UCAT
United Kingdom · Australia
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is used by medical and dental schools across the UK, Australia and New Zealand to select candidates. It tests cognitive abilities and professional behaviours rather than scientific knowledge.
Exam format
- Sat as
- Computer-based
- Options per question
- 4
Scoring
- Correct answer
- +1
- Wrong answer
- 0
- Blank
- 0
Test structure
| Verbal reasoning | 44 Q | 22 min |
| Decision making | 29 Q | 37 min |
| Quantitative reasoning | 36 Q | 26 min |
| Situational judgement | 69 Q | 27 min |
| Total | 178 Q | 112 min |
Key dates
UCAT Account/registration e bursary/access arrangements
20-05-2026
Booking opens
23-06-2026
Testing window
13-07-2026 to 24-09-2026
Access Arrangement application deadline
10-09-2026
Booking and registration deadline
16-09-2026
UCAS deadline
15-10-2026
Bursary Scheme deadline
24-09-2026
Results delivered to universities
Early November 2026
Source: official ministry / exam body publications.
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What you'll get access to
About UCAT
Test structure
- Verbal Reasoning — 44 questions, 22 minutes
- Decision Making — 35 questions, 37 minutes
- Quantitative Reasoning — 36 questions, 26 minutes
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT) — 69 questions, 26 minutes
- Total: 184 questions; standard appointment time 117 minutes 30 seconds
Scoring
- Each of the three cognitive subtests is scored 300–900, for a total score of 900–2700.
- SJT is scored separately in bands 1–4 (Band 1 = best performance).
- UK medical schools each set their own UCAT cut-off; always check the official UCAT consortium tables.
How to prepare — high-ROI strategy
- Start with a diagnostic mock to identify your weakest subtest.
- Verbal Reasoning: focus on fast reading and inference — avoid re-reading the passage.
- Quantitative Reasoning: most questions need basic maths; speed is the real bottleneck.
- SJT: read the GMC/AMA professionalism guidelines — they underpin every scenario.
- In the final 2 weeks, do full timed mocks under test-centre conditions.
Key dates for UCAT 2026
- Registration opens: 20 May 2026
- Booking opens: 23 June 2026
- Testing window: 13 July – 24 September 2026
- Booking and registration deadline: 16 September 2026
- Booking fills fast in popular slots; register early.