UCAT Assumption Questions: Decision Making Guide (UK, 2026)

🟦 If you remember one thing: an assumption is the hidden “must-be-true” bridge that makes an argument work. Spot the bridge, and these questions become much easier.

Why this matters for UK medicine and dentistry admissions 🩺🦷

If you’re applying to medical or dental school in the UK, the UCAT is a key part of selection for many courses. Universities can use your UCAT results in different ways — for example, as a threshold, as a weighted component of shortlisting, or alongside academics and other factors.

Decision Making (DM) is one of the cognitive subtests and contributes directly to your UCAT score. It’s designed to assess how you handle complex information, logic, and judgement — skills that are genuinely relevant to healthcare decision-making.

Quick UCAT context (so your revision stays accurate) ✅

Because the UCAT format changed from 2025 onwards, it’s worth being clear about what you are actually sitting.

🟩 UCAT format (UK):

• 3 cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning) plus Situational Judgement.

• Decision Making currently has 35 questions in 37 minutes (instruction time is separate).

• UCAT is marked by number correct and there is no negative marking.

• Some Decision Making items use multiple statements and can award partial marks (that matters for strategy).

(Keep your preparation aligned with official materials, especially because UCAT have warned that some commercial advice may be outdated after the changes.)

What are “assumption questions” in UCAT Decision Making? 🔎

In UCAT Decision Making, this question type is commonly referred to as Recognising Assumptions.

🟦 Simple definition (UCAT-friendly)

An assumption is something the writer takes for granted — an unstated idea that must be true for the conclusion to logically follow from the reasons.

The 3 building blocks (learn these and you’ll improve fast)

Most assumption questions include an argument, which is just a reasoned claim:

• Premise (reason): evidence or facts offered by the writer

• Conclusion: what the writer is trying to prove

• Assumption: the missing link that connects the premise(s) to the conclusion

🎯 Think of it like this:
Premises 🧱 + Assumption 🌉 = Conclusion 🏁

Without the bridge (assumption), the argument doesn’t properly hold together.

Assumption vs “inference” vs “opinion” (common confusion) ⚠️

Many students lose marks because they misunderstand what the question is asking.

✅ Assumption

Something the argument needs to be true, even if it isn’t stated.

✅ Inference

Something that could be concluded from the information, but isn’t required.

❌ Opinion

A personal view (“I think…”, “It seems…”) that doesn’t logically have to be true.

🟥 UCAT trap alert: an option can sound sensible in real life but still be not required for the argument. Assumption questions are about logic, not what you personally believe.

How UCAT assumption questions are usually written 🧠

Most will give you:

• A short statement or mini-debate

• A conclusion (sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle)

• Several answer options

You’re asked something like:

• “Which of the following is an assumption made by the argument?”

• “The conclusion depends on which assumption?”

• “Which statement is taken for granted?”

🟧 Your job is not to “improve” the argument. Your job is to find what the argument is already quietly relying on.

The best method: C–P–G–N (Conclusion → Premises → Gap → Negation) 🟦🟩

Here is a reliable step-by-step approach you can practise until it becomes automatic.

🟦 Step 1: Find the conclusion (what are they trying to prove?)

Look for conclusion signposts:

• therefore, so, hence, thus

• this shows that…

• we should / must / ought to…

If you can’t spot a keyword, ask:
✅ “What’s the main point they want me to accept?”

🟦 Step 2: Identify the premises (their reasons)

Underline (mentally or on your whiteboard) the evidence they used.

🟦 Step 3: Spot the gap (what’s missing?)

Ask:

• “How did they get from those reasons to that conclusion?”

• “What must be true for that jump to be valid?”

This is where assumptions live.

🟩 Step 4: Use the Negation Test (your secret weapon)

Take each answer option and imagine it’s false (negate it). Then ask:

✅ “If this were false, would the argument fall apart?”

• If the argument collapses → it’s very likely an assumption.

