UCAT Exam 2025: Test Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Centres, Fees

UCAT Exam 2025: Test Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Centres, Fees

Edited By Ipshita ghosh | Updated on Jun 27, 2025 12:04 PM IST

UCAT Exam 2025: The UCAT exam full form is the University Clinical Aptitude Test. It is a computer-based conducted by the Pearson VUE for admission to medical and dental degree programmes in UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Around 37,000 students every year take the UCAT exam to study medicine in UK, New Zealand, and Australia. Pearson has already released the UCAT 2025 dates. UCAT 2025 registration starts in May followed by test booking in June. The UCAT 2025 will start on 7th July. Students are advised to book their UCAT test early in the testing window to get preferred test dates and locations. Candidates can also apply for test cancellation and rescheduling of the test date by contacting Pearson VUE services.

This Story also Contains
  1. UCAT Exam 2025
  2. UCAT Exam 2025 Highlights
  3. UCAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025
  4. UCAT Exam Fees 2025
  5. UCAT Exam Registration 2025
  6. UCAT 2025 Exam Pattern
  7. UCAT Exam Dates 2025 India
  8. UCAT Exam Centres 2025 in India
  9. UCAT Exam Preparation 2025
  10. UCAT Exam Score 2025
  11. List of Universities Accepting UCAT Exam 2025
  12. Types of UCAT exam modes for international students
  13. What is Private Access Code (PAC)?
  14. How Hard is the UCAT Exam?
  15. UCAT Exam Result 2025
  16. Difference between UCAT, UKCAT and UCAT ANZ?
UCAT Exam 2025: Test Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Centres, Fees
UCAT Exam 2025: Test Dates, Registration, Syllabus, Centres, Fees

UCAT test is conducted in over 130 Pearson VUE test centres all over the world. UCAT exams are held in more than 22 places across India. Students who wish to apply for UCAT exam 2025 can register for the test on the Pearson official website. Pearson, the exam conducting body of UCAT 2025, has updated the UCAT exam syllabus. The abstract reasoning section is removed from the UCAT syllabus for MBBS and only three sub-tests are there: Verbal Reasoning, Decision-making, Quantitative Reasoning, along with Situational Judgement. The duration of UCAT test will now be just 2 hours and the total UCAT 2025 score is calculated by summing up the scale scores obtained in each sub-test. Read the complete article to learn more about UCAT syllabus, test dates, eligibility, test centres, registration process, and more.

Note: Applicants are required to sit the UCAT (between 7 July and 26 September) if they are intending to apply for entry in 2026 (or deferred entry in 2027).

UCAT Exam 2025

The UCAT has changed. In 2025, Abstract Reasoning has been withdrawn from the test. The test will comprise 3 cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning) alongside the Situational Judgement Test.

In 2025, the standard exam will have the following structure and timings:

SectionNo. of QuestionsTime LimitScore RangeSkills Assessed
Verbal Reasoning4421 minutes300–900Critical reading, logical reasoning, analysis
Decision Making29–32 (typically 29)31 minutes300–900Problem-solving, logic, interpretation
Quantitative Reasoning3624 minutes300–900Numerical reasoning, data interpretation
Situational Judgement6926 minutesBand 1–4Ethical reasoning, judgment in scenarios
Study in USA

Universities inviting applications | Get expert guidance

Study in Australia

Shortlist best ranked universities & get expert guidance

UCAT Exam 2025 Highlights

As the UCAT 2025 exam is opted for by all medical students who are planning to pursue their careers in countries like UK, Australia, and New Zealand, we have mentioned the overview of the UCAT exam in India below.

Parameters

Details

Name of the exam

University Clinical Aptitude Test

Short name of exam

UCAT

Total Questions

184

Total time for the exam

2 hours

Total Marks

900-2700

Language of exam

English

Mode of exam

Computer-based

UCAT Syllabus for Indian students

Verbal Reasoning

Decision Making

Quantitative Reasoning

Situational Judgement

Official website

ucat.ac.uk

UCAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025

The UCAT is a gateway for aspiring medical and dental students who wish to study in UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Students applying for UCAT 2025 exam must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

  • Academic Background: Candidates applying for UCAT must clear their secondary education or higher degree from a recognised university.

