2018 UKCAT OFFICIAL GUIDE - UK Clinical Aptitude Test for Medicine and Dentistry
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2018 UKCAT
OFFICIAL GUIDE
UK Clinical Aptitude Test for Medicine and Dentistry
www.ukcat.ac.uk
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 1
Foreword
This is the official guide to the UKCAT 2018 which contains definitive information regarding the
test and its content. We have produced this guide in response to candidate feedback that they
would like a comprehensive guide to the test that is portable and printable. We believe that
this guide, in conjunction with additional information on our website www.ukcat.ac.uk and our
free preparation materials, are all you need to prepare successfully for the test.
We do not endorse any commercially-available preparation courses for the UKCAT and we
would advise you to be sceptical about anyone’s claims to be able to help you do well in the
test by coaching. Of course you do need to practice in order to become familiar with test items
and most importantly the timing in each subtest. We give more advice in this guide regarding
test preparation and strategies.
This guide includes key information about the test, what it contains and how our Universities
use the test. In addition, it contains information about what to expect on your test day. You will
find descriptions of each subtest together with over 130 practice questions and answers to
help you prepare. Items can also be accessed through our Practice App available from the
iTunes App Store and Google Play.
We hope you find this information useful. If you have any feedback and suggestions for
additional content please contact us.
The UKCAT Consortium
The UKCAT Consortium is a charity and company limited by guarantee. The members
of the charity, who also nominate its board of directors, are the universities that have
agreed to adopt the UKCAT as part of their selection process for medicine and dentistry.
We are committed to fairness in selection to medicine and dentistry and to the widening
participation in medical and dental training of under-represented social groups.
The test is run by the Consortium in partnership with Pearson VUE, a global leader in
computer-based testing and part of Pearson plc. It is delivered on computers worldwide
through Pearson VUE’s high street centres.
Address details????????
© UKCAT 2013
www.ukcat.ac.uk © 2018 UKCAT Consortium. All rights reserved
2 UKCAT Official Guide 2018
Contents
Foreword 2 Preparation 23
How should I Prepare? 24
Test Strategies and Advice 25
What is the UKCAT? 4 Adviser Resources 26
Key dates 2018 5
Who should take the test? 5
Which Universities require the test? 6 Test Day 27
Where can I take the test? 7 Arrival 27
Identification 28
Personal belongings 28
Registration and Booking 8 Environment 28
Registration 8 Calculator 28
Booking 9 Note board 29
Test Fees 9 Breaks 29
Bursaries 10 Problems 29
Rescheduling and Cancelling 10 Unprofessional behaviour 29
Access Arrangements 11 Mitigating Circumstances 30
Extra Time 11 Illness or Personal Circumstances 30
UKCATSEN 12 Test Day Problems 31
Alternative Versions 12 Candidate Complaints 31
Test Accommodations 12
Practice Questions 32
Test Format 13 Rationales and Answers 69
Overview 13
Verbal Reasoning 14
Decision Making 15 Step-by-step guide 84
Quantitative Reasoning 16
Abstract Reasoning 17
Situational Judgement 18 Preparation Plan 86
Marking and Scores 20
Using my Results 21
Delivering Results 22 Feedback 88
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 3
What is the UKCAT? The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is an admissions test used by a consortium of UK Universities for their medical and dental degree programmes. The test helps universities to make more informed choices from amongst the many highly- qualified applicants to medical and dental programmes. It helps to ensure that candidates selected have the most appropriate mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviour required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers. The UKCAT does not contain any curriculum or science content. It focuses on exploring the cognitive powers of candidates and other attributes considered to be valuable for health care professionals. 4 UKCAT Official Guide 2018
WHAT IS THE UKCAT?
Key dates 2018 Who should take the test?
Registration & booking opens 1 May The UKCAT is a compulsory entry
requirement for our Consortium Universities.
Bursary applications open 1 May You are required to sit the test by 2 October
2018 if you are intending to apply for entry in
Testing begins 2 July 2019 (or deferred entry in 2020) to a relevant
course listed overleaf. UKCAT results cannot
Registration and online be carried over from one year to the next.
booking closes 18 September at 5pm
There are no general exemptions from the
Bursary deadline 18 September at 5pm test. Candidates who believe they may be
unable to sit the UKCAT in 2018 should see
Final booking deadline 1 October at midday the Mitigating Circumstances section of
this guide.
Last testing date 2 October
You may only take the test once in any test
UCAS application deadline 15 October cycle and any instances of multiple testing in
the same year will be treated as an example
Results delivered of unprofessional behaviour.
to universities Early November
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 5
Which Universities require the test?
The information below may be subject to change. You should always check the entry requirements
for each course before booking a test. Some universities may have different requirements for
overseas or graduate applicants. The UKCAT website has the most up to date list.
University of Aberdeen A100, A201
Anglia Ruskin University A100
Aston University A100
University of Birmingham A100, A200
University of Bristol A100, A108, A206, A208
Cardiff University A100, A104, A200, A204
University of Dundee A100, A104, A200, A204
University of East Anglia A100, A104
University of Edinburgh A100
University of Exeter A100*
University of Glasgow A100, A200
Hull York Medical School A100
Keele University A100*, A104*
King's College London A100, A101, A102, A202, A205, A206
University of Leicester A100, A199
University of Liverpool A100*, A200, A201
University of Manchester A104, A106, A204, A206
University of Newcastle A100, A101, A206
University of Nottingham A100, A108
Plymouth University A100*, A206*
Queen Mary, University of London A100, A101, A110, A120, A130, A200, B960
Queen's University Belfast A100, A200*
University of Sheffield A100, A200
University of Southampton A100, A101, A102
University of St Andrews A100, A990
St George's, University of London A100
University of Sunderland A100 (subject to GMC approval)
University of Warwick A101
* Alternative requirements may apply to certain groups of students - please see university website for more details.
