UCAT 2025 Scoring Explained – What’s a Good UCAT Score for 2026 Entry?
Introduction – The UCAT’s Importance and 2025 Changes
If you’re a sixth-form student aiming for medicine or dentistry in 2026, the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) will likely play a significant role in your application. Almost all UK medical schools incorporate UCAT scores into their admissions process, often alongside your grades and personal statement. A strong UCAT score can open doors, while strategic university choices and excellent interviews can help counteract a low score. As of 2025, this exam has undergone its most significant format change in a decade – the Abstract Reasoning section has been removed. This means the UCAT now consists of three cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning) plus the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), instead of four cognitive subtests. The change was made because data indicated that Abstract Reasoning had lower predictive value for medical school performance compared to other sections. With the exam now slightly shorter and featuring a new scoring scale, it is more important than ever to understand how UCAT scoring works.
All UK medical schools now require the UCAT for standard undergraduate entry, as the separate BMAT exam was discontinued after 2024. This means whether you apply to London’s top universities or your local medical school, your UCAT result will be a key part of your application. The good news is that you’ll know your UCAT score before the UCAS application deadline – giving you a chance to wisely consider medical school options based on your performance. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from the scoring system and result release timeline to interpreting your score and setting expectations for what counts as low, average, or high in 2025’s UCAT.
(Tip: Already thinking ahead to interviews? Scoring well on the UCAT is just one hurdle. You’ll also need to shine at the interview to secure an offer. We’ll include advice on interview preparation and links to our Medical School Interview Course and MMI practice circuits to help you convert a great UCAT score into a medical school place.)
How Is the UCAT 2025 Scored?
The UCAT 2025 uses a scaled scoring system for its three cognitive subtests, each of which is still scored between 300 and 900. Without Abstract Reasoning, your total UCAT score will now be the sum of Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning – giving a range from 900 to 2700 instead of the old 1200–3600 range. Here’s a breakdown of the exam structure and scoring for 2025:
Verbal Reasoning (VR): 44 questions, 22 minutes, scored 300–900.
Decision Making (DM): 35 questions, 37 minutes, scored 300–900.
Quantitative Reasoning (QR): 36 questions, 26 minutes, scored 300–900.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT): 69 questions, 26 minutes, scored in Band 1–4 (separate from the numeric total).
Your score in each cognitive subtest is based solely on the number of correct answers you give – there’s no negative marking for wrong answers. Most questions are worth 1 mark each, though the Decision Making subtest includes some multiple-statement questions worth 2 marks (with 1 mark awarded for a partially correct response). Raw marks in each section are converted to scaled scores between 300 and 900, allowing for performance comparisons across subtests of varying lengths. These scaled scores are then added up to give your Total UCAT Score (out of 2700).
Situational Judgement is scored differently: instead of a numeric score, you’ll get a Band from 1 (highest) to 4 (lowest). Full marks are given on an SJT question if your response matches the expert panel’s answer, and partial credit is given if your response is close to the ideal. Your SJT band comes with a general performance descriptor. For example, Band 1 indicates “excellent” judgment, similar to that of experts, while Band 4 indicates a performance that is “low” and substantially different from ideal. The SJT band does not contribute to your 2700 total, but it is still very important (more on this later).
What’s changed in 2025? Aside from the removal of Abstract Reasoning, the scoring per section remains on the same scale as before. This means that a good performance in VR, DM, or QR should yield a similar scaled score as it would have in previous years – the UCAT Consortium uses statistical equating to ensure scores are comparable year to year. However, because there are now only three sections, your total score will be lower than it would have been under the old format. For instance, under the old four-section exam, a total score of 2800 was strong; under the new format, the maximum is 2700, so top scores will naturally be closer to, say, 2100+ (roughly equivalent percentile-wise to the old 2800+ – we’ll discuss percentiles soon). The Consortium has assured candidates that, although the overall score is out of 2700, performance will be interpreted in line with previous years’ standards – e.g., being in the top 10% of candidates in 2025 will carry the same prestige as being in the top 10% in previous years. In practice, this means focus on your percentile ranking rather than the raw total when comparing to past data.
When Do UCAT 2025 Results Come Out?
One of the anxieties for applicants is knowing when and how they will receive their UCAT results. The good news: you receive your UCAT score report immediately. As soon as you finish the test at the Pearson VUE centre, you’ll be given a copy of your score report before you leave. Additionally, within 24 hours, your score report is uploaded to your online UCAT account. So, you will know your scores (for each section, total, and SJT band) essentially right after sitting the exam – well ahead of the UCAS application deadline in October.
Use this to your advantage: The UCAT Consortium explicitly advises candidates to use their test result to inform their UCAS choices – you will have your score before the 15 October application deadline so that you can apply strategically. If you ignore your UCAT result when choosing universities, you risk wasting choices on universities where your score may not be competitive. We’ll discuss in later sections how to gauge if your score is likely sufficient for certain medical schools. Your official results are also sent directly to the universities you apply to.
When do universities get your UCAT scores?
After the UCAS deadline, the UCAT office works with UCAS to match applicants to their UCAT results. The UCAT Consortium then delivers your scores to the universities in early November 2025. This is an automatic process – you do not need to list your UCAT score on UCAS or send it yourself. All consortium universities will only accept results provided directly by the UCAT office, so you can rest assured that once you’ve taken the test and applied, the scores will reach the right admissions teams. (If, for some reason, there’s a matching issue – e.g., a name mismatch – universities can also look you up in a UCAT results database using your UCAT ID, but such cases are rare.)
In summary, you will receive your UCAT 2025 result immediately, and you should use it to inform your decision on where to apply. UCAT will publish preliminary score statistics (such as interim percentile rankings) in mid-September 2025, providing candidates with an early sense of the score distribution. Final UCAT statistics (final percentiles and deciles for the entire cohort) will be released shortly after testing ends (likely early October 2025). We’ll cover the final 2024 statistics in a moment as a benchmark. For now, remember that you’ll know your own score report right away, and universities will have your official score by early November – in time to start their interview shortlisting.
How Do I Interpret My UCAT Score?
