Interim 2025 UCAT Scores Released The interim UCAT scores for 2025 have been released. Here’s a rundown of the key info and what it all means for your application from our Head of Academia, Simon Pedley. Interim 2025 UCAT Scores Released The interim UCAT scores for 2025 have been released. Here’s a rundown of the key info and what it all means for your application from our Head of Academia, Simon Pedley.

What Are The Interim 2025 UCAT Scores? 

The interim 2025 UCAT scores contain data from the start of the 2025 testing period up to 14th September. By this point, 21,822 candidates had taken the test. It is anticipated that a further 21,000 candidates will take the test before the end of the testing period. 

The UCAT website emphasises that: ‘Candidates should use these figures as a rough guide to judge their own performance as these numbers will change as the testing cycle progresses.’ Final data will be released after testing ends. 

In the interim results for 2025, the total mean UCAT score is 1913. 

Interim Scores By Section 

The interim mean scores for each section are: 

Verbal Reasoning – 614

Decision Making – 642

Quantitative Reasoning – 683

When you compare this to last year’s interim UCAT scores, the interim scores for all areas of the test see an increase. Verbal reasoning increased slightly from 612 to 614 but decision making and quantitative reasoning saw bigger jumps, by 7 points and 17 points respectively.

The interim results for Situational Judgement are: 

25% scored in Band 1 

40% scored in Band 2 

27% scored in Band 3 

8% scored in Band 4 

Last year there was a significant drop in the percentage of students scoring in the top bands for SJT. However, scores have returned this year to something approaching a historical average.

The percentage scoring in band 1 has increased from 14% to 25% (close to the 27% in 2023) and band 2 has increased slightly from 38% to 40%. Consequently, the percentage of students scoring in the lower bands has fallen.

Interim 2025 UCAT Deciles 

These are the interim deciles for the 2025 UCAT test: 

1st decile – 1,620 

2nd decile – 1,730

3rd decile – 1,810

4th decile – 1,870

5th decile – 1,940

6th decile – 2,000

7th decile – 2,070

8th decile – 2,150

9th decile – 2,270

Because abstract reasoning was removed, it is not possible to make direct comparisons between the decile scores this year and last year.   The Most Popular MMI Prep Experience the 20-station MMI Circuit attended by 1000s every year MMI Prep Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/ https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/ https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/preparation-packages/interview-mmi/

What Does This Mean? 

There are a few significant things to note from the interim 2025 results. 

The most important point is the increase in the number of candidates sitting the UCAT, a useful proxy for the total number of expected applicants.

From 2023 to 2024, there was an increase of around 2,000 applicants to an expected total of about 38,000. However, this year UCAT is expecting nearly 43,000 students to sit the UCAT, close to a 5,000 candidate increase.  

UCAT has a good track record of predicting the total number of test takers, so it is worth taking seriously. An extra 5,000 students applying this year is a 13% increase on last year.  

Interpreting the scores 

Comparisons to last year are hard for the obvious reason that UCAT has removed the abstract reasoning section of the test. While they do try to make comparisons to what the previous year’s interim score would have been without abstract reasoning, those may not be wholly accurate.  

UCAT states that the preliminary mean score from 2024 without abstract reasoning was 1,913, compared to this year’s mean of 1,939. The reason that you would calculate what last year’s mean would have been without abstract reasoning is to attempt to isolate candidate performance as a variable. Scores vary every year based on the cohort’s performance, so it would look like this year’s candidates are simply more able.  

However, because there is an entire section of the UCAT that students do not need to prepare for, we would expect scores to go up regardless of candidate quality, because there is a whole section that does not need to be practiced and revised. We would therefore expect performance to go up irrespective of the ability of the candidates.  

This is interesting as a historical take on student performance of the UCAT over time, but the most important thing is that we have some guide as to what a ‘good’ score now looks like when we had no idea before.

If the average score is 1,913 (though it will likely drop when testing has finished), we know that for highly competitive universities, we will need to be looking at a score of at least 2,150 to score in the top 20% and 2,270 to score in the top 10%.

Slightly fewer candidates will be rejected on Situational Judgement 

Last year saw a big fall in SJT scores, which has been partially reversed this year with more students in band 1 and fewer in band 4. 

There are many medical schools, such as Hull or Kent and Medway, that state they will rule out candidates who score a Band 4 in the SJT. 

Fewer candidates will therefore be ruled out of the competition due to lower SJT scores; consequently, if you do have a higher SJT score, it might be prudent to consider an application to universities that take more account of SJT scores. 

The actual mean score is likely to be lower 

Last year we saw that the actual mean UCAT score was lower than the preliminary mean score, and we expect this will probably happen again this year. 

For 2024, the preliminary mean score was 2,582 and dropped to 2,523 by the end of the testing cycle. If the preliminary mean score is 1,913 then we would expect the actual mean score to drop (though less than normal, with fewer elements of the test there should be less variance) to around 1,880 or so.  