  • No of Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the UCAT exam. However, students can take the test once a year and apply for a retake in the subsequent year.

  • Age: Pearson has set no age restrictions for UCAT candidates.

  • Residency: The UCAT test is conducted in over 130 countries across the world. However, some universities prefer admission to home-country students over international applicants.

Who are not eligible to sit UCAT?

Any individual who is affiliated with any of the UCAT coaching business as a tutor, content developer, or have any financial interest in UCAT coaching business cannot sit UCAT. Pearson can make checks to identify such individuals and cancel their tests.

Can I sit the UCAT more than once?

You are allowed to test only once in a year; if you sit for UCAT multiple times in a single year, it will be considered as a misconduct. However, if you take the test again in subsequent years, there would not be any penalty.

Can I sit the UCAT as a ‘practice run’ a year before my actual test?

No, candidates should not sit the UCAT as a 'practice run' due to the following reasons:

  • It is better to focus and pay attention to the actual test rather than a practice test.
  • There will be a huge difference in the mindset of a candidate sitting for the practice test and the actual test.
  • There might be changes in the content and scoring every year, so sitting for a practice test prior to the actual test would not be fruitful.
  • You might be taking up a valuable test slot who might actually require the slot.

UCAT checks the registration data thoroughly and can take strict actions if a candidate is sitting for 'practice run'.

UCAT Exam Fees 2025

Students applying for UCAT exam 2025 are required to pay mandatory test fees at the time of test registration. Applicants can pay the necessary UCAT test fees 2025 using their debit or credit cards. The fees for UCAT exam 2025 are given below:

  • Tests taken in the UK: EUR 70

  • Tests taken outside the UK: EUR 115

Popular Medical Entrance Exams to Study Abroad

UCAT Exam Registration 2025

Candidates applying for the UCAT exam for the first time can start their registration by opening a UCAT account. The step-by-step process to apply for the UCAT test is given below:

Step one- Create a new UCAT account, if you do not have an existing account

  • Step 1: Create a UCAT Account.
  • Step 2: Register for UCAT 2025 using your legal name on your official photo ID.
  • Step 3: After registration login to your account using the username and password.
  • Step 4: Look for your candidate ID (in the format UKCAT123456) in the left corner of your account.
  • Step 5: Pay the required UCAT exam fees using your debit or credit card.
  • Step 6: Select your preferred UCAT exam centres in India.
  • Step 7: Read the testing guidelines carefully and bring only the necessary items to the testing centre.

Step Two - Book a Test from 17 June

Make sure you book the test only through your UCAT account. Once done, you will receive two confirmation emails as follows:

  • Booking confirmation mail: This mail will have all the important appointment details for the UCAT test. Keep this mail safe. You can even view all the appointment details on the UCAT account dashboard.
  • Payment confirmation email: This mail will have all the payment related details and receipts of the test fee that you have paid.

Note: Ensure your booking is made successfully prior to the booking deadline (12 noon BST, 19 September 2025). No excuses for not booking the test will not be accepted.

Accepted Photo IDs for UCAT test 2025

  • A valid passport

  • Photo-card Driver's Licence (full or provisional)

  • EU Identity Card or Irish Passport Card

  • Government-issued Identity Card from a non-EU country

Note: Students must note that it can take up to 1 working day for Pearson VUE to set up your account. If you do not receive your confirmation email from Pearson VUE with additional instructions contact Pearson VUE Customer Services.

Returning Candidates

If you are a returning candidate for UCAT and had already created a UCAT account, irrespective of whether you sat UCAT or not, the registration steps are a little different from those appearing for the first time. These are the steps:

  • Do not create a new UCAT account if you already have an existing account for registration as multiple accounts are not allowed.
  • It is highly recommended to sign in to your account before the UCAT booking opens to avoid any hassles during booking the test.
  • Candidates might get a new set of registration questions where they need to update the relevant information in different suctions like 'My Profile', 'Manage Web Account', 'Additional Information', and 'Preferences'. Those of you who don't answer these questions, you won't be allowed to book the UCAT test.