After you get your UCAT score, the natural question is: “Is my score good enough?” Interpreting your UCAT result involves considering it in the context of how other candidates performed (in terms of percentiles) and how different universities utilise the scores. Here are a few key ways to interpret your UCAT score:
Total Scaled Score (out of 2700): This is the sum of your section scores (VR + DM + QR). It’s the most straightforward metric – for example, you might say “I got 2250 out of 2700.” In isolation, the number doesn’t mean much until you compare it to others, but it’s your primary UCAT result. Sometimes candidates also think in terms of average per section, which is simply the total divided by 3 – e.g., a total of 2250 is an average of 750 per section. Many students find the average score per subtest a convenient way to gauge consistency or compare to practice tests (since each section is on the same 300–900 scale).
Decile Rank / Percentile: This tells you how your score compares to other test-takers. UCAT publishes deciles each year – essentially, it categorises all candidates into ten equal groups, ranging from the lowest 10% to the highest 10%. For example, if you are in the 8th decile, you scored higher than about 70-80% of candidates (i.e. around the 80th percentile). A percentile is just a finer granularity of this idea. This is the most useful interpretation for understanding the distinction between “good,” “average,” and “low” scores. Medical schools often implicitly use percentiles when setting cutoffs – for instance, a cutoff might align roughly with the top 30% of scores, depending on the number of available interview spots. For 2025, UCAT will publish preliminary deciles in September and final deciles after the testing period. You can check these to see, for example, “a score of 2400 is around the 40th percentile” (hypothetically). In previous years, a score around 2500 was approximately the 5th decile (50th percentile), whereas a very high score, such as 3000, would be in the top 1-2%. We’ll provide the actual 2024 decile figures in the next section to give you concrete reference points.
SJT Band: Your Situational Judgement band should be interpreted separately from the numeric score. Band 1 is considered excellent (top performance, roughly the top 13–25% of candidates in recent years), Band 2 is good, Band 3 is modest, and Band 4 is poor. Many universities pay close attention to the SJT band in addition to your total score. For example, many medical schools will not consider applicants who score Band 4 at all – Band 4 can be an automatic disqualification at some institutions. Band 3 may be acceptable at some places, but could put you at a slight disadvantage, whereas Band 1 or 2 is usually preferred. Some schools use the SJT band in tie-breaks or as part of interview scoring (for instance, Birmingham uses SJT scores during the interview stage). The key point is: if you got Band 1 or 2, you’re in a strong position for the SJT component; if you got Band 3, be mindful that a few schools might view it less favorably (though many will still consider Band 3 applicants); if you got Band 4, you need to be very strategic (and perhaps focus on the handful of schools that are more lenient or reconsider sitting UCAT again next year, since Band 4 is a significant hurdle).
When interpreting your score, always remember that “good” or “bad” is relative – it depends on the applicant pool and on the university criteria. For instance, a total score of 2400 (old scale) might sound “average” in a general sense, but if you applied to a very competitive medical school that typically expects 2800+, that 2400 would be considered low for that context. Conversely, the same 2400 could be perfectly fine for a university that places more weight on academics or has historically lower UCAT thresholds. Therefore, after understanding roughly where your score lies in the distribution, the next step is to research how different universities use UCAT (cut-offs, point systems, etc.) and see where your score would be competitive. As a rule of thumb, if your score is around the 50th percentile, it’s an average score – you’ll likely need to avoid the most UCAT-heavy schools but have many options among others. If your score is below the 30th–40th percentile, it’s on the low side, and you’ll want to focus on UCAT-light schools (we’ll discuss what counts as “low” shortly). If you’re around the 80th–90th percentile or above, that’s a high score that gives you a lot of freedom (with the caution to still meet other criteria like academics and not be complacent for interviews).
▶️ Always double-check each university’s official admissions page for how they’ll use the new 3-subtest UCAT in 2025. Many universities have stated they won’t set exact cut-off thresholds until they see the year’s score distribution. So, while we can use past data to guide us, be prepared for some variation in how “good” a score needs to be for a given school. Next, let’s examine last year’s final UCAT results to solidify our understanding of score ranges.
Final UCAT 2024 Results – A Benchmark for 2025 Scores
It’s helpful to review the final statistics from the 2024 UCAT (the exam taken in summer 2024 for 2025 entry) as a benchmark. Keep in mind, 2024 was the last year with four subtests (including Abstract Reasoning), so the total scores were out of 3600. We will note both the original figures and the adjusted ones, excluding Abstract Reasoning, to approximate what they mean in relation to the new scoring system.
Number of Candidates (2024): 37,913 test takers – one of the highest ever, reflecting the continued popularity of medicine.
Mean Total Score (2024): The average candidate scored 2523 out of 3600. This was the overall mean of all four sections (VR, DM, QR, AR). If we omit Abstract Reasoning from that total (since 2025 candidates won’t have AR), the equivalent mean would be about 1870 (this is just 2523 minus the average AR contribution). In other words, the average of VR+DM+QR in 2024 was around 1870 on the 900–2700 scale.
Mean by Subtest (2024):
Verbal Reasoning – 601 (scaled score)
Decision Making – 620
Quantitative Reasoning – 649
Abstract Reasoning – 653 (for reference; not in 2025 exam)
These mean scores show that in 2024, Abstract Reasoning was actually the section with the highest average (around 653) and Verbal Reasoning the lowest (601). This pattern has been fairly typical – quantitative and abstract tend to yield slightly higher scores on average than verbal. With AR removed, one might expect the overall average of the remaining sections to be somewhat lower than past total averages, which is consistent with the ~1870/2700 figure (since AR was a relatively high-scoring section). The UCAT Consortium has provided historical data confirming that from 2019–2023, the mean of VR+DM+QR tended to be in the 1840–1860 range, so 2024’s VR/DN/QR mean of 1870 is in line with that.
UCAT Decile Distribution (2024):
Here are the final cut-off scores for each decile in 2024. We provide both the total out of 3600 (with all four subtests) and, in parentheses, the approximate equivalent out of 2700 (excluding AR), calculated for reference:
1st decile (10th percentile): 2140 (≈1610 without AR). In other words, 10% of candidates scored 2140 or below (roughly 1610 or below on the new scale).
