r/UCAT May 02 '21

MEGATHREAD THE ULTIMATE UCAT MEGATHREAD

236 Upvotes

THE UCAT MEGATHREAD

Who are we?

The Moderation team are Junior Doctors working in Australia and England. I created this sub reddit as I wanted to provide everyone with non-biased and clear advice on how to do well in the UCAT.

As Medical students, we have no desire to feed you false information to gain an advantage - we just want to provide you with a one stop shop for anything UCAT related. So if you see anything online you aren't sure of - please feel free to message here or on the discord and we will get back to you ASAP.

On that note, if we make mistakes, we are happy to fix them and admit it so please tell us if anything we have created is incorrect. We are busy medical students but will always do our best to keep everything updated!

Official YouTube Channel

The mod team have been working together to create a YouTube channel to help you all on your journey. We ourselves used YouTube extensively (shout out to Aliabdaal and Kharma medic) who were our go to during those days.

Our Channel will go through everything UCAT related as well as giving you a bit of insight to med school in Australia! Videos will role out each week so keep checking back here or subscribe.

The Channel is called Kerrod Kerr.

Our first video gives you a bit of an insight to my personal My Journey to Medical School

Current Videos

My Journey to Medical School

What is the UCAT - Everything you need to know

How to study for the UCAT

Top 5 Tips to Smash the UCAT

Verbal Reasoning - UCAT Intro Series

Decision Making - UCAT Intro Series

Quantitative Reasoning - UCAT Intro Series

Abstract Reasoning - UCAT Intro Series

Situational Judgement - UCAT Intro Series

How to Solve Verbal Reasoning Quickly - Deep Dive Series

How To Smash Decision Making - Deep Dive Series

!!!Giveaways!!!

We are going to be doing a number of helpful videos, giveaways and reviews of UCAT platforms.

We are investing our own money into this and hope as the subreddit and discord grows we can use any revenue we may get from subscribers and possible sponsorships to give away more stuff.

Keep a look out for announcements and future giveaways to some online platforms including MedEntry and Medify.

Discord

If you haven't already - join the official UCAT discord. It is a general discussion place and is busy with people working together to improve their UCAT skills with multiple Pomodoro sessions happening each night!

What is the UCAT

Our Video:What is the UCAT - Everything you need to know

UCAT stands for University Clinical Aptitude Test. UCAT is one of three main criteria used by most universities in Australia and New Zealand and United Kingdom to select students into high demand health related careers such as medicine and dentistry (the other two criteria being performance in final high school exams/GPA and interviews)

The UCAT is a two hour, computer-based test which assesses a range of mental abilities identified by universities as important to practicing in the fields of medicine and dentistry. It consists of five separately timed subtests which each contain a number of questions in a multiple-choice format.

I Want to Get into Medicine but I have no idea what is the UCAT

Don't worry - everyone starts somewhere. The mod team is making a introduction to the UCAT series which covers everything you need to know to get your started.

But essentially - this 2 hour test is comprised of 5 subsections which aim to test a range of mental abilities which are recognized as important to becoming a Doctor.

How to study for the UCAT

The first step in studying for UCAT is to understand the types of questions that you will face. UCAT is not a test of knowledge, it is a test of your generic skills. Therefore, the questions in UCAT will be very different to anything you have been exposed to at school and university.

This is very important → Do not start studying for the UCAT by doing a practice exam. Take the time to learn how study and learn the question styles which are present in the exam.

How to study for the UCAT

Is "x" months of preparation enough?

This is a hard question to answer - People say you can comfortable cram for the UCAT in a few weeks while others prefer the consistent approach over the course of the year. Generally, the more time and effort you put into your preparation the better you will do → it's impossible to prepare too much!

You should prep until you feel comfortable → At the end of the day, if you get to the exam and you feel calm, ready and can smash the exam because it’s just like muscle memory then you have done enough study - whether that’s 6 months or 1 week, however long it takes you to get to this point is the right amount of study for you

6 months might seem excessive to some people, but for a super competitive exam (even more so in Australia) that you only get to attempt once year, I would rather be go into it feeling I had done so much study that I was over it, then to get stuck on a single question which could mean the difference between me getting an interview or not.

What resources should I be using?

There are a number of free resources → MedEntry free trial, official practice papers, Medify free trial

Gold Standard: MedEntry, Medify,

Silver: Medic Mind , Kaplan, 6med

A waste of money: UCAT SECRETS

YouTube Resources:

  • Kerrod Kerr → The /r/UCAT mod team has been making a bunch of free resources
  • Kharma medic - does some good intro video into the different sections

What Preparation Company or Practice Test is Most like the real exam

  • The preparation companies all exist for a reason → to create content similar to the exam. For that reason they are all pretty similar to the actual exam. Whilst Medify was the leader for the last few years, Medentry has really done a lot of work to make changes and make themselves very competitive and innovative so much so I would even look at recommending them first. At time of writing this (Feb 2023) they are currently cheaper then Medify and with the REDDIT_AU & REDDIT_UK codes at checkout, you can knock a further 10% off that price.

