UCAT Situational Judgement
UCAT Situational Judgement: What You Need to Know
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is the final section of the UCAT exam. Unlike the other parts of the test, it doesn't focus on academic knowledge or numerical ability. Instead, it assesses key personal qualities such as integrity, resilience, teamwork, and ethical reasoning—skills essential for a future doctor or dentist.
In this section, you’ll be asked to respond to real-life scenarios that a healthcare professional might face. These scenarios involve dilemmas or difficult decisions, and your answers help demonstrate how you would act in a safe, responsible, and professional way.
What Is Tested in UCAT Situational Judgement?
The SJT measures your ability to:
Understand and analyse realistic situations
Identify appropriate responses to ethical or professional challenges
Show good judgement when prioritising actions or deciding how to behave
This section is based on the professional values expected in healthcare, as outlined by bodies like the GMC and GDC.
UCAT SJT Format: How It Works
Duration: 26 minutes
Number of Questions: 69
Structure: You’ll work through several short scenarios. Each one may have up to 6 associated questions.
The question types include:
Appropriateness Questions: Rate how appropriate a particular action is in response to the scenario.
Importance Questions: Judge how vital each action is when considering what to do next.
All questions are multiple choice or involve ranking actions in order.
How Is UCAT Situational Judgement Marked?
Scoring is banded, not numerical. You'll receive:
Full marks for choosing the same response as the official answer
Partial marks if your answer is close
Your final result is placed into Band 1 (highest) to Band 4 (lowest), with Band 1 indicating the strongest performance in ethical reasoning and decision-making.
Understanding UCAT Situational Judgement Bands
The UCAT Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is scored differently from the rest of the UCAT. Instead of receiving a numerical score, candidates are placed into one of four performance bands, based on how closely their responses match those of a panel of healthcare professionals.
What Do the UCAT SJT Bands Mean?
Band 1 – Your judgement was closely aligned with that of the expert panel in nearly all scenarios. This reflects an excellent understanding of professional behaviour.
Band 2 – You demonstrated appropriate judgement in many situations, with several answers matching the ideal responses.
Band 3 – You showed reasonable understanding, but there were notable differences between your choices and expert recommendations.
Band 4 – Your responses were often very different from the model answers, suggesting a limited grasp of what is considered appropriate professional behaviour.
These bands help universities understand how well you can apply ethical reasoning, empathy, and professionalism—qualities that are vital for a future healthcare practitioner.
What Is a Good UCAT Situational Judgement Score?
In the UK, most applicants aim for Band 2 or above. A Band 1 is considered excellent and can strengthen your application, especially for medical or dental schools that take the SJT band into account during selection. Band 3 can put a good candidate at risk, and Band 4 is rejected automatically by some medical schools.
In the UCAT ANZ (Australia and New Zealand), the SJT is scored numerically out of 900. In recent test cycles:
The average score was around 578
A score of 644+ placed students in the top 20%, equivalent to the eighth percentile
How Did Most Students Perform in 2024?
In the 2024 UK UCAT:
Around one-third of candidates scored in Band 2
Another third scored in Band 3
This shows that achieving Band 2 is both a realistic and competitive target for most students preparing for the UCAT.
Why Does the Situational Judgement Band Matter?
Medical and dental schools value the Situational Judgement section because it reflects your readiness for real-life clinical challenges. Admissions teams want to see that you can:
Prioritise patient safety
Respond with professionalism and empathy
Navigate ethical dilemmas with sound judgement
A strong performance in this section demonstrates that you’re not just academically capable, but also emotionally and ethically prepared for a career in healthcare.
UCAT Situational Judgement Strategies: How to Approach This Section
To succeed in the UCAT Situational Judgement Test (SJT), it's essential to think like a future healthcare professional—not just a student giving a personal opinion. Although it's called situational judgement, you’re not being tested on your personal views. Instead, you must base your responses on the values and principles outlined by professional bodies like the General Medical Council (GMC) and the General Dental Council (GDC).