2nd decile (20th percentile): 2260 (≈1690 without AR).
3rd decile (30th percentile): 2360 (≈1760 without AR)
4th decile (40th percentile): 2440 (≈1820 without AR).
5th decile (50th percentile, median): 2520 (≈1880 without AR). This means the median candidate had approximately 2,520, which translates to about 1,880 on the 2,700 scale.
6th decile (60th percentile): 2590 (≈1930 without AR).
7th decile (70th percentile): 2680 (≈1980 without AR).
8th decile (80th percentile): 2780 (≈2050 without AR).
9th decile (90th percentile): 2920 (≈2110 without AR). This means that the top 10% of candidates in 2024 scored approximately 2920 or higher (which would correlate to roughly 2110 or higher on the new format).
(Why do our “without AR” numbers not exactly match a simple subtraction of 653? It’s because these are based on distribution cut-offs. The UCAT Consortium actually recalculated what the deciles would have been for 2024 if only VR, DM, and QR were counted. For example, the official data shows the 1st decile on a 2700-scale would be around 1580, which is in the same ballpark as the ~1610 we listed. Minor differences arise from how scores distribute across sections. The key idea is the relative position – e.g., ~1580 was bottom 10%, ~2170 was top 10% on the 2700 scale in that cohort).
From these deciles, you can see that an “average” score in 2024 was around 2520 (which would be ~1880 on the 2025 scale), a “low” score (10th percentile) was around 2140 (~1600 new scale), and a “high” score (90th percentile) was around 2920 (~2110 new scale). Significantly high scores (99th percentile) were above 3200 in 2024, but only a tiny fraction of candidates achieved those exceptionally high scores.
UCAT Situational Judgement Results (2024):
The SJT outcomes in 2024 were notably different from 2023. In 2024, only 13% of candidates achieved Band 1, 36% achieved Band 2, 38% achieved Band 3, and 13% achieved Band 4. The proportion of Band 1 dropped significantly compared to 2023 (when about 25% got Band 1). This shows that the distribution of SJT bands can vary year to year. The reasons can be complex (perhaps a tougher SJT in 2024, or changes in preparation, etc.), but the takeaway is that Band 1 was relatively rare in 2024. Most applicants were in Band 2 or 3, which is why many universities had to adjust how they viewed “good” SJT performance. Always check if a university has a specific policy (some explicitly state that they won’t consider Band 4 at all, or they may give extra points for Band 1 at the interview stage, etc.).
Overall, the final 2024 statistics provide a reference frame for 2025: we expect the average 2025 candidate to score somewhere around 1850–1900 (out of 2700), the top 10% will be around 2100 or higher, and the bottom 10% might score 1600 or lower. In the next section, we’ll discuss how to translate these changes for 2025 and how you can work out what your 2025 score means relative to previous years’ requirements.
How Do I Work Out Scores in 2025 Based on the New Changes?
Many applicants are wondering how to map the new UCAT scoring scale to the old one, especially when looking at universities’ past cut-off scores or guidance. The key point is that percentiles remain the currency of comparison – a top 20% score under the new system is still top 20%, even if the absolute values have shifted downward. Here are some tips to work out what a 2025 score means in context:
Use Conversion Rules of Thumb: Since the new total is 3/4 of the old total (2700 vs 3600), you can roughly multiply a new score by 4/3 to estimate the equivalent old score. For example, if you score 2100/2700 in 2025, multiplying by 1.333 gives ~2800/3600. Indeed, 2100 is likely to be around the 90th percentile (a very strong score) because ~2800 was around the 90th percentile previously. Conversely, a former cutoff of, say, 2400/3600 might translate to roughly 1800/2700 in the new system. Many universities are aware of this and will adjust their expectations. In fact, the University of Manchester (which ranks applicants by UCAT) has mentioned that for the new format, they tentatively expect a competitive interview threshold in the region of 1800–1900 out of 2700 (with SJT Band 1–2) – essentially aligning with what used to be a mid-decile score when out of 3600. They emphasise this could change once real results come in, but it gives a sense that ~1800+ may be considered competitive at some schools.
Follow Official Data Releases: The UCAT Consortium has promised to publish information to help candidates relate the three-subtest scores to previous years. They have already provided historical tables (as shown above) of how prior years’ scores would look without Abstract Reasoning. According to that data, in recent cycles, the top decile on the new scale would be around 2170 (as it was for 2024), and the median would be around 1860. These figures will be refined once the actual 2025 results are in. Keep an eye out in mid-September for the interim percentiles for 2025 – they’ll give you an early idea of what score corresponds to the 50th percentile, 80th percentile, etc., among that year’s candidates. Just remember, interim stats are not final; they can shift slightly by the end of testing.
Heed University Guidance and Adjustments: Many medical schools have started updating their websites with notes about the UCAT change. For example, Queen Mary (Barts) in London has flagged the new three-subtest structure on its admissions stats page (essentially warning that scores won’t be directly comparable to previous years’ cut-offs). As mentioned, Manchester has provided a ballpark figure of 1800–1900, which is likely to be competitive (though not set in stone). Queen’s University Belfast and others using point systems have indicated they’ll adapt their scoring cut-offs accordingly. Some universities might temporarily rely more on percentile rankings – e.g. they may say “we interview the top 30% UCAT scorers” – in this first year of the new format, since they can’t use last year’s exact score as a reference. The consensus is that if a school used to cut off around the 70th percentile, they will probably aim for a similar percentile this year, just reflected in a lower absolute score. For instance, if a university historically required ~2800 (old scale, ~80th percentile), they might need around ~2100 (new scale) for 2026 entry, because 2100 might be the ~80th percentile now.
Understand Equating vs. Difficulty: You might wonder, with more time added to some sections and AR removed, could the test be “easier” or average scores go up? Possibly, but standardisation will account for any differences. The UCAT designers use equating methods to ensure a fair comparison between years. If the test in 2025 ends up slightly easier or harder, the scaled scores and deciles will reflect that (so an easier test doesn’t advantage candidates because the scoring adjusts). In short, don’t get too caught up in thinking the new format is inherently easier or harder – focus on doing your best in each section. Your scaled score already takes into account the relative difficulty.
