UCAT Preparation
How can I prepare for UCAT?
The UCAT exam is a skills based exam. Therefore, the more a candidate practises the better their skills will be in answering the questions both accurately and quickly. The four tests offered for free on the UCAT official site are a good starting point. However, as the site itself says, “The practice tests are not set up to save your result or provide a score.” These exams do not provide feedback on your performance or suggestions on how to improve, so it is wise to source a UCAT question bank that can provide this for you.
A good way to prepare for UCAT is to do a little bit of practice frequently over a period of time. This is more effective in skills-based exams than cramming. It is helpful to sit mock exams under test-style conditions, which includes using a simulated platform, sticking to time conditions and not taking breaks. This will give you a good understanding of the difficulty of UCAT.
What Question Banks are available to prepare for UCAT?
Aside from the UCAT official site, there are various Question Banks available to prepare for UCAT. In the past, Medify was the most well known UCAT preparation provider, but in recent years, MedEntry has become very popular.
Here is some information and comparisons about the most popular Question Banks and what they provide.
| Medify | MedEntry | Medic Mind | Medic Portal | PassMedicine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full mocks | 24 | 20+ | 2 | Unclear | 0 |
| Subtest mocks | 40+ | 40+ | 19 | Unclear | 5 |
| Number of questions | 20,000 | 20,000+ | 10,000 | 1,000+ (no clear amount) | 3,000 |
Notably, MedEntry’s platform is also accessible via a Smartphone App.
Video tutorials
The following organisations offer video tutorials to teach students about the UCAT:
- MedEntry
- Medic Mind
- Medic Portal
- Medify
PassMedicine is a question bank only, and does not include video tutorials
Workshops
If you want additional teaching, here’s what each organisation offers:
- Medic Mind: 1 or 2 day workshops, online and in person (London, Manchester, Birmingham)
- Medic Portal: 1 day workshops, online and in person (Dukes Education Schools)
- MedEntry: 2 day online workshops (also offers online weekly classes)
Medify and PassMedicine do not offer live workshops.
Tutoring
If you would like personalised support, here’s what you can access:
- MedEntry – 10 hours of tutoring
- Medic Mind – 8 hours of tutoring
- Medic Portal – 2-15 hours of tutoring
Medify and PassMedicine do not offer tutoring.
Medical work experience opportunities
To support your application to medical school, Medic Mind offers summer work experience packages in London ranging from 1 day (£349) to 5 days (£1499).
Medify, MedEntry, Medic Portal and PassMedicine do not provide work experience opportunities.
Free trial
All organisations offer a free trial. Here’s what it includes:
- MedEntry – 1 mock exam, limited access to teaching modules / subtest mocks / skills trainers / question bank
- Medify – 5 subtest mocks
- Medic Mind – 2 mock exams, sample questions for each section, 5 video tutorials
- Medic Portal – diagnostic exam, webinars
- PassMedicine – 3000 practice questions
Interview preparation
MedEntry, Medic Mind, Medic Portal and Medify offer interview preparation. PassMedicine does not.
BMAT preparation
Medic Mind and Medify provide BMAT preparation. MedEntry, Medic Portal and PassMedicine do not.
Subscription Packages
MedEntry and Medify offer weekly / monthly subscription packages. Medic Mind, Medic Portal and PassMedicine do not.