The UK Clinical Aptitude Test : General Information

About

The UK Clinical Aptitude Test(UKCAT) is used as part of the selection process by most UK universities for admissions to dental or medical school. The formal tests are developed by the UKCAT Consortium (representatives from the 26 universities that have adopted the test).

Who Is Required To Take The Test?

All UK applicants and the majority of international applicants to participating Medical or Dental Schools are required to take the test. The following institutions require you to take the test for the given courses:

University

UCAS Course Code

University of Aberdeen A100
Brighton and Sussex Medical School A100
Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry A100, A101, A200, A201
Cardiff University A100, A104, A200, A204
University of Dundee A100, A104, A200, A204
University of Durham A106
University of East Anglia A100, A104
University of Edinburgh A100
University of Glasgow A100, A200
Hull York Medical School A100
Imperial College A101
Keele University A100, A104
King's College London A100, A101, A102, A103, A202, A203, A205
University of Leeds A100
University of Leicester A100, A101
University of Manchester A104, A106, A204, A206
University of Newcastle A101, A106, A206
University of Nottingham A100
University of Oxford Graduate Entry Medical Degree A101
Peninsula Medical School A100
University of Sheffield A100, A104, A200
University of Southampton A100, A101, A102
University of St Andrews A100
St George's, University of London A100
Queen's University Belfast A100, A200
Warwick University Graduate Entry A101

What's In The Test?

The test consists of five distinct areas. Practising questions in the first four areas can improve your ability to tackle the questions and your confidence. The final section is a personality test and as such, cannot be 'revised'.

  • Verbal Reasoning - an assessment of verbal intelligence requiring you to use logic and reason to assess a written passage
  • Quantitative Reasoning - an assessment of your numerical ability
  • Abstract Reasoning - an assessment of your ability to discover relationships and rules governing sets of information. This is done pictographically using groups of symbols.
  • Decision Analysis - an assessment of your ability to make a reasoned judgement given ambiguous or complex information.
  • Non-cognitive Analysis - an assessment of your 'fit' with those characteristics that make competent and successful health professionals. This section is an assessment of your personality - at present your gradings will NOT be used as part of your selection process (so don't worry!)

How Long Does The Test Last?

The test lasts 2 hours, the particular details for each section are as follows:

  • Verbal Reasoning - 22 minutes allowed, 44 items covering 11 reading passages
  • Quantitative Reasoning - 22 minutes allows, 40 items covering 10 tables, charts +/- graphs
  • Abstract Reasoning - 16 minutes allowed, 65 items covering 13 pairs of Set A and Set B shapes (see one of our practice tests for examples)
  • Decision Analysis - 30 minutes allowed, 26 items covering one scenario
  • Non-cognitive Analysis - 30 minutes recommended - results are not used in your selection

    • More About The Non-cognitive testing

    In 2007 4 behavioural tests were introduced as a trial. For your information, the specific 'personality assessment' tools used in those trials are as follows:

    • Interpersonal traits (ITQ100) - Narcissim, Aloofness, Confidence and Empathy
    • Interpersonal values (IVQ49) - Measures of ethical orientation
    • Combined and abridged ITQ50 and IVQ33
    • MEARS - Managing Emotions and Resilience Scales (cognitive, behavioural, emotional)

    We tell you this for information purposes only. The results of this test are not used in your selection as yet.