Non-UK Universities
UKCAT also meets the admission requirements of the following courses:
American University of the Caribbean Doctor of Medicine MD Program
Advanced MD Program in English for university
Poznan University of Medical Sciences
graduates
Saint Camillus International University of Health and Degree in Medicine and Surgery and all 3 year
Medical Sciences degree courses
St George’s University, Grenada Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program
6 UKCAT Official Guide 2018
WHAT IS THE UKCAT?
Where can I take the test?
The UKCAT is a compulsory requirement for our Consortium Universities. It is offered
worldwide in the countries listed below. Consortium Universities expect overseas applicants
to take the test which could mean travelling to another country.
The UKCAT Consortium does not grant exemptions from the test. Candidates who believe
they may be unable to sit the test in 2018 should contact their chosen Universities to see
whether they would consider their application without a test result.
Afghanistan Croatia (Republic of) Namibia South Africa
Albania Cyprus Isle of Man Nepal South Korea
American Czech Israel Netherlands Spain
Samoa Republic Italy New Zealand Sri Lanka
Argentina Denmark Jamaica Nigeria Sweden
Australia Dominican Japan Northern Switzerland
Austria Republic Jersey Mariana Taiwan
Azerbaijan Egypt Jordan Islands Tanzania
Bahamas El Salvador Kazakhstan Norway Thailand
Bahrain Estonia Kenya Oman Trinidad &
Bangladesh Ethiopia Kuwait Pakistan Tobago
Barbados Finland Kyrgyzstan Palestine Tunisia
Belgium France Latvia Peru Turkey
Bermuda Gambia Lebanon Philippines Uganda
Bolivia Germany Liberia Poland Ukraine
Botswana Ghana Lithuania Portugal United Arab
Brazil Gibraltar Luxembourg Puerto Rico Emirates
Brunei Greece Macau Qatar United
Darussalem Guam Romania Kingdom
Macedonia
Cameroon Guatemala Russian United States
Malawi
Canada Honduras Federation of America
Malaysia
Cayman Hong Kong Saudi Arabia Uzbekistan
Malta
Islands Hungary Senegal Venezuela
Mauritius
Chile Iceland Serbia Vietnam
Mexico
China India Seychelles Virgin Islands
Moldova
Colombia Indonesia Singapore Yemen
Morocco
Costa Rica Iraq Slovakia Zambia
Myanmar
Cote d’Ivoire Ireland Slovenia Zimbabwe
Please check the website for a current list of countries.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 7
Registration and Booking The UKCAT can be taken between 2 July and 2 October 2018. You must complete a two-step process using the Pearson VUE online registration system to register and then book a test. Registration You are strongly recommended to register and sit your test at your earliest convenience to ensure that places are available at your chosen test centre. Each year there are candidates who book a late test and then encounter problems when they fall ill or experience other issues which prevent them from taking that testing slot. This can be avoided by booking to take your test early. You must create an online account with Pearson VUE before you can book your test (we call this first step registration). You can register for your test between 1 May and 5pm on 18 September 2018 by following the links on our website www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/ukcat-registration-booking/. You need to register for your test personally – this cannot be done by your school or college. 8 UKCAT Official Guide 2018
REGISTRATION AND BOOKING
Booking Test Fees
Once you have registered you will be able to The following test fees apply in 2018:
book your test. We recommend you book a
test slot as soon as possible to maximise the Tests taken in the EU between
chance of attending a convenient test centre. 2 July and 31 August £65
Tests taken in the EU between
You can make an online booking until 1 September and 2 October £87
5pm on 18 September 2018. We expect
Tests taken outside the EU £115
all candidates to have booked a test by
this date.
There is no difference in content between
You should book a standard test unless you the UKCAT sat during the summer or
are eligible for extra time in public exams. autumn period. The increased price reflects
Please see the Access Arrangements section demand on resources at particular times
of this guide for more information. It is your of the year. We recommend candidates sit
responsibility to book the correct test. the test during the summer period and pay
the lower test fee. Test fees depend on the
After online booking closes you must test centre location, not on your place of
phone Pearson VUE Customer Services to residence or nationality.
book a test before the final deadline of
midday on 1 October 2018, however Bursaries to cover the full test fee are offered
availability of test slots in this late period to candidates who meet certain criteria, see
will be extremely limited. the Bursaries section of the guide.
The test fee is payable online at the time
of booking by major credit card (Visa,
Mastercard or UK Visa debit card) or UKCAT
bursary voucher.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 9
Bursaries
Bursaries to cover the full test fee are • Live with a family member in receipt of
available to UKCAT candidates from the Child Tax Credit where the candidate is
UK or EU who are in receipt of one of named on the award and the household
the following: income used to calculate the award is
less than £35k
• 16 to 19 Bursary or Educational
Maintenance Allowance (EMA) • Live with a parent/guardian in receipt of
Asylum Support
• Discretionary Learner Support (or
equivalent FE funding for Wales, Further information regarding applying
Scotland, Northern Ireland) for a bursary can be found here
www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/
• Free School Meals bursary-scheme
• Full Maintenance Grant from Student Rescheduling and Cancelling
Finance England / Wales / Northern You may reschedule your test online
Ireland (or full Young Students’ / through your Pearson VUE account
Independent Students’ Bursary for until the online deadline of 5pm on 18
Scotland) September 2018. After this time you must
phone Pearson VUE Customer Services to
• Income Support, Job Seeker's reschedule your test. You can do this until
Allowance, Employment and Support 5pm on 28 September 2018.
Allowance or Universal Credit
Rescheduling must be done a full 24 hours
• An equivalent means tested benefit to before your test. If you miss this deadline
one of the above, if they are outside the your appointment will count as a no-show
UK but within the EU. and you will need to pay a further fee for the
rescheduled test.
