UCAT Preparation Course
Introduction
If you are here, chances are you are searching for the best UCAT preparation course—as you should be. The UCAT is one of the most important gateways to studying medicine or dentistry in the UK and Australia. With such high stakes, it’s completely normal to feel anxious about it.
Dr Admissions is here to guide you through the UCAT process with clarity, structure, and proven strategies.
Here, one of our medical mentors shares their insights from their own UCAT journey—highlighting the challenges, mistakes, and techniques that truly make a difference.
“If you’re reading this, you’re probably stressing about the UCAT. Let’s fix that.”
Let’s be honest—the UCAT is the gatekeeper to your medical school ambitions.
I still remember sitting through practice tests, staring at the screen, wondering whether my brain was wired the wrong way.
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
What I really needed was a better strategy.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what the UCAT actually tests and how to prepare for it effectively.
(Note: As of 2024, the UCAT no longer includes Abstract Reasoning.)
The Truth About the UCAT
Let’s clear something up: the UCAT is not about how much biology you know or how much content you memorise.
The UCAT is a cognitive skills test and a race against time.
Admissions tutors use it to assess whether you can think like a doctor—quickly, logically, and under pressure. My first practice test score? Let’s just say it was far from impressive.
But here’s the key takeaway:
UCAT performance is trainable—if you prepare with the right tutor and the right UCAT preparation course.
That’s exactly where Dr Admissions UCAT Coaching comes in.
2026 UCAT Breakdown: What to Expect and How to Tackle It
(The overall UCAT format for 2026 remains unchanged, with Abstract Reasoning removed. Candidates are assessed on Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement.)
Verbal Reasoning
What it tests:
Your ability to read passages quickly and critically evaluate written information.
Pro tip:
Aim for 90% certainty, then move on. Absolute certainty wastes time. You do not have to answer questions in order—start with shorter passages and flag longer or trickier ones for later.
Decision Making
What it tests:
Logic puzzles, Venn diagrams, and identifying valid conclusions.
Pro tip:
Always read the scenario first. Strong arguments rely on evidence, statistics, and facts. Weak arguments are opinions, assumptions, or unsupported claims.
Quantitative Reasoning
What it tests:
GCSE-level maths such as percentages, averages, ratios, and data interpretation.
Pro tip:
Approximation is your best friend. If the answers are far apart, exact calculations are unnecessary. Do simple maths mentally and use the calculator only when required to save time.
Situational Judgement
What it tests:
Your judgement in realistic medical and professional scenarios, testing your ability to think like a doctor/dentist.
Pro tip:
The correct answer is not always what you would personally do. Think in line with NHS values and GMC guidance—not gut instinct. This section requires targeted practice.
My Top 3 UCAT Exam Tips
Tip 1: Use Question Banks and the Right Resources
The UCAT isn’t like school exams. I wasted weeks trying to “revise” before realising that:
Practice > theory
My preparation relied heavily on:
- The official UCAT question bank (non-negotiable)
- High-quality tutorials and videos with breakdowns and explanations
Dr Admissions provides an all-in-one UCAT preparation platform with structured practice, expert guidance, and performance tracking.
Tip 2: Learn When to Skip Questions
The UCAT is largely about time pressure.
My rule during practice:
- Skip and flag overly complex questions
- Secure the easy marks first
- Return to flagged questions if time allows
Speed plus strategy beats perfection every time.
Tip 3: Review Like a Detective
After every mock exam, I:
- Reviewed my worst 10 questions
- Identified whether errors were due to logic, timing, or misreading
- Kept a list of repeated “careless mistakes”
This process alone made the biggest difference to my score improvement.
Your UCAT Game Plan Starts Here
- Take a diagnostic test today to establish your baseline score
- Focus on your weakest section for 1–2 weeks with targeted practice
- Begin full mock exams at least 4 weeks before test day—one per week minimum
- Enroll in a Dr Admissions UCAT Coaching Course (group or 1-to-1) with an expert UCAT tutor
Conclusion
The UCAT is tough—but it is absolutely trainable.
By treating it like a skill-based sport—practice, feedback, correction, repetition—I improved my score from 1800 in practice to 2350 on the exam day.
You can do the same.
And when doubt creeps in, remember:
Every question you get wrong now is one you’ll get right on test day.
So—what’s your UCAT nemesis?
Verbal Reasoning? Decision Making? Quantitative Reasoning? Let’s tackle it together.
