How UCAT Is Scored and What Score You Need
How is UCAT scored?
The UCAT scoring process is complicated, and Pearson VUE uses complex statistical analysis to arrive at your UCAT score, based upon the answers you select. The scoring process is covered in detail in the MedEntry UCAT Course.
There are several myths relating to UCAT scores, which are outlined below:
| UCAT scoring myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| It is possible to predict UCAT scores based on raw marks. | UCAT scores are calculated using complex statistical processes. It is not possible to predict UCAT scores based on raw marks (the number of questions you answer correctly). The most accurate indication of your performance can be obtained after completing MedEntry UCAT practice exams, as MedEntry uses statistical programs to calculate your scores. |
| You need to answer all questions correctly to achieve a high score. | UCAT is a very difficult, time-pressured test. The majority of students do not have sufficient time to answer every UCAT question. You can therefore obtain very high scores even if you do not answer every UCAT question correctly. |
| UCAT questions change depending on your response. | Computerised Adaptive Testing is not utilised in UCAT. There are multiple ‘versions’ of UCAT that are used every year, but the content within each version is identical, and does not vary based on your responses. |
| You will be penalised for incorrect responses. | There is no negative marking in UCAT. If you choose an incorrect response, you will receive a score of zero. |
When will I receive my UCAT score?
You will receive your UCAT score on the day you sit UCAT. However, full statistics relating to the performance of other UCAT candidates will not be released until later in the year. You will not know exactly how your UCAT score compares until this time.
Note that your UCAT scores will be automatically sent to UCAT Consortium universities in early November – you do not need to submit your own scores.
What will my UCAT score report look like?
After you sit UCAT, you will receive a scaled score for each of the four UCAT subtests, which range from 300 to 900. You will also receive a total scaled score for the four cognitive subtests (UCAT Verbal Reasoning, UCAT Decision Making and UCAT Quantitative Reasoning) that ranges from 900 to 2700.
The Situational Judgement score is provided separately as it tests ‘non-cognitive’ attributes. Some universities use UCAT Situational Judgement differently when assessing candidates for entry into their courses.
What UCAT score do I need to get into medicine?
In general, a UCAT percentile of around 80-90 would be sufficient for entry into medicine at most universities. This would equate to cognitive test scores of 2100-2250 (or average subtest scores of 700-750). However, you can still obtain entry into medicine at some universities with lower UCAT scores.
Further detailed information regarding entry requirements is available in the University Admissions section of MedEntry’s online platform.
How will universities use UCAT scores?
Universities use cognitive UCAT test scores in different ways. UCAT is often weighted significantly when applying for medicine and dentistry.
Situational Judgement test scores are used in various ways: some do not consider it at all, some eliminate students scoring in band 4, and some issue ‘points’ depending on the band scored.
You can find information on how UCAT is used for each university here: https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2951/entry-requirements-document-2023-entry.pdf