The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is now an essential part of any undergraduate medicine application in the UK, so it’s vital that you understand how and when you need to register for your slot to take the test.
The process isn’t too complicated, but it’s still important that you know the process for registering for the UCAT, including where you need to register, what details you need to provide, how much it costs and the deadline that you have to sit your test by.
If you haven’t already, we would recommend exploring the basics of the UCAT before looking into registration so that you are fully aware of what the test entails and how much time you may need to prepare. If you’re ready to register though, then read on to discover everything you need to know to secure your spot.
When Do I Need To Register For The UCAT?
Unlike some admissions tests, the UCAT can be sat over a fairly long period of nearly 3 months. You will have a similar length of time to register for your slot, although there are a variety of dates to be aware of:
UCAT Dates 2024
| UCAT Component | Date |
|---|---|
| UCAT Account creation, bursary and access arrangement application open | 14th May 2024 (9:30 GMT) |
| UCAT bookings open | 18th June 2024 (6:00 GMT) |
| First UCAT test date | 8th July 2024 |
| Access arrangement application deadline | 15th September 2024 (23:59 GMT) |
| Booking and account creation deadline | 19th September 2024 (12:00 GMT) |
| Final testing day | 26th September 2024 |
| Bursary application deadline | 27th September 2024 (16:00 GMT) |
| Scores sent to universities | Early November |
As you can see, there’s a pretty wide window to get things done, but don’t leave everything to the last minute as it will add additional pressure and increase the chance of forgetting something or making a mistake.
Since you have a choice of when to sit the UCAT, there’s a fairly big question you’ll need to ask yourself:
When Should I Sit the UCAT?
With almost three months’ worth of dates to choose from, it can be hard to decide when the best time to sit your test would be. It may be obvious to sit the UCAT as close to the deadline as possible, as this will give you the most amount of time to prepare. However, this isn’t a good tactic for multiple reasons:
- The final UCAT testing date is in late September. At this point, you will have already returned to school/college from your summer holidays, so your time and attention is going to be spread across multiple areas other than the UCAT.
- Leaving your test as late as possible will make it more likely that you will also put-off your preparation. You're more likely to ask yourself "Why should I start preparing in June when the test isn't for another 3 months?"
- Many people will have left their UCAT until mid/late September. While it's unlikely, there's a small chance that your testing centre may be fully booked on the day you want to sit your test, which may leave you without an opportunity to complete the UCAT in time.
So when is a good time to take the UCAT? This will partly depend on your circumstances. If the only viable date for you to sit the test is in June, then that’s when you’ll have to take it. Taking the test as early as possible may also be desirable for some people in order to get it out the way as soon as possible, although this will leave you with less time to prepare for it as you’ll be sitting the test before the summer holidays.
From the experiences I’ve seen throughout both my studies and my time supporting applicants at UniAdmissions, I have found the time that most people feel comfortable sitting the UCAT in August. Most students will have the whole month of August off from school/college for the summer holidays, so this allows you much more time to prepare yourself for the UCAT, both practically and mentally.
Bear in mind, sitting the UCAT in August isn’t advantageous in itself; it only helps you if you put in the time and effort before the exam to effectively prepare for each sub-test within the UCAT. This should be made easier in late July and early August as you won’t be going to school, so it’s important to use that time wisely.
No matter when you sit the UCAT, be prepared to earn a top score with expert support form UniAdmissions
The date you sit your UCAT is important, but it’s more important to ensure that you’re preparing effectively for the test. Through one-to-one tuition sessions, an interactive group course and hundreds of practice questions and preparation materials, the UniAdmissions UCAT Programme will give you the best chance of acing your UCAT.
Discover our UCAT Programmes below and find out how you can enrol and triple your chances of success.
How Do I Register For The UCAT?
The registration process for the UCAT isn’t too complicated, but it’s still important that you know everything you’ll need to ensure you successfully book your slot. The entire process is done online, so it’s important that you have access to an internet-enabled device.
The first step is to create your UCAT account. As we saw, account creation typically opens in mid-May each year and is organised by Pearson VUE, the exam operator. When creating an account, you will need to provide various details, including contact details and your legal name (as it appears on any ID you hold).
Once you’ve filled out the initial form, you will need to wait up to 24 hours for your account password to be emailed to you. From there, you will be able to enter your account and make any alterations that may be necessary.
If you’ve registered before the booking start date (16th June for 2024), then you won’t be able to do anything else on your account until this date. Once bookings do begin though, you will then have the chance to book your slot.
Things To Do Before Booking The UCAT
On the date that UCAT test bookings open, you will also be able to submit requests for various additional options provided by Pearson VUE. It is important that you submit and confirm these requests before booking your testing slot for the UCAT.
UCAT Bursary
The UCAT Bursary Scheme is put in place to support applicants who may not be able to afford the fee associated with booking the UCAT.
Eligibility for the Bursary voucher – which covers the full cost of the booking – can be determined via a variety of criteria, including universal credit, asylum support, free school meals and more (a full list is available on the UCAT website. You will need to provide evidence of at least one of the available criteria to be awarded the bursary.
