- The UCAT is a skills-based test required for admission into many medical and dental schools in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
- For UCAT Eligibility, you must have completed or be completing high school in the application year.
- You can only take the UCAT once per year, and financial interests in UCAT preparation can disqualify you.
- The Ucat test is made up of four sections that assess reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- UK students can apply for a bursary to cover the full UCAT fee if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Registration is done online via Pearson VUE, with test dates typically from July to September each year.
Who needs to take the UCAT admissions test?
UCAT admission tests are for medical and dental aspirants who want to take admission in consortium universities in the UK and ANZ. Other than these, some clinical science degree programs also require this test as an admission criterion.
Therefore, if your dream medical college/university requires the UCAT, you must take this test within the set deadlines. You also need to take this test if your marks weren’t enough last year, and you want to try your luck this year.
Who is eligible to take the UCAT exam?
The eligibility criteria for the UCAT exam are that you should have passed high school education or intend to pass this year. Other criteria are given below in detail.
Eligibility criteria for UCAT in the UK
UCAT exam eligibility in the UK is expected or passed high school education. High school education is 10 + 2 (12) years. Moreover, you can only sit in the UCAT once per year. If you have any financial interests in UCAT, like tutoring, business activity, or academic pursuit, you are prohibited from sitting in the exam.
Age and education: Ucat Requirements
There is no upper age limit for attempting UCAT. But you should meet all the educational requirements for the medical college or university to which you are applying, sometimes they have special updates for UCAT eligibity. Another educational requirement is only a high school education or higher.
Who is not eligible to sit the UCAT?
According to official UCAT eligibility criteria, you are not eligible for sitting in the exam if;
- You have not completed higher education or do not intend to do so in the application year.
- You have financial gains from the UCAT, like tutoring or academic affiliations.
- You have already attempted the exam this year. You can not sit more than once in a year.
Can I take the UCAT more than once?
You can take the UCAT as much time as you want, but in the same year. You can only attempt the UCAT once a year. If you want to improve your UCAT scores, you have to do that by taking a gap year. As there is no upper age limit, you can do that as many times as you want. The UCAT extra time for preparation is a risk, and should be balanced between passion and reality
Can I sit the UCAT as a practice run before my actual test?
You can sit in UCAT as a practice run before the actual test, but that is not recommended. In a practice test, the mindset and effort are not equal to the actual one. Students act lazy and do not put their best into the test. This results in a lower score on the test. That can demotivate the students or cause impostor syndrome.
How do I register for the UCAT exam?
You can register for UCAT by registering on the Pearson VUE system. Complete the process with the following step-by-step method.
Step-by-step UCAT registration process
- Step 1: Create a UCAT account
Go to the official UCAT website and create your account on the Pearson VUE portal. Make sure your name matches exactly with your ID. - Step 2: Fill in personal details
Provide all required personal details like name, address, contact information, and eligibility for a bursary or UCAT access arrangements (if applicable). - Step 3: Book your test
After registration opens, log in and choose a test date, time, and location. You can take the UCAT in-person at a test centre or online if you’re eligible. - Step 4: Pay the test fee
Pay the applicable fee based on your region (UK, ANZ, or international). If you’re eligible for a bursary or fee waiver, apply before booking. - Step 5: Confirm your booking
Once everything’s done, you’ll get a confirmation email. Double-check all details and mark the test date in your calendar.
What are the UCAT test dates and deadlines?
The following are all the important UCAT exam dates 2025. Complete the required tasks before each deadline to avoid any trouble at the end.
Event | Date & Time (BST) |
UCAT account creation opens | 13 May 2025 – 09:30 |
Bursary and access arrangement applications open | 13 May 2025 – 09:30 |
UCAT booking opens | 17 June 2025 – 06:00 |
UCAT testing begins | 7 July 2025 |
Access arrangements application deadline | 16 September 2025 – 12:00 |
UCAT account creation & booking deadline | 19 September 2025 – 12:00 |
Last test date | 26 September 2025 |
UCAT bursary application closes | 26 September 2025 |
UCAS medicine/dentistry application deadline | 15 October 2025 |
Scores sent to universities | Early November 2025 |
Where can I take the UCAT test?
The UCAT is a computer-based exam taken at Pearson VUE test centres across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. You can choose the location while booking your test slot. Register for UCAT 2025 at your desired location on time.
What does the UCAT exam cost?
In 2025, the UCAT costs £70 in the UK, AUD 325 in Australia/New Zealand, and £115 for international candidates. Additional charges may apply for late booking or rescheduling. International fee for UCAT UK and ANZ differs slightly.
Are there bursaries or fee concessions for UCAT?
Yes, eligible UK students can apply for a UCAT bursary, which covers the full test fee. Applications typically open in May and close in late September. You have to show all the required documents to prove your eligibility. Inability to do so will lead to the cancellation of the fee concession.
What is the UCAT exam pattern and syllabus?
The following is the overview of which types of questions that will be in each subtest. Understanding the types of questions makes a big impact on your scores.
Verbal Reasoning
You’ll be given short passages followed by statements or questions. You must decide whether each statement is true, false, or can’t tell, based on the passage. It tests how well you interpret written information quickly.
Decision Making
This section includes logic puzzles, diagrams, probabilities, and arguments. You’ll need to make informed decisions or conclusions using reasoning, data interpretation, and critical thinking.
Quantitative Reasoning
You’ll solve maths-based questions using data from tables, graphs, or charts. Questions focus on numerical problem-solving, ratios, percentages, and interpreting quantitative information.
Situational Judgement
You’ll read short scenarios based on real-life situations and judge how appropriate or important certain responses are. This tests ethical reasoning, professionalism, and decision-making in a healthcare context.
How can I prepare for the UCAT exam?
You can prepare for UCAT by practising each of the types of questions that can be part of UCAT. This builds familiarity with the test pattern and makes your preparation more productive. Besides that, our bank of practice questions and mock exams prepares the students for the real test by simulating it with all real conditions.
The biggest pressure in this test is Time. If you can master time management, then you can ace the exam easily with some practice. At DreamMedic, our expert academics and experienced staff make an in-depth analysis of the practice tests and do a live 1-to-1 evaluation. This helps candidate point out their weak areas and then work on them.
Which UK universities require the UCAT exam?
Most UK medical and dental schools require the UCAT for undergraduate entry. You can check if your university has the requirement of UCAT for your specifically chosen program. Here’s a list of some well-known universities that require the UCAT:
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Edinburgh
- King’s College London
- University of Manchester
- Newcastle University
- University of Nottingham
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- Queen Mary University of London (Barts)
- University of Glasgow
- University of Leeds
- St George’s, University of London
FAQ's
Yes, many students find the UCAT challenging because it's not based on textbook knowledge. It tests your speed, logic, decision-making, and ability to stay calm under pressure.
Most undergraduate medical and dental courses in the UK require a UCAT score as part of the admissions process. This includes degrees like MBBS, MBChB, and BDS at universities.
