Ucat
Hi I'm in year 12 I wanted to ask about the ucat
I've been told all these warnings about burnout if I start now
Is this actually the case because I don't really believe burnout is a thing but if I start now will it be too early
If so when do you recommend to start to get the best results and how many hours a day
And any advice for it
Thanks
I've been told all these warnings about burnout if I start now
Is this actually the case because I don't really believe burnout is a thing but if I start now will it be too early
If so when do you recommend to start to get the best results and how many hours a day
And any advice for it
Thanks
Reply 1
Hey,
I have already done my UCAT and I got 2940 and a band 2.
I did a UCAT test (on the website in real conditions) in October with zero prep to see what I would get then I started looking at UCAT question bank (also on website) to familiarize myself with the different types of questions. I was only doing 30 mins per section a week and not doing it timed or anything like that. I then did another test in December and after that I started to time myself, try different techniques and increase the time to 1 hour. In March, I did another UCAT test then increased the time by 15 mins and did a last UCAT test in July. I didn't do much UCAT during my mocks and during the beginning of the summer holiday as I had work experience. The UCAT tests allowed me to see if I made any progress and where to improve.
I used the UCAT question bank and 'Get into medical school: Master the UCAT' book during the school year. Then after mocks I used Medify. I found the book really useful because it explained the different question types and different methods.
I think it would be fine to start now as long as you can manage your time well. If you also think you would get really nervous in the holidays then I would recommend starting now so you have more preparation time. The UCAT itself isn't necessarily difficult in terms of questions but it is the timing that is hard so if you feel like that is an area which you will struggle with, it may be useful to start now. Also, you might want to practice typing in numbers and using the calculator in the UCAT test because it is really annoying.
However that being said, I know of someone who started after mocks and got around 2900. So it depends on each person. Also, I did not get burned out.
Hope this helps and good luck!
I have already done my UCAT and I got 2940 and a band 2.
I did a UCAT test (on the website in real conditions) in October with zero prep to see what I would get then I started looking at UCAT question bank (also on website) to familiarize myself with the different types of questions. I was only doing 30 mins per section a week and not doing it timed or anything like that. I then did another test in December and after that I started to time myself, try different techniques and increase the time to 1 hour. In March, I did another UCAT test then increased the time by 15 mins and did a last UCAT test in July. I didn't do much UCAT during my mocks and during the beginning of the summer holiday as I had work experience. The UCAT tests allowed me to see if I made any progress and where to improve.
I used the UCAT question bank and 'Get into medical school: Master the UCAT' book during the school year. Then after mocks I used Medify. I found the book really useful because it explained the different question types and different methods.
I think it would be fine to start now as long as you can manage your time well. If you also think you would get really nervous in the holidays then I would recommend starting now so you have more preparation time. The UCAT itself isn't necessarily difficult in terms of questions but it is the timing that is hard so if you feel like that is an area which you will struggle with, it may be useful to start now. Also, you might want to practice typing in numbers and using the calculator in the UCAT test because it is really annoying.
However that being said, I know of someone who started after mocks and got around 2900. So it depends on each person. Also, I did not get burned out.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Reply 2
zak.sa1
OP
9
Original post
by doctoral-wispHey,
I have already done my UCAT and I got 2940 and a band 2.
I did a UCAT test (on the website in real conditions) in October with zero prep to see what I would get then I started looking at UCAT question bank (also on website) to familiarize myself with the different types of questions. I was only doing 30 mins per section a week and not doing it timed or anything like that. I then did another test in December and after that I started to time myself, try different techniques and increase the time to 1 hour. In March, I did another UCAT test then increased the time by 15 mins and did a last UCAT test in July. I didn't do much UCAT during my mocks and during the beginning of the summer holiday as I had work experience. The UCAT tests allowed me to see if I made any progress and where to improve.
I used the UCAT question bank and 'Get into medical school: Master the UCAT' book during the school year. Then after mocks I used Medify. I found the book really useful because it explained the different question types and different methods.