The best approach to working out what your score means is: look at the percentile (once available) and read each target medical school’s 2026 entry policy updates. Some concrete examples of adjustments for 2026 entry (gleaned from university websites and communications):
The University of Sheffield has set a minimum UCAT threshold of 1800/2700 for 2026 entry. They arrived at this number by calculating roughly the 40th centile from previous years. In practice, 1800 is a pretty lenient cutoff – most interviewed candidates at Sheffield will score higher, but 1800 is the floor below which they won’t consider an applicant.
The University of Edinburgh has announced a minimum UCAT score of 1650/2700 for 2026 entry. This is very low (roughly 10th-15th percentile). However, Edinburgh heavily weights academics (and 1650 is just a baseline cut-off). They will then rank those who pass that cutoff using a scoring system that is 35% UCAT, 50% academics, etc., so a higher UCAT still helps at Edinburgh. Still, you won’t be outright rejected unless you score below 1650 or if you have an SJT Band 4 (Edinburgh won’t consider Band 4 either, according to their policy).
Bristol (2024 entry) had an interview cut-off around 2910/3600 (one of the highest in the country). For 2025 entry (with the old exam) Bristol’s cut-off was around 2870. We can infer that for 2026 entry with the new exam, if Bristol follows a similar percentile criterion, the cut-off might be around 2150–2200/2700 (since Bristol typically picks at a very high percentile, ~93rd–95th). Bristol has not officially confirmed the number at the time of writing, but applicants should be aware that Bristol remains among the most competitive UCAT schools.
Newcastle historically has one of the highest UCAT cut-offs as well, often around the top decile. In 2023 (for 2024 entry) it was ~2820. Expect Newcastle’s required score to also translate to somewhere in the low 2100s on the new scale.
King’s College London doesn’t explicitly publish a cut-off (they say they have no fixed cut-off), but in practice, their interviewed applicants often have very high UCATs. For reference, it was noted that King’s had a de facto threshold of around 2710/3600 for 2024 entry (approximately the top 20%). That might correspond to around 2030–2050/2700 now.
Keele (and some others like Sunderland) traditionally have low UCAT requirements but use extensive other assessments (like Roles & Responsibilities forms). Keele’s cut-off for 2024 entry was 2280/3600, which is around the 20th percentile – very low. For 2026 entry Keele has stated they won’t consider applicants below 1700/2700 (and still won’t consider Band 4 SJT). Essentially, Keele is using ~1700 as a safety net (likely equivalent to ~2280 in the old system). Above that, they rank or select based on other criteria.
As you can see, determining the required score is a moving target this year. The safest strategy is to treat your score in terms of percentiles. E.g., “I’m roughly top 30%” or “around median” or “bottom quartile,” and then apply to schools whose selection processes historically aligned with that level. In the following sections, we’ll define what we mean by a “low,” “average,” or “high” UCAT score in 2025 terms and discuss its implications for choosing medical schools.
(Remember: no matter what your UCAT score, the journey isn’t over after the test. Many students each year get into medical school with average or below-average UCAT scores by applying smartly. Having a stellar UCAT score is fantastic, but you’ll still need to perform well in interviews to secure offers. Whatever your situation, proper planning and preparation for the next steps – whether it’s focusing on academics, the personal statement, or interview practice – will be key.)
What Is a Low UCAT Score in 2025?
Students often ask, “What is considered a low UCAT score?” The answer can be a bit subjective, but generally we define a “low” UCAT as one that is below the national average, especially if it’s significantly below. In recent years, the average UCAT score was around 2500 (old scale) which was about the 5th decile (50th percentile) So anything noticeably under 2500 (old scale) – say in the low 2400s or below – was often considered a low UCAT score by applicants and advisors. Translating this to the new 2025 scale: since the total is now out of 2700, we might expect the average to be roughly 1800–1900. Therefore, we could call “low” any total score that is around 1800 or below on the 2700 scale (assuming ~1850–1900 is average). In fact, 1800/2700 is about 66% of the maximum, which could be around the 40th percentile range (this is an estimate – we’ll know actual percentiles after the tests).
In practical terms, if your score places you in the bottom half of test-takers (below the 50th percentile), that would be considered “low” for most medical admissions purposes. It doesn’t mean you did terribly – for example, being at the 40th percentile means you did better than 40% of candidates, which is still thousands of people – but it does mean that relative to the very competitive field of medicine applicants, you’re on the lower side of UCAT performance. For a rough guideline:
On the old 3600 scale: a “low” score might be below ~2500, certainly below 2400 (which was roughly 30th–40th percentile in some cycles).
On the new 2700 scale: a “low” score might be below ~1800 (this could correspond to the bottom 30–40%, depending on where the median lands).
Crucially, a low UCAT score does not spell the end of your medical ambitions. Every year, many applicants with below-average UCAT scores still secure interviews and offers – the key is applying strategically. A low UCAT means you have to be more careful to target universities that don’t rely heavily on UCAT alone. For instance:
Some universities have a lower cut-off or threshold for UCAT or even no strict cut-off at all, instead focusing on academics or other assessments.
Examples from recent cycles: Keele and Sunderland focus a lot on non-academic criteria; Keele’s cut-off in one recent year was 2280 (very low, around 20th percentile), and they then evaluated applicants on a Roles & Responsibilities form. Cardiff has been known to interview students with UCAT scores in the mid-2400s, provided they have excellent GCSEs or other notable strengths. Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) gives heavy weight to academic achievements (up to 87.5% of academics vs 12.5% UCAT in their scoring) and in 2024, they invited some applicants with a UCAT score around 2160 because those students had very high grades. Plymouth had a cut-off around 2310 in 2024 (and Plymouth does not otherwise rank UCAT – they require you to meet or exceed the cut-off). Liverpool , in some years, effectively had a threshold in the low 2400s as well. Aston, Kent, and Medway (AKM), Leicester, UEA, ARU – there are several schools where a UCAT score in the 2300s can still be competitive if other aspects of your application stand out.
In summary, for 2025:
“Low UCAT” roughly = bottom half of scores (~1800 or below on the new scale). This is not an exact science, but use the 4th–5th decile as a cutoff. If you’re below the 50th percentile, consider your score low relative to typical med school applicants.
