UCAT (formerly UKCAT) 2021 entry discussions megathread [Part 1 of 2]

Haven't done maths for a year and I have become unbelievably rusty for QR - has anyone else who took a gap year experienced this? Any advice? (apart from doing more QR practise) - I'm thinking to maybe revise some GCSE/A-level Maths?

Do you guys think medify will add a scratchpad to the practice questions?

You say it like it's obvious haha, it seems completely irrational to me and totally disregards the feelings of those taking the exam. Why can't the scratchpad work like Microsoft paint? Diagrams are a key technique used by those in previous years, yet we are not allowed to use them and then they have the audacity to claim that this is in the interest of parity? It is totally unfair to say to candidates that they just have to use their heads. This is obviously an exam that they want to force online, when it categorically shouldn't be, because of the amount of money they earn from it. The mere reason that they have to introduce so many of these stupid measures is emblematic of the fact it should not be online. Waiting lists and the quality of patient care are increasing and decreasing (respectively) rapidly in the NHS, yet they still want prospective med students to go through all of this just to become a doctor? How's about they increase the number of places on med courses and get rid of this time trial bogus exam we call the UCAT.

I don't know if you've tried drawing with a mouse but it is much harder and slower to do so, having to click down on your mouse and scrawl on a Microsoft paint type scratchpad rather than a pen and whiteboard which is probably why they've made it a typed scratchpad like Microsoft notepad. Otherwise they'd have to increase the timings of the sections.

Of course I have tried and yes I do know it is slower to do so. But to prevent people from even being able to do this is unfair. Apart from adding numbers up in QR, the notepad is basically useless for decision making particularly logic puzzles.

UCAT have gotten rid of the pen and whiteboard for this year's exam.


How can I make notes during my test in 2020? Can I still use a noteboard and pen?

In 2020 no UCAT test takers will be able to use a white board and pen. All candidates will have access to a scratch pad (similar to notepad) built into the functionality of the test itself to ensure parity. Candidates will be able to prepare for their tests using the scratch pad which will be built into our practice materials in the next few weeks.

Of course I have tried and yes I do know it is slower to do so. But to prevent people from even being able to do this is unfair. Apart from adding numbers up in QR, the notepad is basically useless for decision making particularly logic puzzles.

You say it like it's obvious haha, it seems completely irrational to me and totally disregards the feelings of those taking the exam. Why can't the scratchpad work like Microsoft paint? Diagrams are a key technique used by those in previous years, yet we are not allowed to use them and then they have the audacity to claim that this is in the interest of parity? It is totally unfair to say to candidates that they just have to use their heads. This is obviously an exam that they want to force online, when it categorically shouldn't be, because of the amount of money they earn from it. The mere reason that they have to introduce so many of these stupid measures is emblematic of the fact it should not be online. Waiting lists and the quality of patient care are increasing and decreasing (respectively) rapidly in the NHS, yet they still want prospective med students to go through all of this just to become a doctor? How's about they increase the number of places on med courses and get rid of this time trial bogus exam we call the UCAT.

I mean they could have shipped whiteboards to every test taker's residence (if they were taking it from home). Test centres could have taken that responsibility and it doesn't take long to sanitize a whiteboard (not that we know whether sanitizing surfaces frequently is very effective). At the beginning of the test they could have made sure that the whiteboard was blank.


Totally agree. But it is what its is. Rest assured that everyone is going to have the same problem, so average scores may be lower this time, but if you get ranked into deciles it kinda cancels that out.

Does anyone know if the questions in the Kaplan Score Higher Book have the same questions as Kaplan online?

I mean they could have shipped whiteboards to every test taker's residence (if they were taking it from home). Test centres could have taken that responsibility and it doesn't take long to sanitize a whiteboard (not that we know whether sanitizing surfaces frequently is very effective). At the beginning of the test they could have made sure that the whiteboard was blank.


Totally agree. But it is what its is. Rest assured that everyone is going to have the same problem, so average scores may be lower this time, but if you get ranked into deciles it kinda cancels that out.

Where can has UCAT said theres no pen and paper etc being used? Also, what can we use to stimulate a realise life ucat exp with an online notepad?

It's all in the UCAT FAQs: https://www.ucat.ac.uk/faqs/

In the next few weeks, UCAT will incorporate a scratch pad into their online practice tests for you to use.

Would you say a lot of notes have to be taken throughout the test?

Would you say a lot of notes have to be taken throughout the test?

Would you say a lot of notes have to be taken throughout the test?

You don’t really need to take notes, but I found it useful to jot down numbers and draw diagrams (especially for QR and DM) If you don’t need to draw diagrams this year, it probably won’t be a massive problem not having the whiteboards (at least, it wouldn’t have been for me).