Medical school admissions test support

Learn about the admissions tests you need to take for your UK medical school application, and get support from StudyIn experts to improve your chances of achieving a high score.

Medicine admissions tests in the UK

Medicine students applying to UK universities are often required to sit for an admissions test, such as the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT), to show their readiness to study medicine. These tests evaluate a student’s critical thinking and logical reasoning skills, along with their knowledge of fundamental scientific principles.

Succeeding in these tests is important as medicine applicants since UK universities consider aptitude test scores when selecting candidates for their medicine programs.

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

The UCAT is a popular online test used by UK medical and dental schools to evaluate a candidate’s cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. The test includes four reasoning tests and a situational judgment test.

Test
Description
Duration
Contents
Verbal reasoning
Assesses the ability to process written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion
21 minutes

11 passages with 44 questions

Quantitative reasoning
Assesses the ability to solve numerical problems
24 minutes

Nine tables, charts, and graphs with 36 questions

Abstract reasoning
Assesses the ability to understand connections between different ideas through convergent and divergent thinking
13 minutes

55 questions

Decision analysis
Assesses the ability to process different forms of information to infer relationships, make informed judgements, and decide on an appropriate response
32 minutes
28 questions based on one scenario
Situational judgement
Evaluates situational responses and the grasp of medical ethics
27 minutes
67 questions based on 20 scenarios

Test: Verbal reasoning

Description: Assesses the ability to process written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion

Duration: 21 minutes

Contents: 11 passages with 44 questions

Test: Quantitative reasoning

Description: Assesses the ability to solve numerical problems

Duration: 24 minutes

Contents: Nine tables, charts, and graphs with 36 questions

Test: Abstract reasoning

Description: Assesses the ability to understand connections between different ideas through convergent and divergent thinking

Duration: 13 minutes

Contents: 55 questions

Test: Decision analysis

Description: Assesses the ability to process different forms of information to infer relationships, make informed judgements, and decide on an appropriate response

Duration: 32 minutes

Contents: 28 questions based on one scenario

Test: Situational judgement

Description: Evaluates situational responses and the grasp of medical ethics

Duration: 27 minutes

Contents: 67 questions based on 20 scenarios

The UCAT takes about 120 minutes to complete, and can be taken at a local test center. Applicants for the following universities can take the UCAT:
University Of Aberdeen
University Of Birmingham
Cardiff University
University Of Central Lancashire
University Dundee
Durham University
University Of East Anglia
The University Of Edinburgh
University Of Exter
University Of Galssgow
Kings College London
University Of Leicester
University Of Liverpool
University Of Manchester
Newcastle University
University Of Nottingham
Plymouth
University Of Sheffield
University Of Southampton
Univeruty Of St Andrews
City St Gerorges
Queeens University Belfast
Warwick

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

Some UK universities require applicants to sit for the GAMSAT if they wish to apply for graduate entry medicine programs. This test evaluates a student’s ability and skill level in problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing, focusing on their experience and knowledge of fundamental scientific principles.

While students don’t need a science degree to take the GAMSAT, knowledge in the biological and physical sciences can significantly improve a student’s chance of achieving a high score.

UCAT training with StudyIn

Get expert support from StudyIn counselors and tutors to prepare for the UCAT and improve your chances of getting a high score.

Our tutors

Raul

Rahul

University of Cambridge

Rahul is a fourth-year medical student studying at the University of Cambridge. He has extensive experience in tutoring students for the UCAT and preparing them for the medical admissions process.

Rahul was among the top UCAT scorers in the world during the 2018/19 admissions cycle, with a UCAT of 3,400. He applied to and received offers from the University of Cambridge, King’s College London, and the University of Edinburgh. He also received a scholarship from Imperial College London.

Rahul has helped hundreds of medical students prepare for the UCAT and go through the medical admissions process in the UK successfully.

Manal

Manal

University of Nottingham

Manal is a third-year medical student studying at the University of Nottingham. Her UCAT score was in the 90th percentile during the 2020/2021 admission cycle. She has extensive experience tutoring students for their UCAT and helping them prepare for the medical school admissions process.

Manal is based in Canada, so if you need one-to-one UCAT tutoring from her, she’s available over the summer break. You can speak to one of our counselors for more information about her private tutoring options.

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