Application Success: UCAT

Learn test-taking strategies from current medical students and approach the UCAT with confidence.

The UCAT is a standardised aptitude test used by medical and dental schools across the UK. It's designed to test your critical thinking skills, not your scientific knowledge, which means there's no specific content to revise. However, you can prepare for the UCAT by improving your test-taking skills.

Application Success: UCAT is open to Year 12/Level 3 Year 1 and mature students who are applying to study medicine or dentistry at any university. It takes place at UEA on Saturday 6 June 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Sign-ups will open on Monday 9 March and close at midday on Monday 20 April 2026.

Why should you take part? 

Universities use your UCAT score (and a few other factors) to decide whether interview you or offer you a place. It's an important part of the application process, but you can't revise for it like a normal exam. Application Success: UCAT is your chance to learn tried and tested techniques from current medical students who have been in your position.

The best part? It's all completely free.

How do universities use the UCAT?

Some universities have a cut-off UCAT score. This means that you need to score above the cut-off to be invited for an interview or receive an offer.

Some other universities rank their applicants by UCAT score and invite the highest scoring candidates to interview.

Some universities may not use your UCAT score at all.

Each university should explain on their website how they use the UCAT score. We recommend checking this information in advance before you submit your UCAS application.

When and where do I take the UCAT?

You take the test in the summer before you apply to medical or dental school. So, if you are applying for 2027 entry, you will take the UCAT in summer 2026.

You can only take the test once per year. In other words, if you take the UCAT in summer 2026 and are not satisfied with your score, you will need to wait until summer 2027 to resit the exam.

UCAT exams take place in Pearson Test centres - the same place you would take a driving theory test.

Find out more on the UCAT website.

Applying to study Medicine

We know the process of applying for medical school can seem complicated. Our step-by-step guide breaks it all down in a simple, accessible structure:

Where could Medicine take you?

Here’s an idea of the kinds of careers you can pursue with a Medicine degree:

• Surgeon

• Sports club doctor

• Cardiologist

• Military doctor

• Neurologist

• Clinical radiologist

• Anaesthetist

• GP