How to prepare for the UCAT exam

Preparing for the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is same as preparing for your GCSEs and A-levels, all you need is a study plan, expert support, and the willingness to do the work.

To help, we’ve compiled this guide to the UCAT and how to walk into the exam full of confidence and ready to show off your skills. We’ll cover;

• How the UCAT is structured

• Scoring

• Universities that require the UCAT

• Test locations

• Key dates

• Fees

How the UCAT is structured

The UCAT is split into four sections; verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning, and situational judgment. The time allowed, number of questions and scoring varies for each section.

Verbal reasoning

22 minutes, 44 questions, 300-900 score

In the verbal reasoning section students will need to interpret and process information.

They’ll read 11 passages of between 200-to-300-words and then answer four questions for each passage, with answers including; ‘true’, ‘false’, ‘can’t tell’, and an opportunity to write free text. 

Decision making

37 minutes, 35 questions, 300-900 score

Questions testing a student’s decision-making skills will consist of text or visual information that a student must match to answers.

This comes in the form of multiple choice and ‘yes’ or ‘no’ statements. Students are allowed a calculator for this section.

Quantitative reasoning

26 minutes, 36 questions, 300-900 score

The quantitative reasoning section tests a student’s ability to process data sets.

They’ll encounter tables, graphs, and three-dimensional shapes, which simulates the skills needed to calculate the proper dosage to give a patient.

Situational judgement

26 minutes, 69 questions, scoring bands 1-4

The situational judgment section tests a student’s ability to determine what is an appropriate course of action and when.

Colloquially, these skills are known as ‘common sense’. This is tested through questions which ask a student to decide what is the most appropriate action for a scenario or to prioritise actions according to the context. 

UCAT exam scoring

The highest possible UCAT score is 2,700 and band 1.

To determine what’s a good score, check the requirements for their chosen university or universities. 

UCAT test locations

UCAT exams are held at Pearson VUE testing centres.

You can find your closest UCAT test centre using their online search tool.

Key dates

The key dates for the 2026 UCAT exams are:

• 23 June, 2pm - Registration and UCAT exam booking opens

• 13 July - First exam

• 10 September, 3pm - Access Arrangement application deadline

• 16 September, 3pm - Registration and booking closes

• 24 September - Final exam 

• 15 October - UCAS application deadline

• Early November - Universities receive student's results