More competition  

The big picture here is that there will be more competition, and a higher score is more important than ever. That is largely down to the increase in test takers by 13%, rather than anything to do with test statistics for the 3 cognitive subsections.  

The fall in the numbers of students also getting lower bands in the SJT also means fewer candidates being excluded from universities that use the SJT as a hard cut-off at band 4.

More students will be able to apply for those school,s increasing pressure at those institutions. While this would reduce potentially some pressure elsewhere in the system, the overall increase in numbers would likely dwarf that effect.   HELP

How To Make Your Fifth UCAS Choice For Medicine Applying for Medicine and wondering what do with your fifth UCAS choice? Find out what your options are here. How To Make Your Fifth UCAS Choice For Medicine Applying for Medicine and wondering what do with your fifth UCAS choice? Find out what your options are here. When you submit your UCAS application, you have five university choices available – but only four of these can be for Medicine. This means that if you’re applying for Medicine, you have a fifth choice that you can use however you wish. Here are four possible ways to make use of your fifth UCAS choice.

Option 1: Leave it blank

If you’re determined to study Medicine, and confident that you’ll get into Medical School, you might be tempted to leave your fifth choice blank. It’s certainly possible to do this, but it perhaps isn’t the wisest option.

Getting into Medicine is becoming more and more competitive each year. Of course it’s important to be optimistic and confident in your application – but it’s also important to consider that you aren’t guaranteed to get a place.

Be realistic and have a think about what you would do next if you don’t receive any offers for Medicine and you didn’t select a fifth UCAS choice. Would you take a gap year and reapply for Medicine next year? If you’re considering this, make sure you know the pros and cons. Would you try to get into another university course through UCAS clearing? If you’re thinking about leaving your fifth choice blank, you should have a back-up plan in place regardless. Make the most of your 5th UCAS Choice Apply for a Pathway to Medicine at Swansea University Find Out More https://www.swansea.ac.uk/medicine/pathways/?utm_source=medicportal&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fmhls-ug-2022&utm_content=5th-choice

Option 2: Fill it with an unrelated course

In the event that you don’t get into Med School this year, is there another course that you could picture yourself doing instead? Whether you have a passion for French, History or Economics, don’t be afraid to put a completely unrelated subject down as your fifth choice – as long as you’ve thought about it seriously and would be willing to study this instead of Medicine. After all, there’s no point selecting a fifth choice that you have no real intention of using!

Don’t worry about the fact that your Personal Statement is geared towards Medicine. Your fifth choice university shouldn’t hold this against you. If you aren’t sure, check with the university directly. Most courses are nowhere near as selective as Medicine (because they don’t have a strict limit on the number of places available) and will be happy to offer you a place as long as you meet their grade requirements. On this note, your fifth choice should ideally have lower grade requirements than your Medicine choices.

Additionally, to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine at certain universities, you don’t always need to have a science degree. So if you go down the path of doing an unrelated degree and find that you still really want to pursue Medicine, there might still be an opportunity for you to do this later.

Option 3: Fill it with a similar course to Medicine

It’s important to remember that an Undergraduate degree isn’t the only pathway to Medicine. For your fifth UCAS choice, you might want to choose a related degree (such as Biomedical Science) with a view to possibly applying for Graduate Entry Medicine later. Of course, you might end up enjoying the course so much that you decide to forgo Medicine and pursue another science-related career instead.

There are also certain courses where it is possible to transfer to Medicine during your degree, if you’re one of the highest achieving students. However, bear in mind that these opportunities are rare and very competitive.

When you’re choosing a related course for your fifth choice, it’s wise to avoid Dentistry – because this can be just as competitive as Medicine!

Option 4: Fill it with an Allied Health course

Remember that being a Doctor isn’t the only way of working in healthcare, and there are a wide range of Allied Health careers that you might find just as fulfilling.

If you don’t get into Med School this year, think about whether you would like to pursue an alternative career in healthcare. You could put an Allied Health course as your fifth UCAS course such as Podiatry or Paramedic Science. More

Where To Apply With A High UCAT Score – 2026 Entry If you got a high UCAT score (over 2800 previously or 2150 now that Abstract Reasoning has been removed), check out these Medical Schools you may want to apply to and play to your strengths. Where To Apply With A High UCAT Score – 2026 Entry If you got a high UCAT score (over 2800 previously or 2150 now that Abstract Reasoning has been removed), check out these Medical Schools you may want to apply to and play to your strengths. It is worth noting that entry requirements and selection criteria can vary from year to year, so ensure you check university websites for the most up-to-date information about UCAT scores before you make any application decisions. Something to take note of for 2026 entry is that the Abstract Reasoning section has been removed from the UCAT. Therefore, for the previous years’ cutoff scores listed below, to translate them into the new scoring system, you would need to subtract 650 (the average AR Section Score).’