• If the argument still works → it’s not required → not the assumption.

🟧 Negation doesn’t mean adding “not” mechanically. You negate the meaning.
Example: “Some doctors…” negates to “No doctors…”? Not quite. A safer negation is often “It is not the case that some…” / “It may be that none…”

🟩 Step 5: Check scope (stay inside the argument)

A correct assumption usually:

• Stays on the same topic

• Doesn’t introduce a completely new idea

• Doesn’t add extra evidence the argument didn’t use

Worked example 1 (with traps) 🧪

Argument:
“Students who eat breakfast before school concentrate better in lessons. Therefore, if our school provides free breakfast, exam results will improve.”

Step-by-step:

• Conclusion: Free breakfast will improve exam results.

• Premise: Breakfast → better concentration.

• Gap: Better concentration must lead to better exam results (and other factors don’t wipe out the effect).

Which is the assumption?
A) All students currently skip breakfast.
B) Improved concentration in lessons contributes to improved exam results.
C) Free breakfast will be healthy.
D) Exam results only depend on concentration.

✅ Best answer: B

• Negation test: If improved concentration doesn’t help exam results, the conclusion collapses.

• A and C might be true, but they’re not required.

• D is too extreme (“only”) — classic UCAT trap.

🟧 Lesson: UCAT often hides wrong answers in extreme wording (always, never, only, everyone, no-one).

Worked example 2 (more “UCAT-style”) 🩺

Argument:
“A new clinic booking system reduced missed appointments at another practice. Therefore, our practice should introduce the same system to reduce missed appointments.”

Conclusion: We should introduce the system to reduce missed appointments.
Premise: Another practice saw fewer missed appointments after introducing it.
Gap: The system (not something else) caused the reduction, and our setting is similar enough for the effect to apply.

Possible assumptions (pick the best one):

• “The other practice and our practice are similar in relevant ways.” ✅

• “Missed appointments are caused by patients being forgetful.” ❌ (new idea)

• “The system will be cheap.” ❌ (helpful, but not required)

• “Reducing missed appointments will solve all waiting-time problems.” ❌ (overclaim)

🟦 Lesson: Many assumptions are about transferability (will it work here?) and causation (did X really cause Y?).

The 6 most common assumption patterns (learn these) 🟩

When you see these patterns, your brain should go: “Assumption likely!” 🚦

🟩 1) Causation assumptions

When an argument says “X happened and then Y happened, therefore X caused Y”.

Assumption often: “No other factor explains Y” / “X is the main cause”.

🟩 2) Representativeness assumptions

When an argument uses a small group to claim something about a large group.

Assumption: “This group is representative”.

🟩 3) Definition assumptions

When an argument depends on a term meaning something specific.

Assumption: “The writer’s definition matches reality / is agreed”.

🟩 4) Feasibility assumptions

When the conclusion is a plan (“we should do X”).

Assumption: “X is possible to implement” / “resources exist”.

🟩 5) Comparison assumptions

When an argument compares two things (“A is better than B”).

Assumption: “They are comparable in the relevant way”.

🟩 6) Value judgement assumptions

When the conclusion is “we should”, it often relies on an unstated value:
Assumption: “This goal matters more than alternatives”.

🟧 UCAT rarely asks you to debate values morally. It’s about spotting what’s being assumed.

Common traps (and how to avoid them) 🟥🟧

🟥 Trap 1: A statement that strengthens the argument (but isn’t required)

Strengtheners make the argument better — assumptions make it possible.

🟥 Trap 2: A restatement of the premise

If the option just repeats what you already know, it isn’t “unstated”.

🟥 Trap 3: A true statement that’s irrelevant

It can be true in real life and still not be needed.

🟥 Trap 4: Extreme language

Watch for: always, never, only, all, none.

🟥 Trap 5: Outside knowledge

UCAT Decision Making is designed so you can answer without specialist knowledge. Stick to what’s presented and what’s logically necessary. [3]

Timing and marks: how to approach assumption questions under pressure ⏱️

Decision Making is time-pressured — you have just over a minute per question on average.