What to do if your score is low: Don’t panic. Focus on universities that are known to be “UCAT-light”. These might be schools that either have low published UCAT cut-offs or that use a more holistic approach (scoring system giving more weight to grades, personal statements, etc.). And avoid UCAT-heavy schools that purely rank students by UCAT and cut off at a high percentile.
Leverage other strengths: A low UCAT can often be offset by strong academic qualifications (e.g., lots of A* GCSEs or a high A-level prediction), excellent relevant experience, contextual flags, etc., depending on the university. For example, in one cycle, Leicester interviewed everyone above a specific combined score formula (50% GCSE, 50% UCAT) – someone with a low UCAT but perfect academic results could still clear the threshold.
Prepare for interviews thoroughly: Many low-UCAT applicants still get interviews at their chosen schools; once you have an interview, the playing field is reset. At that stage, it’s all about interview performance. We strongly advise applicants in this position to prepare intensively for interviews to maximise their chances – showing that your interpersonal skills and motivation are outstanding can secure an offer even if your UCAT was on the lower side.
➡️ Have a low UCAT score? You can still get into medicine. Check out our dedicated blog on Where to Apply with a Low UCAT Score for Medicine for a detailed list of UK medical schools that are more accessible to low UCAT applicants (and how they assess candidates).
Many students with low UCAT scores gain admission by strategically targeting these programs. And remember to double down on other parts of your application – a strong personal statement and excellent interview performance can turn things around. (If you’ve got a low score, consider our Medical School Interview Course to boost your interview skills – more on that later.)
What Is an Average UCAT Score in 2025?
An “average” UCAT score is basically the midpoint of all candidates’ results – around the 50th percentile. As we saw with 2024’s data, the mean and median were roughly 2520 (old scale), which corresponds to about 1860–1880 on the new scale (since Abstract Reasoning contributed approximately 640 on average). In the most recent years, the average has hovered in the 2480–2550 range (with minor fluctuations). We expect the average in 2025 to likely fall in the high 1800s out of 2700, assuming a similar level of difficulty and cohort ability as before. The official preliminary data will confirm this, but let’s say for practical purposes:
Average (median) 2025 UCAT ≈ 1850–1900 (out of 2700).
If you score around this range, you are in the middle of the pack. That means about half of the test-takers scored below you and half scored above you. In terms of deciles, the 5th decile is, by definition, the median; the 6th decile would be a bit above average. For example, in 2024, the 5th decile was 2520 (1,880 new) and the 6th was 2,590 (1,930 new). So a score around 1900 might be slightly above average; a score around 1800 slightly below average – the exact point will depend on this year’s distribution.
With an average UCAT score, your application outcome will really depend on where and how you apply:
Some universities that use a balanced approach (e.g. awarding points for UCAT and points for academics) will consider an average score perfectly fine, especially if your grades are strong. For instance, Leicester in past cycles had a formula that combined GCSE results and UCAT; an average UCAT score, combined with above-average academic results, could still result in a high ranking. Barts (Queen Mary) combines UCAT with UCAS tariff points (50/50) – an average UCAT can be offset by very high predicted/achieved grades and vice versa.
Universities that have no fixed cut-off but rank applicants (like Manchester, Nottingham, etc.) will sort all applicants by score. If you’re exactly average, you might be near the middle of their list – whether that is enough for an interview depends on how many they interview versus how many apply. For example, if a school interviews about 50% of applicants, a median score could be on the cusp of being considered for an interview. If they interview 30%, a median (50th percentile) might not make it. This is where examining historical cut-offs is helpful: for example, if a university’s cut-off has historically been around the 70th percentile, an average score likely wouldn’t have cut in the past.
Having an average score means you should avoid the most competitive UCAT schools (like Newcastle, Bristol, etc., which often demand top 20% or higher). But you will have a wide range of middle-ground schools to choose from. Many UCAT universities fall within a range where they interview students with scores spanning from approximately the 40th to roughly the 80th percentile, depending on other factors.
It’s also helpful to note that the distribution of UCAT scores is pretty tight in the middle. A difference of 100 points is quite significant in percentile terms. For example, in 2024, the difference between the 5th decile and the 8th decile was 2520 vs 2780 (260 points), and that 260-point gap spanned from the 50th to the 80th percentile. So every ~20-30 points could represent a few percentile ranks in that mid-range. Thus, if you consider “average” to be, say, 1850 and you scored 1950, you’re actually comfortably above average (maybe 60th percentile). If you scored 1750, you’re below average (maybe 40th percentile). Minor differences matter when all candidates are quite bunched in the middle.
Bottom line: an average UCAT score (~1850–1900 on the new scale) means you’re a competitive applicant at a large number of medical schools, provided the rest of your application is solid. You will need to be strategic – perhaps target at least a couple of universities where your score is safely above last year’s (adjusted) threshold, and maybe one “reach” and one “safer” choice as a balance. Always check each school’s latest guidance, because some that had moderate cut-offs might temporarily adjust due to the new scoring. And don’t forget, average scorers get into medicine all the time. Make sure to shine in your personal statement and prepare thoroughly for interviews, as those can tip the scales in your favor.
(Many students with around-average scores benefit from interview preparation, since the interview can become the deciding factor. We offer an intensive Medical School Interview Course taught by NHS doctors who also teach at UK medical schools, which can give you a real edge. More on that later.)
What Is a High UCAT Score in 2025?
We generally consider a “high” UCAT score to place you among the top performers nationally – typically defined as the top decile (top 10%) or thereabouts. In previous years, that meant roughly 2,800 out of 3,600 (since around the 90th percentile tended to fall just under 2,900). For example, in 2024, a score of 2920 was the 90th percentile, and 2890 was the 90th percentile in 2023. Under the new 2700 scale, we expect the 90th percentile to be approximately 2100 or higher (since 2170 was equivalent to the 90th percentile for 2024 when considering only three subtests). So, loosely speaking:
High UCAT (old scale): ~2800 or above (i.e. 700+ average per section).
High UCAT (new scale): ~2100 or above (i.e. 700+ average, since 2100 = 3×700).
