UCAT ANZ Test Format

The Verbal Reasoning subtest assesses your ability to read and think carefully about information presented in passages and to determine whether specific conclusions can be drawn from information presented. You are presented with eleven passages of text, each associated with four questions. You are not expected to use prior knowledge to answer the questions.

Doctors and dentists need excellent verbal reasoning skills in order to understand complex information and communicate this clearly and simply to patients. Medical practitioners must also be able to interpret findings from published materials and apply this to their own practice. It is essential they are able to critique such materials and draw their own conclusion as to the validity of any findings.

For information on question types and strategies, see the Verbal Reasoning Question Tutorial. 

The Decision Making subtest assesses your ability to apply logic to reach a decision or conclusion, evaluate arguments and analyse statistical information. Knowledge of specific mathematical or logical reasoning terminology is not required to answer any questions.

Some questions are multiple choice and other questions require you to respond to five statements by placing a 'yes' or 'no' answer next to each statement.

A simple on-screen calculator is available for use in this subtest. Read more about test tools.

Doctors and dentists are often required to make decisions in situations that may be complex. This requires high-level problem solving skills and the ability to assess and manage risk and deal with uncertainty.

For information on question types and strategies, see the Decision Making Question Tutorial.

The Quantitative Reasoning subtest assesses your ability to use numerical skills to solve problems. Questions are less to do with numerical facility and more to do with problem solving. 

You are presented with questions that most often refer to charts and graphs containing data.

A basic onscreen calculator is available for use in this section. Read more about test tools.

Doctors and dentists are constantly required to review data and apply it to their own practice. On a practical level drug calculations based on patient weight, age and other factors have to be correct. At a more advanced level, clinical research requires an ability to interpret, critique and apply results presented in the form of complex statistics. Universities considering applicants need to know they have the aptitude to cope in these situations.

For information on question types and strategies, see the Quantitative Reasoning Question Tutorial.

The situational judgement test (SJT) measures your capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them. Questions do not require medical or procedural knowledge.

You are presented with a set of hypothetical scenarios based in a clinical setting or during educational training for a medical or dental career.

Each scenario may have up to six questions associated with it.

The test assesses integrity, perspective taking, team involvement, resilience and adaptability. SJTs are used widely in postgraduate medical and dental selection.

For information on question types and strategies, see the Situational Judgement Question Tutorial.