I think it would be fine to start now as long as you can manage your time well. If you also think you would get really nervous in the holidays then I would recommend starting now so you have more preparation time. The UCAT itself isn't necessarily difficult in terms of questions but it is the timing that is hard so if you feel like that is an area which you will struggle with, it may be useful to start now. Also, you might want to practice typing in numbers and using the calculator in the UCAT test because it is really annoying.
However that being said, I know of someone who started after mocks and got around 2900. So it depends on each person. Also, I did not get burned out.
Hope this helps and good luck!
I have already done my UCAT and I got 2940 and a band 2.
I did a UCAT test (on the website in real conditions) in October with zero prep to see what I would get then I started looking at UCAT question bank (also on website) to familiarize myself with the different types of questions. I was only doing 30 mins per section a week and not doing it timed or anything like that. I then did another test in December and after that I started to time myself, try different techniques and increase the time to 1 hour. In March, I did another UCAT test then increased the time by 15 mins and did a last UCAT test in July. I didn't do much UCAT during my mocks and during the beginning of the summer holiday as I had work experience. The UCAT tests allowed me to see if I made any progress and where to improve.
I used the UCAT question bank and 'Get into medical school: Master the UCAT' book during the school year. Then after mocks I used Medify. I found the book really useful because it explained the different question types and different methods.
I think it would be fine to start now as long as you can manage your time well. If you also think you would get really nervous in the holidays then I would recommend starting now so you have more preparation time. The UCAT itself isn't necessarily difficult in terms of questions but it is the timing that is hard so if you feel like that is an area which you will struggle with, it may be useful to start now. Also, you might want to practice typing in numbers and using the calculator in the UCAT test because it is really annoying.
However that being said, I know of someone who started after mocks and got around 2900. So it depends on each person. Also, I did not get burned out.
Hope this helps and good luck!
What do you think at this point is 30.minutes.a day good
I've got mocks next week and then I'm thinking to do 30 mins a day
Everyone has just scared me about burnout which is now my biggest fear despite not believing in it a month ago
Reply 3
Original post
by zak.sa1What do you think at this point is 30.minutes.a day good
I've got mocks next week and then I'm thinking to do 30 mins a day
Everyone has just scared me about burnout which is now my biggest fear despite not believing in it a month ago
I've got mocks next week and then I'm thinking to do 30 mins a day
Everyone has just scared me about burnout which is now my biggest fear despite not believing in it a month ago
I think 30mins a day after your mocks is a good idea and depending on how you feel you can increase it.
I was also scared that I would get burnout because I was also told that I was starting too early. But I think if you don't take it too seriously right now (i.e. getting really stressed over it) and not do too much at once (e.g. immediately do 1 hour a week) I think you will be fine.
Reply 4
Original post
by doctoral-wispI think 30mins a day after your mocks is a good idea and depending on how you feel you can increase it.
I was also scared that I would get burnout because I was also told that I was starting too early. But I think if you don't take it too seriously right now (i.e. getting really stressed over it) and not do too much at once (e.g. immediately do 1 hour a week) I think you will be fine.
I was also scared that I would get burnout because I was also told that I was starting too early. But I think if you don't take it too seriously right now (i.e. getting really stressed over it) and not do too much at once (e.g. immediately do 1 hour a week) I think you will be fine.
Also I think it is important to note that you will have less sections than I did and I think that maybe you might want to take a break on at least one day a week.
