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UCAT Preparation Programme

Oxbridge Gateway proudly provides an all-encompassing UCAT Preparation Programme, expertly designed for both educational institutions and individual learners. Our industry-leading programme is carefully crafted by experienced Oxbridge academic specialists to boost performance of the highly challenging University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).

The UCAT is a rigorous assessment that measures a wide range of abilities, from verbal reasoning to abstract thinking and situational judgment. Our comprehensive approach equips students, including those for whom English is a second language (ESL), with the vital skills needed to excel in each section of the UCAT, establishing a strong foundation for their pursuit of a medical degree and a successful career in the healthcare field.

About the UCAT

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a vital requirement for admission to undergraduate medical and dental degrees for direct or deferred entries at numerous prestigious universities in the UK including Oxford and Cambridge, and many institutions around the world.

The UCAT is designed to assess essential skills critical for success in the medical and dental professions, including quantitative reasoning, decision-making and situational judgment.

The UCAT does not specifically test for medical or scientific knowledge, ensuring a fair and level playing field in the admissions process. Universities consider UCAT scores alongside academic achievements and personal statements to make balanced and holistic admissions decisions.

The UCAT Test Format

The test comprises four separately timed in multiple choice format. The standard test is 2 hours in length. Each subtest is preceded by a 1.5- or 2-minute instruction section.

Candidates will receive a total score of 900-2700 and a Situational Judgement Band (with band 1 being the highest).

Please take note that Abstract Reasoning will be withdrawn from the test for 2025. The test will now comprise 3 cognitive subtests - Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning, and the Situational Judgement Test.

Verbal Reasoning

tests for ability to evaluate information

44 questions 22 minutes score 300-900

You will see eleven passages, each with four questions. There are two question types, and for each of the questions:

- Choose the most suitable response from four options

- Decide if a statement is true, false, or indeterminable based on the passage

This subtest includes various question types: Syllogisms, Logical Puzzles, Recognising Assumptions, Interpreting Information, Venn Diagrams, Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning. For each of the questions:

- Select only one choice out of the given choices

- Others require 'yes' or 'no' responses for five statements

Decision Making

tests for ability to make sound decision

35 questions 37 minutes score 300-900

You will answer questions typically based on charts and graphs.

- Most questions come in sets of four sharing the same data, while some are standalone

- Each question has five answer choices; select one (online screen calculator available for use)

Quantitative Reasoning

tests for ability to evaluate numerical information

36 questions 26 minutes score 300-900

You will encounter clinical or educational scenarios related to medical or dental training. Each scenario may have up to six questions, including:

- Rating the importance or appropriateness of statements (four answer options, select one)
- Choosing the most and least appropriate actions from three options

Situation Judgement

tests for ability to identify solutions for problems

69 questions 26 minutes bands 1-4

UCAT Online 1-1 Tutorials
(4-8 hours)

Our UCAT Individual Tutorials offer a 1-1 personalised approach tailored to student's unique learning style and needs. Our standard course can be customised to strengthen student's verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning and situation judgment skills, essential for excelling in the UCAT. We offer targeted feedback, detailed explanations, and custom worked examples designed to improve student's assessment performance.

Flexible Schedule

Our private tuition offers a flexible schedule of 4-8 hours of personalised expert-led tuition. Sessions can be distributed over multiple days or consolidated into a single day, based on student's preferences and availability.

Customisable Curriculum

Our tutoring services offer a high degree of customisability, catering to the specific needs of different students including ESL and those who require additional support. Tailored lessons are designed to address individual requirements, ensuring comprehensive guidance and targeted assistance throughout the UCAT preparation process.

Personalised Guidance

Students receive actionable feedback and useful tips on questions from all sections and best ways to prepare for the test, enabling them to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

UCAT Online School Tutorials (8 hours)

Our UCAT Group Classes provide a fully interactive and collaborative learning environment where participants benefit from targeted feedback and expert-led explanations, The course can be conducted for a group of up to 15 students which fosters deeper understanding of the test requirements and strategies through group discussions with our UCAT Specialist.

Collaborative Dynamics

Participants benefit from collaborative learning dynamics where group activities and discussions not only deepen understanding but also foster a supportive environment. Our interactive problem-solving sessions increasing participation and elevate students' skills set essential for the UCAT.

Peer Support and Motivation

Participants benefit from peer support and collaboration in our group tutorials, where they can exchange ideas on practice exercises. This collaborative atmosphere help consolidate skills and knowledge during the sessions and foster each other's academic growth and success.

Resource-Optimised Learning

By leveraging group dynamics, schools can maximise instructional impact while maintaining a cost-effective strategy for UCAT preparation. This approach provides a high-quality, tailored tutorial that addresses diverse learning needs.