  • They have also have an iPhone and Android app (we've checked it out, it's not just a shitty browser port, it's a native app).

  • The official practice exams, whilst free and give you a good idea of the content and style of the exam, vary greatly in difficulty to the real thing.

Top Tips for Preparing for the UCAT

There is no 1 trick for doing well - you need to practice. But there are definitely things you can do to help you prepare effectively. Our top 5 Tips Video

  1. Learn how to solve the questions first before you start doing timed tests
  2. Use your preparation resource and YouTube videos to teach you how to solve questions → their way just might be faster then your own
  3. Skim reading, Scanning and Speed Reading will help with your time management
  4. Learn the keyboard and calculator shortcuts

What is a good UCAT score → to get an interview

This is a hard one - as some universities place weighting on different criteria in the UCAT. However as a general rule without considering any factors including rural, ATSI, bonuses:

Australia - Above 90th percentile (approx. 2900-3100)

England - Above 60th percentile (approx. 2600-2700)

For Australian and New Zealand students you can check out our video in the coming month which goes into more detail regarding the scores required by each university and any bonus's you can qualify for!

How do I Prepare for interviews

Use the Discord

  1. Smile and be positive and confident with your answer
  2. Don't be afraid to break the mold with your answer → be remembered
  3. First impressions count

We will be posting some sample interview questions & tips and tricks once the UCAT testing period is over - stay tuned!

Why are Australian Scores so much higher?

They aren't that much higher → but Australia is just much more competitive with students generally beginning preparing earlier.

Keep in mind, the scores you will see posted in the Mega-threads and online are from students who did well → you are unlikely to see people posting their lower scores (in the same way you only ever hear about your friends who won big on the pokies or that race → they never boast about their loses)

Don't be disheartened if you are an Australian student seeing this. Although you need a higher UCAT score generally for an interview (>90th%) as Australian universities only take very small number of applicants for interviews, you have a much much higher chance of getting in once you get to that point compared to the UK (who often take 3-5x the number of applicants to the interview stage)

How do I Study for Verbal Reasoning

  • Our Intro to VR video
  • Our Deep dive into VR problem solving
  • Kharma Medic VR
  • Learn the different approaches → e.g. Skim reading, Scanning and Speed Reading and refine it
  • Learn how to key word search effectively
  • Learn how to approach different question types → e.g authors comments should involve you looking directly as the last paragraph when searching for answers to save time

How do I Study for Decision Making

How do I Study for Quantitative Reasoning

  • Our Intro to QR video
  • Our deep dive into QR problem solving
  • Kharma Medic QR
  • Revise basic arithmetic and conversions → especially percentages
  • Practice using the calculator → you need to do this blind and get quick with it

How do I Study for Abstract Reasoning

  • Our Intro to AR video
  • Our deep dive into AR problem solving
  • Kharma Medic AR
  • Start by watching some Intro videos → learn how others approach it and get your head around what the heck is happening in this section
  • Practice questions over and over untimed until you know it → REPEAT

How do I Study for Situational Judgement

  • Our Intro to SJ video
  • Our deep dive into SJ problem solving
  • Kharma Medic SJ
  • Read GMC - Good medical practice
  • Learn the hierarchy → i.e. patient wellbeing is always more important than anything else when making decisions.
  • Don't worry about this too much in Australia as currently no universities I am aware of are using this → but aim to be band 1 or band 2 anyway!

Something missing?

Is there anything you want us to cover in this wiki or do a video on? Please let us know below or on the UCAT discord. This subreddit is made for you!

Happy Studying and good luck future doctors!

/r/UCAT mod team.


r/UCAT Dec 07 '21

Moderator Post MedEntry Discount Codes

66 Upvotes

Hi all!

If you're considering using Medentry as your UCAT prep company, ensure to use my links below to receive a DISCOUNT!