Aberdeen University

Aberdeen University shortlists candidates for interview based on UCAT scores alongside actual and predicted academic achievements.

For 2024 entry, the lowest UCAT score for candidates invited to interview from the UK was 2,6,90.

Bristol University

If you’re applying to Bristol University and have achieved their minimum academic entry requirements, you will have your application scored with a 100% weighting on the UCAT result. This will be used to select candidates for interview.

The UCAT score chosen as a threshold for interview is subject to change each year. For 2024 entry, the final UCAT threshold score to be invited to interview was 2940 for home applicants and 2960 for overseas applicants.

Edge Hill University

Edge Hill University ranks candidates by UCAT score to shortlist for interview, once minimum eligibility and academic criteria have been met.

For 2023 entry, the average UCAT score invited to interview was 2,748. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get Application Advice https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/application-advice/

Glasgow

At Glasgow University, applicants who meet all screening criteria (minimum academic requirements and a satisfactory Personal Statement and reference) are allocated interviews based on UCAT score.

For 2025 entry, the lowest UCAT score invited for interview was 2,500.

King’s College London

At King’s College London, the overall UCAT score averaged across the four subtests is given more consideration than the individual subtest scores. Situational Judgement is also taken into account when shortlisting.

They say: “Examination results and the UCAT score are perhaps the most important factors when considering applications.” For 2024 entry, the cutoff for interviewees was 2,710.

Liverpool University

To shortlist for interview, Liverpool University ranks candidates by UCAT score. Those with the most competitive scores are then assessed by whether they meet or exceed minimum academic criteria. The highest ranking applicants are invited to interview.

2024 entry, 2,310 was the cutoff.

Manchester University

Manchester University applies a UCAT threshold based on the standard of scores that year. For 2025 entry, the threshold was 2,710.

They state: “If you meet the UCAT threshold we apply, and you achieve Band 1 or 2 in the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), you will likely be invited to interview as long as you meet our minimum academic requirements (for example, GCSE and predicted grades).”

Newcastle University

Newcastle University shortlists for interview by ranking candidates (who meet the academic threshold) based on UCAT scores.

The threshold depends on the number of applicants, and the average score of applicants who apply to Newcastle. For 2023 entry, the interview threshold was 2,820.

Sheffield University

At Sheffield University, applicants who meet or exceed both the minimum academic requirements and the minimum UCAT requirement will be ranked based on their UCAT score for interview selection.  For 2026 entry, they have a threshold of 1800.

They say: “There is no compensation between academic attainment and UCAT attainment – exceeding the academic threshold will not compensate for a lower UCAT score.” Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-interview-courses/ MMI Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/

Southampton University

Southampton University ranks candidates by UCAT score to determine who will be invited to a Selection Day.

They also mention: “The UCAT score is reviewed again alongside performance at Selection Days to determine who will receive an offer.”

St George’s, University of London

For St George’s, there is a standard entry requirement of 500 in each section of the UCAT. The overall score threshold is determined each year based on the scores received.

For 2024 entry, the threshold was 2,690.

What Next?

If you have a high UCAT score, that’s great! It should help you to secure invitations to interview. But remember that once you actually get to the interview stage, your UCAT score will matter a lot less – and you will need to perform well at interview to get an offer of a Medical School place.

To start preparing for interviews now:

• Read our interview guide and find out the difference between MMIs and panel interviews
• Check out common interview questions
• Get to know NHS hot topics and current medical news
• Make sure you understand medical ethics
• Get university-specific interview tips
• Book a place on our MMI Circuits or Interview Course

More

Where To Apply With An Average UCAT Score – 2026 Entry If you got an average UCAT score (typically around 2,500) these are some Medical Schools you might want to consider. Where To Apply With An Average UCAT Score – 2026 Entry If you got an average UCAT score (typically around 2,500 previously, 1,850 now AR has been removed) these are some Medical Schools you might want to consider. They generally have cut-off scores which aren’t very high, or don’t rank applicants by UCAT score alone. It is worth noting that entry requirements and selection criteria can vary from year to year, so ensure you check university websites for the most up-to-date information about UCAT scores before you make any application decisions.

Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin shortlists for interview by ranking applicants (who meet the minimum academic requirements) by UCAT score. There are also shortlisting points for candidates living or studying in the East of England, with further points for Essex.

The cut-off scores for an interview as a UK student are as follows. In 2023 and 2024 the cutoff was 2640, in 2022, in 2022 it was 2640 and in 2021 it was 2390. Required UCAT scores for local students are lower but the difference ranges from 20 to 70 points.

Cardiff University

Cardiff University doesn’t have a minimum UCAT threshold score, but may use UCAT as part of their selection process for interview.

