Admissions Tests at UK Medical Schools

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is part of the selection process for some UK medical and dental schools. It is an online test designed to test cognitive abilities, attitudes, critical thinking, and logical reasoning. There are four reasoning tests and a situational judgement test.

• Verbal reasoning: This test assesses the ability to think logically about written information and arrive at a reasoned conclusion. It takes 21 minutes to complete, with 11 passages to read and 44 questions.
• Decision making: Assesses ability to deal with various forms of information to infer relationships, make informed judgements, and decide on an appropriate response: 32 minutes, 1 scenario full of information and 28 questions (basic calculator provided).
• Quantitative reasoning: Assesses ability to solve numerical problems: 24 minutes, 9 tables, charts, graphs etc. as information and 36 questions.
• Abstract reasoning: This test assesses the ability to infer relationships from information using convergent and divergent thinking. It takes 13 minutes and has 55 questions.
• Situational judgement: Measures your responses in situations and your grasp of medical ethics: 27 minutes and 67 questions on 20 scenarios.

The test is taken at your local test centre; each subtest is multiple-choice. Past papers are not available, but there are specimen questions on the UCAT website.

UCAT Universities

Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

The Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) was an additional entry test for students who wish to apply to medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, and biomedical science courses in the UK. The test was discontinued in 2024, and most universities that used the BMAT will use the UCAT from 2024 onwards.

Study Medicine in the UK

If you want to learn more about admissions tests at UK medical schools or want to apply to study medicine, arrange your free consultation with SI-UK today. The Medicine Service will help you secure a place at a UK medical school.