The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a standardized exam used by numerous medical and dental schools in the UK and other countries to assess the essential skills required for healthcare professionals. Rather than evaluating specific medical knowledge, the UCAT focuses on innate abilities such as critical thinking, logical reasoning, and decision-making. In 2025, significant changes have been introduced to the UCAT's structure and content. Let's explore these updates to better understand the UCAT.
Why Do Universities Require The UCAT?
Admission to medical and dental schools is highly competitive, with many applicants presenting excellent academic records, compelling personal statements, and strong recommendation letters. To discern candidates' readiness for the rigorous analytical demands of healthcare education, universities employ the UCAT.
The UCAT is designed to assess how applicants think rather than what they know. Healthcare professionals must excel in critical thinking, logical reasoning, and forming well-reasoned judgments under pressure. The UCAT evaluates these competencies, ensuring that candidates possess the necessary aptitude for the challenges of medical and dental programs. It serves as an objective measure to differentiate applicants. A strong UCAT score demonstrates an applicant’s readiness for the challenges of medical and dental education.
Which Universities Require The UCAT?
As of 2025, the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is utilized by a consortium of universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand for their medical, dental, and oral health programs. Following are the examples of some of the top universities that require UCAT:
United Kingdom
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London
King’s College London
University College London (UCL)
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
University of Manchester
University of Bristol
University of Sheffield
Australia
University of Adelaide
Monash University
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
University of Queensland
University of Western Australia
New Zealand
University of Auckland
University of Otago
Malta
University of Malta
Queen Mary University
How Is The UCAT Structured?
In 2025, the UCAT underwent significant changes in its format. The test now comprises three cognitive subtests and one situational judgment test:
Verbal Reasoning
Format: 44 questions based on written passages.
Duration: 22 minutes.
Objective: Assesses the ability to think logically about written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion.
Decision Making
Format: 35 questions involving text, charts, tables, graphs, or diagrams.
Duration: 37 minutes.
Objective: Evaluate the ability to apply logic to reach a decision or conclusion, evaluate arguments, and analyze statistical information.
Quantitative Reasoning
Format: 36 questions related to numerical data presented in various formats.
Duration: 26 minutes.
Objective: Assesses the ability to solve numerical problems.
Situational Judgment
Format: 69 questions based on 22 scenarios.
Duration: 26 minutes.
Objective: Measures candidates' responses in situations and their grasp of medical ethics and capacity to understand real-world situations.
UK medical schools incorporate SJT scores into their admissions processes, both during shortlisting and interviews, Few medical schools set a minimum SJT band requirement for interview eligibility. For instance, the University of Cambridge mandates that applicants must achieve at least a Band 3.
How Is The UCAT Scored?
Before 2025, the UCAT was scored out of 3600, and marks were spread across four sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and Decision Making. However, as of 2025, the Abstract Reasoning (AR) subsection has been removed, and the new total score is out of 2700. Each of the remaining three sections is scaled to a score between 300 and 900 and then added together to get your overall UCAT score.
The Situational Judgement section is scored differently in the UCAT. In the UK, you’ll be put into one of four Bands, depending on your performance. SJT Band 1 is the highest, and Band 4 is the lowest.
How Do Universities Evaluate The UCAT Sections?
Universities utilize UCAT scores differently in their admissions processes:
University of Cambridge: Looks at an applicant’s overall cognitive subtest score and Situational Judgement Test result when selecting interview candidates. Candidates who progress to the interview will generally be in the top 20% of UCAT scores and be in SJT Bands 1-3. Till 2025 entry, the UCAT was scored out of 3600 and students with a score of 2750+ could get interview calls from Cambridge. The scores of admitted students would be somewhat higher at around 2900+. With the removal of Abstract Reasoning, the UCAT will now be scored out of 2700, it is expected that students with scores of 2050 and above may get interview calls and the scores of admitted students are likely to be 2150+.
University of Oxford: Looks at an applicant’s overall cognitive subtest score to shortlist candidates for interview. They will not use an applicant’s situational judgment score at this stage. The performance in the Situational Judgement section is usually discussed in the interview. UCAT scores above 2050 (out of 2700) are expected to be shortlisted for the interview, given Oxford’s competitiveness. Admitted students’ scores are projected to be higher, likely 2150+.
University College London (UCL): Considers all subtests but gives considerable attention to the Situational Judgment Test to evaluate applicants' understanding of real-world scenarios and ethical considerations. Based on UCL’s high demand and its competitiveness, expected scores for interview cutoffs and admissions are likely to be similar to Oxford and Cambridge.
Other universities: Institutions like King's College London and the University of Manchester, it’s expected that they will invite candidates with scores of 2000 and above for interviews, with admitted students possibly averaging 2100+, based on its competitive applicant pool and past trends.
When is UCAT conducted, and how Do you register?
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) typically runs from early July to late September each year. Students can register by creating an account on the UCAT website (ucat.ac.uk), with registration usually opening in May and booking available from June until mid-September. To participate, students first need to sign up on the website during the registration period, then book their test slot once booking opens, selecting a date and location that suits them before the booking deadline.
How should I prepare for the UCAT?
Effective preparation is crucial for success in the UCAT:
Practice Regularly: Engage with sample tests to familiarize yourself with the question formats and time constraints. Official practice materials are available on the UCAT website.
Enhance Reading Skills: Regularly read quality newspapers, journals, and literature to improve comprehension and critical analysis abilities, which are vital for the Verbal Reasoning subtest.
Develop Decision-Making Skills: Practice logical puzzles, syllogisms, and interpreting data from various sources to enhance decision-making abilities.
Improve Numerical Skills: Work on basic arithmetic, data interpretation, and problem-solving to strengthen quantitative reasoning skills.
Understand Real-World Scenarios: Review ethical guidelines and familiarize yourself with common situations in healthcare settings to excel in the Situational Judgment Test.
How Can EZ Scholar Help Students Prepare For The UCAT?
Targeted Practice Material: Since the UCAT is not about medical knowledge but about critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving, EZ Scholar offers a carefully curated selection of practice materials designed to sharpen analytical skills, improve reading speed, and enhance decision-making—crucial for all sections of the test.
Portal Access: Students get access to an online portal, where they can take a number of sectional tests along with full-length timed mock tests under real exam conditions. These tests help simulate the pressure of test day, track performance, and highlight areas that need improvement. Detailed performance analytics are provided after each test to guide further study.
One-on-One Mentoring: Our expert mentors assess students' performance, identify weaknesses, and provide detailed feedback. They also share test-taking strategies, time management techniques, and tips to improve accuracy, ensuring students maximize their UCAT scores.
In conclusion, the UCAT is a pivotal component of the medical and dental school application process. Understanding its structure, the recent changes, and how to prepare effectively can significantly enhance your chances of securing a place in a top-tier University.
EZ Scholar is a premium admissions consultancy and test prep organization that works with bright and ambitious students seeking admissions to Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, and other top global universities. Our experts have mentored thousands of students with their profile building, research papers, extracurricular and co-curricular activities, test prep, and admissions essays.
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