UCAT 2025 Exam Pattern

UCAT exam pattern is changed in 2025. Now the UCAT exam syllabus consists of only 3 cognitive subtests i.e. Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning along with the Situational Judgement Test. Abstract Reasoning is removed from the UCAT exam pattern. The total exam duration will be under 2 hours. The latest UCAT 2025 test pattern is provided in the table below.

UCAT Test Pattern 2025

UCAT Subtests

Questions

Sub Test Time

Verbal Reasoning

44

22 minutes

Decision Making

35

37 minutes

Quantitative Reasoning

36

26 minutes

Total ScoreCalculated by combining the individual scores from the four sections (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgment)

Situational Judgement

69

26 minutes

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning of the UCAT format assesses the ability of candidates to critically evaluate information presented in a written form. In this section, the students are given eleven passages of text, each associated with four questions. There are two different question types in this subtest:

  • A question or incomplete statement with four answer options.

  • A passage where students need to determine whether a statement is true or false.

Decision Making

This subtest analyses the ability of the candidates to make sound decisions and judgments using complex information. In this section, students are given questions that may refer to text, charts, tables, graphs, or diagrams.

Question types in Decision Making:

  • Syllogisms

  • Logical Puzzles

  • Recognising Assumptions

  • Interpreting Information

  • Venn Diagrams

  • Probabilistic and Statistical Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning tests students’ ability to critically evaluate information presented in numerical form. The questions are generally designed for problem-solving rather than a numerical facility. All the questions are generally formed referring to the charts and graphs containing data. Question types in this subtest include:

  • Most questions are presented in sets of four questions, each tied to the same data.

  • Each question has five answer options and students can select one response from the given options.

Situational Judgement

Situational Judgement measures the capacity of students to understand real-world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour to deal with them. This section has up to six questions. Candidates will be presented with realistic situations and asked to choose the most appropriate response from multiple options.

UCAT Exam Dates 2025 India

Pearson has already released the key dates for UCAT test in January 2025. The booking for UCAT account creation has opened. Students are advised to book a UCAT 2025 exam date early in the testing window. A detailed guide for the UCAT 2025 test dates has announced. The UCAT Exam is due to run from 7th July 2025 until 26th September 2025.

UCAT Exam Dates 2025

Particulars

Application Dates

UCAT Registration 2025

13th May 2025

UCAT Test Booking Opening Date

17th June 2025

UCAT Testing Starting

7th July 2025

Access Arrangement Application UCAT Deadline

16th September 2025

UCAT Booking Deadline (For 2026)

19th September 2025

UCAT Testing Last Exam Date

26th September 2025

Bursary Deadline

26th September 2025

UCAS Application Deadline

15th October 2025

UCAT Results 2025 provided to universities

Early November 2025

UCAT Exam Date Cancellation

Students can apply for UCAT test cancellation online using their UCAT account. Candidates who have completed their UCAT 2025 exam registration including accommodation can contact Pearson VUE Customer Services to cancel the exam. Candidates cannot cancel or reschedule an appointment by email.

Students applying for UCAT exam 2025 cancellation must give a notice at least 24 hours before the appointment. Candidates applying for test cancellations after the given deadline can contact Pearson VUE Customer Services to cancel the exam.

Pearson VUE Customer Service: +44 (0) 208 616 5106

UCAT Exam Reschedule

Students can use their UCAT account to apply online for rescheduling a UCAT test. Students cannot reschedule a test by email. Students must note that rescheduling of the exam is subject to the availability of appointments. Candidates must provide at least 24 hours' notice to reschedule their test, or they will have to pay again.

