UKCAT
UK Clinical Aptitude Test for Medicine and Dentistry
The UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) is used in the selection process by a consortium of UK University Medical and Dental Schools. The UKCAT does not contain any curriculum or science content and the UKCAT developers state that it cannot be revised for. It focuses on exploring the cognitive powers of candidates and other attributes considered to be valuable for health care professionals. The test is run by the UKCAT Consortium in partnership with Pearson VUE, a global leader in computer-based testing and part of Pearson plc.
UKCAT Research
Through an ongoing programme of research, UKCAT is seeking to identify the characteristics in applicants which will make them good dentists and doctors and thus improve the quality of those who enter the professions with the ultimate aim of improving patient care.
Current Research
Widening Participation research
Current research involves modeling the impact of the UKCAT on widening participation in medicine - the results of this research have been presented to the UKCAT Board and publication is anticipated in the near future.
Scoping exercise
A scoping exercise is also underway, to identify how UKCAT matches with progress data. This should enable a range of data on the predictability of UKCAT to be made available.
Medical and Dental Schools' use of the UKCAT
Additionally, the UKCAT consortium has created a process through which some highly novel admissions research can be conducted by introducing a collaborative element to the selection process. To monitor the impact of the test they have conducted surveys each year to record how each medical or dental school has used the scores. The pattern has evolved from very tentative use initially into four main approaches, applied with varying weights. These findings are already being used to inform the related research into the impact on WP but have also been submitted for publication recently and will be referenced here once available.
Previous Research
Has the UK Clinical Aptitude Test improved medical student selection? Wright and Bradley, Medical Education 2010: 44: 1069 - 1076
The objective of this cohort study was to determine whether the UKCAT had made any improvements to the way medical students are selected. The analysis studied the ability of previous school type and gender to predict UKCAT, personal statement or interview scores in two cohorts of accepted students. The ability of admissions scores and demographic data to predict performance on knowledge and skills examinations was also studied.
The results demonstrated that previous school type was not a significant predictor of either interview or UKCAT scores amongst students who had been accepted onto the programme. UKCAT scores were significant predictors of knowledge examination performance for all but one examination administered in the first two years of medical school. The research concluded that previous school type did not predict interview or UKCAT scores of accepted students. UKCAT scores are predictive of Year 1 and 2 examination performance at Newcastle Medical School (the researchers' school) whereas interview scores are not.
Comparison of A level and UKCAT performance in students applying to UK medical and dental schools in 2006: cohort study James, Yates and Nicholson, British Medical Journal 2010: 340: c478
This research set out to determine whether the UKCAT adds value to the selection process for school leaver applicants to medical and dental school, and in particular whether UKCAT can reduce the socioeconomic bias known to affect A levels. The cohort study, of applicants to 23 UK medical and dental schools in 2006, looked at UKCAT scores for 9884 applicants who took the test in the UK and who achieved at least three passes at A level in their school leaving examinations (53% of all applicants).
The results demonstrated that the independent predictors of obtaining at least AAB at A level were white ethnicity, professional or managerial background and independent or grammar schooling. Independent predictors of achieving UKCAT scores at or above the 30th centile for the whole test were make sex, white ethnicity, professional or managerial background and independent or grammar schooling. A major limitation of the study was that socioeconomic status was not volunteered by approximately 30% of the applicants. Those who withheld socioeconomic status data were significantly different from those who provided that information, which may have caused bias in the analysis. UKCAT was introduced with a high expectation of increasing the diversity and fairness in selection for UK medical and dental schools. This study of a major subgroup of applicants in the first year of operation suggests that it has an inherent favourable bias to men and students from a higher socioeconomic class or from independent or grammar schools. The study does suggest however, that UKCAT provides a reasonable proxy for A levels in the selection process.
Further research results will be referenced here once available, please check back for updates to this information.
Test Information:
The UKCAT consists of four sub-tests:
Verbal reasoning - Assesses a candidate's ability to read and think carefully about information presented in passages of text. For each passage, there will be four statements relating to the text. Candidates will be presented with eleven passages, each with four statements. In total, candidates will be presented with 44 test items. The task is to read each passage of text carefully and then decide whether the statements follow logically from the information in the passage. For each statement, there are three answer options candidates can choose from: true, false, can't tell.
Quantitative reasoning - assesses a candidate's ability to solve numerical problems. This subtest requires the candidate to solve problems by extracting relevant information from tables and other numerical presentations. It assumes familiarity with numbers to the standard of a good pass at GCSE but the problems to be solved are less to do with numerical facility and more to do with problem solving (i.e. knowing what information to use and how to manipulate it using simple calculations and ratios). Hence it measures reasoning using numbers as a vehicle rather than measuring a facility with numbers. In this subtest, some of the items may present additional supporting information in the form of tables, charts and graphs. For each, candidates may be presented with four items that relate to that table, chart, or graph. For each item, there are five answer options to choose from. The task is to choose the best option. A calculator is available for use in this section which has a timescale of 23 minutes.
