UCAT, UCAT ANZ Preparation Tips
Why it is important to sit the UCAT / UCAT ANZ
Getting three ‘A’ grades is not enough. 90% of applicants have them or are predicted them.
All applicants meet the minimum entry requirements
Majority of medical and dental schools in UK use the UCAT. Without this choice is severely limited
In UK also required for Gateway to Medicine, Foundation Entry and Graduate Entry (GEM). UK Widening participation students may get a score uplift (5-10%)
Majority also in Australia for Undergraduate Entry. Postgraduate entry use GAMSAT
Medical schools, at least in the UK, will not help you in any depth with preparation for the UCAT.
What scores do you need to aim for in the UCAT exam?
Evidence from our partner schools shows if you are in the 6th decile or above (top 50%) you chances of getting one offer are good. Data from the UK. Australia likely to be similar
This equates to a score of around 2580 - has not varied much over the years
Situational Judgement is important. Band 4 usually rejects an application. Band 3 is high risk of a good student losing an offer.
A higher score is always better, but offers more advantage at some medical schools compared to others.
Don’t rely on BMAT. Our data shows if you score low in the UCAT you will probably score low in the BMAT as well. It’s used by Oxbridge.
How do medical schools use the UCAT score?
Some medical schools will rank students on the UCAT score and use this to decide which candidates to call for interview.
They may say they use the score holistically, but you will need to work out what this means with your particular application.
The newer medical schools in the UK may have less students applying to them and may be more willing to accept a lower standard in the UCAT score. However, you would need to check with the university.
The medical school may have a minimum UCAT score (or a minimum decile) before they will even consider your application. They will not always publish this but there may be historical data available.
There may be weighting for the UCAT score together with other elements of your application, for example interview score, exam grades etc.
The UCAT score is used only in a tiebreaker type situation. Our evidence shows they could also use your GCSE grades.
General Revision Tips for the UCAT exam
You need to familiarise yourself the question styles used in the exam and develop strategies to deal with them. Get used to the online format, how to move around the screen and use the online calculator.
There is some guidance on the official UCAT site, but they may be reluctant to teach you strategy in detail and how they will try and trip you up.
If you are not studying A-level maths – revise your GCSE maths skills.
Practise the test timings for all sections of the UCAT exam - try to answer all the questions - don’t leave blanks
Remember that no points are deducted for wrong answers so if you’re stuck use your best-informed guess.
If you really can’t work out the answer, it is better to eliminate the answers that you know to be wrong and then make your best guess from those that are left.
Use the Flag and Review functions of the test effectively to manage your time – answer the easy questions first. Harder questions don’t mean more marks.
Attend the Blue Peanut UCAT 2021 Course
Taught by Dr Mannan and Dr Khan in person
We have helped over 5000 students get in medicine and dentistry
Fully updated with the latest Good Medical Practice Guidelines
Learn about the question types and strategy in each section
Learn where the examiners trip you up, slow you down and make you lose marks
Our students score an average of over 2800+ with STJ Band 1
We give you a full day of training, follow up support videos and a calibrated question bank
You have to be prepared to put the time and effort in!
