UCAT Preparation Course 2026-2027
Oxbridge Gateway provides an all-encompassing UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) Preparation Course, expertly designed for both educational institutions and individual learners. Our industry-leading programme is carefully developed by experienced Oxbridge academic specialists to maximise performance in the UCAT. Registration opens on 20 May 2026, booking opens on 23 June 2026, and testing takes place between 13 July and 24 September 2026.
The UCAT is a rigorous admissions assessment that measures a wide range of cognitive abilities, from verbal reasoning and decision making to quantitative reasoning and situational judgement. Our comprehensive approach equips students, including those for whom English is a second language (ESL), with the essential skills required to perform confidently across every section of the UCAT, establishing a strong foundation for the pursuit of a medical or dental degree.
About the UCAT
The Role of the UCAT
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a key admissions requirement for undergraduate Medicine and Dentistry programmes at the majority of UK medical schools, as well as selected institutions in Australia and New Zealand.
Core Skills for Clinical Training
The UCAT is designed to assess the cognitive and behavioural skills essential for clinical training and practice. These include Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement, providing universities with valuable insight into an applicant's aptitude beyond academic achievement.
A Key Component of Admissions
Unlike academic examinations, the UCAT does not assess scientific or medical knowledge. Instead, it provides a standardised measure of reasoning ability and professional judgement, complementing other aspects of the admissions process. At many highly competitive medical and dental schools, a strong UCAT performance can significantly strengthen an applicant's chances of securing an interview.
Verbal Reasoning
Tests for ability to evaluate information
44 Questions
22 Minutes
Score 300-900
Decision Making
Tests for ability to make sound decisions
35 Questions
37 Minutes
Score 300-900
Quantitative Reasoning
Tests for ability to evaluate numerical information
36 Questions
26 Minutes
Score 300-900
Situational Judgement
Tests for ability to identify solutions for problems
69 Questions
26 Minutes
Bands 1-4
The UCAT Test Format 2026-2027
A Computer-based Assessment
The UCAT is a computer-based test completed in a single sitting, consisting of three cognitive subtests and one Situational Judgement Test (SJT).
Timed-sections & Test Conditions
The assessment takes approximately 2 hours, with each section individually timed. Candidates must balance speed, accuracy, and effective decision-making throughout the test.
Scoring & Assessment Components
The cognitive subtests produce a total scaled score of 1200–3600, while the SJT is reported separately in Bands 1–4. The UCAT now includes Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement; Abstract Reasoning is no longer assessed.
Top Tips for UCAT Preparation
Skills Over Knowledge
The UCAT assesses reasoning, judgement, and problem-solving rather than medical knowledge.
Strategy Matters
Effective approaches help students tackle different question types efficiently and accurately.
Practice Builds Confidence
Regular practice develops familiarity, speed, and consistency under timed conditions.
Learning from Mistakes
Reviewing mistakes helps students refine techniques and improve performance over time.
UCAT Online 1-on-1 Tutorials
Flexible Tuition Packages: 6 Hours | 8 Hours | 10 Hours
Our 1-on-1 UCAT tutorials provide focused, expert guidance tailored to each student's learning style, current ability, and preparation needs. Lessons are customised to provide targeted strategies to improve speed and accuracy
IDEAL FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT:
✓ A personalised learning approach tailored to individual needs
✓ Targeted support for challenging question types
✓ Feedback on performance and recurring mistakes
✓ Flexible scheduling around academic commitments
Bespoke Lesson Focus
Lessons are adapted to each student's requirements, focusing on specific UCAT sections, question types, and strategies for improving accuracy and efficiency.
Targeted Feedback & Guidance
Students receive detailed explanations and personalised techniques on approaching questions, managing time pressure, and avoiding common mistakes.
Ongoing Progress Monitoring
Regular homework exercises allow tutors to monitor progress, identify recurring challenges, and provide guidance on areas requiring further improvement.