Bursaries are also available to
candidates who: Cancellation can be done online through
your Pearson VUE account but must be
• Live with a parent/guardian in receipt done a full 24 hours before your test in order
of Income Support, Income-based to receive a refund.
Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income-based
Employment and Support Allowance If you miss your test for any reason and have
not cancelled and rescheduled in time you
• Live with a parent/guardian in receipt of will not be eligible for a refund. Please see
Universal Credit if the household income the Rescheduling and Cancelling page of
as stated on the award is less than £35k. the UKCAT website for full details.
10 UKCAT Official Guide 2018Access Arrangements
This section covers access arrangements if you have special educational needs,
disabilities or temporary injuries that entitle you to extra time in public exams.
Extra Time
If you are entitled to extra time and / or rest breaks for public examinations based on a
medical diagnosis or report from a specialist teacher we offer a number of versions of the
UKCAT which should meet your needs. This is likely to relate to candidates with dyslexia,
dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dysorthographia, attention deficit disorder, or working memory
deficit. This may also apply to a range of other medical conditions.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 11UKCATSEN • UKCATSA – standard UKCAT with
If you are entitled to 25% extra time in rest breaks
public examinations you should book the
UKCATSEN which is 25% longer than the • UKCATSENSA - 25% extra time and
standard test. rest breaks
You do not need to supply the UKCAT Office • UKCATSEN50 - 50% extra time
or Pearson VUE with evidence of your medical
condition to book and sit the UKCATSEN. Please see the UKCAT website for full
During the admissions cycle Universities will information on how to apply to sit these
request from you the following evidence: versions of the test: www.ukcat.ac.uk/
ukcat-test/ukcat-registration-booking/
If you are currently (or very recently) ukcat-access-arrangements/extra-time/
in education
• An official letter from your school, college Test Accommodations
or university that states that on the basis If you require a particular test-centre
of a diagnosis from a qualified medical environment due to a medical condition or
practitioner, educational psychologist or disability, or if you need to take medication
specialist teacher that you are currently during testing there are a number of
entitled to extra time in public examinations accommodations that can be arranged.
(or have had extra time in public
examinations within the last two years.) Accommodations cannot be handled by
the online booking system and need to be
If you are not currently in education requested at least 10 working days in advance
• A post-16 year’s diagnosis or report from a of a test. Please register first with Pearson VUE
qualified medical practitioner or educational and then contact Customer Services who will
psychologist that explicitly recommends advise you how to proceed.
extra time in public examinations.
Recent medical evidence may be required to
Your test result may be declared void if you support some requests.
do not present adequate supporting evidence
when it is requested by one of your universities. If you have already booked a test date you
need to contact Pearson VUE Customer
Candidates unsure whether they are eligible Services immediately. It is possible that, subject
to take the UKCATSEN or expecting to offer to your needs, the test date, time or location
different evidence of their condition should may need to be changed. Testing without
contact the UKCAT Office by email ukcat@ accommodations in place will not be accepted
nottingham.ac.uk before booking their test. as a mitigating circumstance.
Alternative Versions of the Test Please see the UKCAT website for full details
Alternative versions of the test as listed below on Test Accommodations: www.ukcat.
are also available, however you cannot book ac.uk/ukcat-test/ukcat-registration-
these versions of the test yourself. Permission booking/ukcat-access-arrangements/
has to be granted by the UKCAT Office once test-accommodations/
we have confirmed your eligibility.
12 UKCAT Official Guide 2018Test Format
Overview
The UKCAT test assesses a range of mental abilities identified by university Medical and
Dental Schools as important. There is no curriculum content as the test examines innate
skills. Each subtest is in a multiple-choice format and is separately timed.
For candidates sitting the UKCAT test in 2018, the test will consist of:
• Verbal reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information that is presented in a
written form
• Decision making - assesses ability to apply logic to reach a decision or conclusion,
evaluate arguments and analyse statistical information
• Quantitative reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information presented
in a numerical form
• Abstract reasoning - assesses the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer
relationships from information
• Situational judgement - measures capacity to understand real world situations and to
identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.
UKCAT - Standard Test UKCATSEN - Extended Test
(120 minutes) (150 minutes)
Time (including Time (including
Section Questions Section Questions
instructions) instructions)
27 minutes
Verbal Reasoning 22 minutes 44 questions Verbal Reasoning 44 questions
30 seconds
Decision Making 32 minutes 29 questions Decision Making 40 minutes 29 questions
Quantitative Quantitative 31 minutes
25 minutes 36 questions 36 questions
Reasoning Reasoning 15 seconds
Abstract Abstract 17 minutes
14 minutes 55 questions 55 questions
Reasoning Reasoning 30 seconds
Situational Situational 33 minutes
27 minutes 69 questions 69 questions
Judgement Judgement 45 seconds
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 13Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning subtest assesses The candidate is required to pick the best or
your ability to read and think carefully about most suitable response. Candidates will only
information presented in passages and to be able to select one response.
determine whether specific conclusions can
be drawn from information presented. You For other test questions, your task is to read
are not expected to use prior knowledge to each passage of text carefully and then
answer the questions. decide whether the statement provided
follows logically from the information in the
passage. In each case you can choose True,
UKCAT Time Questions
False or Can’t Tell.
22 minutes
(one minute for 44 questions associated Verbal Reasoning Strategies
instruction and with 11 reading • You are unlikely to be familiar with the
21 minutes for passages
content of the text shown to you. Do not
questions)
draw on existing knowledge as this will
not be relevant.
Why Verbal Reasoning? • Think about how you will plan your time
Doctors and dentists need excellent verbal in this section. You need to allocate time
reasoning skills in many aspects of their to read each passage thoroughly. In 2017
work. An ability to understand complex approximately 20% of candidates failed to
information and communicate this clearly answer every question.
and simply to patients is obviously essential.
