What Does The UCAT Test Consist Of?
The UCAT contains 5 sections, each testing a different ability or skill required for Medicine. We've created a summary of the key information below, however for additional details, tips & techniques click on the relevant section heading
Verbal Reasoning
Candidates are given 11 passages, and asked 4 questions or statements about each passage (44 overall). Candidates are required to answer the questions and respond with ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘can’t tell’ to the statements, or select the single best answer. This section tests students’ abilities to effectively read and summarise information over a short period of time.
Decision Making
Candidates are given 29 questions that allude to text, charts or graphs. Certain questions are multiple choice with 4 options, whereas others require students to place ‘yes’ or ‘no’ next to a series of 5 statements. There are a total of 6 question types in this section.
Quantitative Reasoning: Candidates are given 36 questions about 9 data sets – each question has 5 options, with the best answer being chosen. This primarily tests students’ ability to answer a variety of data and numerical problems.
Abstract Reasoning
Candidates are given 55 questions in this section, with there being 4 different types of question. Type 1 involves deciding whether certain shapes belong to Set A, Set B or ‘neither’, type 2 requires students to select the next shape in a series of shapes, and type 3 gives candidates a statement and asks to choose which shape ‘completes the statement’. Type 4 follows the initial Set A/Set B format – 4 shapes are given, and must be allocated to Set A or Set B. Essential to succeeding in this section is a structured approach such as the BlackStone Tutors 3 Step Approach To Abstract Reasoning & NASSSS
Situational Judgement
Candidates are given 69 questions relating to a series of scenarios taking place in a clinical setting. In the first part of the section, students must rate the ‘importance’ of a set of statements referring to the scenario. In the second part, the ‘appropriateness’ of certain actions in response to the scenario must be evaluated, ranging from the most to least appropriate.
Verbal Reasoning
Candidates are given 11 passages, and asked 4 questions or statements about each passage (44 overall). Candidates are required to answer the questions and respond with ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘can’t tell’ to the statements, or select the single best answer. This section tests students’ abilities to effectively read and summarise information over a short period of time.
Decision Making
Candidates are given 29 questions that allude to text, charts or graphs. Certain questions are multiple choice with 4 options, whereas others require students to place ‘yes’ or ‘no’ next to a series of 5 statements. There are a total of 6 question types in this section.
Quantitative Reasoning: Candidates are given 36 questions about 9 data sets – each question has 5 options, with the best answer being chosen. This primarily tests students’ ability to answer a variety of data and numerical problems.
Abstract Reasoning
Candidates are given 55 questions in this section, with there being 4 different types of question. Type 1 involves deciding whether certain shapes belong to Set A, Set B or ‘neither’, type 2 requires students to select the next shape in a series of shapes, and type 3 gives candidates a statement and asks to choose which shape ‘completes the statement’. Type 4 follows the initial Set A/Set B format – 4 shapes are given, and must be allocated to Set A or Set B. Essential to succeeding in this section is a structured approach such as the BlackStone Tutors 3 Step Approach To Abstract Reasoning & NASSSS
Situational Judgement
Candidates are given 69 questions relating to a series of scenarios taking place in a clinical setting. In the first part of the section, students must rate the ‘importance’ of a set of statements referring to the scenario. In the second part, the ‘appropriateness’ of certain actions in response to the scenario must be evaluated, ranging from the most to least appropriate.
Further Reading....
UCAT Verbal Reasoning Tips & Techniques
UCAT Decision Making Tips & Techniques
UCAT Quantitative Reasoning Tips & Techniques
UCAT Abstract Reasoning Tips & Techniques
UCAT Situational Judgement Tips & Techniques
UCAT Decision Making Tips & Techniques
UCAT Quantitative Reasoning Tips & Techniques
UCAT Abstract Reasoning Tips & Techniques
UCAT Situational Judgement Tips & Techniques