Another way to frame it: if you’re around the 85th–90th percentile or higher, that’s a high UCAT score. Even the 80th percentile (around 8th decile) can be considered “very good.” In 2024, the 8th decile was ~2780 (2050 new scale) and the 9th decile ~2920 (2110 new), so there’s a jump there. If you’re above ~2050–2100 on the 2700 scale, you are undoubtedly in a strong position relative to most candidates.
What does a high UCAT score mean for your application? Primarily, it means you have a lot of options and can be competitive for even the most UCAT-focused medical schools. A great UCAT can be your golden ticket to interviews at places that heavily filter by UCAT. For instance:
Schools like Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and King’s College London have historically given interviews to those with the highest scores first. For example, Bristol’s cut-off for 2024 entry was an exceptionally high 2940 (which is about the 94th percentile). Newcastle often ends up near the 90th percentile (in 2023, it was ~2820). Sheffield effectively needed mid- to high-2800s in some recent cycles for interview selection. If you have, say, a 2850 (old) / ~2130 (new) score, those schools become much “safer” choices for you than for someone with an average score. In fact, with a high score, you might “over-interview” (get more interview invites than you can comfortably handle) if you apply to all UCAT-heavy schools – a good problem to have, but still something to consider when balancing your choices.
Even some schools that don’t officially state a cut-off will be well within reach. For example, St. George’s (SGUL) uses a two-step criterion: a minimum of 500 in each subtest, followed by an overall cut-off set during the cycle. In 2024 their overall cut-off was around 2690. A high scorer would easily clear such hurdles and be at the top of their list. Leicester, which gives 50% weight to UCAT, would award maximum points to someone in the top decile, almost guaranteeing an interview as long as their academic performance is not poor.
Newly UCAT schools (former BMAT): High UCAT scorers in 2025 can also consider applying to Oxford or Cambridge or UCL/Imperial, etc., which are now using UCAT (Oxbridge from 2024 entry, UCL/Imperial from 2025 entry). These schools will still heavily weigh academics (especially Oxford/Cambridge), but having a high UCAT will be a plus. Early indications suggest Oxbridge will expect competitive UCATs as well – they won’t publish a number, but given their applicant calibre, a high UCAT strengthens an application there (remember they also have separate academic and interview evaluations). In short, a high UCAT now opens the door to elite programs that previously required BMAT – though you’ll also need top grades for those.
Some universities even reward high UCAT scores at the offer stage. Southampton, for example, in past years would give an extra boost to UCAT at the final selection (they used to use UCAT post-interview as one factor). If that continues, a high UCAT could help nudge an offer decision in your favour at such places.
However, don’t become complacent if you have a high UCAT:
First, you must still meet all academic requirements (and those can be high – e.g., some schools require AAA predicted, or a certain number of 8/9s at GCSE). A 99th percentile UCAT won’t compensate for failing to meet a minimum grade requirement.
Second, a high UCAT doesn’t guarantee an interview or offer by itself. There are horror stories every year of students with top UCAT scores who received few offers because they underperformed in interviews or applied to a poor mix of schools. Think of the UCAT as your “foot in the door” – it often gets you the interview (and you should get interviews at multiple places with a top score, assuming you applied sensibly). Still, the interview is usually the final decider for offers. For example, you might receive interviews at four schools with a 90th percentile score, but if you stumble during the interviews, you could still end up with no offers. Conversely, someone with an average UCAT who nails all their interviews might end up with multiple offers. So don’t let a high score give you a false sense of security – use it as motivation to carry that excellence forward into the rest of the process.
Also, watch out for SJT pitfalls: Many high UCAT scorers do great on the cognitive sections but might get a Band 3 or 4 in SJT. If you happen to get Band 4, be aware that, regardless of your total score, many schools will reject you outright (Band 4 is a red line for many). Even Band 3 might limit a few options (some top schools, like Birmingham, historically gave preference to Band 1/2). So if you have a high 2700-score but a low SJT, target schools that are okay with that (some explicitly say they ignore SJT for interview shortlisting, or only use it as a minor factor).
So what’s “high” in 2025 numbers? As mentioned, roughly 2100 out of 2700 will likely be in the top 10% or better, which we can confidently call a high score. Even 2000+ (around 75th–80th percentile perhaps) is very strong. For reference, a 2100/2700 would translate to an old score of ~2800, and 2000/2700 to ~2665 (just as a ballpark, perhaps around the 75th percentile). If you’re in this range, congratulations – you’ve got a great asset in your application.
➡️ Have a high UCAT score? Fantastic! Now make sure you convert it into an offer. With a strong score, you’ll likely be invited to multiple interviews – but you must excel in those interviews to secure your place. We recommend you book our Medical School Interview Course – taught by NHS doctors who teach at three UK medical schools – to get expert coaching on how to shine at your interviews. High UCAT candidates often face high expectations in interviews, so preparation is key. You should also practice with realistic mock interviews to refine your technique. Our MMI Mock Circuits (featuring four mock MMI interviews and detailed feedback) are a great way to ensure you’re fully prepared for interview day. Don’t let the advantage of a high UCAT go to waste – capitalise on it by nailing the interviews and securing those offers!
(For more guidance on maximising a high UCAT, see our blog on Applying with a High UCAT Score where we list UCAT-focused medical schools and how to approach them. With a top score, you may have your pick of schools – including some you might not have considered before, like Oxbridge or other former BMAT universities that now use UCAT. Just remember to keep up excellence in every part of your application.)
What UCAT Score Do I Need for Medicine?
Perhaps the most common question is: “What UCAT score do I need to get into medical school?” The truth is, there is no single magic number that guarantees entry (or that automatically disqualifies you) for all medical schools. It entirely depends on where you apply and how those schools use the UCAT. Different universities have vastly different cut-off scores and weighting systems. That said, we can outline some general ranges and strategies:
UCAT-Heavy Universities (High Cut-Off or Ranking): These are schools that largely decide interviews based on UCAT ranking. If you aim for these, you typically need a very strong UCAT. Examples include Newcastle, Bristol, Sheffield, Glasgow, Manchester, Queen Mary (Barts), and King’s College London, among others. Historically, the scores needed for an interview at such universities were in the top 20% (or higher) of the cohort. For instance,
Bristol (2024 entry) interviewed down to about 2910/3600 (roughly 85th–90th percentile). On the new scale, that might equate to needing ~2150+/2700.
