Medicine in the United Kingdom
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Firstly, you need to be congratulated for investigating what it takes to secure admission onto some of the world’s best medical degrees.
The UK is home to the second and the third ranked medical schools in the world in Oxford and Cambridge (with the US-based Harvard coming in at number one). Therefore, if you gain admission to one of these universities you will be exposed to the best medical training available.
The UK is one of the world’s top destinations for medical schools -- the allure of its prestigious and long-established institutions is undeniable. Of course, with the quality of the education and the world class reputation that accompanies it, comes the inevitable high standards of the many thousands of candidates vying for those highly sought after medical school spots.
(The acceptance rate to Oxford’s medical program is only 12%). In short the students who present the best and most importantly score highly on the main medical school entrance exams have the first advantage in setting themselves above the competition.
Pathways to Medical School in the UK:
Undergraduate Medicine (5-6 years):
This pathway is open to school-leavers and involves direct entry into a medical degree straight out of school, at the end of which they graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB). This pathway is offered by select universities, to students who perform exceptionally well in school and in the UCAT / BMAT.
Postgraduate Medicine (4 years):
This pathway is open to those who have completed any undergraduate degree, and who meet subject prerequisites for some universities. This pathway requires applicants to have high results in both their GPA and the GAMSAT exam. These scores are combined to determine an applicant's eligibility for a medical interview.
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So what exactly are the exams you need to take if you are aiming at gaining admission to Oxford, Cambridge or one of the many other world-class medical schools available in the UK, and why exactly do these exams matter?
The answer to the first part of this question is that there are two key tests that UK students can take: either the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT/UKCAT) or the Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) with different universities accepting different tests. (Eg: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Leeds University and University College London require the BMAT while universities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, King’s College London,Manchester, St. Andrew’s and Warwick accept the UCAT.
The answer to the second is that a good score on either or both exams often leads to a student being invited to attend that all important admissions interview - therefore, making the admission tests an integral and crucial part of the process of securing a place to study medicine.
What are the Key Differences Between the UCAT and the BMAT?
Although both the UCAT and BMAT test the way that you think, they consist of different sections, which test different aptitudes to each other. The UCAT test splits questions into 5 sections, while the BMAT test three separate sections. The key difference between the BMAT and the UCAT is that there is no equivalent of the BMAT’s Section 2 and Section 3 for the UCAT, with Section 2 of the BMAT testing a student’s scientific knowledge (to GCSE standard) and Section 3 requiring the applicant to write an essay (testing a student’s ability to structure and write an argument). These extra skills tested in the BMAT as compared to the UCAT are an important consideration when choosing which exams to take.
The UCAT
The UCAT is a two-hour standardised, computer-based exam, with five separately timed sections each containing a number of questions in a multiple choice format. This test is for admission to Australia, New Zealand and UK medical schools, however, students who are not considered domestic to Australia or New Zealand must sit the ISAT exam instead for admission to Australia.
What Does The Breakdown Of The UCAT Exams Look Like?
Section One - Verbal Reasoning
This section requires students to critically analyse and evaluate written information. Students are presented with passages on varying topics and are tested on their comprehension of the passage.
Section Two - Decision Making
This section assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements based on the complex information provided. Students are required to interpret text, tables, charts, graphs or other diagrams.
Section Three - Quantitative Reasoning
This section assesses the ability to critically analyse and evaluate numeric information. The questions asked are similar to those found in high school Mathematics - graphs, charts, tables, percentages, proportionality, rates, averages.
Section Four - Abstract Reasoning
This section assesses the ability to use creative thinking to infer relationships from the information provided. This tests the ability to recognise patterns and the relationship between shapes through logical thinking.
Section Five - Situational Judgement
This section assesses the ability to understand real world scenarios and appropriately respond to them. The situations include clinical scenarios as well and examines your understanding of ethics, team work and conflict resolution.
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The BMAT
The BMAT is a two-hour paper based aptitude test. Unlike the UCAT the BMAT only has three sections. This test is for admission to Oxbridge, UCL, Imperial College plus a few other assorted medical programs for all students wishing to apply.
What Does The Breakdown Of The UCAT Exams Look Like?
Section One - Thinking Skills
Candidates are required to solve problems, using simple numerical operations and present a series of logical arguments. There are a total of 32 questions. The questions are in multiple-choice format.
Section Two - Scientific Knowledge and Application
This section has 27 questions on Math, Biology, Physics and Chemistry concepts. The content tested is similar to what you would have learned at high school level.
Section Three - Written Task
Students are required to choose from 3 prompts to write an essay on a given topic. The topics can be scientific or medicine-related but sometimes aren’t. Students are assessed both for content, and their use of English.
Overwhelmed with all the acronyms?
Don’t be! If you’d like to speak with one of MedView's medical admissions experts on study resources and how to begin preparing for your standardised tests, you can arrange a free consultation
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When Can I Sit the Exams?
While the UCAT offers a series of testing dates between July and October, the BMAT limits applicants to one sitting only - either the August or October exam. It is worth noting that Oxford University ONLY accepts scores taken at the October exam so if you are thinking of applying to Oxford you must take the test in October only.
