UKCAT Clinical Aptitude Test Top 10 Tips



Posted: Friday, October 02, 2009

by
SparkyTheSquid

The UKCAT Clinical Aptitude Test is used in the selection process by a consortium of UK University Medical and Dental Schools. If you wish to study medicine or dentistry at one of the top UK universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) you will have to, not only get great grades in your A-Levels or High-School exams, but you will also have to impress on the UKCAT Clinical Aptitude Test.

The test is divided into five parts: Verbal reasoning - answering written questions, Quantitative reasoning - math/numerical problems, Abstract reasoning - deduce relationships from information by abstract thinking, Decision analysis - deal with different types of information, to deduce relationships to judge and to make an appropriate decision in a possibly ambiguous situation, Non-cognitive analysis - a kind of personality test to see if you will make a good doctor or dentist.

On the UKCAT website, it is stated that you cannot revise for the UKCAT because the test is not based on curricular material. This is true to a certain extent, but there are still some things which you can do to prepare yourself:

1) Find examples of the kinds of testing from the internet
2) Participate in coaching and workshops specifically for the UKCAT
3) Get practice test books based on the UKCAT exam
4) Get practice test books in the different areas of testing
5) Buy guides on passing admission tests for oxbridge

What can you do during the test:

1) Read the questions carefully to make sure you understand what you are being asked
2) Listen to the instructions given to you by the moderator. If you are not sure about something; ASK!
3) Set a good pace: Many students complain about the time limit of the test
4) Trust your first answer: Research has shown that the first answer is usually the right one, so don't go changing your mind too often.
5) Answer ALL of the questions. You are not penalised for an incorrect answer, so go ahead and mark them all, especially if you are short of time.

The rest is up to you. Good luck!

Mark Sanderson is a teacher of science and english. His interests include science, nature, literature, gardening, film, theatre, technology, environmental issues, alternative health and lifestyle.
If you are a potential candidate for UKCAT Clinical Aptitude Test zou maz like to see some more tips.

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