What UCAT Score Do You Need for Medicine? Your Questions, Answered
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Written By Team MedView
Reviewed By Callum Chalmers (Currently studying Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery - MBChB at University of Auckland)
When embarking on the journey to medical school in Australia, the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) stands as a critical milestone, a gatekeeper of sorts, that can significantly influence your admission prospects.
The medical school landscape is getting increasingly competitive each year and as such, your score needs to reflect this to be successful in the admissions process.
If you're gearing up for the journey to medical school, you're probably wondering what UCAT score you'll need to be successful and you've come to the right place.
This guide delves into the nuances of UCAT ANZ scores, how the system works and what UCAT score is generally needed to be offered a medical school interview. Ready? Let's go.
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Understanding UCAT scores
The UCAT is made up of 4 cognitive subtests:
- Verbal Reasoning (which is comprised of 44 questions)
- Decision Making (29 questions)
- Quantitative Reasoning (36 questions)
- Abstract Reasoning (50 questions)
The final section is the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), which measures the capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour dealing with them.
Cognitive sections scoring
The scoring process for the 4 cognitive sections of the UCAT ANZ is based on a scaled score, which is not determined by raw marks or a percentage, but rather a scale that facilitates comparison between years.
For the Verbal Reasoning (VR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Abstract Reasoning (AR) subtests, each question is worth 1 mark, while in the Decision Making (DM) subtest, multi-statement questions are weighted as 2 marks. Although, 1 mark is awarded to partially correct responses on the multiple-statement questions.
The total scaled score, which can be considered as an average score, is computed by summing the individual scaled scores of VR, DM, QR, and AR, which can range from 1200 to 3600.
This overall UCAT score allows universities to compare applicants’ performances across different testing years, ensuring a fair assessment of candidates’ aptitude and determining the cut off score for admissions.
Situational Judgement Test scoring
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) assesses an applicant’s ability to understand real-world situations and make appropriate decisions based on the information provided. The UCAT ANZ’s SJT score ranges from 300 to 900 — this scoring system is the same as that of the other subtests.
However, it's important to note that it's not common for universities to consider the SJT within the admissions process.
In fact, the SJT has been the focus of discussion in Australia and New Zealand regarding its efficacy in determining the aptitude of future medical students, as it is heavily reliant on knowledge of medical ethics, which is not encompassed within the National Australian Curriculum.
While it's often not taken into consideration by medical schools for the interview offer process, it is still a part of the UCAT that you have to complete.
UCAT scores percentiles breakdown
The threshold to maintain a position in the top percentiles has risen in 2023, suggesting that candidates need to score higher than in previous years to achieve the same percentile rank.
Here's a look at the percentile breakdown of the UCAT scoring process.
Excelling in the top tier: The 90th percentile
In 2023, a score hovering around 3000 is the benchmark for the 90th percentile.
This score is a key target for those aspiring to enter competitive undergraduate medical programs. Historical data shows a steady climb in the 90th percentile score, from 2850 in 2019 to just under 3000 in recent cycles, underscoring the increasing competition among applicants.
The middle ground: Median scores
The median score, representing the 50th percentile, has also seen a rise, reaching 2550 in 2023. This increase from 2530 in 2022 indicates a general trend of higher scoring among test-takers.
Subtest score dynamics
Each UCAT subtest has its own percentile variations. For instance, the 90th percentile score for Verbal Reasoning saw an increase in 2023 (coming in at 720 versus 680 in 2022), while Quantitative and Abstract Reasoning witnessed slight decreases — the former decreased from 810 in 2022 to 800 in 2023 and the latter dropped from 830 in 2022 to 820 in 2023.
Decision-Making scores have held steady, sitting at 750 for both 2023 and 2022, illustrating the diverse patterns of candidate performance across sections.
What UCAT score is needed to gain a medical school interview offer?
For the 2023 admissions cycle, a score that surpasses the 90th percentile is required to be offered a medical school interview.
Not only does this factor into the admissions process, alongside your ATAR mark, but for many universities, the UCAT score is the sole deciding factor on whether you'll be offered an interview or not.
While the median score for UCAT ANZ in 2023 was 2550, this is generally not considered high enough to be successful in the interview process for many universities.
