Is UCAT Getting More Competitive? Will UCAT 2023 be even harder?
2 years ago by Chris
The UCAT score required for a given percentile has slightly increased each year. For example:
- In 2022 a score of 2880 was needed for 90th percentile
- In 2021 a score of 2850 was needed for 90th percentile
- In 2020 a score of 2850 was needed for 90th percentile
- In 2019 a score of 2800 was needed for 90th percentile
This is in spite of a similar number of candidates sitting UCAT over the past few years (approximately 36,000 candidates every year since 2020).
Why have UCAT scores been increasing?
There are many reasons which contributed to this increase in students’ UCAT results. They include a better prepared cohort of students due to a better knowledge of the UCAT, and Pearson VUE underestimating the level of preparedness of candidates sitting UCAT.
Will the UCAT score required to obtain a given percentile increase again next year?
The answer is perhaps marginally, if any.
Will UCAT 2023 questions be more difficult this year?
It is reasonable to expect that for several reasons, UCAT 2023 questions will be slightly more challenging than in the past. The reasons for this are discussed in MedEntry’s UCAT courses.
So what can I do about this?
Knowing that the UCAT is getting more competitive and might be harder than last year should not put you off your dream of studying medicine or dentistry! Respond to this challenge by reminding yourself to be positive and be prepared. An excellent way to prepare is to practice on UCAT exams that are more difficult than the live UCAT.
For over 20 years that MedEntry has been preparing students for medical entry tests, a recurring ‘criticism’ from students regarding our practice exams is: “MedEntry exams are harder than the real test”. Providing exams that are harder than the live UCAT is entirely deliberate on our part. In fact, we wear that criticism as a badge of honour.
Here’s why:
In preparing for any high stakes’ situation, all high achievers (elite athletes, Olympians, academic award winners) have a similar strategy: they prepare for situations which are far more challenging than the ones they are going to face ‘on the critical day’ (i.e. the day of the live UCAT).
MedEntry aims to provide UCAT practice tests which are more difficult than the one you will face on UCAT test day to ensure you are best prepared. On the day of UCAT, you’ll find the exam a pleasant surprise!