🟩 Timing tips that actually help

• Don’t over-read. Find conclusion and premises quickly.

• Use the negation test when stuck — it’s faster than “debating” the options.

• Flag and move on if you’re spending too long. The test cannot be paused once started.

• Always answer something. There is no negative marking, so leaving blanks is rarely a good trade.

🟦 Why partial marks matter

In Decision Making, some questions involve responding to multiple statements and UCAT can award partial credit on those items.
That means it’s often worth giving your best attempt even if you’re unsure about one statement.

Practice plan: how to get genuinely better (not just “do more questions”) 📈

Here’s a structured approach that works well for sixth form students.

🟦 Phase 1: Build the skill (3–5 sessions)

Goal: understand what an assumption is.

✅ Do this:

• Create a mini glossary (premise, conclusion, assumption).

• For each practice question, write:

  • Conclusion

  • Premises

  • “Gap” in one short sentence

• Don’t worry about speed yet.

🟩 Phase 2: Add speed (5–10 sessions)

Goal: execute the method quickly.

✅ Do this:

• Time yourself gently (e.g., 75 seconds/question, then reduce).

• Practise the negation test deliberately.

• Build an error log:

  • What trap got you?

  • Was it scope, extreme wording, or confusing “strengthen” with “assume”?

🟧 Phase 3: Go exam-realistic (final 1–2 weeks)

Goal: reduce surprises.

✅ Do this:

• Use official question banks and practice tests so the style matches the real exam. [4]

• Review mistakes properly (your learning happens here).

• Mix question types — assumption questions appear within Decision Making alongside other styles. [10]

🟦 Official guidance consistently recommends using the UCAT’s own preparation materials, especially after the format changes. [2][4]

What universities expect (and why your UCAT approach should be strategic) 🎓

Universities use UCAT results differently:

• Some set a threshold

• Some rank applicants by score

• Some combine UCAT with academic performance

• Some consider subtest scores and/or the SJT band as part of selection [5]

Many universities also specify that you must sit UCAT in the year you apply (examples include Birmingham for Medicine, and Manchester and King’s for Dentistry programmes).

🟩 Practical takeaway:
Treat UCAT preparation as a strategic part of your application — it isn’t “just another test”.

Quick checklist: your 10-second routine for assumption questions ✅

Before choosing an answer, quickly ask:

🟦 Conclusion: What are they trying to prove?
🟦 Premises: What reasons did they give?
🟦 Gap: What must be true for that jump to work?
🟩 Negation: If this option were false, would the argument collapse?
🟧 Scope: Does it stay on-topic without extremes?

FAQs (high-impact for revision) 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

What does “recognising assumptions” mean in UCAT Decision Making?

It means identifying the unstated belief or condition that must be true for an argument’s conclusion to follow from its reasons.

Do I need to know formal logic or philosophy?

No. UCAT is designed so you can answer without specialist terminology or prior knowledge — what matters is clear thinking and careful reading.

What if two answers seem plausible?

Use the negation test. The correct assumption is usually the one where negating it makes the argument fail immediately. If an option merely makes the argument “better”, it may be a strengthener rather than an assumption.

Should I use real-world knowledge?

Avoid it. Even if you know a topic well, assumption questions test what the argument relies on — not what you personally think is true in real life.

How important is Decision Making for admissions?

Decision Making contributes to your UCAT cognitive score, and universities may consider UCAT scores in different ways (thresholds, rankings, weightings, and sometimes subtest scores). [3][5]

Final encouragement 🌟

Assumption questions are a brilliant example of “UCAT skills”: they’re not about memorising facts — they’re about clear reasoning under time pressure.

If you practise the method consistently (especially the negation test), you’ll start spotting assumptions almost automatically — and that’s when your Decision Making score becomes much more controllable.