do not draw on existing knowledge as this will not be relevant.
• Think about how you will plan your time in this section. You need to allocate time to read each passage thoroughly. In 2016 approximately 19% of candidates failed to answer every question.
• This section requires real concentration – it is at the beginning of the test and you should be ready for this. Focus from the start.
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Good multiple-choice questions include answer options that are wrong but almost right. Work hard to find them and eliminate them. Questions like these are not tricks. Accept that one (and only one) of the answers to each question is correct. All the questions have been thoroughly checked.
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UKCAT Of cial Guide 2017