What’s changed in 2025?
In 2025, the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) has underwent one of its most significant changes in recent years: the removal of the Abstract Reasoning (AR) subtest.
Because of this change, the exam now consists of three cognitive subtests instead of the traditional four - Verbal Reasoning (VR), Decision Making (DM), and Quantitative Reasoning (QR) - which contribute to a candidate’s total cognitive score. The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) remains an essential component of the UCAT. However, while it is scored and reported separately from the cognitive sections, it’s still used by many medical and dental schools as part of their admissions process.
Each cognitive subtest is still scored on a scaled range from 300 to 900, meaning the total cognitive score now ranges from 900 to 2700, instead of the 1200 to 3600 of previous years.
As mentioned earlier, the SJT is still part of the UCAT, but it is reported separately using a banding system from Band 1 (highest) to Band 4 (lowest) here in the UK.
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Exam structure and scoring
The table below from UCAT outlines the timing and scoring structure of each section. It’s important to note that each subtest is preceded by a brief instruction period that is separately timed and does not reduce the test-taking time for that section.
|
Subtest |
Number of questions |
Instruction section |
Test time |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
44 |
1 minute 30 seconds |
22 minutes |
|
Decision Making |
35 |
1 minute 30 seconds |
37 minutes |
|
Quantitative Reasoning |
36 |
2 minutes |
26 minutes |
|
Situational Judgement |
69 |
1 minute 30 seconds |
26 minutes |
How the UCAT is scored
The UCAT is designed to assess your cognitive abilities, rather than knowledge. Because of this, your scores are calculated based purely on the number of correct answers, and there’s no penalty for incorrect ones. Each subtest produces a raw score - which is essentially how many questions you answered correctly, and is then converted into a scaled score between 300 and 900. This scaling process adjusts for small differences in difficulty across different test versions to ensure fairness for all candidates.
The SJT is scored differently. Your responses are assessed against ideal answers, and partial marks are awarded when your response is close but not entirely accurate. Instead of a numerical score, candidates are placed into one of four bands: Band 1 represents the highest performance, reflecting excellent alignment with professional judgement, while Band 4 indicates a lower level of agreement with ideal responses.
So, what makes a “good” score?
A common question from candidates is: what score should I aim for? Ultimately the answer depends on the requirements of the university you are applying to, but a general benchmark is helpful. In recent years, the average total cognitive score has hovered around 1900 to 1950, making this a reasonable target for those hoping to place around the median.
However, more competitive medical and dental programs often look for candidates in the top 20%, which generally translates to a score of 2100 or above. The top 10% of candidates typically achieve a score of around 2250 or higher.
However, keep in mind that the removal of Abstract Reasoning has adjusted the scales for the 2025 format. A score of 2250 now places a candidate in a higher percentile than it would have in previous years due to the lower overall maximum. This makes it trickier to compare target scores to previous years.
How to interpret your performance
UCAT results are often reported in terms of deciles, dividing candidates into 10 equal groups based on their performance. This allows candidates to understand how their score compares to those of others who took the exam in the same year. For example, a score in the 9th decile places you within the top 10% of all test-takers.
As a reference, last year in 2024, a total cognitive score of around 2170 placed candidates within the 9th decile. The mean subtest scores were as follows:
-
Verbal Reasoning: around 601
-
Decision Making: around 620
-
Quantitative Reasoning: around 649
-
Total Cognitive Score: around 1870
For 2025, you can expect a similar distribution, though these figures may shift slightly once final statistics are published later in the testing cycle. The UCAT Consortium typically releases interim scores in mid-September and final results shortly after testing ends - so you won’t have too long to wait!
Preparing for the UCAT in 2025 means adapting to the removal of Abstract Reasoning and focusing your efforts on the three remaining cognitive subtests, while also prepping in a way that tips the scales in your favour. Given the increased weighting of each subtest in the overall score, it's more important than ever to balance your preparation across all three areas: reading comprehension for Verbal Reasoning, logical and statistical thinking for Decision Making, and fast, accurate arithmetic for Quantitative Reasoning.
Don’t forget about the Situational Judgement Test! While some universities give it less emphasis, others use the SJT band as a key deciding factor in admissions, particularly in tie-break situations where there are too many candidates. Scoring well in the SJT not only reflects professionalism but also strengthens your overall application profile.
As always, be sure to check the admissions criteria of your chosen universities, use updated practice materials that reflect the new 2025 structure, and time your practice to simulate test-day conditions. Good luck!