UK has always been a preferred destination for Medicine from across the world. Medical colleges in the UK have always been on the forefront of medical research. Many of the colleges are centuries old and are known for their path breaking discoveries and practices.

Entrance into the colleges in UK is governed by entrance exams - UCAT (University Clinical Admission Test) and BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test). More information about the same are provided below –

UCAT (University Clinical Admission Test)

UCAT is an Entrance Exam which mandatory for students who wish to pursue medicaleducation in UK. It is a computer based test held twice in a year (July, September). Students should apply for UCAT a year before they plan to take admission into UK Universities.

UCAT has five sections with multiple choice questions with the total score of 3600.

Abstract reasoning 900 marks
Verbal reasoning 900 marks
Quantitative reasoning 900 marks
Decision making 900 marks
Situational judgment band 1-4

UCAT Test Format

The UCAT test consists of five separately timed subtests in multiple-choice format.There are four cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning) and a fifth non-cognitive subtest of Situational Judgment.

The standard test is for a duration of 2 hours. Once the test has started it cannot be paused but each subtest is preceded by a 1 minute instruction section.Eligible candidates can apply for Access Arrangements to sit an extended version of the test.

UCAT Subtests Questions Test Time Score

Verbal Reasoning

Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form.
44 21 minutes 300 - 900

Decision Making

Assesses your ability to make sound decisions and judgments using complex information.
29 31 minutes 300 - 900

Quantitative Reasoning

Assesses your ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.
36 25 minutes 300 - 900

Abstract Reasoning

Assesses your use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.
50 12 minutes 300 - 900

Situational Judgment

Measures your capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behavior in dealing with them.
69 26 minutes Bands 1 - 4

UCAT Subtests

The information below provides an overview of the five subtests.

  • Verbal Reasoning

  • Decision Making

  • Quantitative Reasoning

  • Abstract Reasoning

  • Situational Judgment Test

UCAT Scoring

The UCAT is marked on the number of correct answers you give. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers.Your performance on one question does not influence which other questions are presented.

Cognitive Subtest Scoring

As the number of questions varies between the four cognitive subtests it is not possible to make a direct comparison of the raw marks between these subtests. Raw marks are therefore converted to scaled scores that share a common range from 300 to 900.

A total scaled score is generated by summing the individual scale scores of Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Reasoning. The total scaled score ranges from 1200 to 3600.

Cognitive Subtests Questions Scale Score Range Marking
Verbal Reasoning 44 300-900 Questions are worth 1 mark each.
Decision Making 29 300-900 Single answer questions are worth 1 mark.
Multiple statement questions are worth 2 marks. 
1 mark is awarded to partially correct responses on the multiple-statement questions.
Quantitative Reasoning 36 300-900 Questions are worth 1 mark each.
Abstract Reasoning 50 300-900 Questions are worth 1 mark each.

Situational Judgment Scoring

Within the Situational Judgement Test, full marks are awarded for a question if ones response matches the correct answer and partial marks awarded if ones response is close to the correct answer.

Scores for the Situational Judgement Test are expressed in one of four bands, with band 1 being the highest.Alongside the band, one is given an interpretation of their performance:

Band 1 Those in Band 1 demonstrated an excellent level of performance, showing similar judgement in most cases to the panel of experts.
Band 2 Those in Band 2 demonstrated a good, solid level of performance, showing appropriate judgement frequently, with many responses matching model answers.
Band 3 Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest level of performance, with appropriate judgement shown for some questions and substantial differences from ideal responses for others.
Band 4 The performance of those in Band 4 was low, with judgement tending to differ substantially from ideal responses in many cases.

As the Situational Judgement test is a measure of non-cognitiveattributes, it will be considered by universities in a different manner to the cognitive subtests. You are advised to refer to their websites for more details.

UCAT Universities

One is required to sit the UCAT 2023 if one is applying for entry in 2024 (or deferred entry in 2025) to a relevant course at a UK Consortium or non-UK Associate Member University.

Allapplicants must check the entry requirements for each course with the relevant university before booking a test. 

UK Universities and some of their fees

  University FEE
A20 University of Aberdeen  £50,100
A60 Anglia Ruskin University  
A80 Aston University £44,550
B32 University of Birmingham £46,320
B78 University of Bristol
B84 Brunel University London £44,905
C15 Cardiff University  £39,700
C30 University of Central Lancashire £48,000 
C55 University of Chester  
D65 University of Dundee  £ 50,100
E14 University of East Anglia 
E42 Edge Hill University
E56 University of Edinburgh  £49,900
E84 University of Exeter   
G28 University of Glasgow 
H75 Hull York Medical School  £39,900
K12 Keele University  £41,000
K31 Kent and Medway Medical School  
K60 King's College London  £45,420
L23 University of Leeds £39,750
L34 University of Leicester  £23,900
L41 University of Liverpool £39,250
M20 University of Manchester  £34,500
N21 University of Newcastle 
N84 University of Nottingham  £28,700
P60 Plymouth University  £41,100
Q50 Queen Mary University of London  £44,250
Q75 Queen's University Belfast  £34,450
S18 University of Sheffield  £39,950
S27 University of Southampton 
S36 University of St Andrews 
S49 St George's, University of London  £40,500
S84 University of Sunderland  
S85 University of Surrey  
W20 University of Warwick   
W80 University of Worcester  

International Universities

UCAT is also used in selection to the following courses:

Course> Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
University>
American University of the Caribbean
University of Kurdistan Hewlêr
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity, Singapore

BMAT

Biomedical Admissions Test is used by universities around the world to help select applicants for Medical, Dental, Biomedical and Veterinary course.It tests students ability to apply scientific and mathematical knowledge as well as problem solving, critical thinking and written communication skill that essential for university level studies.

There are several BMAT session throughout the year and different universities accept different session. Depending on their admission cycle. Student need to select a right session.

Universities in UK which accept BMAT Scores

  • Brighton & Sussex Medical School

  • Imperial College London

  • Lancaster University

  • University College London

  • University of Cambridge

  • University of Leads

  • University of Oxford