The Complete Guide to the UCAT

44 questions · 22 minutes · Scored 300–900

You're given 11 reading passages, each with 4 questions. Your job is to work out what the passage actually says — and just as importantly, what it doesn't say. It tests how well future doctors can read complex information and draw accurate conclusions from it.

Question types

• True / False / Can't Tell — you're given a statement and must decide whether the passage supports it, contradicts it, or doesn't give enough information either way.
• Comprehension questions — multiple-choice questions asking which conclusion is best supported, what the author suggests, or which statement is (or isn't) true based on the passage.

35 questions · 37 minutes · Scored 300–900 · On-screen calculator available

This section tests logical thinking: can you use rules, data and arguments to reach the right conclusion? Information comes as text, charts, tables and diagrams. Some questions are standard multiple choice; others ask you to answer "yes" or "no" to five separate statements.

Question types

• Syllogisms — you're given rules ("all A are B...") and must decide which conclusions logically follow.
• Logical puzzles — work out an arrangement or order from a set of clues (who sits where, who finished first, and so on).
• Interpreting information — read a passage, graph or chart and decide which conclusions are actually supported.
• Recognising assumptions — pick the strongest argument for or against a statement.
• Venn diagrams — read or choose the diagram that correctly represents the information.
• Probability — simple probability reasoning, like whether one outcome is more likely than another.

36 questions · 26 minutes · Scored 300–900 · On-screen calculator available

This is problem-solving with numbers, not hard maths. Most questions are based on charts, tables and graphs, and the maths itself is roughly Year 9–10 level. The real test is picking out the right numbers and working fast.

Question types

• Percentages and percentage change — discounts, increases, comparing proportions.
• Ratios and proportions — scaling recipes, doses, mixtures and rates up or down.
• Rates and speed — speed, distance and time, or cost per unit calculations.
• Averages — means and weighted averages pulled from tables of data.
• Conversions — currencies, units and measurements.
• Reading data — extracting the right figures from graphs, charts and multi-column tables.

69 questions · 26 minutes · Scored 300–900

No maths, no reading passages — this section tests your judgement. You're given real-world scenarios involving medical students, doctors and patients, and asked to judge how people should behave. It measures things like integrity, teamwork and professionalism. You don't need any medical knowledge.

Question types

• Appropriateness questions — rate a possible response to a scenario from "very appropriate" down to "very inappropriate".
• Importance questions — rate how important a factor is when deciding what to do, from "very important" to "not important at all".
• Most / least appropriate — from three options, pick the best and worst response to a situation.