 

10% off ONLINE or PLATINUM PACKAGE (AU)

REDDIT_AU

10% off ONLINE or PLATINUM PACKAGE (UK)

REDDIT_UK

5% off MIT BUNDLE or ADDITIONAL TAILORED INTERVIEW or BOND PSYCHOMETRIC. (UK AND AU)

REDDIT_INTERVIEW


r/UCAT 6h ago

UK Med Schools Related how much I revised + my final score

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31 Upvotes

Hope for people who haven't done their test yet. Being lazy works out sometimes


r/UCAT 3h ago

UK Med Schools Related Finally done🙏

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14 Upvotes

I’m so glad about this but can anyone tell me if it’s risky or not applying to imperial med with this?
Also will be happy to answer any questions


r/UCAT 10h ago

UK Med Schools Related It's finally over

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44 Upvotes

I'm so glad this whole process is done. Sadly i flopped my VR section. Can i apply to Imperial Medicine with this score?


r/UCAT 4h ago

UK Med Schools Related Mocks vs final ucat score

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11 Upvotes

Thought this might help people see if they're on track.


r/UCAT 14h ago

Australian Med School Related cheeky rant

42 Upvotes

Firstly I wanna say congratulations to everyone who took the UCAT, its a really challenging test and I'm so happy for everyone who did well, and if you didn't do good enough, well you tried your hardest and I'm proud of you anyways. I've been lurking on this sub for a while but I feel like I don't really see posts about people doing bad so like imma start ranting. I took my test weeks ago and still think about it like everyday. I genuinely worked hard and studied a lot, and on the day my results were very disappointing and I already know they aren't good enough for any UCAT-using med school which were the ones I really wanted to go to. The sad thing is that I've only ever wanted to do medicine, there has been no other field I've wanted to go to, and going to like direct entry med was like my dream for so long. And the day came and I flopped. After putting so much time and effort and stressing myself out so much. It's like one of the worst things I've ever felt. When I got my results I literally cried cuz my dreams were basically crushed. And then for the next few days I was like hella depressed and drowned my sorrows in ice cream and netflix. For like a week afterwards I couldn't even sleep cuz my mind was constantly thinking about the UCAT, thinking things like "if only I got that question right", "if only I studied a bit more", "if only I got better sleep that night", just constantly thinking about it. Genuinely felt like my dreams were crushed. Anyways everytime I see anything UCAT related I lowkey like crash out again but its fine. I don't really have anyone to talk to it about cuz no one else took the UCAT and kinda knows how I feel, except anyone else in the same situation. Just wanted to share my experience so if anyone else is feeling this way you know that you're not the only one. Anyways, after a few days of being an absolute self pitying bum, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and decided that medicine is still my dream. My dreams aren't over. I have other options, like post grad medicine. If you're in the same situation, I just wanna tell you that its not the end of the world. You are strong, you're amazing, and even though you worked so hard for it, sometimes life kicks you right in the nuts but i know you're not gonna back down cuz you're not a quitter. Even if you flop the UCAT , if medicine is truly your dream, you still got options, and you're gonna work hard, and I know you're still gonna be an amazing doctor.


r/UCAT 8h ago

UK Med Schools Related Just did my exam, where to apply?

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13 Upvotes

r/UCAT 1h ago

Study Help Need advice please.

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Upvotes

Hello! My exam is in 10 days, but I am really worried about my score. I am currently averaging around 1650-1670 over the 11 mocks I've done, after revising for about 5 weeks.

I am sort of getting the hang of VR and the timings, just struggling with misunderstanding the questions at times.

With QR, I usually get to around Q24 before I almost run out of time and have to click C for the rest of the questions. The positive for that is that for the questions I do get done, I average around 90% accuracy (missed marks are usually due to misreading or misunderstanding.

For DM, I will not lie, I'm struggling to improve. I've gotten somewhat better by following an order, which is: strongest arguments, venns, probability, syllogisms, then logic puzzles and/or inference depending on the time I have left.

For SJT, I am doing surprisingly well, averaging band 2. Would like to get that up too, though.

I guess my main issue is timing, but I'm not sure how I can fix it. I was aiming for 2100+ before, but now anything over 1900 would make me happy. I'm trying to get into GEM, so the most important thing would be a VR over 600, I think. I've also been trying to balance a job during this time, so I guess that may have impacted me as well? Sorry, this is poorly written just panicking a bit haha. Any help would be appreciated :)


r/UCAT 7h ago

Study Help Genuinely don’t know what to do

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9 Upvotes

Have my test in two weeks, have done nearly 9000 questions on medify, genuinely don’t know how to improve. This test quite literally decides what med school I get into, if at all I can get into one. It almost feels like my grades are worth nothing if I can’t do well on this. I’m international as well which makes this situation even harder. Pls pls pls give me some advice to improve my score and fingers crossed achieve 2400-2500 (I know I’m aiming for the stars)


r/UCAT 3h ago

UK Med Schools Related UCAT decile

3 Upvotes

I feel like the deciles are gonna be so high everyone’s UCAT score is so good


r/UCAT 5h ago

Study Help Medify mocks

4 Upvotes

My exam is in like 2 weeks and ive done medify mocks 1-4 and 8-9 and have been getting like in the 1700s to 1800s but today i did mock 17 and got 2000. Is it best to go in order w the mocks or random?


r/UCAT 9h ago

UK Dent School Related What dental schools can I apply to?

