[baztech]

UKCAT 2011

Hopefully we can discuss the UKCAT hell we will all go through and be united, without conversation decending into crude sex jokes.


With major thanks to Hygeia who I basically just stole this info from 2010's thread which sadly I was a denizen of.

FAQ:

When should I sit the UKCAT?
A. Some important dates:
Registration opens: 03 May 2011 (bursary applications processed from this date)
Testing begins: 05 July 2011
Registration deadline: 23 Sept 2011 (bursary and exemption application deadline also this date)
Last testing date: 07 Oct 2011
UCAS application deadline: 15 Oct 2011
The exact date you sit the test is up to you, some people prefer to get it out of the way early so they know their score and can decide on where to apply from there. Others would rather wait until after they have their AS level results. Bear in mind that the price does go up at the start of September.
Please note: the UKCAT booking system only allows test slots to be allocated 90 days in advance. As it gets closer to the last testing date it may become very difficult to find a time to sit the test so book early.

Q: How much does it cost? [PRICES HAVE GONE UP THIS YEAR]
A. 05/07 – 31/08: £65 for those taking the test in the EU, £100 for other candidates
01/09 – 07/10: £80 for those taking the test in the EU, £100 for other candidates.
The price is the same regardless of whether you are taking the standard UKCAT or UKCATSEN.

Q: Do we need to put that we've done our UKCAT/or our score on UCAS?
A:There's no need. UKCAT will send your scores off to the universities you're applying to that need it.

Q: Do we get a calculator?
A:Yes. A simple on-screen calculator will be made available to you to assist you in the quantitative reasoning section. To access this you will need to click on the icon in the top left hand side of your screen. THIS HAS CHANGED FROM 2010 TEST. The calculator should look similar to this:


Q: Do we have anything to write on?
A: Yes. You will be given a double sided whiteboard with a special pen to write with. There is usually no eraser available so taking some tissues with you might be useful.

Q: When should we arrive at the test centre?
A: You should arrive at least fifteen minutes before the exam to go through the formalities and prove your identity.

Q: What should we bring to the test centre?
A: You should bring to the test centre a printout of the email that you were sent confirming your test registration as well as photographic identification (see the list on the UKCAT website).

Q: What is the average score?
A: The average score for each subtest is 600. Most candidates will score between 500-700. If your score isn't as good as you would like, it's not the end of the road. Some advice can be found in this thread

Q: Can we discuss the questions in the UKCAT once we've sat it?
A: No. You will sign something declaring that you agree not to.

Q: If I do badly can I take it again?
A: Nope, unfortunately not. You can only take the UKCAT once for each UCAS cycle so if you don't do as well as you'd have liked, you'll need to think carefully about where you are going to apply to.

Q: What book should I buy to practice from?
A: Various books have been recommended in the past:
Passing the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) and BMAT 2009, Taylor, Hutton and Hutton, Learning Matters Ltd, ISBN 1844452840
Get into Medical School - 600 UKCAT Practice Questions. Includes Full Mock Exam, comprehensive tips, techniques and explanations, Olivier Picard, Laetitia Tighlit, Sami Tighlit, and David Phillips, ISC Medical, ISBN 1905812094
How to Pass the UKCAT: Unbeatable Practice for Success in the 2009 United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test, Mike Byron and Jim Clayden, Kogan Page Ltd., ISBN 0749453338

BREAKDOWN OF TIMING

Spoiler:

Show

UKCAT Timings
Verbal Reasoning - 22 minutes (1 minute for instructions) - 44 items
11 sets of 4 questions – 21 minutes
~30 seconds per question (28.6)
115 seconds per set of 4 questions
1m54
Quantitative Reasoning - 23 minutes (1 minute for instructions) - 36 items
36 items – 22 minutes
~36 seconds per question
Abstract Reasoning - 16 minutes (1 minute for instructions) - 65 items
13 sets of 5 test shapes – 15 minutes
14 seconds per question
70 seconds per set of five questions
Decision Analysis - 32 minutes (1 minute for instructions) - 26 items
1 code with 26 questions – 31 minutes
~66 Seconds per question

This (hopefully) will be the offical thread so don't go lalalaing on my scene, OHHH GOOOD FOR YOU [/Bale]

[Joseppea]

I know there's probably an article somewhere, but I cannae find one.

Anywho, I was wondering if you a) get a calculator whilst doing the exam b) is it just a bog-standard calculator? c) do you get any paper to write on to help with workings out?

Thanks guys

[gozatron]

(Original post by Joseppea)
I know there's probably an article somewhere, but I cannae find one.

Anywho, I was wondering if you a) get a calculator whilst doing the exam b) is it just a bog-standard calculator? c) do you get any paper to write on to help with workings out?