Abstract reasoning - assesses a candidate's ability to identify patterns amongst abstract shapes. The items include irrelevant and distracting material which can lead an individual to unsatisfactory solutions. The non-critical person may remain satisfied with such solutions. The test measures both an ability to change track, critically evaluate and generate hypotheses which can be relevant in the development of new ideas and systems. Candidates will be presented with two sets of shapes labelled 'Set A' and 'Set B'. All the shapes in Set A are similar in some way, as are the shapes in Set B. Set A and Set B are not related to each other. For each pair of Set A and Set B, candidates will be presented with five 'Test Shapes'. The task is to decide whether each test shape belongs to Set A, Set B, or neither. Candidates will be presented with a total of thirteen pairs of Set A and Set B. For each pair, candidates will be presented with five items. In total, candidates will be presented with 65 test shapes (items).This subtest lasts 16 minutes.
Decision analysis - assesses a candidate's ability to decipher and make sense of coded information. Candidates will be presented with a scenario and a significant amount of information together with items that become progressively more complex and ambiguous. The judgements that are required cannot be based on logical deduction alone and are designed to simulate decision-making in the real world, where decisions cannot always be made with all the information neatly accessible in one place. Candidates will be presented with one scenario, which may contain text, tables, and other information and 26 items related to that information. Each item may have four or five response options. On some items, more than one option may be correct. In this case, candidates will be asked to identify all the correct options. This subtest lasts 32 minutes.
In 2011, unlike in previous testing years, the UKCAT will not include a test of behavioural traits.
Developed by - Universities consortium via the Medical Schools Council (previously CHMS), PearsonVue and subcontractor
Validation/reliability research by - UKCAT research working group and PearsonVUE
Taken at - PearsonVUE Professional Centres or Driving Test Centres throughout the UK/world
When - pre-interview between 5 July and 7 October 2011
Duration - The standard test is delivered in just over 1 1/2 hours. Each subtest is in a multiple-choice format and is separately timed.
How much - £60 fSit the test between 5 July and 31 August 2011 (test fee £65 EU / £100 Non EU). Sit the test between 1 September and 7 October 2011 (test fee £80 EU / £100 Non EU)
UKCATSEN - UK Clinical Aptitude Test Special Educational Needs:
- Sit the test between 5 July and 31 August 2011 (test fee £65 EU / £100 Non EU)
- Sit the test between 1 September and 7 October 2011 (test fee £80 EU / £100 Non EU)
The tests are exactly the same in content but the SEN test includes extra time specifically for those with special educational needs. If candidates do not meet the specific criteria that allows them to take the extended time UKCAT SEN, they must book a place for the 'standard' UKCAT.
For applicants with disabilities - Candidates may require additional time for the test (e.g. for dyslexia) and in this case will sit the UKCATSEN which provides a standard 25% additional time. If candidates book an extended test timing slot, they do not need to supply UKCAT with evidence of their medical condition. UKCAT-participating universities will ask candidates to send clinical evidence to them later in the admissions cycle. Candidates’ UKCAT results may be declared void if they do not present adequate supporting evidence when it is asked for by one of the universities. Further information on the UKCATSEN can be found in the Candidates with Disabilities section of the UKCAT website.
Candidates may only take the test once in any test cycle.
Fee reimbursement/bursary - candidates will normally be eligible for a bursary if they are UK applicants and currently receiving Income Support or the top rate of Educational Maintenance Allowance (currently £30 per week) or if they are EU applicants from outside the UK and receiving an equivalent state benefit. Candidates must supply documentary evidence in support of their application and apply for a bursary between 3 May 2011 and 23 September 2011. See the UKCAT website for details.
Test required by - Please check with each University Medical and Dental School.
Website - www.ukcat.ac.uk
to topWhere UKCAT is used:
UKCAT required for admission to Dentistry at:
University of Cardiff
University of Dundee
University of Glasgow
King's College London
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University, Belfast
University of Sheffield
UKCAT required for admission to Dentistry Graduate/Professional Entry Programme BDS at:
University of Aberdeen
King's College London
Queen Mary, University of London
UKCAT required for admission to Dentistry (pre-dental entry) at:
The University of Dundee
University of Manchester
UKCAT required for admission to Dentistry (BDS foundation course):
Cardiff University
UKCAT required for admission to Medicine at:
University of Aberdeen
Brighton & Sussex Medical School
University of Cardiff
University of Dundee
Durham University
University of East Anglia
University of Edinburgh
University of Glasgow
Hull York Medical School
Keele University
King's College London
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
University of Nottingham
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen's University, Belfast
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
St George's, University of London
UKCAT required for admission for Extended Medical Degree Programme MBBS at:
King's College London
UKCAT required for admission to Medicine (Graduate Entry) at:
Imperial College London
Keele University
Kings' College London
University of Leicester
Newcastle University
University of Oxford
Queen Mary, University of London
University of Southampton
University of Warwick
UKCAT required for admission to Medicine (Foundation Year) at:
Cardiff University
University of Dundee
University of East Anglia
Keele University
University of Manchester
The University of Nottingham
University of Sheffield
UKCAT required for admission to Medicine (widening access) at:
University of Southampton
UKCAT required for The International Foundation for Medicine at:
University of St Andrews
UKCAT required for North American Medical Programme:
University of St Andrews
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Reviewed and updated: June 2011