An Introduction to the UCAT (2022)
- theyoungmedics
- Aug 24, 2022
- 2 min read
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT is one of two admissions tests used by UK medical (and dental) schools, often to select applicants for interview alongside predicted grades, your personal statement and GCSE grades.
It has 5 different sections, which all assess your aptitude for medicine in different ways.
You take the UCAT in a test centre (like where you take your driving theory exam), and it is an online exam (sat on a computer).
Key dates for 2022:
> 24th May - Account registration opens and Bursary and Access Arrangement applications open.
> 20th June - UCAT booking opens
> 11th July - Testing begins
> 20th September - Access Arrangement application deadline
> 22nd September - Booking deadline
> 29th September - Last test day
> 30th September - Bursary Scheme application deadline
> 15th October - UCAS deadline
> November - Results sent out to universities.
Find more information here.
UCAT subtests
There are 5 subsections to the UCAT - Verbal Reasoning (VR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Abstract Reasoning (AR) and Situational Judgement (SJT).
The UCAT lasts for 2 hours, with each section given a different amount of time, and a 1 minute break between sections.
Verbal Reasoning assesses your critical evaluation of written information. It contains 44 questions, and lasts for 21 minutes.
Decision Making assesses your judgement and decision making skills when given complex information. It contains 29 questions, and lasts for 31 minutes.
Quantitative Reasoning assesses your ability to critically evaluate numerical information. It contains 36 questions and lasts for 25 minutes.
Abstract reasoning assesses your use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information - usually by analysing and spotting patterns. It contains 50 questions and lasts for 12 minutes.
Situational Judgement assesses your ability to react appropriately to real world situations, and identify critical factors in scenarios. It contains 66 questions in 26 minutes.
For more information, click here.
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