Flexible Scheduling
Students can choose from 6 or 8 hours of expert-led tuition, with sessions arranged over multiple days or consolidated into small number of days based on individual availability.
UCAT Online Group Tutorials
Tuition Package: 8 Hours
Our UCAT Group Classes bring together expert teaching, strategic practice, and collaborative discussion to maximise performance. Limited to 15 students, each class provides focused preparation and personalised feedback.
IDEAL FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT:
✓ A structured programme on all UCAT sections and strategies
✓ Expert guidance alongside motivated peers
✓ Discussions on different approaches to challenging questions
✓ A cost-effective option with comprehensive support
Expert-Led UCAT Strategies
Students learn approaches for tackling all UCAT sections, including techniques for improving speed, accuracy, decision-making, and question analysis.
Interactive Practice Sessions
Students work through UCAT-style questions, analyse different approaches, and develop effective problem-solving strategies through guided discussions.
Peer Learning & Discussion
Students benefit from exchanging ideas, comparing methods, and gaining new perspectives from classmates in a supportive learning environment.
Ongoing Practice & Feedback
Homework exercises reinforce key techniques between sessions, while tutors monitor progress, identify common mistakes, and provide targeted advice for improvement.
Courses Highlights
Expert-Led UCAT Instruction
Learn from experienced UCAT specialists who understand the assessment requirements, common challenges, and effective strategies needed to approach each section.
Comprehensive UCAT Coverage
Develop skills across all UCAT sections, including Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement, through structured lessons and guided practice.
Strategic Test Preparation
Learn proven approaches for tackling different question types, improving efficiency, and managing the time pressure that defines the UCAT.
Exclusive Preparation Resources
Access carefully developed materials, including UCAT-style practice questions, worked examples, strategic frameworks, and additional resources to support preparation.
Personalised Feedback & Improvement
Receive detailed feedback on practice questions to identify strengths, recognise recurring mistakes, and refine techniques for better performance.
Interactive Learning Experience
Participate in engaging live sessions with UCAT specialists to explore problem-solving approaches, clarify questions, and strengthen understanding.
UCAT Performance & Application Guidance
Receive guidance on interpreting UCAT performance and understanding how results may inform medical school application strategies alongside academic achievement.
UCAT Preparation Tuition Packages
Online 1-to-1 Mentoring for UCAT Preparation
Choose from a personalised 6-hour, 8-hour, or 10-hour programme designed around your current skills, target universities, and UCAT preparation goals.
Packages Available: 6 Hours £900 | 8 Hours £1,200 | 10 Hours £1,500
Each Package Includes
✓ Dedicated 1-on-1 guidance from a Oxbridge UCAT specialist
✓ UCAT question techniques and time-management development
✓ Selected UCAT-style question practice with detailed feedback
✓ Tutor-guided independent practice between lessons
Suitable for Students Preparing for
UCAT • Medicine Applications • Dentistry Applications • Veterinary Medicine Applications • Competitive Medical School Admissions
Meet Your UCAT Specialists
Luke W BA(Cantab)
UCAT Instructor and Cambridge Medicine Consultant
Luke is a First-Class graduate of the University of Cambridge (Selwyn College), where he completed his BA (Hons) in Natural Sciences as part of pre-clinical medical studies. He graduated with an 81% overall average, ranking 4th in his cohort. His areas of academic focus include neurobiology, developmental biology, and ecological and climate sciences.
Luke conducted his Part II dissertation within the Hardege Lab, investigating C. elegans dopamine channel usage to increase computational-network efficiency, scoring 89% for his project record. He recently presented this research at the national UK C. elegans Research Conference. He is currently working in the Centre for Pathogen Evolution, computationally simulating immunity in hyperdimensional shape-space. Clinically, he completed a placement in Maxillofacial Surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where he co-conducted a scoping review on the use of dermal matrices in oral dysplasia.