Medical practitioners must also be able to • Work on your speed reading skills during
interpret findings from published materials your preparation by reading articles in the
and apply this to their own practice. It is newspapers and learning to extract the
also essential they are able to critique such key facts quickly.
materials and draw their own conclusion as
to the validity of any findings. • This section requires real concentration
– it is at the beginning of the test and you
Verbal Reasoning Items should be ready for this. Focus from the
You will be presented with eleven passages start.
of text, each associated with four questions.
Some questions assess critical reasoning
skills, requiring candidates to make
inferences and draw conclusions from
information. You will need to read the
passage of text carefully. You will then be
presented with questions which comprise
a stem, which might be an incomplete
statement or a question, with four
response options.
14 UKCAT Official Guide 2018TEST FORMAT
Decision Making
The Decision Making subtest assesses your Decision Making Strategies
ability to apply logic to reach a decision or • Timing is important in this subtest. Flag
conclusion, evaluate arguments and analyse questions you are unsure about so you
statistical information. can come back to them at the end.
• It may help you to write out or draw the
UKCAT Time Questions
information given in the question. Make
32 minutes sure you have your note board and pen
(one minute for 29 questions associated to hand.
instruction and with diagrams, text, charts
31 minutes for or graphs
• Some questions require you to 'drag and
questions)
drop' the correct response. Practice this
functionality in the Tour Tutorial.
Why Decision Making? • Brush up on your maths skills around
Doctors and dentists are often required to probability and Venn diagrams.
make decisions in situations that may be
complex. This requires high-level problem • Some items ask you to weigh arguments
solving skills and the ability to assess and for and against a particular solution to a
manage risk and deal with uncertainty. problem. You must suspend your own
beliefs to reach the strongest conclusion.
Decision Making Items
You will be presented with questions that • There are a number of different question
may refer to text, charts, tables, graphs or types; if there are some you find more
diagrams. Additional information may be challenging, flag these for review and
presented within the question itself. answer the item types you find easier first.
All questions are standalone and do not
share data. Some questions will have four
answer options but only one correct answer;
others will require you to respond to five
statements by placing a 'yes' or 'no' answer
next to each statement.
A simple on-screen calculator is available for
use in this section. You may also need to use
your note board and pen.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 15Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning subtest A simple on-screen calculator is available
assesses your ability to use numerical skills for use in this section. The calculator is
to solve problems. It assumes familiarity integrated into the practice tests and we
with numbers to the standard of a good strongly recommend that you familiarise
pass at GCSE. However, items are less to yourself with using it. You can also utilize
do with numerical facility and more to do your note board and pen.
with problem solving (i.e. knowing what
information to use and how to manipulate Quantitative Reasoning Strategies
it using simple calculations and ratios). The • Timing is very important in this section
subtest measures reasoning using numbers – pace yourself during the test. Check
as a vehicle rather than measuring a facility how you are doing halfway through and
with numbers. adjust your speed accordingly. In 2017
approximately 20% of candidates failed to
answer every question.
UKCAT Time Questions
25 minutes (one 36 questions • Read the questions carefully – individual
minute for instruction associated with tables, words and units may be crucial in
and 24 minutes for charts, and/or graphs answering the question correctly.
questions)
• In the first place try to understand the
scenario presented – this will help you
focus quickly on the questions.
Why Quantitative Reasoning?
Doctors and dentists are constantly required • Use the laminated note board and pen
to look at data, review it and apply it to their provided to assist with your calculations.
own practice. On a practical level drug
calculations based on patient weight, age • Review where there might be gaps
and other factors have to be correct. At a in your maths. You may need to work
more advanced level, medical and dental out percentages, averages, ratios and
research requires an ability to interpret, fractions – remind yourself how to do
critique and apply results presented in some of these calculations if they are
the form of complex statistics. Universities causing you problems.
considering applicants need to know they
have the aptitude to cope in these situations. • If you are finding a question difficult,
eliminate the more obvious incorrect
Quantitative Reasoning Items answers and make an educated guess.
You are required to solve problems by
extracting relevant information from tables • Practice your mental arithmetic to speed
and other numerical presentations. Most up your answering by reducing your
questions will be shown as a set of four reliance on the calculator.
questions each connected to the same data.
There are some questions that standalone
and do not share data. Each question has five
options. Your task is to choose the best option.
16 UKCAT Official Guide 2018TEST FORMAT
Abstract Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning assesses your ability to For type 2, you will be presented with a
identify patterns amongst abstract shapes series of shapes. You will be asked to select
where irrelevant and distracting material the next shape in the series.
may lead to incorrect conclusions. The test
therefore measures your ability to change For type 3, you will be presented with a
track, critically evaluate and generate statement, involving a group of shapes. You
hypotheses and requires you to query will be asked to determine which shape
judgements as you go along. completes the statement.
For type 4, you will be presented with two
UKCAT Time Questions
sets of shapes labelled “Set A” and “Set B”.
14 minutes (one 55 questions You will be asked to select which of the four
minute for instruction, associated with sets response options belongs to Set A or Set B.
13 minutes for of shapes
questions) Abstract Reasoning Strategies
• Timing is again important in this section.
In 2017 approximately 18% of candidates
Why Abstract Reasoning? failed to answer every question.
When considering possible diagnoses,
medical practitioners may be presented • Remember to leave time to review set A
with a set of symptoms and/or results. and set B at the beginning of each set of
Some information may be more reliable, questions. Once you have identified what
more relevant and clearer than other links each set you are half way there.
information. Doctors and Dentists need to
make judgements about such information, • Consider patterns around size and shape
identifying the information which will help of objects; number of objects; sides of
them reach conclusions. Carrying out objects; shading and colour; symmetry,
research involving data often involves number of angles, position and direction...
identifying patterns in results in order to this sounds complicated but as you look
generate further hypotheses. at these shapes you will start to grasp
what you need to focus on.