The deadline for bursary applications falls the day after UCAT testing finishes and the awarded voucher must be used by the 25th of October 2024.
UCATSEN
UCATSEN is one in a selection of testing options available for those with special educational needs. These additional testing options provide test-takers with additional time, rest breaks or both during their test:
- UCATSA gives the test taker a five minute break in between each sub test, although no additional testing time is awarded.
- UCATSEN gives the test taker 25% additional time, as well as an addition instruction section before each sub test, making the test 150 minutes.
- UCATSENSA gives the test taker 25% additional time and a five minute break in between each sub test, making the test 175 minutes.
- UCATSEN50 gives the test taker 50% additional time, as well as an addition instruction section before each sub test, making the test 180 minutes.
To apply for one of these options, you will need to be able to provide a supporting document with evidence of your disability. You will also need to clearly outline how much additional time and/or what breaks you will need during your test. This application needs to be completed by the 15th of September 2024.
Additional Access Requirments
There are various additional accessibility options available that will need to be booked. in advance.
Separate rooms can be requested to sit the test in, as standard Pearson VUE testing rooms accommodate up to 15 people at one time. When applying for this, you will need to specify that you need special invigilation. Pearson VUE also specifies that these rooms are subject to availability and typically are not soundproofed.
Essential medical items can be brought into the testing centre, but some may need to be specified in an access arrangements application beforehand. Pearson VUE have an approved list of ‘Comfort Aid Items’ that may be brought to a testing centre without prior booking, ranging from mobility devices to personal medical devices and aids. If you have an item that you will need to bring with you, be sure to check if it appears on this list. Any essential items not on this list will need to be approved via your application; you can contact your testing centre if you are unsure if an item is eligible.
Online testing can be offered if your needs cannot be met by your testing centre for whatever reason. This is done via a system called OnVUE. If you are eligible for OnVUE, you may be required to sit the test at your school or place of work if you attend it in person. Be aware that the testing window for OnVUE is different from standard testing (July 8th to September 20th 2024).
General accommodations such as wheelchair access desk height adjustments, font changes and coloured overlays do not need to be booked via your UCAS account, but you will need to contact Pearson VUE customer services at least 5 working days before your test date in order to confirm these options for when you arrive.
Most of these arrangements, including UCATSEN, must be requested via the Access Arrangements application form on your UCAS account. These applications must be submitted by the 15th of September to be considered.
Once you’re ready, you will be able to book your place for the UCAT via your UCAT account. There are two main factors that you’ll need to confirm when booking your test:
- The date/time slot of your test
- The testing centre that you wish to sit your test at
We’ve already explored the first point, but the location of your test is also important to consider. The UCAT is run by Pearson VUE, which specialised in computer-based tests that run on proprietary software software, so your test must be sat an official Pearson VUE testing centre.
When booking your test, you will be able to navigate a centre locator to find the centre nearest to you. There are hundreds of centres around the world, including over 100 in the UK, so there will be an accessible testing centre in most cases.
Once you’ve selected your date, time and location, and confirmed all of your details (ensure everything is correct before completing your application), then you will be able to pay the booking fee and confirm your slot. Your booking confirmation will be emailed to you, which will include all the essential details and evidence of your booking that you may need to provide to the testing centre when you arrive.
How Much Does The UCAT Cost To Sit?
UCAT UK Fees
£70
UCAT International Fees
£115
Rescheduling Your UCAT
If you need to change the testing centre or date of your UCAT test, you will be able to do this up to 24 hours before the time of your test. This can be done via your UCAT account, although there you will need to ensure that you are eligible to do so (all requirements for this are available in the UCAT Rescheduling Policy).
You are also able to cancel your test completely if you change your mind about your medicine application. This will need to be done at least 24 hours before your test time or the booking fee will not be refunded.
If you miss your test and are unable to reschedule/cancel before the 24-hour window, your booking fee will not be refunded. You will be able to rebook your appointment, but you will need to pay the full booking fee again (those who used a bursary voucher will not receive an additional voucher to cover this cost).
That covers everything you need to know about booking your UCAT slot. The process of doing this shouldn’t take too long and isn’t very difficult, so be sure to get it done as soon as possible so that you have peace of mind knowing that your slot is booked.
After this, all you need to worry about is getting yourself ready so you can achieve a high score. Remember that the UCAT is now the only admissions test used for undergraduate medicine in the UK, so you will be able to focus all of your preparation energy towards it. It may help you to know the UCAT standards of the different medical schools you’re considering, as your score could impact where you can apply.
We hope this guide has been useful to you and, if bookings are open yet, you start the process of getting your test date confirmed! Remember to plan your UCAT preparation carefully and make the most of the time you have available. Good luck!
Booked your test? Now ensure you get the score you need with UniAdmissions!
The UCAT exam is a vital component of your Medicine application so scoring highly can mean the difference between an offer or rejection. At UniAdmissions, we are experts at boosting your UCAT score and maximising your chances of earning your medicine offer through our combination of one-to-one tuition, extensive practice materials, intensive courses and more.
Discover our UCAT Programme by clicking the button below to enrol and triple your chances of success.
