, General - Tips and Tricks
The main challenge the UCAT posses is the time restraints. The questions
themselves are not inherently difficult but are difficult to do under the allotted
time. It is for this reason that you should begin doing questions under timed
conditions as soon as possible. Give yourself a little while to get used to the
question and to try out the tips and tricks that are mentioned in this booklet
but it is better to start getting used to the timings sooner rather than later.
Within this booklet you will find the timings clearly marks out at the start of
each section.
As just mentioned, time is of the essence so speed reading is also another skill
that you need to master. The less time you spend reading the question means
more time can be spent thinking and giving an accurate answer.
Another important aspect to understand about the UCAT is that each question
in each section is worth the same number of marks yet you will find the
questions inherently vary in difficulty and naturally you will find some
questions types in each section easier/harder than others. Therefore, another
skill you need to master is the art of prioritisation. As you near your exam date
you should be able to recognise just by looking at a question whether you
think you’d be able to do it in the allotted time or whether it is best to just
guess, flag and then move on. You can therefore ensure you get through all
the “easier” questions and pick up as many marks as possible.
It should be noted that no one gets full marks or even close in the UCAT. It is
all about trying to get as many marks as you can, not trying to get all the
marks.
Finally, it very important you use an online question bank if possible. This
helps you get used taking an online exam as it is not something many people
are used to and is significantly different to taking a normal pen and paper
exam.
Another benefit to using an online question bank is practising keyboard
shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts help you navigate through the exam much
faster helping to save crucial seconds each time you progress from one
question to the next which then ultimately allows you spends the time saved
on gaining more marks. The main keyboard shortcuts are:
o ALT + N: This allows you to move on to the next question without
having to move the cursor and click the “next” button.
o ALT + F: This allows you to flag a question meaning you can then go
back to it more quickly, if need be, at the end of a section.
The main challenge the UCAT posses is the time restraints. The questions
themselves are not inherently difficult but are difficult to do under the allotted
time. It is for this reason that you should begin doing questions under timed
conditions as soon as possible. Give yourself a little while to get used to the
question and to try out the tips and tricks that are mentioned in this booklet
but it is better to start getting used to the timings sooner rather than later.
Within this booklet you will find the timings clearly marks out at the start of
each section.
As just mentioned, time is of the essence so speed reading is also another skill
that you need to master. The less time you spend reading the question means
more time can be spent thinking and giving an accurate answer.
Another important aspect to understand about the UCAT is that each question
in each section is worth the same number of marks yet you will find the
questions inherently vary in difficulty and naturally you will find some
questions types in each section easier/harder than others. Therefore, another
skill you need to master is the art of prioritisation. As you near your exam date
you should be able to recognise just by looking at a question whether you
think you’d be able to do it in the allotted time or whether it is best to just
guess, flag and then move on. You can therefore ensure you get through all
the “easier” questions and pick up as many marks as possible.
It should be noted that no one gets full marks or even close in the UCAT. It is
all about trying to get as many marks as you can, not trying to get all the
marks.
Finally, it very important you use an online question bank if possible. This
helps you get used taking an online exam as it is not something many people
are used to and is significantly different to taking a normal pen and paper
exam.
Another benefit to using an online question bank is practising keyboard
shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts help you navigate through the exam much
faster helping to save crucial seconds each time you progress from one
question to the next which then ultimately allows you spends the time saved
on gaining more marks. The main keyboard shortcuts are:
o ALT + N: This allows you to move on to the next question without
having to move the cursor and click the “next” button.
o ALT + F: This allows you to flag a question meaning you can then go
back to it more quickly, if need be, at the end of a section.
