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Frequently Asked Questions

Who must take the UKCAT?

The UKCAT is required by 26 medical and dental schools/universities across the UK.

It must be taken by applicants who are applying for medicine and dentistry at the following Universities:

University of Aberdeen Barts and The London
School of Medicine and Dentistry
Queen's University Belfast
Brighton and Sussex Medical School Cardiff University University of Dundee
University of Durham University of East Anglia University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow Hull York Medical School Imperial College London
Keele University King's College London University of Leeds
University of Leicester University of Oxford Peninsula Medical School
University of Sheffield University of Southampton University of St Andrews
St George's, University of London University of Manchester University of Newcastle
University of Nottingham Warwick University

The UCAS course codes applicable are*:

A100, A101, A102, A103, A104, A106, A200, A201, A202, A203, A204, A205, A206, B900.

*Not all courses are available at every university. Please check the UCAS website for further details.

Can I re-sit the test?

No! The UKCAT can only be sat once per year. If you try to re-sit the test, your second set of results will be made invalid. To take the test again you would have to re-apply in the next admissions year.

Candidates who feel they have performed poorly in the test will not have the opportunity to resit the test until the following year.

Should I practice?

The official UKCAT Consortium website states:

"Candidates should practise answering the types of questions that will be presented in the UKCAT, to familiarise themselves with the question styles, multiple-choice format and varying requirements of each subtest.

Candidates should also familiarise themselves with the onscreen test format so that they know how to move the mouse, answer questions and move through the test."

When can I take the UKCAT?

UKCAT testing begins on 3rd July 2012 and the last testing date is 5th October 2012.

How do I register?

Registration for the UKCAT must be made online using the Pearson VUE registration server. Register now

It is advisable to register as early as possible for the UKCAT to give you the best options of where and when to sit the test.

When can I register?

Registration for the UKCAT opens on 1st May 2012 and the deadline for registration is 21st September 2012.

How far ahead can I book a test slot?

After registration it's recommended you book a test slot as soon as possible to maximise your chances of attending a convenient test centre. However the UKCAT booking system allows test slots to be allocated 90 days in advance.

Where can I take the UKCAT?

The UKCAT is sat at Pearson VUE test centres. There are over 150 locations throughout the UK where the computer-based UKCAT can be sat.

How much does the UKCAT cost?

If the test is sat between 3rd July 2012 and 31st August 2012 the cost is:

  • £65 for candidates taking the test in the European Union
  • £100 for all other candidates.

If the test is sat between 1st September 2012 and 5th October 2012 the cost is:

  • £80 for candidates taking the test in the European Union.
  • £100 for all other candidates.

What will the test be like?

The test is split into 5 sections; Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Decision Analysis and Non-cognitive Analysis. The test is computer-based and is in a multiple choice format. For more detailed information about the test visit the Revision Advice.

To see what the computer-based test will look like, take the familiarity tour.

How long does the test take?

The time given for the test is 2 hours. This is split into:

  • Verbal Reasoning - 22 minutes
  • Quantitative Reasoning - 22 minutes
  • Abstract Reasoning - 16 minutes
  • Decision Analysis - 30 minutes
  • Non-cognitive Analysis - 30 minutes

What is an average score?

An average score in each subtest is between 600 and 900.

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