It is a psychometric test, designed to measure how good your 'logical thinking' is. The test is meant as another distinguishing factor between medicine applicants. Many universities use it as a cut-off value, meaning they disqualify if you don't reach a certain score, others just take it into account when offering interviews.
Supposedly, you can't revise for the UKCAT, however many sessions and books exist for practice purposes. I'm using the '600 UKCAT Practice Questions' book, and the Kaplan Practice book, which goes along with the 2 day course (which I did not take). These books have both of which have been lent to me, but I've included a link to the 600Qs book on amazon.
In the test there are four sections, which have been handily summarised by the UKCAT people...
"For candidates sitting the examination in summer 2013, the UKCAT will consist
- Verbal reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information that is presented in a written form.
- Quantitative reasoning - assesses ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.
- Abstract reasoning - assesses the use of convergent and divergent thinking to infer relationships from information.
- Decision analysis - assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information.
- Situational judgement test - measures capacity to understand real world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them"
The questions are hard work. Some of them I'm good at, such as Verbal Reasoning and Decision Analysis. However, timings are a real issue for me in the Quantitative and Abstract Reasoning sections.
I'm practising really hard, and hoping I'll get a good enough average to pass the threshold, however, if I don't, it's not the end of the world.
I'm taking the test this weekend, and I'll report back once I've done it. Wish me luck!
Stay tuned for more updates about me, and also the beginning of my 'An Introduction to...' Series!
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