UCAT Guide

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Prepare for the UCAT
UCAT Quick Facts
Duration 2 hours
Cost £70 (taken within the UK)
£115 (taken outside the UK)
Test dates for 2025 7 July – 26 September
Registration opens (account creation) 13 May 2025
Booking opens 17 June – 19 September 2025
Sections Verbal Reasoning
Decision Making
Quantitative Reasoning
Situational Judgement

What is the UCAT?

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a 2-hour multiple-choice admissions exam used by the majority of UK medical schools. It is taken by approximately 37,000 students each year as part of medicine and dentistry applications.

See more information about the UCAT.

What does the UCAT test?

The UCAT evaluates your mental ability, characteristics, attitudes, and professional behaviors required for medical school. Previously, the UCAT consisted of five subtests, but Abstract Reasoning was removed starting in 2025.

We've kept our blog on Abstract Reasoning available as an indicator and insight into what used to be tested. You can also find more information about the remaining four subtests below:

Learn more about the UCAT format and sections

How is the UCAT scored?

The Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning subtests are scored in the same way. Your raw score is converted into a scale score between 300–900 for each section. Situational Judgement is scored differently, with your grade expressed as a band, graded 1–4.

Find out more about UCAT scoring and the UCAT decile ranking.

Which medical schools use the UCAT?

The majority of UK medical schools include an admissions exam as part of their entry criteria and UCAT is the most widely used.

See the full list of universities that use the UCAT.

When can I register for the UCAT?

For the 2025 UCAT cycle (for 2026 entry), account creation/registration opens on 13 May 2025 and booking is open between 17 June – 19 September 2025. The exam period will run from 7 July – 26 September 2025. 

See more information about UCAT dates, including bursary scheme and access arrangements applications

How much does the UCAT cost?

If you take the UCAT within the UK, the fee is £70 for 2025. Alternatively, the exam can be taken outside of the UK for a fee of £115 for 2025.

Learn more about the UCAT bursary and if you meet the eligibility criteria.

How can I prepare for the UCAT? 

You should focus on revising the key topics included in the UCAT (see the individual sections above) and completing practice questions and mock exams. 

Find out more about preparing effectively for the UCAT with our step-by-step guide. Short on time, there’s also a condensed version.

Free UCAT resources