Reply 5
Original post
by zak.sa1Hi I'm in year 12 I wanted to ask about the ucat
I've been told all these warnings about burnout if I start now
Is this actually the case because I don't really believe burnout is a thing but if I start now will it be too early
If so when do you recommend to start to get the best results and how many hours a day
And any advice for it
Thanks
I've been told all these warnings about burnout if I start now
Is this actually the case because I don't really believe burnout is a thing but if I start now will it be too early
If so when do you recommend to start to get the best results and how many hours a day
And any advice for it
Thanks
I did a week of solid solid ucat only in the summer (Iād spent a few hours over the last previous months familiarising myself with the questions) and then in that week just did mocks and timed questions for maybe like 5/6 hours a day and I ended up getting 2730 B2 and 3/3 interviews. Not the ideal way to do it obviously but I found that it was more beneficial to focus on my mocks and predicted grades then spend the summer focusing on UCAT and take it at the end of the summer before y13
Reply 6
zak.sa1
OP
9
Original post
by doctoral-wispI think 30mins a day after your mocks is a good idea and depending on how you feel you can increase it.
I was also scared that I would get burnout because I was also told that I was starting too early. But I think if you don't take it too seriously right now (i.e. getting really stressed over it) and not do too much at once (e.g. immediately do 1 hour a week) I think you will be fine.
I was also scared that I would get burnout because I was also told that I was starting too early. But I think if you don't take it too seriously right now (i.e. getting really stressed over it) and not do too much at once (e.g. immediately do 1 hour a week) I think you will be fine.
ok thats good ill try 30 mins a day and maybe do untimed and a mock just to see how I am eventually in a couple of months ill increase it to 1 hour a day and then about 2 months before my ucat ill start doing 4 hours a day
ive been told not to go above 4 hours a day is that correct
Reply 7
Original post
by zak.sa1What do you think at this point is 30.minutes.a day good
I've got mocks next week and then I'm thinking to do 30 mins a day
Everyone has just scared me about burnout which is now my biggest fear despite not believing in it a month ago
I've got mocks next week and then I'm thinking to do 30 mins a day
Everyone has just scared me about burnout which is now my biggest fear despite not believing in it a month ago
Pending on how close you've booked the exam, 30 minutes a day would be good for 3-4 weeks out, no harm doing 30m every 2 days or taking time to digest the information
Reply 8
Original post
by zak.sa1ok thats good ill try 30 mins a day and maybe do untimed and a mock just to see how I am eventually in a couple of months ill increase it to 1 hour a day and then about 2 months before my ucat ill start doing 4 hours a day
ive been told not to go above 4 hours a day is that correct
ive been told not to go above 4 hours a day is that correct
For me anyways, Ucat revison can be quite intense, coming close to it, do as many practice mocks as you can and record your score, thats the best advice i can give. for mine, i really only did 5 mocks but i know people do a lot more, maybe do a mock then do revision on your weakest section and so on
Reply 9
Original post
by zak.sa1Hi I'm in year 12 I wanted to ask about the ucat
I've been told all these warnings about burnout if I start now
Is this actually the case because I don't really believe burnout is a thing but if I start now will it be too early
If so when do you recommend to start to get the best results and how many hours a day
And any advice for it
Thanks
I've been told all these warnings about burnout if I start now
Is this actually the case because I don't really believe burnout is a thing but if I start now will it be too early
If so when do you recommend to start to get the best results and how many hours a day
And any advice for it
Thanks
Depends. Burnout is the one thing you don't want to do, because you need an alert mind on the day.
If you did as you said in another post 30mins a day I don't think you'd burn out, but I don't think you'd make much progress either.
It's not really a 'revision' exam, but a 'practice' one. It's like cooking I guess, you don't really revise the recipe, you do it again and again - if you haven't done it in a while you probably won't have as high a quality dish.
i did about 2.5 months of 1-2 hours a day and no more. Your exam itself is just under two hours, so why revise longer than that if it will mentally exhaust you? Also helped me build resilience and get used to the timing and tiredness in that frame of time.
I think your 30 min a day will be fine, if you feel too tired/stressed just take it as a day off. Don't feel obligated to do this daily though. Closer to your exam you can up the hours a bit.
Reply 10
zak.sa1
OP
9
Original post
by study23!Depends. Burnout is the one thing you don't want to do, because you need an alert mind on the day.
