The UKCAT: General Tips

So, exams are finally over, and it's time for the summer to begin. Or maybe not. If you're in Year 12 (or in Year 13 and a reapplicant) and applying to medicine then it's highly likely that you'll be taking the UKCAT over the next few months. As a reapplicant, I took the test twice and have a wealth of information to share with you over the next few posts, that hopefully you'll find helpful. First up, some general information and tips:

The Basics:

• UKCAT stands for the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test, and is taken by applicants to Medicine and Dentistry courses at any of the 26 Universities that make up the UKCAT Consortium.
• If you live in a country where the test isn't offered, then you can apply for exemption- see the UKCAT website for more details.
• You can only take the test once per application cycle, and your score is only valid for one application cycle- ie if you take the test in 2013, your score is only valid for 2014 entry, or deferred entry in 2015.
• The test is delivered by Pearson Vue, and is taken at one of their test centres. These test centres are also where the Driving Theory Test, amongst others, is taken, so might be familiar to some.
• The test costs £65 if you take it on or before 31st August, or £80 thereafter. Bursaries are available, see here for details. Bear in mind that if you're an international candidate taking the test outside of the EU, it'll cost you £100, regardless of when you sit it.
• You can register to take the test between 30th April 2013 and 19th September 2013, and can book/ reschedule a testing slot up until 1st October. Testing runs between 30th June and 3rd October.
• The test is made up of five sub-sections, that tests both cognitive and non-cognitive reasoning skills. If you have no idea what that means, then fear not- I don't have a clue either- all that really matters is that you get a good score on the day.
• Extra time is available for candidates who require it- you'll need to provide the unis you apply to with a psychologist's report, should they ask for one.

Registering and Booking The Test:
Now you know a bit about the exam, let's talk about choosing when to take it. Firstly, and if you haven't done so already, click here to register for an account and book a testing slot. Places are limited, and can fill up quickly at some test centres, so booking early gives you the best chance of getting the time and location that you want. I also strongly advise that you sit the test before the end of August, for the following reasons:

• It costs more. If you sit it on or after 1st September, you'll be charged £80 for the privilege. Sitting it on or before 31st August saves you £15, and...
• It gives you more time to decide where to apply. As you can only take the test once per cycle, you're stuck with the result you get. I'll post more detailed advice at a later date, but remember that your UKCAT score has a major impact on where you can apply. Therefore, if you sit the test in October expecting a high UKCAT score, and come out with a low one, you've got quite a task on your hands, changing your application and personal statement (best take out that bit about organisation skills :P)
• You can still reschedule if something goes wrong. Basically, if you have the test booked for early-August, but then, say, break your arm jumping from a balcony while plastered on your lad's holiday to Magaluf, you can reschedule for when you're better. Needless to say that if you booked your test for October, you wouldn't be able to reschedule, and would have to take the test single-handedly (sorry).
• It won't be hanging over you all summer, or conflicting with your A2s. Booking by the end of August gives you more than enough time to prepare after your exams, and gives you enough time after to enjoy your summer holiday, and choose where to apply with your score. You also won't have to juggle it with starting your A2s, which can be a step up from AS level, and require a lot more work.

IMPORTANT: You must register for an account with Pearson by 19th September 2013. You don't have to book a testing slot by then, but failure to register means that you will not be able to sit the UKCAT for 2014 (or deferred 2015) entry. You must then book a testing slot by 1st October 2013, or again, you won't be able to take the test. Remember that while the last testing date is 3rd October 2013, I would strongly suggest booking it much earlier, for the above reasons.

The Test:
I have quite a lot of tips to share about the test itself, and preparation materials, which I'm going to put into a separate post, mainly because this post is already massive, and I've been writing it for ages. That'll hopefully be coming next week, but in short, timing is the main factor that catches people out. My top tip is to start by not timing yourself, and gradually start timing, until you can do enough questions in the time given.

Marking:
The way it's marked is generally a bit of a mystery, but in short, your raw score is compared to a test group, and then magically converted to a score between 300-900, with 600 as the mean. You'll get 4 scores like this for the first four (cognitive) sections (VR, QR, AR & DA) and a banding (1-4) for the SJT section. Generally people give their score as an average of all four sections, however unis tend to use your total score when referring to the test. Therefore, your average score will still be between 300 and 900, with 600 as the mean, however your total score is between 1200 and 3600, with 2400 being the mean. It's also worth mentioning at this point that despite it being listed on UCAS, there is absolutely no need to put your UKCAT score onto your application. UKCAT liaise with UCAS after all applications have been submitted, and magically give your score to the unis you applied to.

Right, that's my whistle stop tour of the UKCAT done. Coming soon is a post on preparing for the exam, and the individual sections, and then in July- August time I'll post something on deciding what to do with your result.

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