[InThePapers]

Let's just say we got good grades in GCSE, and the A-Levels, and maybe throw in a good personal statement. References seems fine as well.
Then came the ugly scores of BMAT. Say, somewhat below average. Does it matter much in the application process? Can it alone decides the green and red light of an application?
I heard that there are cut-off scores for some universities, and getting lower than those scores, you'll be rejected pre-interview!

[Notethis]

yes

[TooSexyForMyStethoscope]

(Original post by InThePapers)
Let's just say we got good grades in GCSE, and the A-Levels, and maybe throw in a good personal statement. References seems fine as well.
Then came the ugly scores of BMAT. Say, somewhat below average. Does it matter much in the application process? Can it alone decides the green and red light of an application?
I heard that there are cut-off scores for some universities, and getting lower than those scores, you'll be rejected pre-interview!

University admission procedures will vary but some certainly do use UKCAT or BMAT scores as a preliminary filter.

Just another hurdle I am afraid

[Steerforth]

It depends on where you apply. Places like Sheffield and Newcastle have high UKCAT cut-off scores, while Liverpool doesn't use it at all! So as long as you apply smart (easier to do with UKCAT as you get the score before applying) then it shouldn't matter too much. Essentially, having a good UKCAT gives you more choice about where to apply and makes you more flexible when choosing.

[giraffegiraffe]

(Original post by InThePapers)
Let's just say we got good grades in GCSE, and the A-Levels, and maybe throw in a good personal statement. References seems fine as well.
Then came the ugly scores of BMAT. Say, somewhat below average. Does it matter much in the application process? Can it alone decides the green and red light of an application?
I heard that there are cut-off scores for some universities, and getting lower than those scores, you'll be rejected pre-interview!

I think the most important thing is to apply smartly, if you put say just one BMAT uni (which is what I did) and then got below average scores (which is what i got!!) then you still have a shot with the other 3 unis. Some of the BMAT unis (like Imperial) have a cut-off, some (UCL) will take it into consideration along with the rest of your application.

With the UKCAT as you know your score before you apply, you can apply accordingly.

[InThePapers]

(Original post by TooSexyForMyStethoscope)
University admission procedures will vary but some certainly do use UKCAT or BMAT scores as a preliminary filter.

Just another hurdle I am afraid

Thanks for the reply! Speaking of that, do you know of any universities that view UKCAT and BMAT as a whole along with the rest of the application instead of merely interview filters?

(Original post by Steerforth)
It depends on where you apply. Places like Sheffield and Newcastle have high UKCAT cut-off scores, while Liverpool doesn't use it at all! So as long as you apply smart (easier to do with UKCAT as you get the score before applying) then it shouldn't matter too much. Essentially, having a good UKCAT gives you more choice about where to apply and makes you more flexible when choosing.

(Original post by giraffegiraffe)
I think the most important thing is to apply smartly, if you put say just one BMAT uni (which is what I did) and then got below average scores (which is what i got!!) then you still have a shot with the other 3 unis. Some of the BMAT unis (like Imperial) have a cut-off, some (UCL) will take it into consideration along with the rest of your application.

With the UKCAT as you know your score before you apply, you can apply accordingly.

Thanks for the replies! So, I guess it is more towards smart application then. Do both of you have a list of universities which implement high cut-off scores, or those that take them as a small part of the application or so?

[Hippokrates]

Newcastle 670/680. Manchester 650. Sheffield 720/730.


All I can say is what others are saying I can't stress the importance of applying smartly because a place from a uni you don't like is still a place. Obviously take into consideration where you like but if you think you'll get an interview then apply there eg if you get 690 on the UKCAT then you're very likely to get an interview from Newcastle.

[Happymelon]

(Original post by InThePapers)
Thanks for the reply! Speaking of that, do you know of any universities that view UKCAT and BMAT as a whole along with the rest of the application instead of merely interview filters?

I know that St Andrews takes everything into consideration. You can look it up on their website

[nexttime]

(Original post by InThePapers)
Thanks for the reply! Speaking of that, do you know of any universities that view UKCAT and BMAT as a whole along with the rest of the application instead of merely interview filters?

Oxford and Cambridge certainly attach a lot of weight to it before and after interview; it is a test they designed themselves specifically for the exact course being applied to, after all.

A bad BMAT is pretty much terminal to any application to any BMAT unis. UKCAT is more variable.

[giraffegiraffe]

(Original post by InThePapers)
Thanks for the replies! So, I guess it is more towards smart application then. Do both of you have a list of universities which implement high cut-off scores, or those that take them as a small part of the application or so?

Yep definitely, applying smartly is the key thing!
This might help: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/UKCAT - shows how each uni uses the UKCAT
It is also definitely worth ringing up the individual Uni medical admissions offices to ask exactly how they use the UKCAT, just to be sure / get some extra info on if they score it, if they have a cut-off, etc. Also, don't take the UKCAT toooo early, but early enough to have time to decide between unis once you know your score, possibly visit some more open days etc (eg. a test date for early August)