Abstract Reasoning Items
There are 4 different question types in the • What links shapes in set A and those in
Abstract Reasoning subtest. set B will often be linked in some way –
remembering this may help you ignore
For type 1, you will be presented with two distracting information.
sets of shapes labelled “Set A” and “Set B”.
You will be given a test shape and asked to • If you can’t see the pattern, don’t waste
decide whether the test shape belongs to time; flag this set of questions and move
Set A, Set B, or Neither. on to the next set of shapes. You can
revisit it if you have time at the end.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 17Situational Judgement • Of minor importance if this is something
that could be taken into account, but it
The test measures your capacity to does not matter if it is considered or not
understand real world situations and to
identify critical factors and appropriate • Not important at all if this is something
behaviour in dealing with them. that should definitely not be taken into
account.
UKCAT Time Questions
When considering how to respond to the
27 minutes (one 69 questions appropriateness of certain options, an
minute for instruction associated with 22 option is:
and 26 minutes for scenarios (consisting
questions) of between 2 and 5
• A very appropriate thing to do if it
questions)
will address at least one aspect (not
necessarily all aspects) of the situation
Why Situational Judgement? • Appropriate, but not ideal if it could be
The test assesses integrity, perspective done, but is not necessarily a very good
taking, team involvement, resilience and thing to do
adaptability. SJTs are used widely in medical
and dental selection, including selection of • Inappropriate, but not awful if it should
Foundation Doctors and Dentists, GPs and not really be done, but would not be
other medical specialities. terrible
Situational Judgement Test Items • A very inappropriate thing to do if it
The test consists of a series of scenarios should definitely not be done and would
for which you will need to consider either make the situation worse.
the appropriateness of possible actions, or
the importance of possible considerations. Other questions require you to choose the
You do not require medical or procedural most and least appropriate action to take
knowledge to answer. from the three options provided.
Some of the questions require you to rate
each response from four possible options.
When considering how to respond to the
importance of certain options, an option is:
• Very important if this is something that is
vital to take into account
• Important if this is something that
is important but not vital to take into
account
18 UKCAT Official Guide 2018TEST FORMAT
Situational Judgement Strategies • Some options may be appropriate/
• Read each scenario and response important in the short term (i.e.
thoroughly before answering. immediately addressing a wrong doing)
and some are appropriate/ important in
• Remember, there are different styles the long term (discussing the implications
of questions in this subtest; read the of the wrong doing after the event).
instructions carefully to make sure you Consider response options irrelevant of the
understand what you have to do. timeframe. A response option may still be
an appropriate thing to do even if it is not
• Within a scenario, each rating can be something that can be done immediately.
used more than once or not at all. For
example, all response options can be • When deciding which is the most / least
given the same rating of very appropriate. appropriate action, all of the possible
options may be good actions to take, the
• Responses should relate to what an question is asking you to prioritise the
individual should do, rather than what actions.
they may be likely to do.
• Response options should be treated If you are struggling with this subtest,
independently. You should make a try reading the GMC guidance on
judgement as to the appropriateness ‘Good Medical Practice’ and / or
or importance of a response option ‘Tomorrow’s Doctors’ (both available
independent from the other options online) as part of your preparation.
presented within the scenario. Previous high-scoring candidates
said they found it helpful to apply the
• Response options provided are not general principles contained
intended to represent all possible in these documents to the scenarios in
options. The response you think would the questions.
be the most appropriate/most important
may not be present.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 19Marking and scores
Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making,
Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract Those in Band 1 demonstrated an
Reasoning are marked on the number of excellent level of performance, showing
Band 1
correct answers you give. similar judgement in most cases to the
panel of experts.
Questions with one correct answer are worth
1 mark. Questions with multiple answers Those in Band 2 demonstrated a good,
(such as those in Decision Making) are worth solid level of performance, showing
2 marks, with 1 mark awarded to partially Band 2 appropriate judgement frequently,
correct responses. with many responses matching model
answers.
As the number of items varies between
Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest
Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract level of performance, with appropriate
Reasoning it is not possible to make a direct Band 3 judgement shown for some questions
comparison of the raw scores between the and substantial differences from ideal
cognitive subtests. Raw scores are therefore responses for others.
converted to scale scores that share a
common range from 300 to 900. The performance of those in Band 4 was
low, with judgement tending to differ
Band 4
• A total scale score is generated by substantially from ideal responses in
summing the individual scale scores many cases.
of Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making,
Quantitative Reasoning and Abstract
Reasoning. As the SJT is a measure of non-cognitive
attributes, it will be considered by
• A total scale score ranges from 1200 universities in a different manner to the
to 3600. cognitive subtests. Please refer to their
websites for more details.
Within the Situational Judgement test
full marks are awarded for an item if the There is no negative marking for incorrect
response matches the correct answer and answers in any of the subtests, and
partial marks awarded if the response is close performance on one item does not influence
to the correct answer. which other items are presented.
Raw scores for the Situational Judgement
subtest are expressed in one of four bands,
with band 1 being the highest. Alongside
their band, candidates will be given an
interpretation of this performance:
20 UKCAT Official Guide 2018TEST FORMAT
Using My Results
When do I Receive My Result? Some Universities have a threshold score
When you leave the test centre you will be that candidates have to achieve in order
given a copy of your test result. This test to be considered further in their admission
result is valid for the 2018 UCAS Admissions processes. This score is often determined
cycle (for entry into medical or dental school each year but Universities will usually
in 2019 or deferred entry to 2020). indicate on their website, threshold scores
that have been used in previous years.
