The UCAT – A Test of Endurance
2 months ago by Chris
The importance of endurance
Mental endurance can be defined as, ‘the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way.’
The UCAT is so commonly viewed as a test of aptitude, that we forget how crucial it is to also improve our mental endurance for the UCAT exam.
In fact, the endurance required for the UCAT is much greater than that required for any school or university exam. Not only is the UCAT as long as or longer than any school exam (2 hours), but the nature of each individual UCAT question requires much greater focus, as there is extreme time pressure. This need for enhanced application to each question is due to our inability to draw upon content and knowledge, as is the case in school exams. However, endurance is a critical strength that the top UCAT students hold above others.
As such, it is with good reason that UCAT practice exams are so important. A UCAT student cannot derive the same benefits to their mental endurance from 30 minutes of sample UCAT practice questions as they can from a 2 hour UCAT practice exam.
However, do not be concerned if you reach the 1 hour mark of your first UCAT practice exam, and desperately need to take a break. This is a good starting point, and from here, you can monitor your improvement. In the early stages, just completing a whole 2 hour UCAT exam is an achievement.
So how can you improve your mental endurance for UCAT?
Improving endurance
Endurance should be improved during your preparation and maintained during the live UCAT exam.
Develop the right attitude
It is important to think positively about your abilities. If you are struggling in one UCAT section, don’t let it discourage you. With practice, everyone can improve their UCAT skills. People like artists and sports people practice in order to improve, and so should you! So, tell yourself you’re capable of improving with practice.
Also think positively about your UCAT study time. Don’t think that you are missing out on something better. Tell yourself that you’re preparing yourself for UCAT in order to accomplish your dream. If it helps, allocate your study time to do certain UCAT sections or certain types of questions and then give yourself a small reward when you accomplish it! You can use MedEntry’s interactive study calendar to help you plan your UCAT preparation.
Engage in the right preparation
It is vital that you simulate UCAT exam conditions for each UCAT practice exam. Importantly, do not allow yourself to go overtime or have extended breaks. These will only trick you into thinking that you are able to complete a full exam under UCAT conditions. You should also ideally sit your UCAT exams at the same time of day that you will be sitting the live UCAT.
You may only be able to complete 80% of the questions in your first UCAT trial exam. However, you should keep pushing yourself. For example, on the second UCAT exam you should aim to improve on this, by completing, for example, 90% of the questions. By doing this, you will improve your mental endurance and develop the skills you need to succeed in UCAT.
Keep up your endurance on UCAT test day
It is important to give yourself the best chance of maintaining your mental endurance on UCAT test day. Here are some tips:
- Organise everything you the night before. This way, you aren’t expending your mental energy worrying that you’ve forgotten something
- Get a good night’s sleep the day before
- Make sure you have a good meal, with plenty of complex carbohydrates and lean proteins to sustain you
- Allow yourself a quick break between UCAT sections. Close your eyes. Take some deep breaths. Even stretching your legs will help freshen your mind as you prepare to tackle the rest of the UCAT exam
The UCAT may be a test of endurance, but the with the right attitude and preparation you can endure without giving way!
Written by Jack, a MedEntry student who achieved 99th percentile on UCAT is currently studying medicine.
