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Everything You Need to Know About the New UCAT 2025 Format and Scoring System
This is the largest upgrade to the University Clinical Aptitude Test in years. UCAT 2025 is changing the way that future medical and dental applications will be evaluated by eliminating Abstract Reasoning and introducing new timing, scoring, and structural improvements. The goal of this development is to increase the test’s predictive validity and guarantee a more impartial and equitable assessment of applicants. Comprehending these modifications is essential for your performance and preparation if you intend to take the UCAT this year. Here is all the information you require regarding the new UCAT format, scoring methodology, timing of the subtests, and the best ways to get ready for success.
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Why are the changes being made?
The Abstract Reasoning subtest has a lower predictive validity than the other portions, according to the UCAT website’s study. They reference studies showing that this subtest routinely exhibits worse predictive and incremental validity (Bela et al., 2022; Paton et al., 2022; Greatrix et al., 2021; Tiffin et al., 2016). To put it another way, abstract reasoning is not as good as the other subtests at predicting a candidate’s success in college.
Additionally, the test is very coachable. Over the previous ten years, candidate performance has improved and response times have reduced, according to historical data on the Abstract Reasoning subtest. Compared to the other cognitive subtests, the subtest’s nature makes it far more coachable.
According to the UCAT website, the removal of the Abstract Reasoning subtest allows them to devote more time to the other subtests and add more questions to the part on decision-making.
Other changes in the UCAT 2025.
The lengthening of the instruction portions for each subtest is a significant modification in UCAT 2025. Before beginning each segment, candidates used to have a customary one-minute period to review the instructions.
The teaching times have been expanded in the revised format, though, with two minutes allotted for quantitative reasoning and one minute thirty seconds each for verbal reasoning, decision-making, and situational judgment.
Candidates will have more time to become acquainted with the format and prerequisites of each subtest thanks to this expansion. These instructional periods help applicants feel less stressed and make sure they are ready to start each segment, even though they have no bearing on the test’s total duration of little under two hours.
For first-time test-takers who might require additional time to get used to the fast-paced format of the UCAT, these modifications are very helpful.
How to prepare for the new UCAT changes?
The practice test on the UCAT website has been updated to reflect the changes UCAT has introduced. One can visit the official website and check the official preparation materials that can support your preparation.
UCAT 2025 updated format.
The format and scheduling of the standard exam in 2025 will be as follows:
| Subtest | Questions | Subtest Time | Scoring |
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 22 minutes | 300-900 |
| Decision Making | 35 | 37 minutes | 300-900 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 26 minutes | 300-900 |
| Total Score | 900-2700 | ||
| Situational Judgement | 69 | 26 minutes | Bands 1-4 |
- Quantitative Reasoning: Your capacity to critically analyze data that is presented in numerical form is evaluated via quantitative reasoning.
- Verbal Reasoning: Verbal reasoning evaluates your capacity to analyze written information critically.
- Decision Making: Evaluate your capacity to use complex information to create wise decisions and judgments.
- Situational Judgment: Situational judgment assesses your ability to comprehend real-world circumstances, recognize important elements, and respond appropriately to them.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Your capacity to critically analyze data that is presented in numerical form is evaluated via quantitative reasoning.
The standard test is just under 2 hours. Once the test has started it cannot be paused but each subtest is preceded by a timed instruction section.
UCAT Scoring
The number of right answers you provide determines your score on the UCAT. No points are deducted for wrong answers. Your answer to one question has no bearing on the others that follow.
It is not feasible to directly compare the raw scores of the three cognitive subtests because of the differences in question counts. As a result, each subtest’s raw marks are transformed into scaled scores, which all fall between 300 and 900.
The sum of the individual Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning scale scores yields the overall scaled score. The whole scaled score falls between 900 and 2700.
Cognitive Subtest | Questions | Scale Score Range | Marking |
Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 300-900 | Questions are worth 1 mark each. |
Decision Making | 35 | 300-900 | Questions with only one answer are awarded one mark. Multiple-choice questions are worth two points. Responses to the multiple-statement questions that are only half right receive one mark. |
Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 300-900 | Questions are worth 1 mark each. |
Why is there changes in scoring? A more equitable distribution of scores across the three cognitive subtests is guaranteed by the updated scoring. Also the standard equating techniques allow candidates to compare their performance from year to year.
Situational Judgement Scoring
Within the Situational Judgement Test, full marks are awarded for a question if your response matches the correct answer and partial marks awarded if your response is close to the correct answer.
There are four bands for the Situational Judgement Test, with band 1 being the highest score. An interpretation of your performance is provided to you and your band:
Band 1 | Band 1 members performed at a very high level and, for the most part, shared the panel of experts’ judgment. |
Band 2 | Band 2 members performed at a good, solid level, frequently exhibiting adequate judgment, and many of their responses matched those of the model. |
Band 3 | Those in Band 3 demonstrated a modest level of performance, with appropriate judgement shown for some questions and substantial differences from ideal responses for others. |
Band 4 | The performance of those in Band 4 was low, with judgement tending to differ substantially from ideal responses in many cases. |
How will my score stack up against past records?
The scores for each subtest will be roughly comparable to those from prior years, even though your overall score will change. To guarantee that results are consistent between years, UCAT choose exam forms based on a set of content and statistical guidelines as well as accepted equating techniques.
FAQ on UCAT 2025 Changes
Q. Is the UCAT no longer using abstract reasoning?
Yes, the UCAT 2025 no longer includes Abstract Reasoning (AR). Since AR was found to be less effective than other subtests at predicting university performance, the decision was made to increase the test’s predictive validity.
Q. What is the UCAT 2025’s new structure?
In addition to the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), the UCAT 2025 now includes three cognitive subtests: Verbal Reasoning (VR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Reasoning (QR). The test structure has been made simpler by eliminating abstract reasoning.
Q. What changes have been made to the UCAT 2025 scoring system?
The total score for the cognitive subtests is now out of 2700 (900 per subtest), reduced from the previous maximum of 3600. The Situational Judgement Test remains scored in Bands 1–4, which measure judgement and decision-making abilities.
Q. Has the Exam timing for the UCAT subtests been changed?
Yes, the duration of both Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning has been extended. The former has been extended from 31 to 37 minutes, while the latter has been extended from 24 to 26 minutes. Additionally, all subtest instruction times have been extended to allow for more time to review instructions.