They say: “We will use a UCAT tariff if we are oversubscribed with applicants with exceptional academic scores to help select which applicants to interview. Use (or not) of the UCAT can only be determined each year after we have assessed the academic score of all the applicants.”

Therefore, candidates with high GCSE grades (8/9s) are prioritised, however, for the 2024 entry cycle, too many applicants had excellent academic scores and therefore a UCAT cutoff of 2690 was used.

Dundee University

For Dundee University, there is no minimum UCAT cut-off score. Your score will be considered alongside academic ability, but they don’t outline how.

For the 2024 admissions cycle, the lowest UCAT score that was invited to interview was 1900 with the average being 2675. Therefore, when applying you must consider other aspects of your application such as academic grades as candidates are looked at holistically. Finally, non-Scottish students generally require a UCAT score ~60 higher than Scottish students. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get Application Advice https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/application-advice/

Edinburgh University

For Edinburgh University, you are required to meet a cut-off score, which is 1,650 for 2026 entry. You will also be rejected if you score Band 4 in Situational Judgement.

They say: “Once all the scores are received we rank them, divide the cohort into deciles (ten equal groups) and allocate a score. We also allocate a score to your Situational Judgement banding. The points are then added to your academic score to contribute towards your final ranking for shortlisting and possible invitation to one of our Assessment Days.”

Hull York Medical School

Hull York Medical School has a minimum requirement that you need at least Band 3 in SJT.

As part of the selection procedure for interview, you can be assigned up to 40 points for the UCAT, up to 30 points for GCSEs, up to 15 points for SJT and up to 15 points for contextual data.

Although Hull York do not store data regarding UCAT admissions statistics, a poll of accepted student indicates a rough minimum score required as 2680.

Kent and Medway Medical School

In 2023-2024 (the most recent available data), Kent and Medway Medical School had a UCAT threshold score of 2,500. Applicants were also required to have a SJT Band 3 or above.

The next stage of selection for interview involves contextualising all applicants. They “consider academic attainment relative to the average for the applicant’s school, at both GCSE and A-Level.” Because of this additional stage, they say that applicants with higher UCAT scores won’t necessarily be selected over applicants with lower UCAT scores who still pass the threshold.

Leicester University

At Leicester University, they give 50:50 weighting to UCAT score and academic ability. They say: “Those with a lower UCAT score will be considered on an individual basis, taking into account the whole of their UCAS application.”

To shortlist for interview, they will assign you a score out of 32 for the UCAT plus an academic score out of 32, making a maximum possible score of 64 overall.

For 2024 entry, the UCAT cutoff was 2,270.

Norwich Medical School (UEA)

Norwich Medical School uses UCAT scores to rank applicants for interview selection. They later use the UCAT score alongside an interview score to determine who will receive an offer of a place. For 2024 entry (the most recent available data), the lowest UCAT score required for an interview was 2,190.

They mention: “A high score is advantageous; a low score does not disqualify an applicant from consideration.”

Nottingham University

If you apply to Nottingham University, they will give you points based on your 8 best GCSEs (4 points for an A*, 3 points for an A, etc) and your UCAT score (12 points for 801 – 900, 10 points for 701 – 800 etc). Total required points to receive an interview tend to be around 131+.

It’s worth noting that Nottingham also doubles the Verbal Reasoning score, and SJT is included in the points too. They state there is no fixed threshold score to be selected for interview. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1000s every year Interview Course https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/medical-school-interview-courses/ MMI Circuits https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/mmi-courses/

Plymouth University

Plymouth University uses UCAT results alongside A-Levels and GCSEs to select for interview.

The UCAT threshold can vary each year and is influenced by overall candidate performance in the UCAT.  In 2024 the threshold was 2,210.

Queen Mary University of London (Barts)

At Queen Mary/Barts, your UCAT score and UCAS tariff are given 50:50 weighting. You need to have a UCAT score at least in the third decile to be considered.

In the 2024 admissions cycle, the minimum UCAT score required for a candidate to receive an interview was 2620. This is lower than the previous admissions cycles.

St Andrews University

To be selected for interview at St Andrews, you will need to have a strong academic record, a positive reference and relevant work experience. Applicants who meet these requirements will be ranked based on UCAT score, and the top 500 (approx) will be given an interview.

In recent years, the lowest UCAT score for applicants invited to interview at St Andrews has been around 2,400, with slightly lower scores required for Scottish students.

Warwick University

For the Graduate Entry Medicine programme at Warwick University, UCAT scores are combined with academic achievements in the shortlisting process.

You must have achieved at least the overall mean score in Verbal Reasoning, which was 570 in 2022, to be considered. The lowest total UCAT score for an applicant invited to Warwick’s Selection Centre was 2,580 for 2023 entry.