UCAT Exam Centres 2025 in India

UCAT test centres in India for Indian students: UCAT is delivered in over 130 countries in the world in Pearson VUE test centres. In India, UCAT exam is conducted in over 22 cities across the country. The list of all UCAT test centres in India for Indian aspirants is given below:

UCAT Exam Centres

Nagpur

Bhopal

Hyderabad

Vijayawada

Indore

Visakhapatnam

Pune

Mumbai

Surat

Bhubaneswar

Ranchi

Ahmedabad

Chennai

Jaipur

Vellore

Bangalore

Gurugram

Noida

New Delhi

Manipal

Mysore

Kolkata

UCAT Exam Preparation 2025

The UCAT exam is a challenging test for candidates who wish to move to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for higher studies. The Pearson official website offers multiple UCAT exam sample papers, videos, question banks, question tutorials, and other study materials for test-takers. A few significant UCAT test preparations are as follows:

  • Understand the UCAT exam syllabus and format.

  • Utilise free practice materials available on the UCAT official website.

  • Practice UCAT mock tests and sample papers.

  • Solve UCAT question bank to improve your knowledge.

  • Explore UCAT preparation books that offer practice questions, strategies, and tips.

  • Learn time management

UCAT Exam Score 2025

UCAT score is calculated by the number of right answers given by the students. There is no negative marking for incorrect answers. For the Cognitive Subtest, the overall UCAT 2025 score is the sum of individual scale marks obtained in five UCAT sub-tests. The overall scaled score ranges from 900-2700.

For Situational judgment scoring, if the responses of the candidates match the proper answer, students will receive full marks for the question, while partial marks will be awarded in case the response is close. Situational Judgement Test scores are expressed in one of four bands, with band 1 being the highest.

UCAT Scoring

Subtests

Scoring

Scaled Score Range

Verbal Reasoning

1 mark for each question

300-900

Decision Making

  • 1 mark for single-answer questions

  • 2 marks for multiple statement questions

  • 1 mark for partially correct answers on the multiple-statement questions

300-900

Quantitative Reasoning

1 mark for each question

300-900

Total Score900-2700

List of Universities Accepting UCAT Exam 2025

We have mentioned the popular universities that accept UCAT exam scores for higher education applications by international students. One can refer to the same given below:

Universities undertaking UCAT Exam scores

Types of UCAT exam modes for international students

Candidates can sit for UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) at a Pearson VUE test centre, and those who are unable to do so can do it via online proctoring using the OnVUE platform or sit for extended UCAT test (request for access arrangements).

Test centre-delivered UCAT test

The Pearson VUE administers the UCAT at multiple test centres worldwide. In India, these test centres are typically situated in the major cities. These centres offer a secure and distraction-free environment where no personal belongings re permitted in the testing room. Candidates need to bring a valid photo ID and a copy of their test confirmation email.

OnVUE Online Proctored UCAT

A majority of the candidates prefer sitting the computer-based UCAT at a designated test centre. Those who are unable to sit at a test centre can opt for the Online proctored testing with the help of the Pearson VUE OnVUE platform. You sit at your home or any other private location while being monitored by an offsite proctor via webcam and microphone. However, the content of the test is exactly the same as test centre-delivered UCAT exam.

When can I sit OnVUE UCAT?

Online proctored testing takes place in a different test window (7 July to 19 September). Applications can be made between 17 June (09:30 BST) and 16 September (17:00 BST).

Who can sit Online Proctored UCAT?

Candidates can only be eligible to sit OnVUE UCAT only on the following grounds:

  • Geographic grounds
  • Candidates under 18 must have a parent/guardian present at the start of their OnVUE UCAT.
  • Have all the required technical specifications and environment
  • Medical grounds

For all these special conditions, candidates are required to submit supporting evidence.

Which countries are restricted for online proctored exams?

Candidates who have their residential address in countries like China (including Macau), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, the province of Quebec (Canada), Sudan, Syria, Russia, Belarus and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Sevastopol, and Crimea regions of Ukraine are restrcited from sitting online proctored exams.