If you need any additional copies of your
UKCAT score report, these will be available Other Universities use the UKCAT alongside
for a fee of £25 GBP. You can order additional factors such as academic achievement,
copies of your score report by contacting personal statement and interview
Pearson VUE www.ukcat.ac.uk/contact-us. performance. The factor may be significant
or may contribute a small amount to the
How Do I Use My UKCAT Result? final outcome.
You will have your test result before
the UCAS deadline so please ensure Some universities use the score (sometimes
you use this to help inform your UCAS in addition to the above uses) to discriminate
choices, otherwise you might be wasting between candidates who are ranked equally
an application. Our Universities provide at some point in the process. The UKCAT
information on their websites regarding how score provides an additional way of ranking
they use the test in admissions. such candidates in order to decide who can
proceed to the next stage.
Some Universities may provide indicative
scores, based on previous years' experience A small number of Universities use the
to guide candidates in relation to their test to provide opportunities to candidates
admission requirements. Such scores may who perhaps would not have progressed
be subject to change in 2018. Universities to interview (for example) using traditional
will indicate on their websites if this is the selection methods. This may advantage
case. candidates who have not have achieved the
highest academic score but have performed
For some the UKCAT score is a significant particularly well in the UKCAT.
factor in their consideration of your
application. For others it may be a less
significant factor or only used in marginal
situations. Most Universities consider the
total score (i.e. the score after each of
the cognitive subtest scores have been
added together). Some however do look at
individual subtest scores and may even have
a cut-off score for a particular subtest.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 21Test Statistics Delivering Results
In order to help you make your University
choices, you will want to understand how After the UCAS application deadline has
your 2018 UKCAT score relates to those passed (15 October 2018), we liaise with
used by Universities in previous years. UCAS to obtain information regarding the
This will be of particular interest to those Consortium Universities you have applied
wishing to apply to Universities who apply a to. We then communicate your test result
threshold score. directly to your chosen Universities, usually
in the first week of November.
Statistics from previous test cycles are
available on our website: www.ukcat.ac.uk/ Please ensure you have logged into your
ukcat-test/ukcat-results/test-statistics/ UKCAT account and told us your UCAS PID
We will issue interim score statistics in mid by Friday 19 October 2018.
September 2018 and final test statistics in
early October 2018. You do not need to pass your test result to
your universities yourself.
22 UKCAT Official Guide 2018Preparation
The UKCAT is an important test. Although it is a test of aptitude rather than academic
knowledge, you should still allow time to prepare thoroughly.
You should prepare for the test using the FREE resources available on the UKCAT website.
These have been developed by the UKCAT Consortium and provide comprehensive
information on the test and materials to support your preparation, including official Practice
Tests and Questions. www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/ukcat-preparation
We would recommend you spend around 25-30 hours preparing for the UKCAT. This is
the amount of preparation done by the highest scoring respondents to our most recent
candidate survey. It’s best to start 4-6 weeks before your test date and do ‘little and often’
each day, building up your practice gradually as you near your test date.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 23How should I prepare?
• Use this Official Guide as 63% of those who downloaded this agreed that doing so
increased their knowledge of how to prepare for the test, and 74% agreed that it
increased their knowledge about the content of the test
• Use the Tour Tutorial to familiarise yourself with the onscreen test format, learn
how to move around the screen and through the test, how to flag and review
questions, and to use the on-screen calculator provided
• Use the interactive Question Tutorial to find out about the different question types
you will see and learn useful strategies for approaching and answering questions
in each of the subtests
• Did you know that we provide over 1,000 FREE practice questions on our
website? Once you understand the different sections of the test, begin using our
useful online Question Banks which contain hundreds of example questions
which you can you to familiarise yourself with the format and style of questions for
each subtest
• You can watch a number of videos to support your preparation by finding
OfficialUKCAT on Vimeo and Youtube. High-scoring UKCAT candidates share
advice on their preparations for the test and overall test experience, plus a
selection of Admissions Tutors from our Consortium Universities share their
thoughts on the use of the test and what they look for in an applicant
• The Official UKCAT Practice App is a free preparation resource which allows
you to familiarise yourself with the question styles in each subtest. It is a
complementary resource in addition to the online practice tests, to boost your
preparation. Download this from the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store
• An essential part of your preparation should be to use the official UKCAT Practice
Tests. We provide you with three fully timed tests which mimic the live testing
experience. Questions are of an equivalent standard to those you will encounter in
the test and you can review your responses against answer rationales. The practice
tests are also vital in helping you to understand the time limitations in each section
and to develop strategies to approach each subtest with this in mind. Our candidate
survey found that use of the official online practice tests was associated with higher
overall test performance.
24 UKCAT Official Guide 2018PREPARATION
Test Strategies and Advice
We regularly interview our highest-scoring • Try not to leave unanswered questions. If
candidates for their advice on how they you are finding a question difficult,
prepared for the test. Some of this feedback, eliminate the more obvious incorrect
along with our own advice, is below: answers, then make your best guess from
those that are left.
• Candidates who take our test early
do better! Doing this will allow you to • No points are deducted for wrong answers
concentrate on other things (such as your – we do not use negative marking. If you
UCAS application!). If you book early you are struggling with a question, make your
will have your choice of test slots and if you best guess and move on. You can flag it for
then feel unwell or unprepared you can review if you want to come back to it later.
reschedule. This might not be easy in the
final weeks of testing. • Using the Flag and Review functions
effectively featured strongly in advice from
• Seek help and advice from your school/ last year’s highest scorers when questioned
college or via online student forums from on how they managed the time constraints
previous test takers. within the test.
• If you have not studied mathematics
• Finally, stay calm during the test. Pace
beyond GCSE level (or recently), make
yourself and move on if you're struggling.
additional time to revisit and practice your
mathematical skills as this will impact on It is inevitable you will find some questions
performance in the Quantitative Reasoning and sections easier than others.
section in particular.