This section assesses how well you can recognise appropriate and professional behaviour in real-life healthcare scenarios. Your answers should reflect an understanding of ethics, teamwork, patient care, and professional conduct. We cover this in our live UCAT Course.
Key Strategies for Scoring Highly in UCAT Situational Judgement
🔍 Understand What’s Being Tested
The SJT is designed to assess attributes such as integrity, communication, resilience, and respect for patients and colleagues. Make sure you’re clear on these core values before attempting practice questions.
🧠 Think Like a Clinician, Not a Student
Always consider what a safe, responsible healthcare professional would do—not what you might personally feel is right. Focus on professionalism, patient safety, and clear communication.
⚖️ Know How to Interpret the Answer Options
You’ll often see phrases like “appropriate but not ideal” or “very inappropriate.” Learn how to distinguish between responses that are acceptable but not perfect, and those that clearly breach professional standards.
📘 Familiarise Yourself with Common Scenarios
Workplace dilemmas—such as handling patient complaints, supporting colleagues, or escalating concerns—are frequent in the test. Practice recognising the best responses in these settings.
😌 Stay Composed Under Pressure
The time limit can make this section feel intense, but remember: the goal is to show calm, reasoned thinking under stress. Avoid extreme responses and choose actions that demonstrate balance and sound judgment.
Final Tip
Approaching the SJT with the right mindset is key. Don’t rely on gut instinct—instead, align your answers with the ethical and professional standards expected of doctors and dentists in training. With the right strategy, you can demonstrate that you’re ready for the challenges of a healthcare career.
Key Skills and Attributes Assessed in the UCAT Situational Judgement Section
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) in the UCAT is designed to assess the personal and professional attributes essential for a successful career in medicine or dentistry. These qualities are not academic but relate to how you behave and make decisions in real-life situations, especially within a clinical or team-based setting.
Below are the core skills and values you are expected to demonstrate in this section of the UCAT:
🛡️ Integrity in Healthcare
Being honest, responsible, and fair in your actions.
Healthcare professionals are trusted with patient safety and must always act with integrity.
Example: Admitting to a mistake and taking the appropriate steps to correct it, rather than hiding it.
🌍 Empathy and Perspective-Taking
Understanding others’ feelings and showing compassion.
This involves recognising the emotions of patients, colleagues, and the public, and responding with care and respect.
Example: Offering reassurance and listening attentively to a patient who is feeling anxious or distressed.
🤝 Teamwork and Collaboration
Working constructively with others to achieve shared goals.
Effective healthcare relies on collaboration between doctors, nurses, and other healthcare team members.
Example: Volunteering to help a colleague who is overwhelmed with their duties.
🌈 Resilience Under Pressure
Staying calm and professional during challenging or stressful situations.
You may face challenges, criticism, or high-pressure environments. It’s important to respond positively.
Example: Receiving negative feedback and using it as an opportunity to grow and improve.
🔄 Adaptability in Clinical Settings
Responding flexibly to change or unexpected events.
In healthcare, no two days are the same. Being adaptable is vital to ensuring patient care is maintained.
Example: Quickly changing your priorities to respond to an emergency situation during a shift.
⚖️ Ethical Decision-Making
Balancing different interests while upholding professional standards.
Medical decisions often involve ethical considerations, such as confidentiality, consent, and fairness.
Example: Choosing whether to disclose confidential information to protect someone from harm.
🕊️ Conflict Resolution
Managing disagreements calmly and fairly.
Healthcare teams sometimes face conflict. Handling these situations professionally is essential for teamwork and patient care.
Example: Helping resolve a dispute between two colleagues without taking sides.
Why These Attributes Matter
These personal qualities are not only tested in the UCAT Situational Judgement section but are also valued by medical and dental schools. They reflect your readiness to enter a caring profession where ethics, communication, and professionalism are just as important as scientific knowledge.