For more options, see: Where To Apply With A Low UCAT Score

Please note that as of 2024, all universities are using the UCAT as their primary admissions test. Therefore they do not have any historical data for their score thresholds. However, universities you may wish  to consider with an average UCAT score include Leeds University, Brighton University, the University of East Anglia and Lancaster University. More

Where To Apply With A Low UCAT Score – 2024 Entry If you got a low UCAT score (below 2400 or below 1750 now Abstract Reasoning has been removed), you will need to choose your Medical Schools strategically. These are some universities which don’t place as much emphasis on the UCAT score, or have a lower UCAT cut-off than others. Where To Apply With A Low UCAT Score – 2026 Entry If you got a low UCAT score (below 2400 or below 1750 now Abstract Reasoning has been removed), you will need to choose your Medical Schools strategically. These are some universities which don’t place as much emphasis on the UCAT score, or have a lower UCAT cut-off than others. It is worth noting that entry requirements and selection criteria can vary from year to year, so ensure you check university websites for the most up-to-date information about UCAT scores before you make any application decisions.

Aston University

At Aston University, your UCAT score typically counts for 1/3 of the shortlisting process. Your academic qualifications account for the remaining 2/3.

They also state that all Situational Judgement bands are accepted, and there is no lower cutoff for UCAT scores.

Birmingham University

For interview selection at Birmingham University, the weighting is 40% UCAT, 45% academic and 15% contextual.

There is no minimum UCAT cut-off score, and your total UCAT score (including SJT) will be ranked alongside other applicants.

Exeter University

If you apply to Exeter University, your UCAT score will be weighted 25% and and your academic achievements 75%.

The higher your A-Level grades are, the lower the UCAT threshold for consideration is. You can see more in this table for 2025 entry. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get Application Advice https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/application-advice/

Keele University

For 2026 entry to Keele University, selection for interview is based on a combination of UCAT score and personal statement.

Applicants with a total UCAT score below 1,700 or a situational judgement test (SJT) result in band 4 will not be considered.

Queen’s University Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast takes GCSEs and UCAT into account when shortlisting for interview.

They assign candidates a score based on UCAT decile, with the maximum number of points being 9 for a score in the 9th decile. Situational Judgement is used only to differentiate between borderline applicants.

Sunderland

To apply for Medicine at Sunderland University, they state that your UCAT score must be within the top 8 deciles of your cohort. SJT also needs to be within Bands 1-3.

What Are The Other Options?

Aside from choosing your Medical Schools strategically, there are some other options you might want to consider if you got a low UCAT score.

These include:

• Take a year out, sit the UCAT again and apply for Medicine next year
• Apply to study Medicine abroad where the UCAT may not be necessary
• Consider applying for another course, e.g. Biomedical Science, which could leave the door open to applying for Graduate Entry Medicine later
• Think about alternative healthcare courses/careers such as Allied Health

Find out more in this blog: What Are My Options With A Low UCAT Score? More

5 Books to Read Before Writing Your Personal Statement How can you boost your Personal Statement? We detail our top tips for wider reading and list the top five books to read before begin drafting 5 Books to Read Before Writing Your Personal Statement Looking for some reading suggestions to get stuck in to before tackling your Personal Statement? Here are our top recommendations! In your Personal Statement, demonstration of wider reading around Medicine is something few students think about, and yet it can make a real difference to your application. Stuck on what to read? Here are five books I read when I applied to Medical School to strengthen my knowledge of Medicine.

Written by Ben Fox

1. The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sacks

This book was mentioned in numerous application talks I attended when applying. It is written by the neurologist Oliver Sacks and describes some of the weirdest and wonderful conditions that exist in the medical profession.

Admittedly, the extensive use of medical terminology makes this book difficult to read in the initial stages, but I found it an inexhaustible source of discussion when asked about it at interview.

I stated the name of the book in my Personal Statement and discussed how exciting it was that every individual was unique in their presentation and type of illness. I would like to mention at this point that if you do explicitly mention a book in your Personal Statement, you WILL be asked about it. This doesn’t mean that you need to have memorised every page of the book, but be prepared to provide an example of one or two extracts of the book, and how they helped you decide on a career in Medicine.

2. Life at the Extremes – Frances Ashcroft

This was my favourite to discuss in this article, as it focuses on what happens to your body when it is pushed to the very limits of what it is capable of.

This book was useful when writing my Personal Statement as it helped me appreciate the extent to which the body has developed mechanisms to cope in the world around us, and again I explicitly mentioned this in my Personal Statement as an example of my desire and enthusiasm to undertake a career in Medicine.

3. Do No Harm – Henry Marsh

This is another book focused on neurology, but this time through the eyes of a decorated neurosurgeon, Mr Henry Marsh. This book is unusual in that the author is honest about the realities and challenges of Medicine; something I think that most doctors shy away from.

He admits to some of his worst mistakes and showed to me how even the best doctors can’t get everything right 100% of the time. With regards to my Personal Statement, I didn’t mention this book in my final draft, but I found that I was able to gain a greater understanding of empathy and the importance of communication from the stories published in here, which I found to be very useful at interview stage.

4. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Rebecca Skloot

Recently adapted into a film, this title may be familiar to some of you. This story follows the life of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman who’s cells were unsuspectingly taken and used to create a successful human cell line. Ultimately, Lacks’ cells positively contributed to major breakthroughs in areas such as cancer research and gene mapping.

This book will provide insight into some serious questions that still need to be raised in regards to medical ethics, something you may want to demonstrate awareness of in your Personal Statement. Medical ethics also plays a key part in the interview stage, so this book may help you in this aspect of the admissions process too.

5. The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer – Siddhartha Mukherjee

This is a detailed and very comprehensive book written by cancer physician and researcher, Siddhartha Mukherjee.

Mukherjee discusses the early history of cancer care, transitioning into modern oncology later on in the book. It is a read that will help demystify cancer and will leave aspiring medics inspired by Mukherjee’s accounts of his patient interactions. This is another recommendation that will help with understanding the need for empathy as a medical professional, a key attribute that aspiring medics should possess and discuss in their Personal Statements.

Regardless of which books you choose to read, remember that this is just one component of a wide range of achievements and experiences that you need to include to make that Personal Statement perfect.  HELP

What Are My Options With A Low UCAT Score? Discover what the options are for your Medicine application if you got a low score in the UCAT test this year. What Are My Options With A Low UCAT Score? Discover what the options are for your Medicine application if you got a low score in the UCAT test this year. You’re probably feeling disappointed if you got a low UCAT score this summer – but you still have options! Take a look at these four possibilities for your Medicine application and decide what you want to do next.

Choose your Med Schools carefully

When shortlisting candidates for interview, some UCAT universities place more weight on the UCAT and have a higher cut-off score than others. If you got a low UCAT score and still want to apply to Medical Schools where the UCAT is a requirement, you’ll need to be very strategic with your Med School choices.

You can compare what different Medical Schools say about cut-off scores in our list of UCAT universities. However, for the most up-to-date information, always check university websites before making any decisions with your application.

See more: Where To Apply With A Low UCAT Score – 2026 Entry

Focus on Strengthening Other Parts of Your Application

Even with a lower UCAT score, you can still make a strong case for yourself by enhancing other aspects of your application, including:

• Personal Statement
• Work Experience
• Interview Preparation
• Academic Record

By focusing on these areas, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is more than just a test score. Specialist Application Advice Want expert advice to navigate the Medicine application process? Get Application Advice

Consider applying next year instead

If you’re really disappointed with your UCAT score and have your heart set on applying to specific UCAT universities, you might want to think about taking a year out and applying for Medicine next year instead.

It’s important to come up with a realistic plan if you’re considering this route. What would you do with your gap year to improve your Medicine application for next year?

Try to pinpoint what went wrong with your UCAT test. Did you start preparing for the UCAT early enough? Would you have benefited from doing more practice questions and practice tests? Was there a particular section that you struggled with? Come up with a strategy to increase your UCAT score next year – and use the time to boost your application in other ways too, e.g. by doing more work experience and/or volunteering.

Think about applying for a different course

If you’ve hit a stumbling block in your application, it might be wise to think about whether studying Medicine and becoming a Doctor is truly right for you.

Remember that being a Doctor is not the be-all and end-all of working in healthcare and making a difference to people’s lives. There are lots of Allied Health roles, such as Podiatrist, Physiotherapist and Paramedic, which you might find just as fulfilling as Medicine. For some Allied Health courses, you even get a grant for your studies.

You might also want to consider applying for a Medicine-related course like Biomedical Science. This can leave the door open for you to transfer to Medicine at certain universities, or to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine after your degree. More

How To Use Your UCAT Score – 2026 Entry Find out how you can use your UCAT score to apply strategically for 2026 entry Medicine. How To Use Your UCAT Score – 2026 Entry Find out how you can use your UCAT score to apply strategically for 2026 entry Medicine – and make sure you know what else you should be considering before you submit your UCAS choices. You’ll get your UCAT score before the UCAS deadline in October, which means you can be strategic about which UCAT universities you apply to. Simon Pedley, our Head of Academia, explains how to do this for 2026 entry Medicine.

1. Check Interim UCAT Scores

Interim UCAT results are typically released in mid-September, a few weeks before the end of the testing period.

It’s possible that the final UCAT results will differ from the interim results to some extent, but there usually isn’t a huge difference.

This means that you can use the interim results to get a rough idea of how you compare to other candidates and what decile your score is likely to put you in.

2. Understand Interview Selection Criteria

Your UCAT score is important, but it isn’t the only factor used by Medical Schools when they are shortlisting candidates for interview.