Keyboard Shortcuts
• Once you’ve worked out the subtests you Keyboard shortcuts can be used to navigate
are better at, focus your preparation on through the test if you find this preferable to
those with which you are less confident, using the mouse.
using the answer rationales to see where
you may be going wrong. Wherever there is a letter underlined, the Alt
• If you are not well, reschedule your test to key can be used with the underlined letter
a later date – even if you lose your test fee. as a keyboard short cut, e.g. Alt + N = Next (as
In presenting yourself for testing, you are displayed below) and Alt + P = Previous.
declaring yourself fit. We will not consider
health issues as mitigating circumstances. Next
• Good multiple-choice questions include The shortcuts available at any time during the
answer options that are wrong but almost test depend on which screen is currently
right. Work hard to find and eliminate them. being viewed.
Questions like these are not tricks. Accept
that one (and only one) of the answers Keyboard shortcuts cannot be used to select
is correct. All the questions have been answers to questions; this has to be done
thoroughly checked.
by using the mouse to select the desired
• Many candidates do not complete all response, and in some cases to drag and drop
questions in the test. Use the three timed an answer.
practice tests as you get nearer to your test
date to ensure you are managing your time
effectively.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 25Calculator You can use the mouse or the number pad
A simple on-screen calculator is available on your keyboard to operate the calculator.
for the Decision Making and Quantitative Make sure the ‘Num Lock’ is on for the
Reasoning subtests. To access this click number pad to work. Due to limitations with
on the icon in the top left hand side of your the web browser format the practice test
screen. calculator does not retain calculations when
you click away or move to another question.
The calculator will look similar to this:
If you need help with the calculator during
the test please raise your hand.
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-108
What about commercial companies?
There are many commercial companies
+/– %
% ÷
%
MRC
publishing books and offering coaching in
MRC
MRC M– M+
% X
% the UKCAT. We do not work with any of these
+/–
7 +/–
8 %
9
% %
–
% companies and we are concerned that taking
+/–
4 +/–
5 %
6
% +
%
%
advantage of these opportunities can cost
+/–
1 +/–
2 3
% =
candidates a great deal of money. We would
%
advise you to be sceptical about claims they
+/–
ON/C +/–
0 .%
%
can help you do well in the test by coaching.
Commercial materials may not necessarily
be of an equivalent standard to the live test
The calculator has been included within the and are unlikely to include any new question
timed practice tests. We strongly advise types. This may distort your performance
you to use the calculator when taking whilst practicing.
the practice tests in order to familiarise
yourself with the functionality. Although books may be helpful in providing
additional practice questions, unless
In the live test the calculator closes when published recently, they may not contain
clicking away or moving to another question. the correct test content or any new question
It can be recalled by clicking on the icon; types.
your current calculations should be retained.
Adviser Resources
Schools and Colleges can access resources from
Adviser our website www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/ukcat-
Toolkit preparation/adviser-resources/ for advising
prospective test takers about the UKCAT.
26 UKCAT Official Guide 2018Test Day
You may be nervous, but being organised in advance can save any unnecessary stress
on your test day. Please read this section carefully, particularly the information regarding
correct ID to be able to sit your test, to avoid any surprises on your arrival at the Test Centre.
Arrival
When you book your test you will be able to choose a convenient test centre location through
our Test Centre Locator. Before you set off for our test, make a note of the Test Centre’s
address and phone number and find it on a map.
Please arrive at the Test Centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled test time to
complete the check-in process. Candidates arriving late may not be allowed to take the
test and will be charged to rearrange their test. This applies in cases of family emergency,
accident, arrest, transport problems and security alert as well as forgetfulness and lateness.
On arrival, you should present to the Test Centre reception BOTH of the following:
• a printout of your confirmation email from Pearson VUE
• one piece of photographic identification from our approved list which meets the requirements
of the region where you are taking the test. See the Identification section overleaf.
During the check-in process the test centre will take a digital photograph of you for security
purposes. You will also be asked to sign the UKCAT Consortium Examination Rules. You will sign
these to state that you understand them. Please familiarise yourself with these before your test.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 27Identification (ID) If you do not bring acceptable photographic
You must present one piece of photographic identification you will not be allowed to sit
identification from the list below. You must the test and will forfeit your test fee.
present the original ID (not a photocopy or
digital ID) and it must be valid (unexpired). Full details regarding acceptable
photographic identification can be found on
The name and date of birth on your ID must our website www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/
exactly match the name and date of birth test-day/photo-id-requirements/.
you provided when you registered online.
Personal belongings
Passport - an original valid and signed You will be asked to store your personal
passport that contains a recognisable photo belongings in a locker at the test centre.
will be accepted at ANY test centre. Personal belongings (including bags, coats,
papers, books, pens, watches, wallets, keys,
Additional rules: IDs, mobile phones, sweets and drinks) are
• A child passport will NOT be accepted not allowed into the testing room. For clarity,
without a signature or if it is signed by a nothing is allowed into the testing room
parent. When presenting a signed child apart from you and the indoor clothes you
passport the photograph must be recent are wearing. Please see the Test Experience
enough that you are easily identified page on our website for further clarification.
from it.
• A biometric type passport that has Environment
no space for a signature will ONLY be You will be allocated a desk space in the
accepted if presented together with a testing room at which you will find your PC,
valid bank card (with matching name and keyboard and space for your note board
visible signature). and pen. There will be other people taking
tests in the same room as you and as tests
Photo-card Driver's Licence - a start and finish at different times, there may
government-issued original, valid licence be some limited disturbance as other test
that contains a recognisable photo will ONLY takers arrive and leave the room. The test
be accepted at test centres in the country of centre will endeavour for such disturbance
issue. You may present a full or provisional to be kept to a minimum. You can request
licence. ear plugs or headphones if you think this
will be disturbing.
