UCAT preparation online
Set by UCAT Consortium. Students in the UK, the Gulf and Pakistan.
Free UCAT trial class
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What is the University Clinical Aptitude Test format?
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 questions in 22 minutes. Assesses the ability to evaluate written information critically. |
|---|---|
| Decision Making | 35 questions in 37 minutes. Assesses logical reasoning, interpreting data and making decisions from complex information. |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 questions in 26 minutes. Assesses solving numerical problems from tables, charts and graphs. |
| Situational Judgement | 69 questions in 26 minutes. Assesses understanding of real-world situations and appropriate professional behaviour. |
| Total time | Just under two hours, with a short instruction period before each subtest. Abstract Reasoning was removed from 2025. |
| Scoring | Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored from 300 to 900, giving a combined cognitive score from 900 to 2700. Situational Judgement is reported in four bands, with Band 1 the highest. There is no negative marking. Each university decides how it uses UCAT scores alongside academic results and interviews. |
| Test dates | The UCAT is taken once per admissions cycle, during a testing window that usually runs from July to late September. Registration opens in late spring and booking opens in early summer, with tests taken at Pearson VUE centres in the UK and internationally, including in Pakistan and the Gulf. Check the UCAT website for the current year's dates. |
How do we prepare students for the UCAT?
Diagnostic mock
A timed practice test shows the student's starting scores in each subtest and where time pressure is causing errors.
Target scores
We look at how the student's chosen universities use the UCAT and agree a realistic target for each subtest.
Weekly subtest modules
Lessons cover one or two subtests each week, building methods for each question type and speed under timed conditions.
Full timed mocks
Full-length mocks in a format similar to the on-screen test build stamina and pacing across all four subtests.
Review before test day
The tutor reviews mock results, targets the subtests with the most room to improve and helps the student plan pacing for the real test.
Not sure which fits? Chat on WhatsApp
How much does UCAT preparation cost?
Prices shown in US dollars
- Recommended
One-to-one
Fully personalised to your child
USD 50 / class
- 60-minute live classes at times you choose
- A plan built from a diagnostic of your child's gaps
- Past-paper practice marked against the mark scheme
- Progress notes for parents
Small group
Up to 6 students, 8 live classes a month
USD 12 / class
- 75-minute live classes, 8 per month
- Taught to your exam board and syllabus code
- Weekly past-paper questions with feedback
- Class recordings and notes
Intensive exam prep
12 one-to-one classes a month before exams
USD 45 / class
- Three 60-minute classes a week
- Timed past papers and full mock exams
- Topic-by-topic weak-spot drills
- Pack discount of 10% applied
Prices are per class unless shown per month: one-to-one classes are 60 minutes and group classes 75 minutes. Your trial class is free and doesn't turn into a paid plan by itself. Pricing FAQ
UCAT questions students ask
What subtests are in the UCAT?
The UCAT has four subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Situational Judgement. Abstract Reasoning was removed from 2025. The test takes just under two hours and is entirely multiple choice. The first three subtests are scored from 300 to 900 each, and Situational Judgement is reported in bands.
When should I take the UCAT?
You take the UCAT in the summer before you apply to medical or dental school, usually between Year 12 and Year 13 or the equivalent. The testing window typically runs from July to late September. Booking an earlier date leaves time to adjust your university choices once you know your score.
How long should I prepare for the UCAT?
Most students prepare for the UCAT over six to twelve weeks of regular practice, often during the summer before testing. The test rewards speed and familiarity with question types more than subject knowledge, so consistent timed practice matters. A diagnostic mock at the start shows how much preparation is needed.
Can I take the UCAT in Pakistan or the Gulf?
Yes, the UCAT can be taken at Pearson VUE test centres outside the UK, including in Pakistan and the Gulf. Students register through the UCAT website and book a centre and date within the testing window. International centres can have limited availability, so book as early as possible once booking opens.
What is a good UCAT score?
A good UCAT score depends on the universities you apply to, because each uses the test differently. Some set thresholds, while others combine the score with academic results and interviews. The UCAT Consortium publishes score statistics each year, which, together with each university's admissions guidance, are the most reliable way to judge a target.
Can I retake the UCAT?
No, you can only take the UCAT once in each admissions cycle. Results are valid only for the cycle in which you sit the test, so students who reapply in a later year take it again. Because there is one attempt per year, careful preparation before test day matters, including timed practice across all four subtests.
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