What is the UCAT Decision Making Section?

The Decision Making (DM) section of the UCAT exam is designed to assess your ability to think critically, evaluate information, and make sound decisions. You’ll be presented with a variety of scenarios—some based on text, others on charts, graphs, or diagrams—and asked to analyse the data to reach logical conclusions.

This section challenges you to apply logical reasoning, assess the strength of arguments, and use numerical and statistical information to solve problems. These are essential skills for anyone pursuing a career in medicine or dentistry, where clinical decisions often rely on interpreting complex information under pressure.

How Many Questions Are in UCAT Decision Making?

You’ll have 31 minutes (plus 1 minute of instruction time) to answer 29 questions. A simple on-screen calculator is provided, which may help in questions involving numerical data.

Why is Decision Making Tested in the UCAT?

As a healthcare professional, you’ll often face situations that require quick, informed, and ethical decisions. Whether diagnosing a patient, prioritising treatments, or evaluating risks, your ability to process information accurately and decide under pressure is crucial. This section ensures you’re prepared to:

✅ Identify relevant information from complex data.
✅ Evaluate risks and benefits effectively.
✅ Avoid biases and focus on logical reasoning.
✅ Make sound, evidence-based decisions in real-world scenarios.

Types of UCAT Decision Making Questions

There are two main formats in this subtest:

✅ Multiple Choice Questions – You’ll choose one correct answer from four options.
✅ Yes/No Statements – You’ll assess a series of statements and decide whether each is true or false based on the information given.

The questions will cover areas such as interpreting statistics, drawing conclusions from text, recognising logical fallacies, and assessing risk.

What to Expect in UCAT Decision Making

The Decision Making section includes a range of question types designed to test different aspects of your reasoning skills. You’ll have 29 questions to answer in 31 minutes (yes, speed matters! 🕒). Here’s what you might encounter:

1️⃣ Logical Puzzles 🧩

Solve puzzles involving sequences, patterns, or rules.
Example: "If A is taller than B and C is shorter than A, who is the tallest?"

2️⃣ Syllogisms 🏛️

Determine whether conclusions logically follow from given statements.
Example: "All cats are mammals. Some mammals are black. Are some cats black?"

3️⃣ Venn Diagrams ⚪🔵

Use diagrams to represent and interpret data.
Example: Work out which groups overlap or remain distinct.

4️⃣ Probabilistic Reasoning 🎲

Analyse probabilities and risks in different scenarios.
Example: "What is the likelihood of a certain outcome happening?"

5️⃣ Interpreting Arguments 💬

Assess the strength or validity of arguments based on evidence provided.
Example: "Does the information support this conclusion?"

6️⃣ Recognising Assumptions 🤔

Identify assumptions underlying a statement or argument.
Example: "What must be true for this argument to hold?"

How Is UCAT Decision Making Scored?

Scoring is structured differently from some other UCAT sections:

💡 Single-answer questions are worth one mark.
💡 Multiple-statement questions are worth two marks for an entirely correct answer, or one mark for a partially correct one.

Average UCAT Decision Making Scores – What to Aim For

Understanding how UCAT Decision Making is scored can help you set realistic goals and measure your performance against other applicants.

In 2024, the average UCAT Decision Making score was 620 in the UK and 637 in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). These scores can vary slightly from year to year, but they give a helpful benchmark for evaluating your results.

What Is a Good UCAT Decision Making Score?

A good score in the Decision Making section is generally considered to be above the average for the testing year. In both 2022 and 2023, the average score was 616, so anything above 620 would be viewed positively by most medical and dental schools.

Remember, top-performing applicants often score 650+, which can strengthen your overall UCAT profile, especially when combined with high scores in other sections.

Tips for Tackling UCAT Decision Making

🧠 Think Logically – Base your answers on facts and evidence, not assumptions or emotions.
📊 Practice Data Interpretation – Become confident with reading graphs, charts, tables, and complex visuals.
⏱️ Use Time Strategically – Some questions will naturally take longer. Don’t spend too long on any one question—flag and move on if needed.
🖊️ Use the On-Screen Whiteboard – Sketch diagrams, jot down notes, or keep track of options to help with complex problems.

Learn the Techniques for Each Question Type in UCAT Decision Making

To do well in UCAT Decision Making, you need to understand and practise specific techniques, including:

🔍 Identifying assumptions
⚖️ Evaluating strong vs weak arguments
🔢 Solving single and multi-parameter logic puzzles
🔄 Understanding syllogisms and logical conclusions
🟠 Interpreting Venn diagrams
🎯 Applying conditional and independent probability
➗ Recognising mathematical patterns in reasoning questions

All of these are taught step-by-step in our Live UCAT Course and Online UCAT Course, with plenty of guided practice and worked examples.

📈 Why Practice Matters

Most students struggle with the Decision Making section, not because it’s too hard, but because they haven’t had enough targeted practice. This subtest has its own logic and structure, which becomes easier to navigate the more questions you attempt.

👉 To succeed in UCAT Decision Making, regular practice is essential. Work through as many timed questions as possible to build familiarity and confidence.

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