How Will Medical Schools Use UCAT? Here's a Summary
1 month ago by Rob
A common question among prospective medical students is how UCAT scores are used to select applicants into medicine or dentistry.
Most universities use a combination of three factors when selecting students into domestic, undergraduate medicine or dentistry courses:
- UCAT ANZ scores
- Medical interview performance
- Academic performance (ATAR / IB or GPA)
Some universities use all UCAT subtests when assessing applicants, while others use only the cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning).
Each university is different, and some universities change their medical entry requirements at short notice. Further, they are often not transparent about the weightings of various subtests of UCAT, UCAT/ATAR weighting for interview selection, and UCAT/ATAR/Interview score weighting for final offers.
Please note that cut-off ATAR/UCAT scores are substantially lower for rural students. Some Universities also have lower thresholds for other categories such as those from low socio-economic status schools, those from under-represented schools, etc. The information below is a general guide; we recommend checking directly with each university regarding your specific circumstances.
The following table summarises how UCAT requiring universities select students for entry into medicine:
| Course | How is UCAT used? | How is UCAT weighted? | How are students selected for interview? | How are students selected for a place? |
| Queensland | ||||
| Cognitive subtests (SJ and VR used as secondary and tertiary tie-breakers, respectively) |
25% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 25% ATAR 25% UCAT 50% Interview |
|
|
Bachelor of Medical Science |
Cognitive subtests (SJ and VR used as secondary and tertiary tie-breakers, respectively) |
Weightings not published | 100% UCAT | ATAR + UCAT + Interview (Weightings not published) |
|
University of Southern Queensland Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences |
Cognitive subtests (SJ and VR used as secondary and tertiary tie-breakers, respectively) |
25% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 25% ATAR 25% UCAT 50% Interview |
| Total UCAT score used as tie-breaker within an ATAR band (No UCAT result = ranked bottom of band) |
Not applicable | No interview | ATAR plus UCAT as tie-breaker | |
|
University of the Sunshine Coast Bachelor of Medical Science |
Total UCAT score used as tie-breaker within an ATAR band | Not applicable | No interview | ATAR plus UCAT as tie-breaker |
| New South Wales | ||||
| Cognitive subtests | 33% UCAT | Based on UCAT + ATAR | 33% ATAR 33% UCAT 33% Interview |
|
|
University of Newcastle / University of New England Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine (Joint Medical Program) |
Cognitive subtests | Minimum threshold only | 100% UCAT | JMP assessment (PQA psychometric test + MSA) |
|
Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine) / Doctor of Medicine |
All subtests (individual sections may be subject to weighting) |
25% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 25% UCAT 75% Interview |
|
Bachelor of Clinical Science (Medicine) / Doctor of Medicine |
Total UCAT score used as ranking system to invite applicants for interview | 25% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 25% UCAT 75% Interview |
| Victoria | ||||
| All subtests | 33% UCAT | December round: UCAT only January round: 50% UCAT + 50% ATAR |
33% ATAR 33% UCAT 33% Interview |
|
| South Australia | ||||
| Cognitive subtests (SJ used as tie-breaker) |
20% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 40% ATAR 20% UCAT 40% Interview |
|
| All subtests | 10% UCAT | No interview | 90% ATAR 10% UCAT |
|
| Western Australia | ||||
| Cognitive subtests (SJ used at UWA's discretion) |
20% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 30% ATAR 20% UCAT 50% Interview Rural: 22.5% ATAR 15% UCAT 37.5% Interview 25% Rurality Rating |
|
| All subtests | 20% UCAT | Based on UCAT + ATAR + Casper (1st round requires predicted ATAR) |
40% ATAR 20% UCAT 40% Interview |
|
| Northern Territory | ||||
|
Bachelor of Clinical Science |
All subtests | 10% UCAT | No interview | 90% ATAR 10% UCAT |
| Tasmania | ||||
| Cognitive subtests | Minimum threshold only | No interview | ATAR | |
| New Zealand | ||||
| All subtests | 15% UCAT | Based on GPA | 60% GPA 15% UCAT 25% Interview |
|
| Minimum threshold score in each subtest | Minimum threshold requirement | No interview | GPA | |
The following table summarises how UCAT requiring universities select students for entry into dentistry:
| Course | How is UCAT used? | How is UCAT weighted? | How are students selected for interview? | How are students selected for a place? |
| All subtests | 20% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 40% ATAR/GPA 20% UCAT 40% Interview |
|
| Cognitive subtests (SJ used as tie-breaker) |
20% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 40% ATAR 20% UCAT 40% Interview |
|
| Cognitive subtests (SJ used at UWA's discretion) |
20% UCAT | 100% UCAT | 30% ATAR 20% UCAT 50% Interview |
|
| All subtests (SJ and VR used as secondary and tertiary tie-breakers, respectively) |
UCAT used as ranking | No interview | Minimum ATAR / rank + UCAT | |
| Total UCAT score used as ranking system to invite applicants for interview | Not applicable | 100% UCAT | Based on interview |
Note: Please ensure you check the relevant university website for the latest information, as changes can occur frequently and without notice.
Comprehensive admissions information relating to all courses (including dentistry and postgraduate medicine) can be found at https://www.medentry.edu.au/universities/university-admissions-guide
The Medical Entry Handbook has additional information.
Last updated: June 2026
