Practice Tips

The practice tips below should be read by all candidates preparing for the UCAT ANZ. By becoming familiar with these essential tips you can save yourself valuable time on test day.

On-screen calculator

A simple on-screen calculator will be available for the decision making and quantitative reasoning subtests. To access this click on the icon in the top left hand side of the screen. The calculator will look similar to this:

The calculator is integrated into the practice tests and we strongly recommend that you to familiarise yourself with the functionality. 

The calculator can be operated by using the mouse or the number pad on the keyboard; ensure that 'Num Lock’ is on for the number pad to work. 

In the live test, the calculator closes when clicking away or moving to another question. It can be recalled by clicking on the icon. Current calculations are retained until you move to the next question. 

To clear the calculator click the ON/C button. The backspace key clears all the digits at once in the live test. i.e. it is equivalent to pressing the ON/C button. This functionality is not replicated in the practice tests. There are no other buttons or keyboard shortcuts to delete one number at a time during calculations.

Please note that due to limitations with the web browser format in the practice test calculator, decimal numbers need to be entered in full (e.g. 0.5 not .5).  In the live test calculator, decimal numbers can be entered either way.  

If you require assistance with the calculator during your test you should raise your hand to attract the invigilator.

 

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can be used to navigate through the test if you find this preferable to using the mouse. Wherever there is a letter underlined, the Alt key can be used with the underlined letter as a keyboard short cut.  An example would be Alt + N = Next (as displayed below) and Alt + P = Previous.

The shortcuts available at any time during the test depend on which screen is currently being viewed. Keyboard shortcuts cannot be used to select answers to questions; this has to be done by using the mouse to select the desired response, and in some cases to drag and drop an answer. You can familiarise yourself with this, and other aspects of navigation, by using the practice tests available on our website.

 

Notebook and marker pen

You will be given a marker pen and a laminated notebook to make notes during your test. If another notebook is required, you should raise your hand and request one from the invigilator. The invigilator will have checked the pen is working before giving it out. Please check the pen is working before you start to avoid the need to seek assistance during testing. If you are not given a laminated notebook and pen when you enter the test room, you should request them by raising your hand. Not requesting these items will not be considered a mitigating circumstance.

NOTE: A new feature for UCAT UK for 2020 testing called a Scratch Pad has been added to the online practice materials for note taking purposes. This feature appears next to the on-screen calculator in the practice materials and has been necessary due to adjustments to the UCAT UK testing this year. The Scratch Pad is an electronic version of the laminated note book provided at the test centre. UCAT ANZ candidates DO NOT need to use this feature. UCAT ANZ candidates will be provided with a laminated note book and marker pen at their test centre as usual. When you are using the practice materials you can ignore the Scratch Pad.