Overview
According to the UCAT Consortium, the test now has four separately timed subtests: Verbal Reasoning (44 questions, 22 minutes), Decision Making (35 questions, 37 minutes), Quantitative Reasoning (36 questions, 26 minutes) and Situational Judgement (69 questions, 26 minutes), plus short instruction screens. The whole test takes just under two hours. There is no negative marking.
The three cognitive subtests are each scored from 300 to 900, giving a total of 900 to 2700. In the UK, Situational Judgement is reported separately in Bands 1 to 4; UCAT ANZ reports it differently, so check the rules for the region where you are applying. Each university decides how to use scores, and some weight Situational Judgement heavily while others use a cognitive threshold.
The main challenge is time. Most candidates could answer many questions given longer, so preparation focuses on fast, accurate methods and on practice with the on-screen calculator and keyboard shortcuts you will use on test day.
Who it’s for and the problems it solves
This is for you if you are…
- Sixth-form and secondary school students applying to UK medicine or dentistry
- Applicants in Australia and New Zealand sitting UCAT ANZ
- Graduate and mature applicants to UCAT-using programs
- Applicants who prepared for the old five-subtest format or for the BMAT and need to adjust
Common problems we help with
- You run out of time in Verbal Reasoning before finishing the passages
- Decision Making syllogisms and Venn diagram questions feel unfamiliar
- Quantitative Reasoning is slow because you avoid the on-screen calculator
- Situational Judgement answers seem subjective and you are not sure how they are marked
- Your practice resources still include Abstract Reasoning and you are unsure what to use
What’s included — and what isn’t
Included
- Diagnostic mock under timed conditions, with a subtest-by-subtest review
- Verbal Reasoning: skimming and keyword scanning, True/False/Can't Tell reasoning and free-text questions
- Decision Making: syllogisms, logical puzzles, Venn diagrams, interpreting information, probabilistic reasoning and strongest-argument questions
- Quantitative Reasoning: percentages, ratios, rates, data tables and fast calculator use with keyboard shortcuts
- Situational Judgement: appropriateness and importance ratings, drawing on professional values in the GMC's Good Medical Practice and equivalent guidance
- Timing strategy for each subtest, including when to flag and guess
- Explanation of how your chosen universities use UCAT scores, from their published information
- BMAT update and guidance for former BMAT universities (see below)
- Test booking and test-day logistics based on the current UCAT guidance
Not included
- Sitting the UCAT or any part of it for someone else
- Promising a score, band, interview invitation or offer
- Supplying live or recalled UCAT questions
- Writing your personal statement for you; we offer feedback on your own drafts separately
What you receive
- Diagnostic report
- Timed mock results by subtest, with the question types and timing issues costing you the most marks.
- Preparation schedule
- A week-by-week plan from now to your booked test date, usually over the summer testing window.
- Tutoring sessions
- One-to-one sessions teaching methods and practicing them under strict time.
- SJT reasoning notes
- Worked examples explaining why a response is judged more or less appropriate, linked to professional values.
- University use summary
- A short table of how each of your chosen universities says it uses the UCAT, taken from their published admissions information, for you to confirm.
How it works
Check your applications
We confirm whether you are applying in the UK, ANZ or both, and which universities you are considering.
Diagnose
A timed diagnostic shows your baseline and speed in each subtest.
Plan
We agree a schedule to your test date, with more time on the subtests where gains are most likely.
Practice
Sessions combine method teaching with short, strictly timed question sets and full mocks.
Finalize
The final week focuses on timing, confidence and test-day routine.
Subtest methods
- Official UCAT practice tests
- The Consortium's free practice tests and question banks reproduce the real interface and timing, and are the best check of readiness.
- Verbal Reasoning scanning
- Reading the question first, then scanning for keywords rather than reading the whole passage.
- Decision Making frameworks
- Systematic approaches to syllogisms, Venn diagrams and probability, avoiding reliance on everyday assumptions.
- Calculator and keypad fluency
- Practice with the on-screen calculator and number pad to speed up Quantitative Reasoning.
