Planning Time for UCAT Preparation
3 weeks ago by Stan
A very common question asked by aspiring medical students is "How do you balance your school work and UCAT practice?" Given that the UCAT can be equally or even more important than A-levels in the medical school selection process, it is crucial that students devote sufficient time in preparing for the UCAT, without neglecting their secondary school studies.
Dedicated time or spare time?
The key to finding this balance is planning your UCAT study schedule. Many students attempt to fit in UCAT study in their 'spare time', which is hard to find in your senior years of schooling. It is more productive to set aside blocks of time which are specifically devoted to UCAT. Doing this will help you focus on one task, be more efficient, and avoid neglecting UCAT. Monthly or yearly planners can be helpful to visualise how you plan large blocks of time.
This blog will detail one method of planning your UCAT practice schedule, using MedEntry's resources on the online learning platform. Think of it like putting the big rocks into a jar first, then pouring in the sand to fit the most in - a time management concept based on tackling your largest priorities before filling in the gaps. The big rocks are your UCAT practice exams, and the sand is QBank practice and subtest mocks.
The larger stones: add the exams
Decide how many UCAT practice exams you would like to complete. Spread these out in the time between when you start your UCAT preparation, and roughly 1-2 weeks before your UCAT testing date. One way of doing so would be to increase the frequency of the exams you complete as you approach the live UCAT. Remember also that you will have more time during the holidays, without the added pressure of school assessments.
It will take two hours to complete each exam, as well as 2-3 hours to review it - do not underestimate this part of the process, as it is very important to helping you improve. Therefore, it may be more convenient to plan time for full UCAT practice exams on weekends.
Keep in mind that your UCAT study plan should be flexible. Other commitments will arise, and it is important to accommodate them. If you miss a UCAT practice exam, ensure that you catch up before the next.
The sand: add subtest mocks and QBank practice
Subtest Mocks and question banks (as well as UCAT skills trainers) can be accessed when you have smaller intervals of spare time. They are especially useful to target problem areas in your UCAT practice. For example, when you are doing UCAT practice exams, you may notice specific question types which you find particularly difficult, and you can use the QBank to work on these. Furthermore, in the days leading up to the live UCAT, short UCAT practice sessions can be less stressful and taxing than full length UCAT practice exams.
Individualise your plan
Ultimately, the required amount of time for UCAT practice will vary for each student. In addition, it is rare that a student will feel 100% prepared for the UCAT, no matter how much they have studied. People who achieve the highest UCAT scores usually do not answer every question correctly. However, time management and planning will increase your likelihood of committing to UCAT practice, enabling you to approach the exam well equipped and with confidence.
This is one method of planning time for UCAT preparation. Whichever way you choose to structure your UCAT study plan, remember that it is crucial to devote sufficient time to UCAT preparation without neglecting your school studies.