Newcastle often had cutoffs in the mid-2800s old scale, so likely ~2100 on new.
Sheffield has explicitly set 1800 as an absolute minimum, but in practice their “UCAT ranking cut-point” for 2025 entry was around 2760/3600 for home students (they actually publish that: for 2023-24 cycle it was 2440 because they guaranteed interviews for those above threshold, but in 2024-25 cycle it jumped to 2760 for Home, as per their data). That suggests Sheffield usually required a score in the 70th–75th percentile for an interview. With the new exam, they determined 1800 (40th percentile) is the minimum eligibility, but expect the actual interview cut-off to be much higher once they rank everyone.
Manchester previously interviewed roughly the top ~30% UCAT (since they had a cut-off around 2730 for 2023 entry). They indicated that ~1800–1900 new could be competitive, which sounds like the 50th–60th percentile as a guess. We’ll see how that translates once the results are in.
King’s College often effectively wanted 85th percentile+, even though they don’t set a number. They might not change that philosophy, so they are likely still expecting around 2100 in new terms.
Glasgow historically ranks strictly by UCAT and had cut-offs around 2500–2600 (old) for home students, but significantly higher for RUK and international (e.g., 2900+ for international). For 2025 entry, Glasgow’s home cut-off was ~2880 and international cut-off was ~3010 (on the old scale). That suggests that on the new scale, the estimate for 2026 entry might be around 2160 for international students versus around 2100 for home students.
If you’re targeting these UCAT-heavy programs, the safer approach is to have a UCAT score at least around the 75th percentile or above (which might be ~2000+ new scale). The higher, the better. If your score is below that but you still want to try for one of these, just be aware it’s a risk – you might fall short if the year’s cut-off ends up above your score.
Moderate UCAT Importance Universities: Many medical schools use a combination of factors. For example:
Leicester gives 50% weight to academic (e.g. GCSEs or A-level predictions) and 50% to UCAT in a scoring system. In such cases, you don’t need the absolute highest UCAT, especially if your academics are excellent, but a higher UCAT obviously helps. Leicester in 2024 interviewed down to a score of 57/64 on their scoring system, which roughly equated to a mid-range UCAT (they even provided a minimum UCAT they considered, which was around 2270 for school-leavers that year, but that was because those with lower scores had high academic points).
Birmingham uses a mix: ~40% UCAT, 60% academics (and contextual) in shortlisting. They don’t have a fixed cut-off; they rank. An average or slightly above-average UCAT score, paired with strong grades, can suffice at Birmingham. But Birmingham does exclude Band 4 SJT and uses SJT at interview.
Queen’s Belfast heavily weights academics (as noted, about 37.5 points academics vs 2.5 points UCAT in their 40-point system). They explicitly state something like “UCAT is 12.5%” of selection. You can still gain admission with a relatively low UCAT score if your grades are top-notch. (We saw that they interviewed people with a UCAT score from around 2160 in 2024, as their grades were stellar.)
Nottingham and Lincoln (historically) had a points system for individual UCAT subtest scores and SJT, plus maybe GCSE points for Lincoln. The average UCAT score can do well there if you have a good SJT (they give points for Band 1, etc.).
St. Andrews, Dundee, and Aberdeen (Scottish schools) often have cut-offs around the national average or just above for RUK applicants, slightly lower for local applicants, since they have quotas. For instance, Aberdeen quoted a UCAT cutoff of 2690 for the 2024 entry (old scale) – about the 80th percentile. Not trivial, but not as high as Bristol. Dundee and St. Andrews have been in a similar ballpark, with St. Andrews sometimes a bit lower if your academics are strong (they consider both UCAT and academic scores).
For these moderate schools, a UCAT score of at least the 50th–70th percentile is often required, depending on the school, or other strengths can be compensated for. So, perhaps 1800–2000 on the new scale (equivalent to 2500–2700 on the old scale) could be enough at many of them, especially if paired with strong grades or contextual flags.
UCAT-Light or Lower Cut-Off Universities: These are programs where a lower UCAT can still get you an interview because they emphasise other factors.
Keele and Sunderland – use UCAT just as a basic eligibility (Sunderland requires you not to be in the bottom 20% roughly; Keele had ~2280 old cut-off). After that, they are ranked by factors such as the Roles & Responsibilities form (Keele) or other criteria. Essentially, beyond meeting a low threshold (Keele ~ 20th percentile, Sunderland ~ top 8 deciles, which is approximately the 20th percentile), UCAT doesn’t differentiate applicants much.
Cardiff – famously does not use UCAT for initial screening; they rank applicants by academic points (GCSEs primarily) and only use UCAT as a tiebreaker if needed. So someone with a low UCAT but perfect GCSEs can still get an interview at Cardiff. They do have a minimum UCAT sometimes (in 2024, they mentioned looking at it if too many applicants had full academic points, etc.). Still, many Cardiff interviewees, despite having average or low UCAT scores, possessed top academic qualifications.
Liverpool – they used to have no set cut-off and used a scoring system including UCAT. However, in 2024, they had an implied cut-off around 2310 (they said the last interviewed score was 2310). Still, that’s relatively low.
Aston – doesn’t have a published cut-off; they have historically been willing to consider lower UCATs if academics were strong. No minimum is stated (as of the 2026 entry, Aston says there is no fixed cut-off; they score GCSE and UCAT in combination). For example, someone with a “low” UCAT but straight 9s at GCSE might still be invited.
Buckingham (private med school) and some other new schools – Some of these are not in the UCAT consortium or have other tests (like Buckingham uses its own test, not UCAT). However, all public UK schools now use UCAT, except perhaps a couple of graduate-entry schools using GAMSAT.
Kent and Medway (KMMS) – they do use UCAT but in a contextual way: they don’t have a strict cut-off; they look at UCAT in the context of your background and academics. Historically, even UCAT scores around 2400 could secure an interview if other factors were favourable.