You need to understand:

• Do they rank applicants by UCAT score alone? Or will your UCAT score be assessed alongside other factors like academic achievements?
• If they don’t rank by UCAT score alone, how important is the UCAT? For example, is it worth 25% of the selection criteria, 50% or more?
• Do they place a higher emphasis on your GCSE or predicted A-Level grades?

You can find out how different Medical Schools use UCAT scores in our UCAT universities guide. Turn Interviews into Offers Get the most popular interview prep, trusted by 1,000s every year Interview Courses MMI Circuits

3. Use Your Research To Shortlist Strategically

If you have a high UCAT score:

It might be a good idea to apply to Medical Schools which rank candidates purely by UCAT score, or place a lot of emphasis on the UCAT, when they are shortlisting for interview. For these universities, the higher your UCAT score is, the more likely you are to get invited to interview.

A high UCAT score is a great thing to have, so it would be a shame if you didn’t take full advantage of it!

Find out more: Where To Apply With A High UCAT Score

If you have a medium UCAT score:

You may want to consider Medical Schools which don’t rank by UCAT score alone and will also look at other aspects of your application such as academic achievements.

With a medium score, you could also think about Medical Schools which do rank candidates by UCAT score, but don’t impose a very high cut-off score for who gets invited to interview.

UCAT scores are predominantly used for interview selection – and once you’ve been invited to attend an interview, your interview performance becomes the most important thing.

Find out more: Where To Apply With An Average UCAT Score

If you have a low UCAT score:

You should probably apply to Medical Schools which place less emphasis on UCAT scores when selecting candidates for interview. At some universities, the selection criteria is weighted more heavily towards academic achievements than towards the UCAT (e.g. 75% academic vs. 25% UCAT).

With a low UCAT score, you could also look at Medical Schools which typically use a low cut-off score (lower than the score you achieved) when inviting candidates to interview.

As mentioned above, your interview performance is the most important thing once you’ve actually been invited to interview.

Find out more: Where To Apply With A Low UCAT Score

Situational Judgement:

You will find that some Medical Schools have specific requirements when it comes to the Situational Judgement test. For example, some will automatically reject any candidate with Band 4.

Make sure you check this information before making any decisions with your application.

Remember to check out our UCAT 2025 webinar series. More interviews

Dos And Don’ts Of UCAT Preparation Check out these dos and don’ts of UCAT prep to make the most of your time before test day. Dos And Don’ts Of UCAT Preparation Check out these dos and don’ts of UCAT prep to make the most of your time before test day. Charlotte, a Med student at the University of Glasgow, has some dos and don’ts to help you maximise your UCAT prep – and avoid making common mistakes.

DO understand the test format and what each section is assessing

Whilst it may sound obvious, you should begin your prep by understanding what the UCAT involves and what skills each section is designed to assess. This is vital because the test can initially seem overwhelming.

Unlike other exams, there is no specific content to memorise, as it is an aptitude test. Overall, the test lasts two hours and is conducted in an assessment centre on a computer.

The UCAT is broken down into four sections:

• Verbal Reasoning assesses your ability to comprehend text and draw conclusions from it.
• Decision Making tests your logic and problem-solving/statistical abilities.
• Quantitative Reasoning tests your quick maths skills.
• Situational Judgement tests your ability to apply medical ethics knowledge to different
  scenarios.

Understanding each section and the types of questions within them will help you to plan and structure your UCAT prep.

DO lots of online practice questions

One of my most important UCAT preparation tips is to use online resources to do as many practice questions as possible. Utilising the UCAT website, plus a UCAT question bank for a few weeks before my exam, was pivotal to my UCAT success. Exposing yourself to different styles of questions will prevent panic on test day and give you the best chance of achieving a high score.

Unlike most exams you have sat before, the UCAT is an online test. As such, you will rely on using a keyboard, a mouse and an online calculator. This is why practice using a computer is vital. Familiarising yourself with the controls will make you feel more comfortable on test day and improve your speed. Get Trusted UCAT Strategies Discover the score-boosting strategies trusted by 150+ schools UCAT Courses UCAT Packages

DO use the whiteboard

Although the test is conducted on a computer, you will be given several whiteboards and a whiteboard pen. I found that drawing Venn diagrams, creating tables and jotting down notes on the whiteboard greatly improved my overall UCAT score. It allowed me to work through problems with all of the necessary information in front of me, without being confused by long, wordy blocks of text on the screen.

I strongly recommend practising with a whiteboard and pen before the exam to get used to writing down information at speed and to improve your score. However, it is worth noting that when I sat the exam I was not given a whiteboard rubber – so it’s important that you draw small diagrams to save space and make sure you have enough room to write down notes for future questions.

DON’T forget timed practice

The UCAT is incredibly time-pressured, so answering questions quickly is vital to complete the test and maximise your chances of success. Each section is allocated a different amount of time.

Initially, working through practice questions at your own pace is important for understanding the test. After this, implementing timed practice will help to replicate the conditions of test day and improve your speed.