Alongside his studies, Luke has held several significant leadership roles. At Cambridge, he received a Half-Blue in sailing and serves as President of the club. Previously, he served as Head Boy of the City of London School and directed a 35-student team for an international genetic engineering competition (iGEM).
Luke also has a strong background in educational mentorship, having tutored over 20 candidates across GCSE and A-Level sciences. He frequently advises on competitive university admissions; of the 11 students he has tutored specifically for Oxbridge, nine secured offers, while the remaining two achieved places at Imperial College London. He enjoys teaching and remains committed to supporting students through clear, tailored academic guidance.
Luke is available for both group and one-on-one UCAT tuition.
Course Demo by UCAT Specialist Luke W (Cambridge, Medicine)
Dr D Ashraf MB BChir BA(Cantab)
UCAT Instructor and Cambridge Medicine Consultant
Dr Ashraf read Biological Natural Sciences at Robinson College, Cambridge, graduating with First-Class honours (College Scholar and Prize Winner) before completing his clinical degree (MB BChir) and qualifying as a doctor. He has been a visiting scholar at Harvard, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, NUS and the NYC Department of Health.
He knows the admissions process from both sides, and really does appreciate how tough and exhausting it can be, aiming to make it as simple and easy as possible for his students. As an admissions interviewer for Medicine at Robinson College, he has sat on the interview panel and seen exactly what distinguishes a strong candidate. As an applicant, he earned a top 1% UCAT score, AAA*AA at A-level (Maths, Biology, Latin, Chemistry and EPQ), and offers from all four medical schools he applied to.
He has been an undergraduate supervisor at Cambridge, teaching on the Medical Sciences, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, and Natural Sciences triposes, delivering over 250 hours of teaching to undergraduates. For his contributions to teaching at the University, he was highly commended by the Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine and has been awarded an Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. He has also served as President of the Cambridge University Medical Education Society, lectured on the British Psychology Olympiad and published work in the field of medical education. He has also featured on the University of Cambridge's social media, giving interview advice.
Dr Ashraf has been mentoring students for over 6 years, helping them achieve their academic and university aspirations through the entire process, from the UCAT, GCSEs/A-levels and supracurricular activities all the way to personal statements and interviews. His students have all received offers, including from Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL, Edinburgh and Melbourne. In the last UCAT cycle he mentored 5 students, of whom 3 scored top 1% and 2 top 5%.
Dr J Thomas MB BChir BA(Cantab)
UCAT Instructor and Cambridge Medicine Consultant
Dr Thomas serves as Oxbridge Gateway’s Medicine Consultant and UCAT Specialist. Dr Thomas completed her medical degree (MB BChir) and graduated from Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. Dr Thomas also has a BA in Natural Sciences (Biology) specifically within the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, where she completed a project relating to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis in production of anxiety-like behaviour in rodents. Dr Thomas is currently a FY2 Junior Doctor at Thames Valley Oxford.
Dr Thomas has near-peer supervised both practical and theoretical content in order to assist younger medical students. Additionally, Dr Thomas has over six years of coaching and mentoring experiences, and has a plethora of experience in tutoring for UCAT, BMAT and general Oxbridge admissions. Dr Thomas is able to offer expert advice on common pitfalls related to medicine admissions and provide students with the necessary skills and support to achieve their full potential.
During her undergraduate years, Dr Thomas took part in various committees such as CATTs (Cancer Awareness for Teens and Twenties) Cambridge and Murray Edwards College Medical Society, where she eventually became president. In her presidential role, Dr Thomas fostered interyear collaboration between medical students and took part in widening access talks at schools across England. Dr Thomas was part of the Cambridge Ophthalmology Student Society (COSS), the Cambridge Medical Entrepreneurship Society (CMES) and the Cambridge Neurological Society (CNSoc), becoming Vice President of the latter two, and she was also a main organiser for the CNSoc national conference in 2023. Dr Thomas hopes to work towards a career in neurology and takes part in clinical research efforts.