UKCAT&Medicine

I am aware that this post may not apply to all of you, hence it is only a few that may require/find this post useful. I know I'm not the most useful person, but I would like to try my best in helping those with their UKCAT.

To begin with: what the test is about.

What is the UKCAT and what is it for?

The UKCAT is an acronym for United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test, taken just like a driving test on a computer and in timed conditions.
Self-explanatory in the name, it is a test-durgh. An aptitude test designed to pick out very able students, therefore it is used in University applications for Medical School (and Dental Schools). Note that not all medical schools require students to take the UKCAT however, since it's first 'official launch' in 2006 (I think?), the majority of the Universities in UK now take the test into account or use it as a sort of 'tie-braker' decision thing. In fact 26 out of 31 Medical Schools in the United Kingdom require prospective medical students to sit the UKCAT. Those wishing to study medicine in the UK, take the test during the summer before they apply since applications for medicine are submitted much earlier than other courses. Other Universities also require applicants to take the BMAT.



Why post about it you say? Well for those who are not even thinking of Medicine, then this is not the post for you guys. Everyone's different and we can't all have every single person applying for the same occupation. Therefore for those thinking or those who are already in the process of applying, then I hope to of some help for you guys. ^ ^ (I say "hope" quite a lot don't I? HaHa). Certainly those who apply or will be applying are/should be active in researching what they need to do and what they should be willing to do. Please forgive me if I don't give sufficient information, there is only a limited amount of information, an individual not involved with the runnings and applications, can know. This post will mainly be, in a way, a sort of platform that will hopefully direct you. I will forward useful links that you may be able to make use of!

UKCAT. This test is not something you 'revise' for, like Mathematics, it is something you can only do through practice. You don't do 'intense' studying like for the GCSEs or AS/A Levels (done in the UK) and like sit in your room or study room for hours and hours, only coming out to eat. Nope! It's practice at each subtest. For example, do like 10-20 subtests (of 5 questions) each day, treat them as if they're normal(-ish) questions. You're trying to build up technique and knowledge of these questions not necessarily the topics. There aren't specific topics in which you need to revise for, rather there are 'types' of questions/subtests that constant going-overs are needed.

There are five subtests that make up the UKCAT:

1. Verbal Reasoning
2. Quantitative Reasoning
3. Abstract Reasoning
4. Decision Analysis
5. Situational Judgement Test

There used to be only four, however, last year 2012 they decided to test out a 'new' subtest and this 2013, they will actually be using it.

I could go into detail about each section and more about the UKCAT, but I think that Medify is a very useful website indeed to use in preparation for your test. Please use this website! I am in no way sponsored or told to recommend this, however, I personally felt the need to share this extremely good site. You know, it's good to share good things. =) As of this post, their website homepage should look like this:

Note, there are plenty of other websites out there available to use for your preparation hence Medify is simply an example. As well as online practice, there are courses that run all over the country. They're good, however they unfortunately do cost a considerable amount, well into the hundreds and varying depending on which company, etc. When looking at things like these, you need to think carefully. Are they good? Are they worth it for the money? Do you need extra support to prepare yourself for the test? Medify does have a small fee to be able to make use of it's features, however, think of it as an investment for your future-it will be worth it despite the cost, which in a way is pretty reasonable. 

Another way to get practice are books which can be found in bookstores or by searching them online. I don't know a great deal of books available that help you practice for them, but I do have two which I can use as examples: Get Into Medical School and UKCAT for Dummies (<--what a name, I know). 

Applying for Medicine:

Such an IMPORTANT factor to be done even before applying for Medicine is getting Work Experience, and also Volunteering done. You need to show to the Universities that you are committed to do extra to help others and demonstrate skills which will be utilised in the future as a Doctor. The length of time of your Volunteering is important, I have been told you should have done at least over a year, however, it is not by how much and how long you've done volunteering for, but in fact how much you have learnt from your experience. This is something they look for in Personal Statements. Nowadays, Universities are not just looking for bright students to be Doctors, but now committed, passionate and all-rounded ones. Examples could be at a Primary School, Care home, or at a Hospital.

Be active in your journey of your application process. That is key to being a successful applicant. 

Keep in-the-know by checking out topics such as University requirements and other things related on the Student Room. There you will find forums with questions that have been answered, discussed or currently being answered or discussed.

Go to University Open Days. Don't just pick out Universities that sound/looks good, make sure you check them out. Sometimes it isn't possible for you to check them out through Open Days for a few reasons, therefore find a way. Book a guided tour/campus tour of the specific campus for medicine. Ask around, like with teachers, through the Student Room or email the admissions at the Universities. Think about it, yes it's a blessing for a place for any medical school, but you'll be living there for around 5 or 6 years. It's indeed important to choose a place you can live there for a few years. 

Start drafting your Personal Statement. Many/majority of the people in your college won't yet be thinking of doing theirs since their application submission is later that medical students. This means, get bullet pointing first on what key points you want to make. Remember there is a word limit, which many people find is the challenging part-to sound convincing in a short character count given. However, if you have your UKCAT early in the Summer, then you should focus on your UKCAT then completely focus on your Personal Statement. Many Universities will look at your PS, and it is through these few words that they may have a  judgement on your personality/character and then hopefully consider you for an interview. As well as Volunteering-related stuff on your PS, having extra-curricular activities is good. Again, it's not about what they are (although they should be useful ones like sports clubs) and how many activities you do, but how you explain it's relevance to Medicine and how your skills (it's all about skills, it seems) you learn and develop show you are a worthy student that they NEED. They know you're smart, or else you wouldn't be applying for the course, what they look for is the person. Erm, I'm not so sure if you'd be able to understand that-makes sense? HaHa.

So let's talk Doctors. That's what applying for Medicine is all about right? Those willing to sacrifice some time and dedicate their efforts to help others is what Medicine is. Something I completely forgot to mention and hyperlink on is the Good Medical Practice which is from the GMC. Take time reading this. Evidently you won't read  this all in one go but occasionally like a few days a week, start to read your way through this important website. Nowadays, as probably mentioned before, they don't just want smart people for Medicine, but in fact they want GOOD Doctors, the Doctors of the modern-day world. You need to have the skills, qualifications and somewhat a good personality, because most Doctors spend their profession interacting with either colleagues, patients or patients' relatives hence one needs people skills! And of course, don't just read, but also reflect. That's all I'm gonna say about that, it's up to you as an individual what reflect really is. ;) 

Yup, I hope you guys applying for Medicine found it somewhat useful, even in a little way that would make me really happy. ^__^"

If I find any more useful things worth noting then I will update. =)

Bon Chance for all of us! > <

NOTE: I have a few other sources to link in, but I'll do that by next week!