What are the key changes to UCAT 2025?

N.B. The following dates are projected based on the standard UCAT cycle pattern. For the most accurate scheduling, monitor updates from the UCAT Consortium as the 2025 testing window approaches.

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) for the 2025 sitting has undergone significant changes, primarily aimed at refining its structure and improving its relevance for assessing candidates for medical and dental programmes. These updates apply to both the UK and ANZ (Australia/New Zealand) versions of the test, though the focus here is on the general structure unless specified otherwise.

1. Removal of Abstract Reasoning (AR) Subtest

The most notable change is the complete removal of the Abstract Reasoning subtest, which previously assessed pattern recognition and problem-solving using abstract shapes. This reduces the number of cognitive subtests. The test now consists of Verbal Reasoning (VR), Decision Making (DM), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and the non-cognitive Situational Judgement Test (SJT).

2. Adjusted Test Structure and Timings

The standard UCAT remains just under 2 hours (approximately 111–115 minutes, depending on how instruction times are counted), with time reallocated across the remaining sections.

Updated Subtest Details:

• Verbal Reasoning (VR):

  • Questions: 44 (unchanged)

  • Time: 22 minutes (up from 21 minutes)

  • Instruction Time: Increased to 1 minute 30 seconds (previously 1 minute)

• Decision Making (DM):

  • Questions: Increased to 35 (up from 29)

  • Time: 37 minutes (up from 31 minutes)

  • Instruction Time: Increased to 1 minute 30 seconds (previously 1 minute)

  • Note: The additional questions emphasise critical thinking and logical reasoning, with no new question types confirmed yet.

• Quantitative Reasoning (QR):

  • Questions: 36 (unchanged)

  • Time: 26 minutes (up from 24 minutes)

  • Instruction Time: Increased to 2 minutes (previously 1 minute)

• Situational Judgement (SJT):

  • Questions: 69 (unchanged)

  • Time: 26 minutes (unchanged)

  • Instruction Time: Increased to 1 minute 30 seconds (previously 1 minute)

3. Revised Scoring System

New Total Score: With Abstract Reasoning removed, the maximum score for the cognitive subtests (VR, DM, QR) is now 2700 (previously 3600), with each subtest still scored between 300 and 900.

Situational Judgement: Remains scored separately in Bands 1–4, with Band 1 being the highest.

Impact on Comparison: Scores from 2025 onwards are not directly comparable to previous years due to the reduced total. However, individual subtest scores (300–900) remain scaled consistently, and universities will adjust their thresholds accordingly. Historically, AR scores averaged around 630–650, so subtracting this from past totals gives a rough estimate of equivalence (e.g., a pre-2025 score of 3000 might approximate 2350–2400 now).