UCAT 2025 Exam: Key Dates, Format, Preparation & Best UCAT Courses
What is the UCAT 2025 Exam?
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) 2025 is a pivotal component in the admissions process for medical and dental schools in the UK. Designed to assess essential cognitive abilities, decision-making skills, and professional behaviours, the UCAT serves as a standardised admissions test to evaluate candidates beyond their academic achievements.
Why is the UCAT Essential?
Aspiring medical and dental students in the UK must sit the UCAT 2025 as it provides universities with a uniform metric to assess a candidate's aptitude for the rigorous demands of healthcare education and practice. The test evaluates problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, numerical ability, and situational judgement, offering insights into how prospective students might perform in complex clinical environments.
Which Universities Require the UCAT 2025?
A consortium of UK universities mandates the UCAT 2025 for admission into their medical and dental programmes. Some of the top UCAT universities in the UK include:
University of Aberdeen
University of Birmingham
University of Bristol
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
King’s College London
University of Leeds
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Sheffield
A full list of UK medical and dental schools requiring UCAT 2025 can be found on the official UCAT website.
When and Where Does the UCAT Take Place?
The UCAT 2025 exam dates span from 7 July to 26 September 2025. The test is administered at Pearson VUE test centres across the UK and internationally, ensuring accessibility for all applicants.
UCAT 2025 Structure and Format
The UCAT 2025 exam has undergone significant changes, notably the removal of the Abstract Reasoning subtest. The revised UCAT test format now includes three cognitive subtests and a situational judgement test:
Verbal Reasoning: Tests critical evaluation of written information.
Questions: 44
Time: 22 minutes
Score range: 300-900
Decision Making: Assesses decision-making skills in complex scenarios.
Questions: 35
Time: 37 minutes
Score range: 300-900
Quantitative Reasoning: Evaluates numerical problem-solving ability.
Questions: 36
Time: 26 minutes
Score range: 300-900
Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Measures understanding of professional and ethical scenarios.
Questions: 69
Time: 26 minutes
Score range: Bands 1-4
Key UCAT 2025 Dates and Deadlines
Staying informed about the critical dates and deadlines for the UCAT 2025 cycle is essential for a smooth application process. Below is a timeline to help you plan effectively:
13 May 2025 (09:30 BST): UCAT account creation opens. This is also the start date for Bursary and Access Arrangement applications.
17 June 2025 (06:00 BST): Booking opens for test appointments. It's advisable to schedule your test early to secure your preferred date and location.
7 July 2025: Testing begins. Ensure you're well-prepared by this date.
16 September 2025 (12 noon BST): Deadline for Access Arrangement applications.
19 September 2025 (12 noon BST): Final date to book your test and create a UCAT account.
26 September 2025: Last day to sit the UCAT 2025 exam.
26 September 2025 (16:00 BST): Deadline for Bursary Scheme applications.
15 October 2025: UCAS application deadline for most medical and dental programmes.
Early November 2025: UCAT results are delivered to universities.
Please note, all dates and times are subject to change. For the most current information, refer to the official UCAT website.
By adhering to these deadlines and preparing diligently, you'll be well-positioned for success in your UCAT 2025 journey.
How to Prepare for UCAT 2025
Effective UCAT preparation is crucial for success. The UCAT Consortium offers free official UCAT practice tests, question banks, and test strategies on their website. To maximise performance, candidates should:
Start early and create a structured UCAT study plan
Use UCAT practice tests to identify strengths and weaknesses
Practise time management to complete sections efficiently
Learn UCAT test-taking strategies for each subtest
The official UCAT practice materials will be updated on 1 March 2025, ensuring that students have access to the most relevant UCAT revision resources.
How Blue Peanut Can Help with UCAT Preparation
For those seeking expert-led UCAT coaching, Blue Peanut offers comprehensive UCAT preparation courses designed to boost UCAT scores and maximise medical school admissions chances.
Expert-Led UCAT Courses
Blue Peanut provides highly-rated UCAT courses taught by NHS doctors and medical school tutors. Their offerings include:
In-Person UCAT Training: Held in Manchester, these intensive UCAT courses offer hands-on guidance and small-group learning. Next available dates: 6th and 13th July 2025.
Live Online UCAT Courses: Conducted via Zoom, offering interactive UCAT coaching and real-time tutor support.
UCAT Online Course & Resources
Blue Peanut also provides a self-paced UCAT online course with hours of video tutorials covering each section of the UCAT 2025 test format. This course includes:
Worked examples of UCAT questions
UCAT strategy guides and exam techniques
Proven UCAT Success Rates
Blue Peanut students consistently achieve high UCAT scores, with 95-98% securing medical school offers. Past candidates have scored 2800+ on the UCAT, with many achieving Situational Judgement Band 1 or 2. Enrolled students also receive post-course support and additional tutorials.
By utilising Blue Peanut’s UCAT courses, students can confidently approach the UCAT 2025 exam with a structured and effective preparation plan.
Final Thoughts on the UCAT 2025 Exam
The UCAT 2025 exam is a crucial step in securing a place in UK medical and dental schools. Understanding its structure, key dates, and preparation strategies can significantly boost a candidate’s medical school application success. With expert UCAT coaching from Blue Peanut, students can improve their UCAT scores and increase their chances of getting into their dream university.
For the best UCAT preparation courses, visit Blue Peanut’s website and take the first step towards a successful medical career.
