All About UKCAT

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is used as part of the selection process by a number of UK medical and dental schools to help them choose from among the high level of applicants applying to their courses.

The UKCAT is designed to test aptitude rather than academic achievement. It assesses a wide range of mental abilities and behavioural attributes which are considered important for doctors and dentists to possess.

The UKCAT is a computer based examination that tests different aspects of cognitive thinking, with a large volume of difficult questions in a short period of time. It is composed of five subtests, namely Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Situational Judgement Test, and Decision Making. Note that candidates appearing for the exam from 2017 will take the Decision Making section as a scored subtest contributing to the candidates’ overall scores. Questions from all the subtests are in multiple-choice format. The examination runs for about 2 hours, or 2 hours 30 mins if you are writing the UKCATSEN in place of the standard UKCAT due to a documented medical condition or disability (see below for more details on the UKCATSEN). Once the test has started, it cannot be paused, even if you need to take a break to access medication or use the centre toilets. Therefore, avoid moving out of the test room once the test starts, as valuable time is lost in doing so. For a more detailed breakdown of test, its contents, and the duration of each subtest, see our section on UKCAT Test Format.

Information on the UK Clinical Aptitude Test
	UKCAT is a computer based admissions examination used by some UK medical schools
	Candidates can register for the test between 1 May and 18 September 2018
	Test can be taken between 2 July and 2 October 2018
	Examination runs for about two hours
	Candidates will receive their results as they are exiting the venue
	Test results will automatically be sent to UCAS
	UKCAT is composed of five subtests, and all responses are multiple choice
	Each candidate may only take the test once every test cycle
	Scores are only valid for one application cycle
	Tests taken in Singapore will cost £100 (~$181 SGD) ~¥950

Test Structure

UKCAT Format: Summary

SECTION	ITEMS	TIME (MINUTES)	SCORE
Verbal Reasoning	44	22	300 to 900
Decision Making	29	32	300 to 900
Quantitative Reasoning	36	25	300 to 900
Abstract Reasoning	55	14	300 to 900
Situational Judgement	69	27	Band 1 to 4

Verbal Reasoning tests your skills in critically evaluating written information by assessing your logical-thinking skills.

Decision Making evaluates the application of logic to arrive at a conclusion, as well as consider arguments and statistics. Candidates giving the exam in 2016 will not receive a score for this section.

Quantitative Reasoning assesses logical-thinking abilities with regards to critically evaluating information that is presented in quantitative formats.

Abstract Reasoning examines convergent and divergent patterns to recognise patterns and relationships from the presented patterns.

Situational Judgement Test checks your ability to recognise important factors in real world situations and comprehending ways to resolve conflicts; the tests determines how closely your responses align with the General Medical Council’s values.

Medical schools requiring the UKCAT

	University	UCAS Course Code
A20	University of Aberdeen	A100, A201
A60	Anglia Ruskin University	A100
A80	Aston University	A100
B32	University of Birmingham	A100, A200
B78	University of Bristol	A100, A108, A206, A208
C15	Cardiff University	A100, A104, A200, A204
D65	University of Dundee	A100, A104, A200, A204
E14	University of East Anglia	A100, A104
E56	University of Edinburgh	A100
E84	University of Exeter	A100*
G28	University of Glasgow	A100, A200
H75	Hull York Medical School	A100
K12	Keele University	A100, A104
K60	King's College London	A100, A101, A102, A202, A205, A206
L34	University of Leicester	A100, A199
L41	University of Liverpool	A100*, A200, A201
M20	University of Manchester	A104, A106, A204, A206
N21	University of Newcastle	A100, A101, A206
N84	University of Nottingham	A100, A10L, A108, A18L
P60	Plymouth University	A100, A206
Q50	Queen Mary University of London	A100, A101, A110, A120, A130, A200, B960
Q75	Queen's University Belfast	A100, A200*
S18	University of Sheffield	A100, A200
S27	University of Southampton	A100, A101, A102
S36	University of St Andrews	A100, A990
S49	St George's, University of London	A100
S84	University of Sunderland	A100 (subject to GMC approval)
W20	University of Warwick	A101

* Alternative requirements may apply to certain groups of students – please see the university website for details.