MedView is the leading medical school preparation company in Australasia. We offer personalised services to support every student’s needs, and believe that everyone has different goals and a unique story. Our mission is to help you achieve your medical school dreams, through personalise support and expert 1:1 tutoring.
Schedule a free Academic Assessment to discover the MedView Advantage as we can figure out what works for you!
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The UCAT
The UCAT, or the University Clinical Aptitude Test is the medical school admission test required for many universities in Australia and New Zealand. The UCAT is designed to assess applicants for the aptitude, attitudes and beliefs required of a doctor. In order to defeat the UCAT - we should understand what it is. First off, it’s a two hour computer based exam. There are 5 separately timed subtests - Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Situational Judgement. In this blog we break down each of the sections and offer guidance on how to prepare for this important exam.
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal Reasoning is meant to assess your ability to read something and draw appropriate conclusions. You can see why this would be important to a doctor - you’re part of a multidisciplinary team and will have to communicate effectively. In addition, doctors have to keep current with new research and draw reasonable conclusions from published findings. Decision making involves 11 text excerpts with 4 questions each, meaning this section has 44 questions in 21 minutes - that means an average of 29 seconds per question. That doesn’t even take reading the stem into account!
Decision Making
Decision Making is essentially data interpretation from graphs, tables, text and charts. You don’t need to have background knowledge on any subject, because part of what they’re testing is your ability to understand new information. Can you think of a time a doctor might have to do the same? This section has 29 questions in 31 minutes - an average of 64 seconds per question. Compare the timing of section to verbal reasoning, it’s more than double. Consider the length of time per question as an indication of how much the test writers want you to analyse.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning is a straightforward mathematics section - there are nine scenarios each with four questions. You’ll have access to an on screen calculator - which is functional but pretty clunky! You’ll have to strike a balance between using mental maths to be quick, and keeping your wits about you, and staying accurate. This section has 36 questions in 24 minutes - an average of 40 seconds per question. It’s not a lot of time to question your maths abilities!
Abstract Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning is used to evaluate your ability to locate patterns and understand logic, separate from your language abilities. If you’ve seen the guides online with pictures asking you to find a pattern - that’s abstract reasoning. This section is sometimes hard for students to grasp, because it’s such a different set of skills. It’s also probably the biggest struggle with time management. This section has 55 questions in 13 minutes - that’s only 14 seconds per question. Don’t even think about going into this section unprepared!
Situational Judgement
Situational Judgement assesses your judgement and character in different situations - the situations are usually clinical or education based. Either situations you’ve likely been in, or a situation you could be involved in future. Then you’ll have to evaluate the appropriateness, importance or consequences of the situation. It’s one way for universities to evaluate the characteristics that are important for future doctors! Situational Judgement has 69 questions in 26 minutes - an average of 25 seconds per question.
With so much to do - how can I set myself up for success?
Prepare
This sounds like a no brainer, but preparation is the most important thing you can do if you want to succeed on the UCAT. Going over questions is one thing but the most effective thing you can do is to practice under exam conditions. That means doing computer based exams - so when you get to test day, you know what to expect. Luckily MedView has a bank of questions.
Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Time is a precious resource when you’re preparing for medical school admissions - you have to continue doing well in your studies, prepare yourself for an interview, and master a new exam. There’s not infinite time - so you have to learn how to study smarter, not just harder. So many students waste their time by continuing to drill skills that they’ve already mastered. It’s important to identify the weak points that need more TLC.
Learn Skills
Each type of question requires a specific psychometric approach to understand and answer so quickly. Skills and strategies to identify the problem and solve the challenging question are essential for success. MedView has a range of 1:1 tutoring, group workshops, practice exams and questions alongside our spiral learning curriculum to help students develop the skills necessary to succeed in time conditions. Our UCAT students are 5x more likely to receive an interview offer.
Sitting full-length practice exams under simulated conditions is the most effective preparation for developing UCAT skills. As this will familiarise yourself with the extreme time pressures, as well as allowing you to practise concentrating on psychometric skills for two hours. It is also important to practice using the computer-based platform that will be used when you sit UCAT as well.
Seek Help
Find friends that have taken the test before and ask for their experience. Better yet, schedule a free Academic Assessment with MedView today! When you start your journey as a MedView student, you are allocated an Education Coordinator who has experience helping hundreds of students get into med school. They’ll help you stay on track with your goals, offer you support, and help you succeed on your path to medical school.
Next Steps
The UCAT is an important exam that is key to medical school admission for undergraduates. We recommend starting your UCAT preparation early and integrating it into your study load to give yourself the best opportunity to succeed. If you’d like to learn more about the UCAT or how to get into Medical School, check out our free eBooks and blogs!
- What is the UCAT?
- How Universities use your UCAT Results
- A Quick Guide to Australia Medicine eBook
- A Quick Guide to New Zealand Medicine eBook
- How to Prepare for the UCAT
- What UCAT scores will get me into med?
