What is an University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)?

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a computer- based admissions test used by consortium of UK and partner institutions to help select candidates for medical and dentistry programs. It has been introduced to assesses a candidate’s range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important. There is a total score of 900-2700 and a Situational Judgment Band which is expressed in one of four bands i.e. Band 1 (excellent performance), Band 2 (a good solid level of performance), Band 3 (modest level of performance) and Band 4 (low performance). The UCAT is delivered in Pearson VUE test centers across the UK and in 130+ countries worldwide.

The test consists of four separately timed sub tests in multiple-choice format:

Verbal Reasoning (44 questions) – Assesses a candidate’s ability to read and think i.e. critically evaluate information presented in a written form. The candidate here will be presented with 11 passages of text, each associated with four questions. The test time is 22 minutes.

Decision Making (35 questions)– Assesses a candidate’s ability to apply logic and reason to make sound decisions and judgments using complex information. Questions can be multiple choices but also requires one to respond to statements using a “Yes” or a “No” answer. The test time is 37 minutes.

Quantitative Reasoning (36 questions)– Assesses a candidate’s ability to critically evaluate and solve information/ problems presented in a numerical form. Candidates are mostly presented with questions mostly referring to charts and graphs containing data. The test time is 26 minutes.

Situational Judgment (69 questions)– Measures a candidate’s capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behavior in dealing with them. Candidates are presented with a good set of hypothetical scenarios based in a clinical setting or during educational training for a medical or dental career. The test time is 26 minutes.

The standard test is just under 2 hours.