UKCAT

It's almost September hence the great majority would have already taken their UKCAT already. However, I know that some people have their exam in September, therefore I have decided to forward through here some advice and tips as well as some useful websites that I haven't already mentioned in my previous post about the UKCAT: here. Even though for the 2014 entry for medicine, I hope these posts will be useful for those applying for 2015 entry and even afterwards.

This post will be short, yet hopefully handy. ^ ^
Note: In no way am I told to advertise these websites. They are simply useful in terms of peoples' reviews and opinions on them.

First, I have a few websites to mention. 

• Get Into Medicine-this website is 'made by medical students of today'. I suggest you try this website because it's free (we all like that don't we?). You will find tutorials, practice questions and UKCAT top tips. Unfortunately, they do not have a section on the Situational Judgement Test at the moment, however, hopefully they will be putting one up soon.
• Practice Questions and Useful Resources-I know this isn't really a website, but rather a link to a page in the Student Room. Although not recently updated since a few years ago, you will find a pretty long list of useful websites and links to some resources for the UKCAT.
• UKCAThelp-I would say this website is extremely useful, especially if you've already spent a lot of money on books and subscriptions to other UKCAT stuff. It's free, which is a good thing and it has an alright amount of practice sets. A bonus compared to the getintomedicine website, is that it has some practice on SJT section of the test. Furthermore, these are timed, so you can practice your timings since that aspect of the UKCAT is such a pain for like everyone. You're not alone if you find yourself worrying about your timings, pretty sure a lot were and are a little worried too. 

Secondly, make sure you imitate actual mock exam practices. 

You want to make sure you get used to sitting this sort of exam in the two hours(-ish). So here's some online mocks I've found for you guys to practice:

• KAPLAN mock.
• Pearson's Official mock practice (includes two full mocks and a short mock).
• Medify tester mock.

With them done and over with, some advice:

One or two weeks before test day

• Do practice questions everyday. Perhaps around a good 40-50 sets of questions from each sections will be a good amount.
• Plan your days. Give around 2-3 hours for UKCAT practice then make sure to take around 30 minutes to an hour's rest. Remember, you can't force revision or study if you're tired and just trying to cram things in.
• Do around two mock exams, but make sure to space them out during the days. You don't want to do a mock then do another one the next hour or so. You need to do a mock, then carefully review the sections you did, such as note down any observations you make with where you're going wrong and so on.

Few days before test day

• Complete most of the mocks available. Many say it's not the quantity but rather quality, but surely quality with quantity is better? You want as much practice with the UKCAT style questions, since you can't 'revise' much.
• Keep making notes and gathering common notes, meaning there's certain points you can sum up like for example, in the Abstract reasoning section.

Day before test day

• Keep one mock to do just to check how much you've improved. It's good to keep focus.
• After your mock, do small practises.
• However, it's time to keep calm.
• Make a list of things to pack for the test, such as glasses if needed, drink, snack (note, this food and drinks are not allowed inside test room, they are for the journey there if you feel hungry-test is two hours!), and most importantly, your DOCUMENTS! 

Test day

• Before setting off, double check you have packed everything.
• You'll have to travel to the test centre. Some will be dropped off or either individuals will have to make their way there, hence I advice you guys to set off at a time where you expect to arrive 30 minutes before your test.
• Bring a drink. People can get panicky at times like these, therefore, keep hydrated! 
• Go toilet. Self-explanatory.

Well, that's it for now. As per, if I find any other things that are useful, I'll try linking them for you guys. =)

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!