What is the UCAT?
The UCAT 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 UCAT 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 healthcare professionals. Each subtest is in a multiple-choice format and is separately timed.
The UCAT will consist of:
- Verbal reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information that is presented in a written form.
- 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.
- Decision making - assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.
- Situational judgement test - measures capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.
How we use your UCAT score
Candidates' UCAT scores are considered in our selection for interview but are not the sole indicator for selection. They are considered alongside actual and predicted academic achievement in deciding who will be selected for interview. A minimum UCAT cut-off score is NOT used. A score is allocated based on the applicant's overall performance in UCAT compared with all other applicants to Aberdeen.
The score we allocate is based on the total numerical score from the four subtests: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning and decision making.
Highest & Lowest UCAT Scores Invited to Interview
Previous years admissions data can be found here
Test Preparation
We do not endorse any commercially available preparatory course or material for the UCAT. The test is designed to be a test of aptitude rather than academic achievement and does not draw on any particular body of knowledge or curriculum that you can learn in advance.
We would however encourage candidates to practise answering the types of questions that will be presented in the UCAT and to familiarise themselves with the test format so that they know how to navigate through the test. In taking this approach candidates will become familiar with the different types of questions and in particular understand the time restrictions imposed within the test.
On the UCAT website , you can access practice tests, download the UCAT Official Guide and find out more information about the UCAT App.
UCAT Preparation Plan from OfficialUCAT on Vimeo .
Admissions Requirements
- The UCAT is a required entry requirement for medicine at Aberdeen, all applicants to Aberdeen must complete the UCAT by the appropriate closing date for that year's entry.
- Applicants for deferred entry must complete UCAT in the summer of the year of application.
- Candidates who re-apply must undertake the UCAT in the summer of each individual year of application.
- Applicants should ensure that they register early for a test as being unable to gain a test sitting will not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance for non-completion of the test.
- Information about the key dates can be found on the UCAT website.
- We will not normally consider applicants who have achieved a Band 4 in the SJT.
Where can I sit the test?
Candidates should use the Test Centre Locator to find their nearest centre.
Mitigating Circumstances and fit to sit test policy
UCAT operate a “fit to test” policy. That is if you present to sit the UCAT, you are declaring yourself fit to undertake the test. If you have any issues that may affect your performance before or during the testing, you need to follow the procedure in the links below or contact UCAT directly. https://www.ucat.ac.uk/register/booking-your-test/ and https://www.ucat.ac.uk/sit/test-day/
The admissions team will not consider individual requests for mitigating circumstances regarding the UCAT as we expect applicants follow the UCAT policies in this regard.
Extra Time and other disability adjustments
Applicants who require extra time or other disability adjustments can book the appropriate UCAT test for their individual needs. More details can be found on the UCAT website - https://www.ucat.ac.uk/ucat/access-arrangements/
You will be asked to provide supporting evidence to UCAT regarding your requirement BEFORE sitting the appropriate UCAT. Please ensure that you comply with this because if we do not appropriate confirmation from UCAT about this by the time we receive your result, then your UCAT sitting and result will be considered invalid.
More information about the University of Aberdeen student support can be found at our Disabilities Service website .