The Verbal Reasoning section of the UCAT tests your ability to read quickly, interpret information accurately, and make logical conclusions based on written text. You’ll face 44 questions in 22 minutes, meaning speed and precision are essential.

Success in this section doesn’t rely on prior knowledge, but on how well you understand what is stated – and what is not stated – in the passage.

What does True / False / Can’t Tell mean?
You’ll be presented with a short passage and a series of statements. For each one, you must decide:

• True – the statement is clearly supported by the passage

• False – the statement is clearly contradicted by the passage

• Can’t Tell – there is not enough evidence to say either way

You must only base your answer on what’s written in the text. Even if something seems familiar, you cannot use outside knowledge or assumptions. This question type rewards close attention to detail and a literal reading of the passage.

1. Read the text first, then answer questions

You read the full passage first, then go through all four questions, referring back only when needed.

Best for:

• People with strong reading speed

• Questions that need whole-text context

• Accuracy in tone/opinion-based questions

2. Read the question first, then scan the text

Start with the question, identify key ideas, and scan for the answer.

Best for:

• Students who struggle with long texts

• Passages with clearly separated facts

• Questions asking about specific details

3. Mixture of both methods

Use method 1 for shorter or conceptual passages, and method 2 for longer or fact-heavy ones.

Best for:

• Students who can adapt their approach

• Practising flexibility under time pressure

Filmed by our English department, this video walks through True / False / Can’t Tell.

Passage – The Global Coffee Trade

For centuries, coffee has been at the centre of global trade, cultural rituals, and political movements. Originating in Ethiopia, it spread throughout the Arab world and Europe, eventually becoming a staple commodity across the Americas. In the 17th and 18th centuries, coffeehouses became hubs of political discourse, earning the nickname “penny universities” for the way they encouraged the exchange of ideas among patrons from all walks of life. Even today, the link between coffee and intellectualism persists, with cafés often associated with creative professions and academic life.

Economically, coffee is one of the most valuable traded commodities worldwide, second only to oil in terms of dollar value. Millions of smallholder farmers rely on coffee as their primary source of income, especially in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam. However, the global supply chain is fraught with challenges: price volatility, climate change, and exploitation by large corporations often leave farmers with little financial security. Various certification schemes, such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, have emerged in response, aiming to ensure more ethical production and better prices for growers.

Environmentally, coffee farming has complex effects. Shade-grown coffee, traditionally cultivated beneath forest canopies, helps preserve biodiversity and reduces soil erosion. In contrast, sun-grown varieties, introduced for higher yields, often lead to deforestation, greater pesticide use, and long-term soil depletion. As consumer awareness increases, many are choosing sustainably sourced beans, though critics argue that meaningful change requires more than just individual purchasing decisions.