MedView offers a range of UCAT preparation courses as well as personalised 1:1 tutoring with our expert team. If you would like to know more about the UCAT and how MedView can help, get in touch today.
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What can you do before the year starts?
Before the year starts, it is vital that you understand that the journey to becoming a doctor is a long and arduous process. Medicine is a life-long commitment whose pathway extends beyond the 6 years of study. It includes a progression from a house officer to a registrar, and application onto training schemes if you opt for the surgical pathway.
The vast majority of people who apply for medicine, do not have a clear picture of what they want to do in the future. This uncertainty is not something to worry about now – you have plenty of time to figure out exactly what you want to do. There is something in medicine for everyone. If you are still uncertain about the medical pathway beyond the 6 years of study, I would recommend doing further research.
Another thing you can do over the summer break is to identify your motivation to become a doctor. If it’s for the money, you may not be in the correct profession - it will be at least 10-12 years until you start earning the big bucks that all doctors are known for! If you have an inherent nature to help people and seek to make our society healthier, then you are on the right track.
Once your head is in the right place, enjoy your summer! The year will belong, and you will have to make social sacrifices to make your studies a priority. Make the most of the time you have by seeing friends and family, as you will inevitably see less of them throughout the year. You are likely to experience burnout sometime during the year, so optimising your rest now is important.
The single most effective way to distance yourself from your competitors is to start early and hard. After you have rested throughout December and into the new year, it is time to get started and get ahead. The Flying Start Course offered by MedView was my ticket to success. It is a highly intensive programme starting in late January that covers the first 6 weeks of content for the three core papers in the first semester. The advantages of this course are numerous:
- The most valuable aspect of Flying Start is the content covered. As the first semester contains 3 out of the 4 core papers, it is so important to get a good start. An early lapse within the first few weeks can completely derail your entire year. Being exposed to similar content ahead of time builds your confidence and gives you the opportunity to begin learning before others.
- There is a radically different teaching style from high school to university. Flying Start emulates the style you are accustomed to, while simultaneously teaching university material. This eases your transition and places students into a more comfortable and familiar environment.
- You can meet other motivated people. You may have heard the horror stories of people sabotaging each other, taking their notes and hiding their bags. While these are mostly exaggerated, there will still be those who resort to other measures to gain an advantage. The people doing Flying Start will be motivated just like you, and eager to get ahead. Working together and building these strong relationships before the year starts means that you have a better support group in place. I have met several bright individuals who were passionate and together, we were able to navigate the difficult year and succeed as a group!
MedView believes in a holistic approach to medical school admissions, meaning we surround the student with a team of experts to help develop their candidacy and skills in all three major pillars in their journey to medical school, and now it’s even more accessible with the MedView Hub App!
Over the last decade there’s been a mass adoption of smartphones and a shift in the way people behave online and communicate. Australians are spending more time online, often using multiple screens, and consuming vast amounts of content each day. And it’s only going up!
Recent figures show that almost eight out of ten Australians use social media, and 87% of them use their mobile phones to access it. Fifty-nine percent of Australians access social media everyday or most days, and over a third of people check social media more than five times per day.
We often go online to chat with friends and family, share photos, or be entertained by cat videos. But the very same platforms we use to socialise can also be used to gather knowledge that we can apply in our offline lives. One of the areas where users can reap the benefits is online communities. MedView prides themselves on finding the best tutor, strategist or consultant for each student whether they be in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom and having an online community platform allows even more core benefits for our students in a shorter amount of time. Now students can access over 320 tutors, strategists and consultants and get answers to their Synapse questions, interact in exclusive workshops, and most importantly make friends. The meaningful relationships with other members of the community increases knowledge and collective wisdom.
The MedView Hub App is our own online community platform for students, parents, tutors, and alumni to create a network of opportunities to participate in smart, focused conversation on specific medical school admissions topics (unlike the Instagram and Facebook chatter).
Over the last decade there’s been a mass adoption of smartphones and a shift in the way people behave online and communicate. Australians are spending more time online, often using multiple screens, and consuming vast amounts of content each day. And it’s only going up!
Recent figures show that almost eight out of ten Australians use social media, and 87% of them use their mobile phones to access it. Fifty-nine percent of Australians access social media everyday or most days, and over a third of people check social media more than five times per day.
We often go online to chat with friends and family, share photos, or be entertained by cat videos. But the very same platforms we use to socialise can also be used to gather knowledge that we can apply in our offline lives. One of the areas where users can reap the benefits is online communities. MedView prides themselves on finding the best tutor, strategist or consultant for each student whether they be in Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom and having an online community platform allows even more core benefits for our students in a shorter amount of time. Now students can access over 320 tutors, strategists and consultants and get answers to their Synapse questions, interact in exclusive workshops, and most importantly make friends. The meaningful relationships with other members of the community increases knowledge and collective wisdom.
The MedView Hub App is our own online community platform for students, parents, tutors, and alumni to create a network of opportunities to participate in smart, focused conversation on specific medical school admissions topics (unlike the Instagram and Facebook chatter).
Find out more and begin your journey to medical school by speaking with a MedView Academic Advisor for free today!
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