Extended UCAT test

In some special cases, access arrangements can be made for candidates with learning difficulties, disabilities and other medical conditions. However, they must be arranged in advance. The comfort aids like non-electronic ear defenders or earplugs, medicine and medical devices, mobility devices, and other coloured overlay do not need prior approval. However, these arrangements require prior approval.

  • Rest breaks
  • Extra time
  • Special accommodations
  • Access to items on your workstation (excluding comfort aids)

How to apply for Access Arrangements?

These are the steps to apply for access arrangements.

  • Step 1: Register for a UCAT Account
  • Step 2: Apply for Access Arrangements (Applications open: 13 May 2025 (9:30 BST) and Application deadline: 16 September 2025 (12 noon BST)). Apply at least 10 working days before the test date.
  • Step 3: Receive the outcome of your application within 5 working days. You should also check the junk/spam folder
  • Step 4 - Book a Test

For all these special conditions, candidates are required to submit supporting evidence. Candidates in school/college in 2025 need to provide a letter from your school/college or JCQ Form 8/9. Candidates in university in 2025 need to provide a letter from your school/college or Diagnostic Assessment Report. Candidates who left education before 2025 need to provide a Letter from your most recent school/college/university or JCQ Form 8/9 or Diagnostic Assessment Report or Letter from your GP/specialist.

What is Private Access Code (PAC)?

PAC is a unique code that is issued to candidates who are approved to take either the extended UCAT version or online proctoring version. Candidates who sit standard UCAT don't need this PAC.

How Hard is the UCAT Exam?

UCAT exam 2025 is quite hard for Indian students. It measures a candidate's critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills rather than academic knowledge. Hence, acing the UCAT test requires effective preparation. One of the most challenging aspects of the UCAT 2025 is its time-pressure test, requiring fast responses to multiple-choice questions across test sections like Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making, and Situational Judgment. Reasoning skills in the UCAT exam are also the toughest for test takers. To ace ucat 2025, candidates require consistent practice with mock exams and familiarity with the test format and using the right study materials.

UCAT Exam Result 2025

The candidates will receive a copy of their UCAT score report before they leave the Pearson VUE test centre. Students can also access their UCAT results 2025 using their UCAT accounts. Applicants can take a printout of the same or save it on their PC.

Difference between UCAT, UKCAT and UCAT ANZ?

The major differences between UCAT, UKCAT, and UCAT ANZ are the countries where these tests are accepted. The purpose of the test is quite the same as all the exam papers. Hence, the structure and content of the test remain identical across all versions; however, the only difference is the names based on their regions. Here are the key differences between the three: UCAT, UKCAT, and UCAT ANZ:

UKCAT vs UCAT vs UCAT ANZ

Exam Name

Acceptable Countries

Purpose

UKCAT

UK and other countries

Measures the cognitive skills for medical/dental schools

UCAT

United Kingdom

Identical as above

UCAT ANZ

Australia and New Zealand

Identical as above

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is UCAT exam for?

University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a computer-based, standardised examination for students looking to study medicine in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Candidates who wish to study medicine in top medical colleges in UK must qualify for the UCAT test to demonstrate their eligibility.

2. Who is eligible for the UCAT exam?

Any candidate who has completed their secondary education or higher degree from a recognised university is eligible for the UCAT exam. However, students can only appear for the test once in a year.

3. What is the UCAT score for MBBS?

There is no particular UCAT cut-off score for MBBS. Universities have different cut-off scores for UCAT to enrol potential students. Students can visit the official website of the university to know the specific UCAT score requirement for MBBS.

4. Is UCAT a hard exam?

Yes, UCAT is a hard exam for international students. It assesses a range of mental abilities identified by university medical and dental schools as important. The UCAT test pattern includes five sub-tests which are assessed separately and students must complete the test within two hours.

5. Can I give UCAT from India?

Yes, Indian students can take UCAT test in India. Students who want to study medicine or dentistry in countries like UK, Australia, and New Zealand need to appear for UCAT. 

Articles

Back to top