UCAT (formerly UKCAT) 2023 entry discussions megathread

Original post by KA_P

@A_J_B @becausethenight
Would you be able to help in making a 2023 entry UCAT thread? I looked through the Medicine forum page and couldn't find one already made. Have I missed it?🙈

Dates for this test cycle:
https://www.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/ucat-test-cycle/

Unless has made one already, I think you have successfully made one :biggrin:

In terms of doing the first post etc you can edit your post to make it the 'first post', if you want?

Reply 4

Original post by gingur

Wayyyyy too early to start thinking about the UCAT. Trust me--don't let it cross your mind until Easter at the earliest. The medicine application cycle is about ten months long (e.g. from booking the UCAT to my last interview) and you should relish the time you have now where you can get away without thinking about it.

I would agree, but suspect this is probably around the right time for the megathread, as many applicants do not know this and will want to start discussing it :tongue:

Reply 5

OP

Original post by becausethenight

Unless @ecolier has made one already, I think you have successfully made one :biggrin:

In terms of doing the first post etc you can edit your post to make it the 'first post', if you want?

Alright

I made it after an international student was looking to sit the UCAT but had no information. Sadly I can't tag them since they were on Anon, I think I might just link this thread in the thread they made :biggrin:

Reply 6

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Original post by KA_P

Alright

I made it after an international student was looking to sit the UCAT but had no information. Sadly I can't tag them since they were on Anon, I think I might just link this thread in the thread they made :biggrin:

Perfect

I edited your post just to add a few extra details too :yes:

If you tag me in their thread, I imagine both are <20 posts so I can merge them?

Reply 7

spectrum84

Subbing (I'll probably need it again :colondollar:

)

Reply 8

OP

Original post by becausethenight

Perfect

I edited your post just to add a few extra details too :yes:

If you tag me in their thread, I imagine both are <20 posts so I can merge them?

Thank you 🤗 I've tagged you in their thread but I think their thread is >20 posts

Reply 9

Original post by KA_P

Thank you 🤗 I've tagged you in their thread but I think their thread is >20 posts

Ah cool, in that case just direct them here - sorry I thought it would be shorter!

Reply 10

OP

Original post by becausethenight

Ah cool, in that case just direct them here - sorry I thought it would be shorter!

Don't worry! I've directed them, ig I'll never know if they arrive since they're Anon aha, I sent you a doc on the Wiki update thread btw :biggrin:

Reply 11

Original post by KA_P

Don't worry! I've directed them, ig I'll never know if they arrive since they're Anon aha, I sent you a doc on the Wiki update thread btw :biggrin:

PRSOM, I've replied :smile:

Reply 12

Thiru01

8

Which UCAT book is the best to buy if I'm going to sit my exams in 2022?

Reply 13

webegg

12

Original post by Thiru01

Which UCAT book is the best to buy if I'm going to sit my exams in 2022?

honestly i don't recommend a book look at medify its better in my opinion

Reply 14

Medic Mind

11

Original post by Thiru01

Which UCAT book is the best to buy if I'm going to sit my exams in 2022?

Hi,

I don't recommend books as it can be hard to track your progress and learn your weaknesses as you'll be repeating the same questions over and over again.

If you're interested in some help prepping for the UCAT, at Medic Mind we have amazing experienced tutors, who scored in the top 10%, that can teach you tricks on how to ace the exam and help with your personal statement and interview prep. We offer 1-1 tutoring tailored to your needs and have a great variety of resources, question banks, tutorials and books you can access on our portal. If you want more information, I highly suggest you check us out here!

Venessa
Medic Mind

Reply 15

Infinxty09

17

For people who have previously sat the UCAT exam, how long before would you recommend preparing? If you search it people seem to recommend starting to prepare 6-8 weeks before, but a couple of people at my school have already started fully preparing nearly 6 months before. So I'm now worrying whether I'll be ready on time if I start around 8 weeks before I sit it?

Has anyone also got any tips that aren't that talked about, that will help other people sitting it this year even if they don't help me?

Reply 16

dinomedic

18

Original post by 16DuffyE

For people who have previously sat the UCAT exam, how long before would you recommend preparing? If you search it people seem to recommend starting to prepare 6-8 weeks before, but a couple of people at my school have already started fully preparing nearly 6 months before. So I'm now worrying whether I'll be ready on time if I start around 8 weeks before I sit it?

Has anyone also got any tips that aren't that talked about, that will help other people sitting it this year even if they don't help me?

obviously this is purely anecdotal but i only prepped for 4 weeks and i still got a really good score (3090 b1), and even by the end of that i felt kind of burnt out so if i had done anymore prep it definitely would’ve stressed me out and maybe even affected my score. there is a point in ucat prep where you just cant improve anymore- once you are familiar with the question types and have learnt some tricks to get faster, theres nothing else you can do really. ultimately i think it depends on the person, different people need different amounts of prep, but imo 8 weeks is kinda overkill.

as for other tips, theres not much to say that hasnt been said already. during my ucat i took off my hoodie and then the invigilator came up to me and told me i couldnt leave it on my chair, so i had to give it to him. this probably ate up about a minute of time so my tip is to not do this and take off your hoodie beforehand lol.

Reply 17

gittinsell

3

I'm looking to take the UCAT this summer.

When people say 6-8 weeks to prepare are we talking a few hours a day, dedicating a whole working day? I work in the NHS already with busy on calls so I'm unsure of when to start my prep. I don't want to fall into the trap of over preping which I have read several people mention. If I started 2-3 months before (keeping in mind I am working full time +on calls so will have less time) do people think this would be overkill? Also, in what way does overpreparing damage your score? Is it a burnout type affect, do people overthink the questions or something else? Thank you

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 18

OP