Scoring & Results
How is UCAT scored?
The UCAT scoring process is complicated, and Pearson VUE uses complex statistical analysis to arrive at a candidate’s UCAT score, based upon the answers they select.
Cognitive Subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning)
The UCAT is marked on the number of correct answers candidates give with no negative marking for incorrect answers. The number of questions varies between the three cognitive subtests so it is not possible to make a direct comparison of the raw marks between these subtests. For each subtest, raw marks are converted to scaled scores ranging from 300 to 900.
Scores in each of the three cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning) are combined to form an overall UCAT cognitive subtest score, which ranges from 900 to 2700.
Situational Judgement
For the Situational Judgement subtest, full marks are awarded for a question if a candidate’s response matches the correct answer and partial marks awarded if their response is close to the correct answer. Scores are then given in one of four bands, with band 1 being the highest:
- Band 1: Those in Band 1 demonstrated an excellent level of performance, showing similar judgement in most cases to the panel of experts.
- Band 2: Those in Band 2 demonstrated a good, solid level of performance, showing appropriate judgement frequently, with many responses matching model answers.
- Band 3: Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest level of performance, with appropriate judgement shown for some questions and substantial differences from ideal responses for others.
- Band 4: The performance of those in Band 4 was low, with judgement tending to differ substantially from ideal responses in many cases.
How and when will I receive my UCAT score?
Candidates will receive a copy of their score before leaving the test centre, and after 24 hours can access the score through their UCAT account.
In mid-September UCAT Official will publish preliminary mean scores and deciles as a guide to students to interpret their scores. This is because before then, not all candidates will have taken their test. After the testing ends, final mean scores, deciles and percentiles will be published, which will provide students with information on what constitutes a good UCAT score.
How will results be delivered to universities?
In early November, UCAT delivers candidates’ results directly to their chosen universities. UCAT ANZ results will be delivered to chosen UK universities if candidates complete an online form for the UCAT office.
UCAT scores and UCAS choices
As candidates receive their UCAT test results before the UCAS deadline they should ensure they use their results to help inform their UCAS choices, otherwise they might be wasting an application.
To improve chances of securing a place in medical school, it is important to use UCAT scores, predicted A-Level grades and GCSEs strategically.
What is a good UCAT score?
There is no minimum score for UCAT. Some universities accept applications for all scores, but some other medical schools have a UCAT score threshold .
Generally, a good UCAT score would be a total cognitive UCAT subtest score of above 2100. If, for example, you achieved a UCAT overall cognitive subtest score of 1880, your score was about average (5th decile) compared to other candidates who sat UCAT. On the other hand, if you achieved a UCAT overall cognitive subtest score of 2010+, you will have achieved around the 7th decile – that is, you will have been in the top 30% of UCAT candidates.
However, it is important to remember that percentiles can vary every year. UCAT percentiles are a comparison of a candidate’s performance against others sitting UCAT UK in the same year. This means to achieve a ‘good score’ is to perform well in UCAT compared to others.
It is important to realise that a candidate’s application may not be considered if they do not reach the threshold score in SJT for their preferred universities.
What can I do if I score low in UCAT?
Although it may feel like the end of the world if your UCAT score is not what you expected, there are several other pathways and getting into medicine is certainly possible. Candidates’ options include:
- Apply as a school leaver to universities which place a lower emphasis on UCAT
- Undertake a Foundation/Gateway year (if the candidate meets the specific Widening Participation criteria)
- Take a gap year after completion of A levels, resit the UCAT and then reapply to medicine
- Apply to an undergraduate degree with an option to transfer into medicine
- Apply to study medicine abroad
- Apply for an undergraduate degree to then pursue Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) or graduate entry onto an undergraduate medical course