A guide to UCAT situational judgement

Situational Judgement (SJT) is the final section of the UCAT, and for many students it feels very different from the other subtests - Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning - in case you needed a reminder. Instead of testing maths, logic, or comprehension, it focuses on how you respond to scenarios you could encounter as a medical student or future doctor. With 69 questions in 26 minutes, you’ll have only around 23 seconds per item - more on managing UCAT time pressures in our guide - so that means you must combine clear reasoning with quick, instinctive decision-making.

This guide explains what SJT is really testing, the skills examiners want to see, and the strategies you can use to score highly.

What is Situational Judgement?

SJT assesses your ability to recognise appropriate behaviour in clinical, academic, and ethical scenarios. You’ll be given short situations involving patients, colleagues, or professional dilemmas, followed by questions asking either:

• How appropriate is a particular response?

• How important is a particular consideration?

Your answers are compared against professional standards, such as those in the GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidelines. In other words, it’s not about personal opinion; it’s about how a safe, responsible, and professional future doctor should act.

What skills does SJT measure?

The UCAT SJT is designed to test qualities that matter in healthcare. These include:

• Integrity - Your ability to act honestly and ethically.

• Perspective-taking - Being able to understand the views and needs of others.

• Teamwork - How well you cooperate effectively with colleagues.

• Resilience - Being able to remain calm under pressure.

• Professional judgement - Being able to recognise what is safe and appropriate.

Keeping these attributes in mind helps anchor your answers to what the test is really assessing.

Top strategies for success in Situational Judgement

1. Learn what constitutes professionalism

We’re not suggesting you memorise GMC guidelines word-for-word, but you do need to understand the most basic principles: patient safety always comes first, honesty is non-negotiable, and escalation to a senior is often the safest step if you’re ever unsure. If a response undermines trust, hides mistakes, or risks patient harm, it is almost always inappropriate.

2. Avoid extreme responses

Hot tip: In SJT, the best answer is rarely “do nothing at all” or “escalate everything immediately”. Safe practice often lies between extremes: acknowledge the problem, take steps within your role, and escalate when necessary. Train yourself to spot when a response goes too far or not far enough.

3. You’re a student, not a doctor

While you may be on the path to becoming one, it’s important to answer the questions in SJT as though you are a medical student, not a qualified doctor. That means you aren’t expected to perform procedures, confront consultants, or make independent clinical decisions. Instead, your role is to act professionally, seek advice when needed, and always know (and respect) your own limitations.

4. Prioritise patient safety

If you’re ever unsure between two answers, ask yourself: Which option best protects the patient? Safety will always trump convenience, hierarchy, and personal comfort. This single principle can often guide you to the most appropriate response.

5. Learn to judge “importance”

When asked about how important a consideration is, keep in mind that patient safety, honesty, and professionalism usually rank as “very important.” Minor issues, like personal embarrassment or avoiding an awkward conversation, are usually of lower importance. With practice, you’ll learn to separate core priorities from distractions.

6. Practice realistically

The key to improving in SJT is repetition, most specifically in the form of exposure to scenarios that mirror the test format. When reviewing your answers, don’t just note the right choice - think about why certain responses are more appropriate than others. Building this reflective habit makes the exam logic feel intuitive.

7. Use timing wisely

At between 22 and 23 seconds per question, you don’t have time for long debates in your head. Train yourself to read the scenario quickly, spot the core issue (safety, honesty, teamwork, etc.), and select the answer that aligns most closely with professional standards. With enough practice, these judgements become instinctive, and you should be able to whizz through the questions.

8. Learn from explanations, not scores

SJT can feel subjective, but every question has a rationale rooted in professional guidance. After each practice set, carefully read the explanations to see where you went wrong. Ask yourself why your answer differed and whether you missed a key principle. This process sharpens your professional judgement over time.

On the surface, Situational Judgement may look like a test of opinion, but it’s actually a test of your professionalism. The most successful candidates are those who apply consistent principles: honesty, safety, respect, and awareness of their role as a student. With focused practice, reflection on explanations, and a mindset centred on patient welfare, you can approach SJT with clarity and confidence.

To give yourself the best chance of success in UCAT Quantitative Reasoning, check out Pastest’s UCAT revision resource!