Students Guide to UCAT

Register for UCAT®.

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT®) is a computer-based test used by Australian institutions to determine eligibility for medical, dental, and clinical science programs, evaluating essential competencies and behaviors.

The UCAT® exam aims to select the top candidates from a highly competitive pool of medical and dental school applicants.

Australia and New Zealand demand a registration cost of $305. If you are qualified for concession in Australia, the charge is $199. To be eligible for the concession, you must:

• You must have a current, signed Health Care Card (HCC).
• Do you have a signed Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)?

The UCAT® Structure

The UCAT® exam is a two-hour computer-based exam that consists of 233 multiple choice questions. These questions are broken into five subtests, each designed to examine a distinct skill. The five subtests are arranged in a specified order and detailed in detail below:

• Verbal Reasoning - Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in writing.
• Decision Making - Evaluates the capacity to make sound judgments and judgements based on complex information.
• Quantitative Reasoning - Measures the ability to critically analyze information provided numerically.
• Abstract reasoning evaluates the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from data.
• Situational judgement assesses the ability to perceive real-world circumstances, determine essential aspects, and respond appropriately.

UCAT® Test Scores

The UCAT® exam is graded based on correct answers, with no negative marking for incorrect responses. Each cognitive subtest has varying sets and questions, and raw marks are converted to a scaled score ranging from 300 to 900. Performance on one question doesn't affect the other.

• Verbal Reasoning
Questions – 44
Scale Score Range - 300 – 900
Marking - Questions are worth 1 mark each
• Decision Making
Questions – 29
Scale Score Range - 300 – 900
Marking – Either 1 mark or 2 marks
• Quantitative Reasoning
Questions – 36
Scale Score Range - 300 – 900
Marking - Questions are worth 1 mark each
• Abstract Reasoning
Questions – 55
Scale Score Range - 300 – 900
Marking - Questions are worth 1 mark each
• Situational Judgement
Questions – 69
Scale Score Range - 300 – 900
Marking - Full or partial marks

Getting ready for the UCAT® exam.

• Understanding the UCAT.
Preparing for the UCAT® exam is crucial as it is as important as the ATAR in medical school applications, as a low UCAT® score can hinder excellent ATAR or interview performance.
• Develop effective test-taking strategies.
Understanding the UCAT® format, methods, and shortcuts is crucial for optimizing preparation efforts, as it offers a variety of question types and difficulty levels.
• Practice with a range of questions.
The UCAT® consortium offers limited questions with minimal answers, while GradReady's MCQ bank offers test-accurate questions and detailed explanations for analyzing deficiencies.
• Attempting complete mock examinations.
UCAT® scores are determined through time-pressured exam simulations, assessing readiness under realistic circumstances. Practiced exam-taking tactics, including shortcuts, calculator use, and time management, significantly improve performance.
• Reviewing mistakes and addressing weaknesses.
Our detailed solutions aid students in identifying and addressing potential flaws in practice and mock exams, thereby preventing future repetition.

For more information, check out our full article here: https://gradready.com.au/ucat-students-guide