How to Excel in UCAT's Quantitative Reasoning

Written By Team MedView
Reviewed By Thomas Nicolson (Currently studying Doctor of Medicine - MD at the University of Queensland)

Unlocking your potential in the UCAT’s Quantitative Reasoning section is akin to decoding a mathematical treasure chest. This section offers a chance to showcase your numerical prowess and problem-solving acumen, both of which are essential competencies for a medical career.

Ready to dive into the world of Quantitative Reasoning? Let’s go!

What is Quantitative Reasoning?

Quantitative Reasoning (QR) is the third subtest of the UCAT and it is an avenue for testing and honing one’s numerical skills, problem-solving prowess, and ability to work with data.

The QR maths questions within the UCAT are at a high school level but it's important to note that this isn't really a maths test — but rather, as the name suggests, it's more of a reasoning test.

A Quantitative Reasoning question will generally include algebra or statistics coupled with graphs that need solving. While you need proficiency in number crunching, you also need to be speedy and be able to problem solve to be successful in this section.

Why is Quantitative Reasoning important in medicine?

Quantitative Reasoning is vital to making informed decisions in healthcare. Practitioners utilise reasoning skills when interpreting data, evaluating risk, performing drug calculations or carrying out clinical research.

These skills can also be applied in statistical analysis and other predictions, which are used in treatments and patient outcomes.

Quantitative Reasoning constitutes a key factor in daily practice within medicine today, with many tasks requiring its successful application alongside relevant data interpretation requirements.

Breaking down the Quantitative Reasoning section

The UCAT Quantitative Reasoning subtest contains 36 questions, with a test time of 25 minutes. Students are also given an extra minute of reading time before beginning.

Here's what you can expect when it comes to UCAT Quantitative Reasoning questions and how QR scoring works.

Question formats and types

All QR questions are multiple-choice and come with 5 answer options. The types of questions you can expect include:

• Percentages: Questions may ask you to calculate the percentage difference
• Diagrams, tables and charts: These can include tax charts, bar graphs, line graphs and pie charts
• Averages: This involves calculating the average from a set of data provided
• Conversion: These questions can involve conversions between fractions, ratios and decimals as well as units of measurement like kilometres or miles
• Median/mode: These are usually similar to the average type questions

Volume, area and perimeter: These questions often include a diagram to display the information and provide more detail

UCAT Quantitative Reasoning scoring

The QR score is transformed into a scale from 300 to 900. All of the 5 subtests in the UCAT are scored on the same scale.

Your total UCAT score is derived from the sum of your individual scaled scores from the first 4 cognitive subtests, ranging from 1200 to 3600. The last section, which is the Situational Judgement Test, isn't included in the final score.

Interestingly, it's not common for universities to consider the Situational Judgement Test within the admissions process. Anecdotally, many of the universities prefer to test this skill in the interview versus the multiple-choice format of the UCAT.

Frequently asked questions

Which Australian universities require UCAT?

A number of Australian universities require applicants to undertake the UCAT as part of the admissions process.

These include medical schools like The University of Adelaide, Curtin University and Monash University. Check out our guide for the UCAT cut-off scores for university entry in Australia for a deeper dive into these medical schools.

What is the lowest UCAT score accepted in Australia?

UCAT cut-off scores are incredibly competitive in Australia and in order to be considered for an interview, students need to achieve a score of at least 3100 and above. Rural applicants may be eligible with lower scores.

What is the best way to prepare for the UCAT?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for the UCAT and the process can feel incredibly daunting, which is why you might've considered alternative pathways that don't include the exam.

But, if you're interested in support for UCAT preparation, MedView can help. We understand the process of applying to medical schools is not only complex and confusing but it’s more competitive than ever before!

MedView Education takes med school admission to a new level through personalised admission support, application review, entrance exam and interview tutoring, and extracurricular mentoring for students in Australasia.

Our dedicated team and personalised support helps students get the results they need, with our UCAT students 5 times more likely to receive an interview and 4.5 times more likely to gain admission to an Australian medical school.

If you'd like extra support from industry professionals with years of experience, we can help — simply book a free consultation with our MedView advisors for guidance on this process.