- SJT values reasoning
- Judging responses by patient safety, honesty, teamwork and professional boundaries, as described in professional guidance.
- Timed mini-sets
- Short sets under strict time to build speed before full mocks.
What changed in 2025
Abstract Reasoning was removed from the UCAT from the 2025 test onwards, in both the UK and ANZ versions. Decision Making was lengthened, and the cognitive total is now out of 2700 rather than 3600, so older scores are not directly comparable. Many books and question banks still include Abstract Reasoning; you can ignore that material.
- Verbal Reasoning: 44 questions, 22 minutes
- Decision Making: 35 questions, 37 minutes
- Quantitative Reasoning: 36 questions, 26 minutes
- Situational Judgement: 69 questions, 26 minutes (UK: Bands 1–4)
What happened to the BMAT
The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) was withdrawn by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. It was last offered in 2023, for 2024 entry. The UK medical schools that used it, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Lancaster, Leeds and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, moved to the UCAT from the 2025 entry cycle.
As a result, BMAT preparation is no longer needed for UK medicine, and we do not offer it. If you are applying to a former BMAT university, prepare for the UCAT and check that university's own admissions pages for any additional requirements. Some graduate-entry courses use other tests, such as GAMSAT, so check the requirements for each course. Some universities outside the UK also used the BMAT; check with each institution directly.
Timing strategy
Each subtest gives well under a minute per question on average. We set pacing checkpoints, practice flagging and returning, and make sure you always answer every question, since there is no penalty for guessing. Practice sets are timed strictly from the start, because working untimed builds habits that do not transfer to the test.
What the work can look like
Illustrative example — fictional data
Sample diagnostic summary for a UK applicant
A Year 12 student applying to UK medicine took a timed mock six weeks before their test date. The details are invented for illustration.
Results
Verbal Reasoning was the weakest subtest: the student answered 30 of 44 questions before time ran out. Decision Making was accurate but slow on Venn diagram questions. Situational Judgement was consistent.
Focus
Keyword scanning for Verbal Reasoning with a checkpoint of 22 questions by 11 minutes; a Venn diagram method; calculator shortcut practice for Quantitative Reasoning.
University check
Two of the student's four chosen universities publish that they place significant weight on Situational Judgement, so SJT practice continued weekly.
Illustrative example with invented details. University policies must be checked on their own websites, and no score or outcome is promised.
What you’ll need to provide
- Your booked test date (or intended week) and region (UK or ANZ)
- The universities and courses you are considering
- Any previous UCAT results or mock scores
- Details of any access arrangements, such as UCATSEN or other extra-time versions
- Your weekly study availability
You don’t need everything ready to ask for a quote — tell us what you have and we’ll say what’s missing.
What affects price and turnaround
Price depends on
- Number of sessions and weeks before your test date
- Whether you need all subtests or focused help on one or two
- Amount of mock review and SJT discussion
- One-to-one sessions versus a short intensive before your date
Turnaround depends on
- Your booked test date within the testing window
- How much time you can give to daily timed practice, especially during exams at school
- Registration and booking deadlines, which you should check on the official UCAT website
Every project is quoted individually. How we price our work.
Questions people ask before starting
Is the BMAT still running?
No. The BMAT was withdrawn after its final sitting in 2023. UK medical schools that used it now use the UCAT. Always check each university's current admissions requirements.
Do I need to prepare for Abstract Reasoning?
No. Abstract Reasoning was removed from the UCAT from 2025. Ignore any practice material for it.
How is the Situational Judgement test marked?
Full marks are given for answers matching the correct response, with partial credit for answers close to it. In the UK, results are reported in Bands 1–4. We explain the professional values behind the expected responses so your judgments become more consistent.
How long should I prepare?
Many applicants prepare over several weeks in the summer before their test. The right amount depends on your baseline and on school commitments.
Can you help with medical school interviews?
Yes, as a separate service covering MMI and panel formats. See admission interview preparation.
Is UCAT ANZ different?
The subtests are the same, but test dates, fees and how Situational Judgement is reported differ. Check the UCAT ANZ website for your cycle.