Cambridge and Oxford – now, this is interesting: they use UCAT but have indicated they will mainly still rely on their traditional selection criteria (academics, BMAT (when it existed) was used in a nuanced way). As of 2024 entry, Cambridge used UCAT in some capacity but not to eliminate large numbers of applicants by score – they invited to interview a broad range and likely used UCAT more subtly. For 2026 entry, we anticipate they might set an informal expected standard (perhaps they won’t accept bottom quartile UCAT scores, but they won’t reject an applicant with 1800 if they have phenomenal grades and a great interview, who knows). It’s too early to tell, but for Oxbridge, having a high UCAT helps but isn’t everything; low UCAT could be problematic but not automatically fatal if you are otherwise exceptional (especially for Cambridge, which might have an internal admissions test instead of BMAT).
For these UCAT-light schools, the score “you need” could be as low as around the 20th–40th percentile range. In numeric terms, some have accepted students with totals in the 2200s (old), which is ~1600s new. For example, Keele’s 2280 old = ~1710 new (that was enough for Keele). A relatively low “needed” score for those could be acceptable if other parts of your application are stellar.
International applicants: A quick note – if you are an international (overseas) applicant, some universities have separate (often higher) UCAT requirements due to limited international seats. For instance, we noted earlier that Glasgow’s international interview cut-off was 3010 (old) versus 2880 for home. King’s and others also often have higher thresholds for internationals. So, as an international candidate, you generally assume you might need an even higher UCAT than home applicants for the same school (unless the school explicitly says otherwise). Always check the policy; some universities rank home and international students separately, and the international cut-off can be unpredictable if there are few international applicants with very high scores.
So what UCAT do you need? Here’s a way to approach it:
Decide on your target schools (after considering your academics, location preference, etc.).
Research each school’s UCAT policy. Do they have a cut-off? If so, what was it last year (and remember to adjust for the new scoring if it was last year with the 3600 scale)? Do they rank by UCAT or use a points system?
Based on that, estimate the score likely needed. E.g., if a university’s cut-off were “top 30%”, you’d aim for at least that percentile. If they say “we invite everyone above X score last year”, use that as a guide.
Your score vs their criteria: If your UCAT is well above what they usually want, great – that choice is “safe” from a UCAT standpoint (though nothing is ever 100% safe). If your UCAT score is below what they typically require, consider not applying there (unless you have some other qualification, such as contextual points, and the university in question uses those).
When in doubt, ask or look for updates: Many universities issue guidance in the summer or early fall for 2026 entry, given the UCAT changes. Some have done so: we saw Sheffield (1800 min), Edinburgh (1650 min), Keele (~1700 min), etc. Others might say, “We anticipate using deciles” or provide a vague idea. If you can’t find info, you can even contact admissions offices – they often won’t give you a straight answer like “apply with 1900 or don’t”, but they might hint at how they plan to handle the new scoring.
To illustrate, let’s take a hypothetical candidate with a score of 2000/2700 (which we’ll say is around the 75th percentile). This student likely “needs” a UCAT of that level for schools like Bristol or Newcastle. With 2000, they’re in a good position for any school except the real top-tier cut-offs. They could apply to, say, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, and Liverpool, and probably receive 3-4 interviews, as 2000 would likely clear most cut-offs (if our percentile assumption holds). If instead the candidate had 1700/2700 (~maybe 25th percentile), they would “need” to avoid places like Bristol/Newcastle entirely and focus on areas like Keele, Aston, maybe Belfast, KMMS, Cardiff, etc., where 1700 could still be acceptable if grades are high. A candidate with 1850 (around median) would “need” mid-range friendly schools – perhaps two that are slightly above average requirement and two that are more forgiving – a mix to hedge bets.
Remember, UCAT isn’t everything. Even the question “what UCAT do I need for medicine?” is a bit like asking “what grades do I need?” – the answer is, you need as high as possible to maximise your chances, but there’s a whole range that can get in. One person might be accepted into Medical School A with a score of 1800, while another is rejected from Medical School B with a score of 2500. It’s all about context and fit.
Our advice:
Aim high during preparation (of course, try to get the best UCAT you can). But once you have the score,
be realistic and strategic. Use resources like our UCAT Cut-Off Scores Guide, which details how each UK medical school uses UCAT and what their recent cut-offs have been. This can help you align your choices with your score.
Ensure at least a couple of your choices are places where your UCAT is comfortably above their recent threshold (as “safer” picks), and maybe one choice can be a reach if you’re feeling optimistic (where you’re near the cusp of their usual cut-off).
Don’t forget about the rest: meeting the UCAT requirement is one hurdle; you also need to meet academic requirements (nearly all schools will reject you if you don’t meet minimum grades, regardless of UCAT), send a good personal statement (some do read it, even if many don’t score it, it can matter in borderline cases or at interview), and then excel at interviews.
Finally, once invites come out, prepare for your interviews. A high UCAT score might get you many interviews, but you’ll need to convert them. Likewise, if you barely cleared a UCAT cut-off, you have a shot via the interview to prove yourself. In either case, strong interview skills are essential. We strongly encourage you to join an interview preparation workshop or course. For example, our Medical School Interview Course has a proven track record (a 95–98% offer rate historically for our attendees) of helping students secure interviews that lead to offers. It’s taught by doctors who have been on interview panels at UK med schools, so you get insider tips. We also run MMI mock circuits to simulate real-world scenarios, which is invaluable practice. You can book our Medical School Interview Course at any point – earlier allows more time to practice.
In Summary:
There’s no universal UCAT score requirement for all medical schools. For top-tier UCAT programmes, you might need around 2100 (new) or higher; for many others, approximately 1800–2000 may be sufficient; and for the more holistic schools, even around 1650–1700 could be workable if other credentials are strong. Know your score, understand the schools, and apply accordingly. Medicine is competitive, but with smart planning, you can find a place where your UCAT score is adequate. Every year, applicants with a wide range of UCAT scores receive offers – from those just meeting the minimum eligibility, but impressing in other ways, to UCAT superstars who just need to avoid making mistakes. Determine where you stand on that spectrum, plan your applications, and then focus on excelling in the interviews.
