How universities use your UCAT results

What is the UCAT?

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a computer-based exam (~2 hours) used by many universities in Australia and New Zealand to assess a student’s suitability for undergraduate medicine.

Rather than testing academic knowledge, the UCAT evaluates key skills required for a career in medicine, including:

• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Situational judgement

How is the UCAT used?

Many universities use the UCAT as part of a broader admissions process. For UCAT-based programs, applicants are typically assessed using a combination of:

• Academic performance (ATAR or GPA)
• UCAT score
• Interview performance (usually MMI)

However, it’s important to note that:

• Not all universities require UCAT
• Each university applies different weightings and selection criteria

UCAT test structure

The UCAT is divided into four subtests:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Decision Making
• Quantitative Reasoning

The first three sections contribute to your cognitive score, while Situational Judgement is scored separately in bands.

How are UCAT scores reported?

You receive:

• A scaled score (300–900) for each cognitive subtest
• A total cognitive score (1200–2700)
• A percentile ranking (how you performed relative to other candidates)

Importantly:

• Your overall UCAT score does not include Situational Judgement, although some universities may still consider it.

OUR UCAT FAQ's

Universities and UCAT results

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