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8 Upvotes

I am predicted 3A*s
Also I am on the Leeds contextual reach for excellence programme

Also if anyone wants any tips lmk!!!
I am a very lazy student and was averaging 1900-2000 I never once got above 2100


r/UCAT 6h ago

UK Med Schools Related Is this smart

4 Upvotes

I completed my UCAT exam today, and I got 2250 SJT band 1. I'm predicted A*AA A levels and I achieved 9999999888 at GCSEs. I was hoping to apply to Oxford, QMUL, Kings and UCL but I wonder if I'm being too arrogant and js being dumb cos ik that all of these unis are rlly aspirational, but I would love an opportunity to study at any one of these places. Do you think I should stick with this or should I replace one of these with a safer choice? Do you think I have a realistic chance of getting at least an interview with these unis? (ik oxford is a stretch)


r/UCAT 6h ago

Study Help guys, vr inconsistent, what do now?

4 Upvotes

vr not fun, i skip when i need to, time management i get, but i dont have a strategy of like how to tackle the questions, any ucat veterans got a method for me?


r/UCAT 11h ago

UK Dent School Related Mid UCat - wanna do dent

9 Upvotes

Yo so my ucat was horrible. 2050 B3.

I WANNA do dentistry.

Luckily i got 8 grade 9s,4 grade 8s gcses.

Got 43/45 predicted IB

Bare wex AND volunteering.

Do u gen think i have a chancrefor dent?


r/UCAT 4h ago

UK Dent School Related where can i apply??

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2 Upvotes

realistically what unis can i apply to for dentistry


r/UCAT 37m ago

Study Help Decision making

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Upvotes

Any tips on how to do better in DM. Currently looking like this, timing is not an issues but I cannot seem to get everything correct for the life of me. Test in 3 weeks time.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!


r/UCAT 8h ago

UK Med Schools Related Calculator Glitch Incident

4 Upvotes

So I sat my ucat today and for context I got 2250 B2:

VR: 700 (my worst section)

DM: 730 (In which I was expecting 800)

QR: 820

My calculator broke in DM and I lost 3-4 (3 according to the invigilator but it was definitely longer, stupidly I didn’t record the time) minutes time whilst the invigilator sorted it.

Of course I was panicking, and it didn’t help when sent me off to the corner of the room to sit as my time ticks by. When I asked if I can get my time back he said simply “No just continue your test”.

How impactful will me making that report actually be towards a more competitive application, IF that is,I get given the mitigating circumstances, and how likely is it that I am awarded them. Moreover how do they decide at UCAT if it was a valid problem/ significant enough, is it simply from the invigilator’s report or CCTV or something? For context I really don’t want to do a that ever again, so a resit is out of the question for me.


r/UCAT 10h ago

Study Help two days before ucat!

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6 Upvotes

This is the only Oqb mock I’ve done, am I able to bump this up to 2200 on the day ? Just did Mock D


r/UCAT 4h ago

Study Help Tips on timing

2 Upvotes

My UCATs in 2 weeks and I’m currently really struggling with timing. VR is my weakest one because the timing and accuracy is bad. In QR I have really good scores but am really slow, in mocks I answer about half the questions in the time given and that’s with 25% extra time. DM is also quite good but the same issue with time. SJT is the only one where timing isnt an issue. I’m really worried I don’t have enough time to improve my timing. Any tips and advice on how to improve my timing would be greatly appreciated :)


r/UCAT 55m ago

UK Med Schools Related Buckingham vs UCLAN vs Brighton

Upvotes

If I’m trying to match back to Canada or USA, which school would you suggest? Would Buckingham be significantly worse than Brighton? Are they all on the same level? I’m asking about quality of education in particular. TIA


r/UCAT 4h ago

UK Med Schools Related favourite / least favourite question types

2 Upvotes

just curious as to what everyones favourite and least favourite questions are. i HATE speed distance time questions with a passion. i don't mind venn diagrams and probabilities. i also just hate vr in its entirety so there's that too.


r/UCAT 11h ago

Study Help UCAT in 3 days, what should i do?

5 Upvotes

for reference , my average on medify is about 1950, in the OQB mocks i got:
mock A - 1950
mock B - 1990
mock C - 2170
mock D - 2180

i feel like i'm doing pretty decently (i'm actually aiming for 2200+ lol but i'm contextual) but i also feel like im not stressing enough and that stress will come and hit me full force right before the exam. i'm planning on doing one more medify mock and maybe some practise on my weaker topics, but i feel like i'm not doing enough? idk. lmk what you guys think


r/UCAT 5h ago

Study Help people who got/are getting 2300+, what were your triage strategies for each section?

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2 Upvotes

my exam is in one week and i’m losing my fucking mind