DON’T agonise over difficult questions – flag/guess and move on

Not all questions in the UCAT are of equal difficulty. Within each section, there will be a mix of longer, more complex questions and shorter, more simple ones. There will also be some that you’ll find easier or harder depending on your own skill and ability.

Consequently, it is important to flag or skip a question which is taking lots of time and return to it later if time allows it, so you’ll avoid missing out on easier marks later in the test. Similarly, if you are unsure of a question or are running out of time, just select an answer and guess. There is no negative marking and there is a chance you will select the correct answer.

DON’T forget to structure your prep

How long you prepare for the UCAT and how you structure this prep will be different for everyone, depending on your other commitments and how time-pressured you would like your prep to be. Regardless, planning out when you are going to dedicate time to the UCAT and committing to it is vital for success.

Whilst some may claim that the UCAT can’t be revised for, I disagree and have personally seen how practice can dramatically improve your score. Therefore, sticking to a plan is vital for success. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard! More UCAT UCAT

5 Tips To Avoid Burnout During UCAT Prep A current Med Student shares her top tips for staying calm and managing stress during the intense UCAT prep period. 5 Tips To Avoid Burnout During UCAT Prep A current Med student shares her top tips for staying calm and managing stress during the intense UCAT prep period. Kirsty, a Med student at the University of St Andrews, has some top tips to help you manage stress and avoid burnout while you’re preparing for the UCAT. The lead-up to the UCAT test can be a stressful time. After all, getting a good UCAT score will really help your Medicine application and open up the options when you’re choosing a Med School.

However, you need to understand that the quality of your UCAT prep is more important than the quantity. It’s vital to look after yourself and stay in a positive mindset.

Here are my top tips for managing stress while preparing for the UCAT – which will hopefully lead to better performance on test day!

Schedule Your UCAT Prep Into Your Routine

It’s important to make a UCAT timetable that works for you and fits into your routine.

Plan out your prep over the number of weeks that you want to study for. Usually around 6-8 weeks before your test is a good amount of time. By allocating certain blocks of time in the morning, afternoon or evening each day, your prep will become a lot more organised and manageable.

Sustained bursts of revision over several weeks are more effective than panicked cramming in the days before your test. It should also allow you to take time off for rest and other fun activities. If you plan your prep well, there’s no reason why the UCAT should consume your entire summer! Planning will make you feel more in control and less worried.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t be disheartened, especially during the early stages of your UCAT preparation, if you can’t answer practice UCAT questions within the allocated time or if your score for a given section is lower than you are happy with.

The UCAT is a very specific type of exam, and it’s unlikely that you’ve done anything similar before. We all must start somewhere – and once you practise and become more familiar with the types of questions and the timings, your score will begin to improve.

It’s also important to remember that the UCAT has different sections, and naturally we all have our strengths and weaknesses. After you’ve identified your weaknesses, concentrate on improving these areas – but don’t worry if your score isn’t perfect in every section. Get Trusted UCAT Strategies Discover the score-boosting strategies trusted by 150+ schools UCAT Courses UCAT packages

Don’t Be Overly Critical Of Yourself

The summer before you submit your application to Medical School can be a stressful time – and comparing yourself to others will only increase this pressure.

Remember that you are doing what you can to prepare, and everyone will be doing things in their own way. Whilst it might be productive to talk about study methods, try not to discuss scores and hours spent revising with others who are also preparing for the UCAT.

Don’t waste your time or your energy comparing yourself to other candidates. It will only make you feel worried or panicked if someone else is doing more than you, and this will probably affect your mindset for the UCAT test.

Know When To Call It A Day

The UCAT might be important, but remember that nothing is more important than your wellbeing and your mental health.

It’s vital to take regular breaks in your UCAT prep and to know when it’s time to stop. If you’ve given yourself plenty of time to prepare, you don’t need to spend all day every day studying. With frequent breaks to rest and recharge, you will feel a lot more focused and avoid burnout.

Make sure you also eat well and get plenty of sleep to stay on track. Sleepless nights will have a bad impact on your revision and ultimately your test performance!

Don’t Forget The Other Aspects Of Your Application

Summer seems a great opportunity to dedicate all your time to smashing the UCAT. However, it’s important to remember that the UCAT is not the be-all and end-all of your application to Medical School.

The summer also presents an opportunity to start drafting your Personal Statement, get some work experience and do some volunteering.

Whilst the UCAT is important, don’t put yourself under unbearable pressure to secure maximum marks and spend every waking hour preparing. Dedicate some time to the rest of your application too, so you don’t end up falling behind and having to rush later on. More UCAT UCAT https://www.themedicportal.com/tutoring/ucat-tutoring/ UCAT Tutors https://www.themedicportal.com/courses/ucat-courses/ UCAT Courses UCAT