If you did as you said in another post 30mins a day I don't think you'd burn out, but I don't think you'd make much progress either.
It's not really a 'revision' exam, but a 'practice' one. It's like cooking I guess, you don't really revise the recipe, you do it again and again - if you haven't done it in a while you probably won't have as high a quality dish.
i did about 2.5 months of 1-2 hours a day and no more. Your exam itself is just under two hours, so why revise longer than that if it will mentally exhaust you? Also helped me build resilience and get used to the timing and tiredness in that frame of time.
I think your 30 min a day will be fine, if you feel too tired/stressed just take it as a day off. Don't feel obligated to do this daily though. Closer to your exam you can up the hours a bit.
If you did as you said in another post 30mins a day I don't think you'd burn out, but I don't think you'd make much progress either.
It's not really a 'revision' exam, but a 'practice' one. It's like cooking I guess, you don't really revise the recipe, you do it again and again - if you haven't done it in a while you probably won't have as high a quality dish.
i did about 2.5 months of 1-2 hours a day and no more. Your exam itself is just under two hours, so why revise longer than that if it will mentally exhaust you? Also helped me build resilience and get used to the timing and tiredness in that frame of time.
I think your 30 min a day will be fine, if you feel too tired/stressed just take it as a day off. Don't feel obligated to do this daily though. Closer to your exam you can up the hours a bit.
Thank u
I'll do 30 mins for now until about 2/3 months till the exam and then I'll up the hours
Do u mind sharing the way u revised
Reply 11
Original post
by zak.sa1Thank u
I'll do 30 mins for now until about 2/3 months till the exam and then I'll up the hours
Do u mind sharing the way u revised
I'll do 30 mins for now until about 2/3 months till the exam and then I'll up the hours
Do u mind sharing the way u revised
No problem.
I revised about 2 weeks doing untimed practice (get familiar with question types and just how ot figure them out). Also watched YT videos on strategies during this time.
Then about 3 weeks doing timed practice questions. The UCAT is hard because of time pressure not the questions themselves.
Then for a month I did a mock a day. I tried to do it at the same time my exam would be (this was summer holidays for me so if you have school during this period of your revision it will obviously be more difficult). So I'd get up early every day and just do a mock. Sometimes a bit of practice after.
I kept a UCAT journal, after each mock or mini practice session review what you did well and what went wrong. Did you try a new strategy and it worked? If so try again a couple of times and see if your scores are better. Do you always mess up the percentage questions? Now you know you have to practice this, or in the exam flag these, guess it and come back if there is time.
I used Medify, found it was pretty accurate (the QR on medify was a lot harder, but made the real exam feel much calmer haha. The VR was probably a bit easier on medify I found).
Also use the official UCAT resources and mocks nearer the exam.
Reply 12
Original post
by zak.sa1Thank u
I'll do 30 mins for now until about 2/3 months till the exam and then I'll up the hours
Do u mind sharing the way u revised
I'll do 30 mins for now until about 2/3 months till the exam and then I'll up the hours
Do u mind sharing the way u revised
hey, i started properly prepping for my ucat in june, after my as exams and i did my test early august. I got 2900 b2.
i used medentry to revise (people use medify too, but i personally didn't), and i got it like feb, and tried to complete at least 10 ish questions everyday in the subsections. after my as exams which happened in may, i properly started doing the timed subtests for each section, and then eventually moved to doing the full mock tests. i started doing the full mock tests three weeks before my test, i did one every day (sometimes id get a bit stressed if the first went a bit eh and did 2 but only do that if it rlly bothers you, don't force yourself too).
also, some people sort of jot down patterns and things to improve on. when you do the questions, do it under timed questions- personally i think the timing is the biggest issue, and also whiteboard helps for working out as for the real ucat they give u a laminated board thing w a whiteboard pen
i hope this helps, and if anything is confusing, or you have more questions feel free to ask
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