EU Identity Card or Irish Passport Card - a
government-issued original, valid and signed Calculator
EU Identity Card or Irish Passport Card that A simple on-screen calculator is available
contains a recognisable photo will ONLY be within the test. See the Preparation section
accepted at a test centre in the EU. of this guide for further details of the
on-screen calculator
Additional rules:
• The information on the card must be We strongly advise you to use the
presented in Roman script as well as calculator when taking the practice tests
the original character set. For example a in order to familiarise yourself with the
Greek identity card will have Greek and functionality.
Roman characters to be permitted.
28 UKCAT Official Guide 2018TEST DAY
Note board and Pen Unprofessional behaviour
You will be given a laminated note board and a We expect candidates to meet minimum
permanent marker pen to make notes during standards of acceptable behaviour during
the test. If you need another note board during testing and during any interactions with the
the test, please hold your note board in the air UKCAT Consortium and Pearson VUE staff.
and the invigilator will bring a replacement. Please familiarise yourself with the Professional
Examination Rules before your test.
Please note that these note boards are not
erasable. The invigilator will have checked the Where candidates fall short of these minimum
pen is working before giving it out. However standards, such incidents will be thoroughly
you may also wish to check this before you investigated. Where such allegations of
start the test in order to avoid the need to seek misconduct are upheld, we reserve the right to
assistance during testing. take actions which may include:
• withdrawal of test results
If you are not given a laminated note board
• disqualification from sitting the test for a
and pen when you enter the test room, you
period in the future
should request this by raising your hand. Not
requesting a laminated note board and pen • the sharing of the outcomes of the
during your test will not be considered as a investigation with legitimate third parties
mitigating circumstance. (which may include UCAS and Consortium
Universities).
Breaks Examples of misconduct include:
Please note that once started the test cannot • Testing more than once in any test cycle
be paused to take a break. If you need to take
• breach of security arrangements
a break during the test in order to access
medication or to use the centre toilets then you • impersonation
should raise your hand and the invigilator will • failure to follow invigilator or other staff
assist you in leaving the test room. However instructions
you need to note that the test will continue • creating a disturbance
running during this time and you will lose time
• using prohibited aids (e.g. notes, note
whilst out of the test room. paper, calculators, mobile phone, audio/
recording device etc.)
Problems
• copying another candidate’s work
If you experience hardware/software
problems, noise disturbance, illness or other • using the test questions, their content or
distractions that affect your ability to take information about them for purposes other
the exam, you must notify the invigilator than sitting the UKCAT
immediately by raising your hand. If you do not • giving of false or misleading information
do this, then such events will not usually be during the registration, booking and
investigated after testing – especially where it payment processes
is possible that had you reported the incident, • giving false or misleading information
the issue could have been resolved by the during the complaints and appeals
invigilator. processes
• giving of false or misleading information
relating to test results during admissions
processes..
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 29Mitigating Circumstances Illness or Personal Circumstances The UKCAT is a compulsory entry requirement for our Consortium Universities, however, we understand that some candidates may experience mitigating circumstances which may affect their ability to take the test. Candidates who present themselves for their test are declaring themselves fit to take the test. If you are not fit to take your test due to illness or other personal circumstances you must reschedule your test to a later date, even if this means losing the test fee. If you plan to take the test in the final weeks of testing but fall ill you risk not be able to reschedule within the test window. It is unlikely that Universities will consider such issues as mitigating circumstances. You may be unable to sit their test throughout the test cycle because of a significant or unforeseen medical or personal issue. If this is the case you should contact your chosen Universities to see whether they would consider your application without a test result. Universities will require recent supporting medical evidence as part of that process. 30 UKCAT Official Guide 2018
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES
Each university will make its own decision If you wish an incident to be followed up
consistent with its admission policy. If you must contact Pearson VUE Customer
you are applying to several Consortium Services as soon as you are able following
universities, you need to contact each testing. The issuing of an incident number
separately. The UKCAT Consortium does does not automatically result in a
not grant exemptions from the test. detailed follow up unless it is specifically
requested.
Test Day Problems
The UKCAT Consortium and our partner We will only consider incidents reported
Pearson VUE aim to provide you with a after the day of testing in exceptional
straightforward and convenient way of sitting circumstances as it is often difficult for us to
your test in a businesslike environment. investigate such incidents fully.
However, occasionally things may go wrong
and we have put systems in place to deal Once an incident has been logged in this
with such circumstances. way it will be investigated by Pearson VUE
and the outcome of this investigation will be
If you are unable to complete the test due reported back to you. To obtain an update
to illness you will need to inform the on how the investigation into an incident is
invigilator immediately. You will need to progressing please contact Pearson VUE
contact the UKCAT office directly by email Customer Services and quote the incident
ukcat@nottingham.ac.uk with supporting number.
medical evidence before we can reschedule
a new test. If this is in the final weeks of Candidate Complaints
testing you may not be able to reschedule If you are unhappy with the outcome of the
within the test window. investigation by Pearson VUE, the UKCAT
Consortium has put in place a Complaints
If you experience hardware/software and Appeals Procedure which can be found
problems, noise disturbance or other on our website. Please note that we do not
distractions that affect your ability to take deal with complaints about admissions
the exam, you must notify the invigilator decisions, which should be addressed to the
immediately by raising your hand. If you do individual university concerned.
not do this, then such events will not usually
be investigated after testing – especially
where it is possible that had you reported
the incident, the issue could have been
resolved by the invigilator.
In the event of a reported incident or if a
general incident affects a test, you will be
given an incident number by the test centre.
This should be collected before leaving the
test centre.
UKCAT Official Guide 2018 31You can also read
