Questions?

UCAT stands for the University Clinical Aptitude Test. As its name suggests, it is used as an essential selection criteria for students looking to enter Medicine and the Health Sciences degrees. Without a high UCAT score, you will not be able to enter these courses.

The UCAT is a two-hour computer-based test which assesses a range of mental abilities identified by universities as important to practicing in the fields of medicine / dentistry / clinical sciences.  It consists of five separately timed subtests which each contain a number of questions in a multiple-choice format. Once started the test cannot be paused for a break but before each subtest there is a timed instruction section.

Section 1: Verbal Reasoning. Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form.

Section 2: Decision Making. Assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.

Section 3: Quantitative Reasoning. Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.

Section 4: Abstract Reasoning. Assesses the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.

Section 5: Situational Judgement. Measures the capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.

If you are looking to study Undergraduate Medicine or other Health Science courses will need to sit the UCAT. These courses include –

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Clinical Sciences

The UCAT is held annually in July.

1. UCAT is a skills computer-based exam whilst your school leaving exams (Mathematics, English, Sciences etc) are primarily knowledge based written exams.

   Knowledge based exams test your memory and reasoning skills. For example, in Mathematics and Science, you will need to recall formula in order to apply it correctly. In English, you may need to be familiar with texts, and memorise quotes in order to write a convincing essay. In such exams, memorisation plays an essential part in scoring top marks.

   In contrast, UCAT is an aptitude exam that tests particular types of thinking (logical reasoning, empathy and abstract reasoning) rather than your memory and in theory, you are supposed to be able to sit UCAT without any previous knowledge.

2. Time management is a critical factor for success in UCAT.

   Most school leaving exams are designed so you can always complete the exam. However, UCAT is specifically designed so that most students will not be able to complete the exam. Doing questions quickly is a source of competitive advantage.Knowing how to do UCAT questions is very different to knowing how to do them quickly.

Absolutely.

The most common misconception of UCAT is that since it is a skills-based test, it is impossible to prepare for it. Whilst preparing for a skills-based exam is different to preparing for a knowledge-based exam, having a structured, and methodical approach to learning will give you the best chance of acing the UCAT.

This is because you will be familiar with:

1. Typical question types, so you can identify them quickly and apply frameworks to solving them.
2. The time pressure of the UCAT, so you won’t score sub-optimally due to time mismanagement (spending too long on one question)

As with most professional athletes, practice alone can not guarantee success, but peak fitness and strong technique will give you the best possible opportunity for success on “game day”. Likewise for the UCAT, although you may not know what questions they will ask you, if you study the right techniques and understand how to time yourself, you will have the best chance of acing the UCAT.

The UCAT can only be taken by final year students, or students enrolled in Undergraduate Degrees. Therefore, it is not possible to sit the UCAT in Year 9, 10 or 11. However, you can certainly prepare for it early!

Definitely.

Preparing for the UCAT in Year 9 – 11 is an excellent idea, because it will free up your time in Year 12 to study for your school leaving exams. Moreover, since UCAT is a skills-based exam, you are not likely to forget the techniques even after a year is passed.

Entry for most health science courses in University require three main criteria for admission (ATARs, UCAT Scores and Interviews). In your final year, you will be under a lot of time pressure preparing for up to five subjects at school and the UCAT. To add to the pain, the UCAT is usually just before school Trial Exams (that usually count for 40% of your Assessment Mark). Many students end up facing a trade-off between preparing for the UCAT and preparing for their school-leaving exams. Failure to achieve high marks in either can cost you your place in the Medicine.

Hence, preparing for UCAT early is not only possible, it is extremely beneficial. Start as early as you can!

Yes. If you were not successful the first time you sat the UCAT, you may sit the UCAT again. UCAT scores can be used for admission only in the year following the test.

In deciding whether to sit UCAT again, you should note that if you are studying at University when you sit UCAT for the second time, most Universities that you apply to will also consider your academic performance at University.

Students who have completed an Undergraduate Degree can resit the UCAT but not all Med courses allow Graduates to apply through this UCAT option. Some students prefer this to the GAMSAT, even though it means many more years of study.

You can learn more about the UMAT and how to get into Medicine in our free Secrets of Getting into Medicine Seminars. You can bring as many family and friends as you like.

Seats are limited. Sign up to our next free UCAT Seminar today.

To find out the specific entry requirements for the course you are interested in, please contact the University directly.

Medicine at University of Tasmania does not require an Interview. This means that it is the University where UCAT is the most important requirement.

Entry requirements are always subject to change and at the university’s discretion so please check their websites regularly rather than rely on the above.

Definitely.

Interviews are a crucial aspect of the selection process for Medicine and other Health Science Courses and are weighted at more than 50% of the total selection criteria in some Universities.

In the same way that you would not go into a job interview unprepared, you should not go into a Medical Interview unprepared. Knowledge of the types of questions you will be asked, coaching on your interview technique and enhancing your communication skills will dramatically improve your chances of getting into Medicine.

Don’t leave the last hurdle to chance. MedStart’s Interview Blitz Program gives you personalised, custom-made Interview Training to ensure that you get into Medicine.

If you are looking to blitz the Interview and get into Medicine, MedStart provides small group Interview Training that is highly personalised.

1. Personalised UCAT Interview Training

   Rather than showing you the standard, memorised answers that most students present, our Interview Program provides you with insight into the motivations for the interview questions, and how to present sophisticated and unique responses that draw on your own individual experiences.

   The UCAT Interview Training Program is taught by our Head UCAT Teacher, and will also focus on helping you develop effective communication skills, and how to handle unexpected questions successfully.

2. One-on-One Mock Interview

   Our one-on-one UCAT Interview Training provides a real-life simulation of what it is like to be in an interview. The 1-on-1 Mock Interview gives you the invaluable opportunity to integrate the techniques you have learnt, in a real-life interview environment.

   You will receive critical analysis and feedback on your interview manner, content of your response, and overall impression, so you can present at your best in the real interview.

   MedStart also provides an Application Review Service, Interview Bibles and University Admission Bibles to get you into Medicine.

If you would like to enrol in our personalised Medical Interview Training Courses, simply enrol here.

Or you can call us on 1300 99 UMAT (1300 998 628) and let our Student Services Team know which course you wish to join.