Oxbridge Gateway
Online Group UCAT Tutorial 2025
2 sessions, 8 hours in total

Join our exclusive small-group online UCAT course for up to 15 students, led by Oxbridge-trained medical professionals. This intensive program is scheduled for the following two Saturdays in summer 2025 and includes dynamic personalised feedback session designed to maximise your UCAT performance.

Session 1 of 2: Saturday, 28th June 2025 (4 hours)

Introduction and Verbal Reasoning: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Quantitative Reasoning: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Session 2 of 2: Saturday, 5th July 2025 (4 hours)

Decision Making: 10:00pm - 12:00pm

Situational Judgement: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Final Review & Personalised Feedback: 3:30pm - 4:00pm

All times are in British Summer Time.

Places are limited. Deadline for registration is 30 May 2025.

UCAT highlights

Our UCAT Course
Instructor

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Dr J. Thomas MB BChir BA (Cantab)

UCAT Specialist and Cambridge Medicine Consultant

Dr Thomas serves as Oxbridge Gateway’s Medicine Consultant and UCAT Specialist. Dr Thomas completed her medical degree (MB BChir) and graduated from Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. Dr Thomas also has a BA in Natural Sciences (Biology) specifically within the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, where she completed a project relating to the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis in production of anxiety-like behaviour in rodents. Dr Thomas is currently a FY1 Junior Doctor at Thames Valley Oxford.

Dr Thomas has near-peer supervised both practical and theoretical content in order to assist younger medical students. Additionally, Dr Thomas has over six years of coaching and mentoring experiences, and has a plethora of experience in tutoring for UCAT, BMAT and general Oxbridge admissions. Dr Thomas is able to offer expert advice on common pitfalls related to medicine admissions and provide students with the necessary skills and support to achieve their full potential.

During her undergraduate years, Dr Thomas took part in various committees such as CATTs (Cancer Awareness for Teens and Twenties) Cambridge and Murray Edwards College Medical Society, where she eventually became president. In her presidential role, Dr Thomas fostered interyear collaboration between medical students and took part in widening access talks at schools across England. Dr Thomas was part of the Cambridge Ophthalmology Student Society (COSS), the Cambridge Medical Entrepreneurship Society (CMES) and the Cambridge Neurological Society (CNSoc), becoming Vice President of the latter two, and she was also a main organiser for the CNSoc national conference in 2023. Dr Thomas hopes to work towards a career in neurology and takes part in clinical research efforts.

Our UCAT Courses Highlights

In-Depth Study Resources

Gain access to proprietary materials, featuring expert-crafted practice questions, model answers, test-taking strategies, and additional resources.

Expert Instructors

Our distinguished medicine faculty comprises seasoned professionals with unparalleled expertise in the UCAT and a proven track record of guiding students to success.

Exclusive Insights

Our course offers invaluable tips and strategies derived from extensive experience and a profound understanding of common pitfalls and effective techniques.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Our curriculum is exhaustive, encompassing all five multiple choice sections with in-depth analysis, worked examples and guided practices.

Personalised Feedback

Students receive actionable feedback on multiple-choice questions, enabling them to identify strengths, common pitfalls and areas for improvement.

Interactive Sessions

Engaging, interactive live sessions with our UCAT specialist to clarify doubts, reinforce learning, and provide real-time guidance.

UCAT Score Guidance

Receive tailored advice on where to apply based on your UCAT score, whether you've excelled or didn’t score as well as you'd hoped. We'll help you identify the best options for your situation.

Customisable

Our course can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual institutions, accommodating various class sizes and extending the course duration as necessary.

Our UCAT
Partnerships Executive

Dan headshot_edited_edited_edited_edited

Dan Ashraf BA (Cantab)

Partnerships Executive and Cambridge Medicine Consultant

Dan serves as the Partnership Executive for our Medicine and UCAT Preparation programmes at Oxbridge Gateway and has extensive experience in Medicine and Oxbridge admissions. He graduated with a first-class honours degree in Physiology, Development and Neuroscience and is currently in his final year completing his medical degree at the University of Cambridge. Dan has a keen interest in research, especially in neuroscience, having completed research projects and been a visiting scholar at Cambridge, Johns Hopkins and Harvard in neural development, neurodegeneration, and neuro-oncology.

Dan is deeply passionate about teaching, supervising Cambridge undergraduates at King’s, Robinson and Selwyn in neuroscience, pathology, psychology, and human reproduction. Having been on the other side of the application process, he remembers just how tough it can be and hopes to make it easier. He received a top 1% UCAT score, all 9s at GCSE and all four offers to study medicine across the UK. Dan has lectured as part of the British Psychology Olympiad, been featured on Cambridge University social media giving interview advice, been the Medicine Lead for several leading interview courses, and tutored students wishing to apply for a diverse range of STEM courses at top universities.

Contact Dan for more info

How do you prepare for the UCAT?