The impact of rural status on UCAT scores for Australian medical interviews
Australian medical schools are committed to improving healthcare access in rural areas. This commitment is reflected in their admissions process, where rural applicants may be subject to different UCAT score and ATAR mark thresholds compared to their non-rural counterparts.
Understanding Rural Pathways
Rural Pathways are designed to encourage students from rural backgrounds to pursue medicine, with the aim of having them contribute to their communities in the future.
As part of this initiative, medical schools often allocate a certain number of places specifically for rural applicants and may apply a lower UCAT score threshold for these candidates.
UCAT score considerations for rural applicants
For the 2023 admissions cycle, while the exact UCAT score requirements for rural applicants are not universally fixed and can vary by institution, they are generally lower than those for non-rural applicants.
For example, a rural applicant might be considered for an interview with a UCAT score in the 60th percentile (in some cases, this can be lower), whereas a non-rural applicant will need to be in the 90th percentile or above to be competitive.
Some universities offer 'rural bonus points' or equivalent adjustments, which effectively lower the required UCAT score for rural applicants.
Strategies for applying with different UCAT scores
Those with a competitive UCAT score will understandably take a different approach to university admissions to those who have received a lower score.
Here's how to approach the admissions process, depending on your UCAT score.
High UCAT scores
If you have a high UCAT score, generally around 3100, you are in an advantageous position for medical school admissions.
Some people might want to leverage their high UCAT score by applying to universities that prioritise UCAT results in weighting.
In addition to strategically selecting medical schools, ensure that you also bolster other aspects of your application — your ATAR mark is also important and often needs to exceed the minimum required by the university to be considered for an interview.
What to do if you receive a low UCAT score
While students who receive a low to average UCAT score will find the admissions process more difficult, it's important to know that it doesn't entirely rule out your journey to medical school. There are other ways!
Keep in mind that a lower score does rule a number of universities out due to their individual UCAT cut-off scores, so you may have to change your university preferences depending on where you were hoping to attend.
From here, the best way to secure a spot in a medical program is to achieve perfect grades in line with the school's requirements and look at the programs that don't rely as heavily on UCAT scores.
For example, while Flinders University requires applicants to sit the UCAT, its weighing of results for admissions is 90% ATAR and 10% UCAT.
Tips for improving your UCAT score
Improving your UCAT performance involves getting to know the test format, studying the material, and taking practice tests. It is a complicated process and it's understandable if it feels daunting.
This is where external support comes in — there are a several resources you can engage to help you improve your chances of a competitive UCAT score.
At MedView, we understand that the process of applying to medical schools is not only complex and confusing but it’s more competitive than ever before!
MedView Education takes med school admission to a new level through personalised admission support, application review, entrance exam and interview tutoring, and extracurricular mentoring for students in Australasia.
Our dedicated team and personalised support helps students get the results they need, with our UCAT students 5 times more likely to receive an interview and 4.5 times more likely to gain admission to an Australian medical school.
Plus, you can access a bunch of free and helpful resources — including insights from current medical students and MedView Admission Experts on the pathways and requirements to successful admission into medical school — via the MedView website.
Summary
While this process can be extremely complicated, understanding the UCAT score you need for admission to the medical school of your choice is crucial when planning for your future.
But, you don't have to do it alone. If you'd like extra support from industry professionals or to catch more UCAT updates, sign up for our monthly newsletter. Stay ON THE PULSE by being the first to catch UCAT and medical school admissions news.
STAY AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION!
Frequently asked questions
What is a top 1% UCAT score?
A top 1% UCAT score is a score of 3290 out of 3600, or an achievement of the 99th percentile. This is extremely high and will allow you to make a competitive application to any medical school.
Is 2900 a good UCAT score Australia?
In the current landscape, a UCAT score of 2900 isn't generally considered to be competitive enough to land an interview for medical school.
As mentioned previously, applicants with scores closer to 3100 and beyond are more likely to be successful in this process.
While it may not guarantee an interview offer from all universities, having such a score will greatly improve your chances of admission.
What is the range of UCAT scores?
The UCAT score range is from 1200 to 3600 marks, with each cognitive section ranging from 300 to 900 marks.
References
- https://www.ucat.edu.au/media/1539/summary-statistics-for-2023.pdf
- https://www.ucat.edu.au/media/1513/summary-statistics-for-2022.pdf
- https://www.ucat.edu.au/media/1371/ucat-anz-2019_summary-stats.pdf
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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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