UCAT - University Clinical Aptitude Test

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a computer-based admissions test used by many universities to assess the aptitude and professional attributes of applicants to Medicine and Dentistry (and some related healthcare programmes). Unlike school examinations, it does not test Biology, Chemistry or Physics knowledge. Instead, it measures cognitive abilities and judgement that are considered important for future healthcare professionals.

Who needs to take the UCAT?

The UCAT is required for applicants to many undergraduate programmes including:

Medicine (MBBS/MBChB)
Dentistry (BDS)

It is widely used by universities in:

United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand

It is also required by several international English-taught medical programmes that have adopted the UCAT, such as the National Kapodistrian Univeristy in Athens and the Crete University. Applicants should always check the specific admissions requirements of each university.

Test Format

Since 2025, the UCAT consists of four section:

Verbal Reasoning
Decision Making
Quantitative Reasoning
Situational Judgement

Total testing time is just under 2 hours, plus brief instruction screens before each section.

What is the UCAT?

The UCAT was introduced in 2006 by a consortium of universities to provide a fairer and more objective admissions tool.

It assesses whether candidates can:

Think critically under pressure
Analyse written information
Solve unfamiliar problems quickly
Interpret numerical data
Make logical decisions
Demonstrate appropriate professional judgement

The UCAT is only one component of the admissions process. Universities also consider academic grades, personal statements (where applicable), interviews and other selection criteria.

Eligibility

There are no formal academic prerequisites to sit the UCAT.

Candidates generally:

intend to apply to a participating university
register during the official registration period
sit the test once per admissions cycle
present valid identification on test day

You may take the UCAT regardless of your school curriculum (A Levels, IB, national qualifications, etc.). Universities—not the UCAT Consortium—set the academic entry requirements.

Final Advice

Success in the UCAT is determined less by academic knowledge than by effective preparation and disciplined execution. Candidates who understand the format, develop efficient strategies for each subtest, practise consistently under timed conditions, and learn from their mistakes are typically best placed to achieve competitive scores.

Admission Requirements for UK & Crete University and Kapodistrian University in Greece

A- Level subject-based qualification, with minimum grades AAA, taken in one set of exams. Subjects requested are Chemistry, Biology and one more science subject (i.e., Physics, Mathematics) or
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Examination periods accepted: the year before the application (test is done in summer). Registration for the UCAT opens in May. Tests taken outside the UK cost £115. It consists if the following 4 sections: Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning, Situational judgement and Decision making.
pre-med program

Our Services

At Next Step Online Academy we offer a comprehensive and interactive UCAT preparation learning experience for all our students.

Our classes are conducted on the Microsoft Teams platform, providing a convenient and efficient learning environment for everyone.

During the two hour class we focus on

practising under timed conditions
learning the strategies first
reviewing mistakes carefully
building stamina
improving accuracy before speed

Enrollement in UCAT group or private lessons offer more than just interactive classes. It also provides you with many resources to enhance your learning experience.

Application deadlines for Greece

1st call Applications from early November until late December.

Online exams in late January. Publication of results up to mid February.

2nd call Applications from mid March until mid May. Online exams in late May until early July. Publication of the amendment list until mid July.

Should a candidate be instructed to sit the digital entrance exam, some universities ask for a deposit prior to the exam date. In case of final admission, the amount is deducted from the tuition fees.

Application deadlines for UK

The application deadline for almost all medicine, dentistry, and veterinary courses in the UK is October 15 of the year prior to your intended start date.

All applications must be submitted through the UCAS Undergraduate Apply and Track portal. You are generally limited to a maximum of four choices for medical courses on your UCAS form.

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT): You must register, book, and sit for the UCAT during the testing cycle leading up to your October application.

Be aware that certain universities may require you to register for additional subject-specific tests alongside the UCAS application.