Thanks guys

a) Yep

b) Seriously bog standard, what really screwed me up was the keys were all in different places to where i was used to. Eg) the equals button was located on the top left of the calculator.. i kept switching off the calculator everytime i did a calculation, thus i didnt finish the QR section.

c) you get a "white board", its really a laminated piece of graph paper.

[Joseppea]

Ah good Thanks very much

[melodyela]

Be warne if you run out of space on the 'whiteboard' they don't give you a new one - so use sparingly

[mrt23498]

(Original post by melodyela)
Be warne if you run out of space on the 'whiteboard' they don't give you a new one - so use sparingly

You are allowed to have new ones, i just kept on putting my hands up and given new ones.

[InItToWinItGetIt?]

Yeah I just put my hand up and they gave me another whiteboard. It might differ from centre to centre Apparently last year, some centres got scientific calculators, but the vast majority got non-scientific AFAIK.

[Occlusal]

Sooooooooooo glad I dont have to do this again

Good luck everyone. They say you can't study for the UKCAT but you most definately CAN!

[slapyoself]

I am in year 13 currently (doing A2) and from experience i can tell you that the UKCAT test is 90% luck. You can get accustomed to the setting of the test but you cant actually revise for it to better your mark. YOu can however give oyur heart a little rest and mind a bit of peice by practicing some questions from the UKCAT book.

I know i may sound a little crazy now but once you have done it you will totally agree.
Anyways good luck everyone. Hope you do well

[Occlusal]

(Original post by slapyoself)
I am in year 13 currently (doing A2) and from experience i can tell you that the UKCAT test is 90% luck. You can get accustomed to the setting of the test but you cant actually revise for it to better your mark. YOu can however give oyur heart a little rest and mind a bit of peice by practicing some questions from the UKCAT book.

I know i may sound a little crazy now but once you have done it you will totally agree.
Anyways good luck everyone. Hope you do well

I've done it and I don't agree.

[baztech]

Guys I didn't create this thread for a debate, plenty other places for that.

I like to think most people will agree with the generalisation that the UKCAT is part innate skill and part revisable in terms of growing accustomed to the questions and layout (and completely revisable in terms of QR). With smaller elements on things like luck with the questions, how you are feeling on the day, mindset etc etc.

[Occlusal]

(Original post by baztech)
Guys I didn't create this thread for a debate, plenty other places for that.

I like to think most people will agree with the generalisation that the UKCAT is part innate skill and part revisable in terms of growing accustomed to the questions and layout (and completely revisable in terms of QR). With smaller elements on things like luck with the questions, how you are feeling on the day, mindset etc etc.

I didn't study enough for my UKCAT cos I thought it wasn't possible to revise for it (still got offers though, luckily enough). Just trying to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else as it could affect the rest of their life. This is a serious matter.

[baztech]

(Original post by Occlusal)
I didn't study enough for my UKCAT cos I thought it wasn't possible to revise for it (still got offers though, luckily enough). Just trying to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else as it could affect the rest of their life. This is a serious matter.

Exactly, glad you are doing your bit This thread wouldnt exist if it wasn't possible to revise for it

[Caponester]

Booked mine for the end of July (28th I think)

Can't wait

Edit: Oh and before I forget, non-cognitive analysis isn't in this years test! Absolute waste of time last year.

[cute_wish]

(Original post by Caponester)
Booked mine for the end of July (28th I think)

Can't wait

Edit: Oh and before I forget, non-cognitive analysis isn't in this years test! Absolute waste of time last year.

How do you know that its not there anymore?

[total2009]

Uh oh, is it that time already?!?!?!

I'm planning on booking mine near the end of August. Is this a good idea?

I've also heard that each year the UKCAT has the same bank of questions for everyone taking part, however the questions are randomly selected from the bank. So for example my first passage on VR may be about dolphins whereas another person sitting the test would also have that passage but it may be like their eleventh one. Is this true?

Good luck everyone.

[Fission_Mailed]

From what I've seen in other threads, you may want to confirm some of the dates in the OP.

Good luck to anyone taking the UKCAT this year. It really isn't as scary as is made out.

[baztech]

(Original post by Fission_Mailed)
From what I've seen in other threads, you may want to confirm some of the dates in the OP.

Good luck to anyone taking the UKCAT this year. It really isn't as scary as is made out.

I have checked and rechecked dates according to the website, hopefully its right? If not just tell me and I will be glad to edit it.

Also didn't notice the cognitive analysis has been removed, that was a waste of time thankfully its out! You couldn't give a rat's **** about an ex-drugs barons new found charity after going through the UKCAT!

[Caponester]

(Original post by cute_wish)
How do you know that its not there anymore?

It tells you on the website. Saves us half an hour of meaningless questions that don't contribute to your score!

[baztech]

(Original post by Caponester)
It tells you on the website. Saves us half an hour of meaningless questions that don't contribute to your score!

On a sidenote, how are you Caponester? I have only briefly skimmed over a few AR questions so far... feels to early to revise.

I have today off I probably should go out in the sun...