UCAT: Section by Section Breakdown
4 years ago by Rob
In this blog, we will discuss the structure and content of each of the five UCAT subtests. Also be sure to check out our free sample UCAT questions.
Section 1: Verbal Reasoning
Number of questions: 44
Time allocated: 21 minutes
Assesses: the ability to critically evaluate information that is presented in a written form.
Style: students will be presented with a passage of text, and will need to decide whether specific conclusions or inferences can be drawn from the information provided.
Types of question:
- Choose the best/most suitable response from four options
- Decide whether the statement provided is True, False or Can’t Tell
Section 2: Decision Making
Number of questions: 29
Time allocated: 31 minutes
Assesses: the ability to apply logic to reach a decision or conclusion, evaluate arguments, and analyse statistical information.
Style: questions may appear in a variety of ways in this subtest. Students may be provided with text, charts, tables, graphs or diagrams. Questions may include Venn diagrams and probability concepts.
Types of question:
- Choose the correct answer from four options
- Respond to five statements by placing a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer next to each statement
Section 3: Quantitative Reasoning
Number of questions: 36
Time allocated: 24 minutes
Assesses: the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form
Style: students will be presented with tables or other information involving numbers. Questions may require use of ratios, percentages, averages and fractions.
Types of question:
- Choose the best answer from five options
Section 4: Abstract Reasoning
Number of questions: 55
Time allocated: 13 minutes
Assesses: the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.
Style: students are presented with images arranged into sets or series. Patterns may involve changes to the size and shape of objects, the number of objects, shading and colour, symmetry, position, direction and so forth.
Types of question:
- Students are presented with two sets of shapes labelled ‘Set A’ and ‘Set B’. A test shape will be given and the task is to decide whether the shape belongs to Set A, Set B, or Neither
- Students are presented with a series of shapes and will be required to select the next shape in the series
- Students are presented with a statement involving a group of shapes (‘this is to that’). The task is to determine which shape completes the statement
- Students are presented with two sets of shapes labelled ‘Set A’ and ‘Set B’. The task is to select which of the four response options belongs to Set A or Set B
Section 5: Situational Judgement
Number of questions: 69
Time allocated: 26 minutes
Assesses: the capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.
Style: Students are presented with a series of healthcare scenarios. Medical or procedural knowledge is not required, but students should have an understanding of basic ethical principles.
Types of question:
- Rate the appropriateness of a particular response
- Rate the importance of possible considerations
MedEntry has a massive bank of thousands of UCAT questions which are being progressively deployed to our personalised online learning management system. We have deconstructed each question type and through our online platform and workshops, will provide you with invaluable insights into how to tackle the UCAT. Please also check out our free sample UCAT questions.
