Page Title
University Clinical Application Test
UCAT
An Overview
UCAT is used by universities to evaluate skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making, which are essential for success in medical and dental studies.
It consists of 5 sections:
-
Verbal reasoning: evaluates one's ability to process written information
-
Quantitative reasoning: evaluates one's mathematical skills
-
Abstract reasoning: evaluates one's pattern recognition skills)
-
Decision making: evaluates ones ability to make decisions in complex situations
-
Situational judgement test: evaluates ethics and professionalism
​​
Each section is out of 900, with the lowest being 300. The maximum score attainable is 3600
What does LKC say about UCAT
Applicants will have to register for the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) and take the UCAT as part of the criteria for entry to the LKCMedicine MBBS programme.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a computer-based admissions test, used by a consortium of UK Universities and non-UK associate member universities including Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) to help select applicants for medical and dental degree programmes.
​
It is a two-hour test consisting of five separately timed subtests in multiple-choice format. It is an aptitude test focused on assessing a range of mental abilities and knowledge candidates should already have.
​
If one is applying to the AY2024-25 intake of LKCMedicine, one should take UCAT between 10 July and 28 September 2023, prior to applying to LKCMedicine. Only results of the UCAT taken in the twelve-month period prior to admission to LKCMedicine will be considered in the selection process.
​
A copy of the UCAT leaflet can be downloaded here.
** We are aware that by the time this website is published the dates will be veryyyy outdated and irrelevant to the AY2024-25 batch. But hopefully the future batches of applicants can use it as an approximate timeline to plan your prep schedule for 2024 and beyond
​
Do regularly visit the official UCAT website for updates
Application Dates
The application usually opens in the second quarter of the year (April-June period). You need to register to take the test via the UCAT website and can then book a test at a convenient location and time. Details of how to register for the test are on the UCAT website under the REGISTER page.
​
The deadline would usually be around September. Results are released immediately after the test and your results will be sent to the schools (mainly NTU) that you are applying for in November.
Advice From Seniors
You can prepare using the free materials provided on the UCAT website or choose other platforms which offer UCAT resources.
​
Preparations:
"I mainly used the materials on the official UCAT website. I found it quite useful as they provide past year papers and practice questions provided and they are quite similar to the difficulty of the official test. One thing that I feel is really important is to practice under timed conditions as the paper has quite a bit of questions with rather little time, thus it will kinda make a person really stressed.Timed practice has definitely help me train my speed and stress management abilities so that i do not feel as pressured in the exams."
​
Medify and MedEntry are two of the more common online platform which offers paid resources. You can also opt for physical lessons with organisations such as PrepZone.
​
There are techniques to answer the different sections which can be found on YouTube such as videos by Kharma Medic. Take the time to practice these techniques.
​
Taking the Exam:
"The funny thing is, on test day I actually arrived 30 minutes early because I was afraid to be late for this test as it was really important to me. I felt that the test was very similar to the papers provided by the official website but of course, there was still a decent amount of pressure, I calmed myself down and tried and did my best."
​
Tips for the Exam:
"Some tips that I would give to the incoming test takers are, to be familiar with the calculator in the QR section as it would help you to save a lot of time, also make use of the flag function when you encounter difficult questions and don't dwell on them too long as they would cost you precious time. Last but not least, TRUST YOURSELF ! I believe that you would have studied long and hard for this test, so stay calm and believe in yourself and you will do just fine. Jiayous for your UCAT exams!"
Chen Zijian, Test-taker 2023
"I would say that the UCAT is easier to prepare for than BMAT in the sense that there are not really any new concepts to learn, just mostly logical reasoning and decision making whereas you have to study new content for BMAT. However, this also makes UCAT slightly harder to score well in as some sections have no clear cut answer.
I would say just do a lot of practice questions under timed conditions and make sure to practice every section. For me, my pattern recognition section was my weakest during practice and my math section the best so I ended up focusing my practice there, but my paper ended up having a easier pattern recognition and harder math sections than the other practice papers and questions I tried, so that threw me off and messed up my time management. Thus while it is important to practice your weak sections more, prepare for each section to be harder or easier than expected.
Knowing how to triage is also very important, so make sure to skip any questions you spend too much time on, you can always go back to it later. Some YouTubers have good videos on this.
Lastly, it’s cliche but keep calm. Nerves are honestly your biggest enemy so if you prepare well and keep your head straight during the test, you’re already half way there. Good luck!"
Zhen, M2 LKCSoM
.jpg)
.png)
_edited.jpg)
