Summary
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a computer-based admissions test required for many undergraduate medicine and health science degrees in Australia and New Zealand. This guide explains what the UCAT involves, who needs to take it, and how Matrix supports students.
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT is an approximately 2-hour, computer-based admissions test used by universities across Australia and New Zealand to select students for medicine, dentistry, and other health-related programs.
It is designed to assess a student’s cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and personal qualities like empathy and decision-making.
Who needs to sit the UCAT?
Students who want to apply for undergraduate medical or health science degrees at UCAT-participating universities must sit the UCAT in the year they complete Year 12.
Examples of relevant degrees include:
Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Clinical Sciences
When is the UCAT held?
Test window: Typically from the 1st of July to early August
Registration opens: March
Registration closes: Around mid-May
Late booking deadline: Late May (additional fee applies)
Students must book their test directly via the official UCAT ANZ website.
What does the UCAT assess?
The test includes four subtests:
Verbal Reasoning – Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a written form.
Decision Making – Assesses the ability to make sound decisions and judgements using complex information and logical reasoning.
Quantitative Reasoning – Assesses the ability to critically evaluate information presented in a numerical form.
Situational Judgement – Measures the capacity to understand real-world situations and to identify critical factors and appropriate behaviour in dealing with them.
Each section is timed and scored separately.
How can students prepare?
The UCAT is not based on school content, so preparation involves becoming familiar with the UCAT question types and format, learning strategies with which to approach the questions, practicing under timed conditions, and improving speed and accuracy.
Many students begin preparing at the very end of Year 11 or in Term 1 or 2 of Year 12 to allow time for:
Learning the test format
Practising question types
Building test endurance and time management
Does Matrix offer UCAT preparation?
Matrix offers the UCAT Preparation Course to help students prepare. The course gives students:
Four lessons, each outlining one of the subtests, the types of questions it contains, and strategies for identifying and answering the questions.
Online access to additional resources on each question type.
Online access to practice questions to allow students to work on their accuracy and speed.
Online access to practice exams, using an exam simulator, so students can build their stamina under realistic exam conditions.
Reporting on performance across the subtests and question types, and performance relative to the larger cohort of students.
The courses are offered as both face-to-face and online courses, the content of both formats is identical. The additional online content and practice questions and exams are offered through UCAT Masterclass.
Where can I learn more?
Click here for more information about UCAT and Matrix’s course offering.
For full details about the UCAT, including test dates, registration, and preparation tips, visit the official UCAT ANZ website: www.ucat.edu.au