Effective UCAT preparation involves a mix of understanding the test format, regular practice, and mastering time management. Start by reviewing each section's content and question types. Use online resources, practice tests, and mock exams to simulate real test conditions. Our course includes expert-written questions, timed tests, and detailed strategy guides to enhance your preparation. Additionally, we recommend apps like the UCAT Official Practice App, which offer on-the-go practice to improve timing and familiarity with the test format.
How long should I prepare for the UCAT?

Starting early is key, and many students begin 2-3 months before their test date. Early preparation helps avoid last-minute cramming and allows time to address any weaknesses. Spacing out your study sessions allows you to retain techniques better and hone in on areas that need more practice. Start with untimed practice to familiarise yourself with question types and build speed and accuracy, then gradually move to timed exercises. Our course provides a structured plan to guide your preparation over this period. Learn more about recommended timelines from the UCAT preparation guide.
Can I improve my UCAT score with practice?

Yes, consistent practice is one of the most effective ways to improve your UCAT score. Timed practice tests are crucial for building speed, while reviewing your answers helps you identify patterns in mistakes and improve accuracy. Studies show that regular practice over several weeks improves performance more than cramming. Our course is designed to simulate the real UCAT experience, allowing you to track your progress and refine your approach. You can also track your progress using the official UCAT practice tools, which offer full-length practice tests, question banks, and tutorials.
What if I am struggling with a particular UCAT section?

It is common to find one or two sections more challenging than others. The key is targeted practice—identify your weaker sections and focus more time on those areas. For instance, a lot of students really struggle with timing on the Verbal Reasoning section. A useful tip is to skim the passage to get the gist, understand its structure and identify what each part discusses. Then, use keywords from the question to locate the relevant section of the text, rather than having to read every word in detail. Our course provides detailed section-specific strategies, along with extra practice for the areas you find toughest.
Are there any resources you recommend for UCAT preparation?

UCAT Official Resources: The UCAT Consortium provides a range of official practice materials, including free practice tests and the UCAT Official Practice App, which simulates the test environment and offers various question types. These resources are designed to familiarise you with the test format and improve your timing skills. UCAT Question Bank: A subscription-based resource that offers a comprehensive question bank with detailed explanations for each answer. This can be particularly helpful for targeted practice and understanding your mistakes. UKCAT Cut-Offs: The UKCAT Consortium maintains an updated database of UCAT cut-offs for various medical schools across the UK. This is crucial for understanding the score requirements of different universities and aligning your application strategy accordingly. Study Groups, Forums and Websites: Engage with online forums such as The Student Room or Reddit's r/UCAT, where you can share experiences, tips, and resources with other candidates. This can provide moral support and diverse perspectives on preparation strategies. A lot of websites can also offer free questions to practice and test yourself.
What resources are included in your UCAT course?

Our UCAT course includes a comprehensive set of practice materials designed by experts. You will receive practice questions tailored to each section, timed tests, step-by-step explanations of answers, and detailed strategies to improve speed and accuracy. In addition to pre-UCAT preparation, we offer post-UCAT resources to help with university selection and next steps, no matter your score. Our resources are regularly updated to reflect the latest UCAT changes.
How is the UCAT scored?

The UCAT is divided into four section. The first 3 sections (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning) are scored between 300 and 900, resulting in a total score between 900 and 2700. The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is scored separately, with candidates placed into bands 1 to 4 (Band 1 being the highest). Universities consider both the total score and band placement in different ways—some may use it to rank applicants, while others may only use it as part of a threshold. Universities also place different emphasis on the SJT e.g. some universities immediately disqualify students with a Band 4. For details on scoring, visit UCAT Scoring and Results.
What makes a good UCAT score?

A "good" UCAT score depends on the universities you're applying to. Generally, a score in the top 10-20% of candidates is considered competitive. Most universities don’t disclose exact cut-offs on their websites, but many use the UCAT in a tiered system—meaning the higher your score, the better your chances. However, it’s important to note that Freedom of Information requests can provide previous cut-offs utilised, although these do vary year-on year. Check the official UCAT website for up-to-date percentile information and how universities use UCAT scores.
What should I do if I didn’t get the score I was aiming for?

If your UCAT score falls short of your expectations, there are still several strategies to consider. It’s not the end of the world and your chances of medical school haven’t disappeared! Universities place different emphasis on the UCAT and applying to medical school is all about focusing in on your strengths e.g. good GCSEs, predicted A-level results and personal statement can all be taken into account. Oftentimes the final outcome is heavily dependent on interview performance. We offer personalised advice on choosing universities based on your score.
What should I do after receiving my UCAT score?

Once you have received your UCAT score, it is important to take a moment and congratulate yourself regardless of the outcome! The preparation and intensity of this exam are incredible and getting through this process itself is a huge achievement. It is important to carefully consider your university options. High scores may open doors to more competitive universities, while moderate or lower scores may shift your focus to schools that place less emphasis on UCAT results. Our course offers guidance on matching your score with the right schools. For specific university entry requirements and how each school uses the UCAT, check the official university entry requirements guide.