Non-UK Associate Member Universities

UKCAT also meets the admission requirements of the following courses:

University	Course
American University of the Caribbean	Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
Poznan University of Medical Sciences	Advanced MD Program in English for University Graduates
UniCamillus - Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences	Degree in Medicine & Surgery, Degree in Obstetrics, Degree in Nursing Sciences, Degree in Physiotherapy, Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Degree in Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging & Radiotherapy Techniques
St George's University (Grenada)	Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
University of Kurdistan Hewlêr	Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)

How Universities use the UKCAT

UKCAT results are made available before the UCAS deadline and you should use them to help inform your UCAS choices, otherwise you might be wasting an application.

Our Universities provide information on their websites regarding how they use the test in admissions. Each year we collate this information for candidates:

HOW UNIVERSITIES USE THE UKCAT: 2018 ENTRY

Some Universities may provide indicative scores, based on previous years’ experience to guide candidates in relation to their admission requirements. Such scores may be subject to change in 2017. Universities will indicate on their websites if this is the case.

Each university uses the exam results differently. The majority of universities look at your total or average UKCAT scores, although some will look at individual sub-sections. Some universities place a great deal of significance on the test. They either rank candidates by their score or have a minimum cut-off which must be achieved before progressing to the next round.

What Are The UKCAT Test Dates And Costs?

You can see UKCAT 2018 dates below:

Registration and booking opens	1st May 2018
Bursary scheme opens	1st May 2018
Testing begins	2nd July 2018
Registration and online booking closes	18th September 2018 at 5pm
Bursary deadline	18th September 2018 at 5pm
Final booking deadline	1st October 2018 at midday
Last testing date	2nd October 2018
UCAS application deadline	15th October 2018
UKCAT results delivered to universities	Early November 2018

UKCAT Test Centers

Pearson Professional Centers-Shanghai North, China

China
Shanghai
Huangpu District
650 Hankou Road
Room 1701, 17/F., Asia Mansion
200001
Test Center Information

China
Shanghai
Xuhui District
333 Tianyaoqiao Road
Room 805, 8/F, Ascendas Plaza
200030
Test Center Information

Here are a few more details about UKCAT testing:

What time to arrive to the test center?

Arrive at the test center at least 15 mins prior to your scheduled examination time, so that you not only have time to allow for any procedural requirements, but also can calmly set up anything you have to and mentally prepare yourself for the exam before taking it.

What to bring to the test center?

You can bring:

Your personal belongings. However, you will have to store them away in a locker as they are not allowed to be brought into the test room. This includes food, drinks, watches, mobile devices etc.
An acceptable photo ID card (check the official UKCAT website for more details)
A hard copy of the confirmation email for booking the test

What is the test environment like?

You will be seated in a room along with other test takers, with individual desks allotted to each person. Each desk consists of the computer you shall be taking your test on, laminated notepads, and permanent markers. Since the laminated boards are not erasable as you work out on it, each time you finish using one, you simply have to raise your notepad to get another one.

Scoring and Results

UKCAT Test Statistics 2017

In 2017 24,844 candidates sat the UKCAT.

Cognitive Subtests

2017 is the first year that the Decision Making subtest has been operational. Please bear in mind the following information when interpreting the data below:

In 2015 the test comprised 4 subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Decision Analysis); the total score ranged from 1200 to 3600.
In 2016 the test comprised 3 subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning); the total score ranged from 900 to 2700.

The 2017 the end of testing mean average score is 2540.

	Verbal Reasoning	Decision Making	Quantitative Reasoning	Abstract Reasoning	Decision Making	Total Score
2017(end of testing)	570	647	695	629	N/A	2540
2016(end of testing)	573	N/A	690	630	N/A	1893
2015(end of testing)	577	N/A	685	640	629	2531

Decile Ranges

The following table gives the decile ranges of candidates. Each decile represents 10% of candidates based on their overall test performance. The 1st decile represents a score at the 10th percentile; the 2nd decile represents a score at the 20th percentile, and so on.

Decile	2017(end of testing)	2016(end of testing)	2015(end of testing)
1st	2230	1640	2210
2nd	2340	1730	2330
3rd	2420	1790	2410
4th	2480	1850	2470
5th	2540	1890	2540
6th	2600	1940	2600
7th	2670	1990	2600
8th	2750	2060	2740
9th	2860	2150	2840

Situational Judgement Test

	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4
2017 (end of testing)	28%	42%	21%	9%
2016 (end of testing)	26%	44%	22%	9%
2015 (end of testing)	24%	45%	22%	9%

UKCAT Prep Course