Applying to medical school? Register now to take the UKCAT

What is the UKCAT?

The  United Kingdom Clinical Admissions Test (UKCAT) is used in the selection process by a consortium of  26 UK university Medical and Dental Schools. If you are considering making an application in autumn 2010 for entry in 2011 (or deferred entry), and are applying to a UKCAT university, you must sit the UKCAT. In addition to registering to take the UKCAT you will need to submit an application to UCAS between 1 September and 15 October 2010.

The UKCAT is designed to be a test of aptitude rather than strictly academic achievement. The test will assess a wide range of mental abilities and behavioural attributes identified by university Medical and Dental schools as important. The test will consist of five sections:

Verbal Reasoning– assesses candidates’ ability to think logically about written information and to arrive at a reasoned conclusion.

Quantitative Reasoning– assesses candidates’ ability to solve numerical problems.

Abstract Reasoning– assesses candidates’ ability to infer relationships from information by convergent and divergent thinking.

Decision Analysis– assesses candidates’ ability to deal with various forms of information, to infer relationships, to make informed judgements, and to decide on an appropriate response, in situations of complexity and ambiguity.

Non-Cognitive Analysis – identifies the attributes and characteristics of robustness, empathy and integrity that contribute to successful health professional practice.

A full list of universities that require applicants to sit the UKCAT test is here.

When and where can I take it?

Registration is now open and you can select a test date between 6 July and 8 October 2010. You can only site the test once in any application cycle. You should book early to secure your preferred test date and location; late booking may result in you failing to secure a test slot and any application you make to study medicine at a UKCAT university will be rejected.

The test is held at towns and cities across the UK. The closest test centres to the University of Manchester are in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens, and at Salford Quays.

Once you have registered, you may be able to change your test date and location, subject to open test slots being available dates.

How do I register?

Visit the Pearson Vue website and register your details. You will then be asked to select your preferred testing location and you will be given a choice of test dates and times (subject to availability). Once you have chosen your slot, you will need to pay the test fee of £60 for test slots before 1 September and £75 for test slots after 1 September to complete your booking.

If you have a disability and have extra time for university examinations, you should choose the UKCATSEN when you book the test. This will allow you 25% extra time to complete the test. You will need to provide evidence of your disability to the universities you are applying to once you have submitted your application.

If you require a particular test-centre environment due to a medical condition or disability (e.g. for mobility access) you should contact the UKCAT customer support service on 0161 855 7409.

Can I get help to pay the test fee?

The following candidates are eligible  for a bursary that covers the whole test fee:

• Candidates in receipt of Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
• Candidates in receipt of the Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
• Candidates who are students and in receipt of a full maintenance Grant
• Candidates who are personally in receipt of income support
• Candidates within the EU who are in receipt of an equivalent benefit to one of the above

To apply for a bursary, please complete this form and return it with evidence of your entitlement to a bursary to the UKCAT administrator at the address included on the form.

How can I prepare?

The test is designed to be a test of aptitude rather than academic achievement, therefore the test does not draw on any particular body of knowledge, which a candidate can learn in advance.  However, you should practise answering the types of questions that will be presented in the UKCAT, to familiarise yourself with the question styles, multiple choice format and varying requirements of each subtest.  You should make use of the practice questions and timed practice test on the UKCAT website. You might also like to use the ‘Get into Medical School – 600 UKCAT Practice Questions’ book which is available for use in the Career’s Resource Centre.

When will I get the results?

You should be provided with a print-out of your results immediately after completing the test. Your print-out will show your scores for each component of the test. You should retain your score print-out for reference.

The UKCAT administrators will provide your test scores to UCAS who will forward them to the medical schools. Occasionally, for example when your UKCAT registration address does not match up with the address you have used on your UCAS application, universities may ask you to confirm your test date and location. This information is contained in your test score print-out.