The UKCAT Prospective medics and dentists

1. The UKCATProspective medics and dentists Jenny Braysher, Reach Project Officer University of St Andrews

2. What is covered: What is the UKCAT Why is it used Components of the test Preparing for and taking the test How universities use the UKCAT Dates and deadlines

3. UK Clinical Aptitude Test: Used in the selection process by a consortium of UK university Medical and Dental Schools The test helps universities to make more informed choices from amongst the many highly-qualified applicants who apply for their medical and dental degree programmes

4. UK Clinical Aptitude Test: A computer-based test, taken in a local test centre, lasting around 1 hour 30 minutes (Dundee, Dunfermline and Edinburgh are the nearest local test centres) Four components, each lasting between 16 and 32 minutes Get your results at the end of the test. Results are automatically sent to UCAS, who distribute it to the relevant universities You should sit the UKCAT before you submit your UCAS application

5. Purpose of the UKCAT: To test the aptitudes, cognitive powers and other abilities of prospective medical and dentistry students Idea is to determine which candidates have the most appropriate mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviour required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers No curriculum or science content

6. Components of the UKCAT: for entry into courses beginning September 2012 Verbal reasoning Quantitative reasoning Abstract reasoning Decision analysis

7. Preparing for the UKCAT: Learning facts won�t help � test of aptitude, not knowledge Take the practice tests - familiarise yourself with the format of the test, the calculator tool for the quantitative reasoning section, and where to locate the �next�, �previous�, �flag for review� and �end exam� buttons Ask your guidance teacher � they may know where you can find additional, similar tests (more verbal reasoning, quantitative or numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning test etc.) See hints and tips sheet

8. How universities use the UKCAT: Aberdeen Score is considered alongside rest of UCAS application. For 2011 entry: the lowest total score for an applicant was�1640 and the highest 3350 the lowest total score for applicants made offers was 1790 and the highest 3310 Therefore Aberdeen don�t place as much emphasis on the UKCAT score as some

9. How universities use the UKCAT: Dundee Scores are divided into quintiles, and given a weighting of 20% in your entire application few 2010 applicants with a UKCAT score below 2300 were interviewed the average for those gaining offers was over 2600 Therefore a high UKCAT score is desirable If you are invited to interview, the interview then becomes the most important aspect of your application

10. How universities use the UKCAT: Edinburgh Scores are divided into quartiles and given a weighting of 8% Top quartile = 3 points Second quartile = 2 points Third quartile = 1 point Bottom quartile = 0 points Contributes to overall scoring of entire application. Only when the final decisions on offers are being made is the actual UKCAT score of an applicant looked at. Therefore the higher your UKCAT score, the more points you get

11. How universities use the UKCAT: Glasgow If you apply having achieved, or are predicted to achieved, the minimum academic entry requirements, then: You are ranked with all other applicants according to UKCAT score Approx. the top 800 applicants are then invited to interview If your UKCAT score is below national average (usually 2400 � 2500) you are unlikely to be invited to interview) If you have a high UKCAT score and apply with the minimum entry requirements, likely to get an interview (but not guaranteed) After this, interview is the most important thing

12. How universities use the UKCAT: St Andrews Two ways 1) cut-off point - likely to be 2457 for entry into 2012 (national average) 2) Ranking after interview � weighted at 15% of the whole application Because 50% weighting is given to academic grades after interview, a strong academic record is important when applying to St Andrews

13. Dates and deadlines:

14. Costs, UKCATSEN & taking the test: Sit the test between 5 July and 31 August 2011 - test fee �65 Sit the test between 1 September and 7 October 2011 - test fee �80 If you receive EMA you can apply to have the cost of the test covered by a bursary Candidates should choose the UKCATSEN when they book the test if they are entitled to additional time for examinations e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia � 25% extra time, same contents

15. Costs, UKCATSEN & taking the test: One test per year � no re-sitting if your score is low If you get a low UKCAT score, contact universities before applying If you apply again next year, must take the test again Must provide photo ID when you arrive at the test centre � passport, drivers� licence etc. are ideal See the website (www.ukcat.ac.uk) for further details on photo ID NB. UKCAT score is sometimes displayed as an average per test. Don�t panic if you see a really low score on e.g. UCAS. Aim for an average score of 615 or above

16. Important Advice: ** TAKE THE TEST AS EARLY IN THE ** ** SUMMER AS POSSIBLE ** Financially advisable (bursaries, cheaper) Illness/unexpected event � time to reschedule More time for deciding which universities to apply to based on your results

17. Important Advice: ** PRACTICE THE TESTS AS MUCH AS ** ** POSSIBLE ** Very little time for each question � speed is essential Speed and efficiency improved by familiarity with test format, type of question asked, understanding of what the questions are asking of you Practice is also likely to make your answers accurate on a more regular basis Practice = a higher UKCAT score