Resitting the UCAT ANZ as a Reapplicant
Not getting into medical or dental school can be a hugely frustrating and disappointing experience, but it doesn’t mean it’s the end of your admissions journey. We all fall down at some points in life, and that’s okay. What matters is how you pick yourself back up, reflect on what happened, and use your experience as motivation to achieve your dream.
As an aspiring medical or dental student, you’ll know that the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a major obstacle that you need to overcome within the admissions process. After all, your UCAT score can make or break an application. As this score is only valid for one year, regardless of how you did previously, you’ll be required to sit the UCAT ANZ test again.
Try not to let this negatively affect you. Don’t forget that you have a unique advantage over new applicants as you’ve already sat the exam. You know exactly what’s expected of you, what sections and question types you excelled at, and where you fell short. Use this as an opportunity to increase your score when you sit the UCAT again, in order to maximise your chances of acceptance.
In this article, we share our top advice and suggested approaches for resitting the UCAT ANZ as a reapplicant, to get you one step closer to securing your spot at medical or dental school. Before delving into the specifics, remember to revisit the basics of UCAT preparation in our UCAT blogs.
Table of contents
Adopt a fresh and positive mindset
Review your preparation resources
Go through the UCAT study cycle
Be intentional with UCAT practice
Check for any updates
Simulate the UCAT exam
Prepare for test day
Adopt a fresh and positive mindset
If you previously did well in the UCAT, you shouldn’t become complacent and assume that you’ll perform just as well again. UCAT tests certain skills which can erode away with time if they’re not practised. If your UCAT score was disappointing, now is an opportune time to reflect on your shortcomings and start afresh to change the outcome.
Going through the process of applying to study medicine or dentistry for a second (or third) time can be challenging, so it’s important to keep a positive mindset. You aren’t the same person who made that application last time – you have new experiences, and potential for growth, that can help you to secure an offer.
Reapplicants can bring greater maturity, motivation, and insight to an application, having worked longer and harder to try and secure a spot at medical or dental school. So the key takeaway is to learn from your previous application, and use this knowledge to your advantage when you resit your UCAT (and throughout the reapplication process for medicine or dentistry). Don’t forget to check that your desired universities accept reapplicants!
Review your preparation resources
UCAT is an aptitude test that assesses skills required for medical and dental professionals. As a result, there is no formal syllabus or curriculum as you would have for school exams. This means it’s critical to understand how to prepare effectively by carefully choosing preparation materials from trusted sources.
You should work through the official UCAT practice exams and question banks and use as many supplementary resources as needed, such as an online UCAT preparation course and YouTube videos. If you're looking for more hands-on support, you could also check UCAT courses and tutors
Engaging with resources in a meaningful way is also important. Reflect on the resource(s) that you used last time by using the following flowchart:
Go through the UCAT study cycle
We recommend going through the following cycle to prepare for the UCAT:
1) Simulation – sit a full length mock exam to assess your current ability level
2) Reflection – review your performance to identify your weaknesses
3) Learning – go through tutorials to learn how to overcome your weaknesses
4) Practice – do some practice questions/mini-mocks and experiment with different strategies
Finally, sit another mock exam, to restart the UCAT study cycle. Repeating this cycle will enable you to keep improving your performance over time. Take a look at our UCAT ANZ revision roadmap for a full breakdown of our recommended approach to UCAT preparation.
Be intentional with UCAT practice
While the ideal time frame for UCAT preparation will vary from person to person, the general consensus is that the longer you give yourself, the less stressed and better prepared you are. We also know that in Australia, students prepare much earlier than students in the UK, and score higher in the UCAT.
Having said this, what matters most is being intentional with your practice. This means practising in an effective way, such as following our UCAT study cycle above. After all, it wouldn’t make sense to study for the UCAT for over a year, but spend this time using ineffective techniques such as ignoring weaknesses and only practising what you’re already good at. You should aim to give yourself as much time as required to go through the UCAT study cycle as many times as needed, while avoiding burnout.
You can use your previous preparation period as a benchmark:
- Did you start to cram in revision just before your test date?
- Were you unable to significantly increase your score while preparing?
- Did you give yourself plenty of time to prepare but still didn’t get the score you wanted?
If you ran out of time while preparing for the UCAT previously, give yourself longer to revise this time round, while also ensuring you’re intentional with your practice.
If you felt you had enough time to prepare, or struggled to make significant progress while revising, take a look at your study approaches. For instance, you may need to spend more time practising subtests that you find more challenging (although remember not to neglect the ones that you naturally find easier). Don’t be afraid to experiment with a range of techniques to see what works best for you.
Check for any updates
Check for any changes to the UCAT since you last took the admissions test, such as new question types and updates to rules, which will be communicated on the official UCAT ANZ website. You can also bookmark our live updates page and refer to it regularly for the latest news on medical and dental school admissions.
You should also check the latest UCAT requirements for dental and medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. Most courses require the UCAT, but you should look at how each university will use the UCAT (including any specific requirements for Situational Judgement), and be aware of any cut-off scores.
Use this information to apply tactically to increase your chances of securing your spot. For instance, if you don’t score highly in the UCAT when you resit the exam, you should apply to universities that don’t place as much weight on the UCAT. If you achieve a high UCAT score, apply for dental or medical schools that heavily weigh the UCAT.
Simulate the UCAT exam
Try to simulate the UCAT test environment as much as you can when you practise, such as sitting mocks at the same time as when you'll take the test, and under the same conditions (don’t pause or restart tests, and try to avoid any distractions). Make sure you sit enough mock exams throughout your preparation period to really hone your skills.
Here are some other things to keep in mind when sitting a mock exam:
- Use keyboard shortcuts and the on-screen calculator
- Pacing yourself is key – learn how to tackle UCAT timing
- Try not to get caught out by challenging questions – if you find a question too hard, guess or flag it, and then move on
- There’s no negative marking for the UCAT, so provide an answer for every question
- Don’t be afraid to guesstimate if needed – that means looking at the answer options and trying to identify which one is the most sensible, and which ones are complete outliers that you want to avoid
Check out our article on how to ace the UCAT for more tips.
Prepare for test day
Make sure that you apply any learnings from when you previously sat the UCAT. Reflect on what went well and didn’t go well to ensure that you resit the test in the best state possible. For example:
- Did you arrive late to the test centre?
- Did you drink too much coffee the night before and couldn’t sleep well?
- Did you drink too much liquid beforehand and had to rush to the toilet during the test?
Don’t forget, the period leading up to test day is equally as important as the day itself. Look after your mental and physical health during this time – this includes having a healthy and balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding burnout (such as not overdoing practice questions close to the exam).
If you experience heightened anxiety on your test day, take comfort in knowing that everyone will be feeling stress to some degree during your UCAT exam. Your heart will probably be racing, but you'll soon get into a flow state where anxiety won't always be there. Remember that every time a UCAT section finishes, you have one minute. We recommend taking a moment to relax, forgetting about the section you just did, and focusing on what’s next.
For more information on what to do in the period leading up to your UCAT, as well as how to tackle the day itself, read our UCAT test day preparation article.
Succeed in the UCAT with Medify
1 in 2 prepare for the UCAT with Medify. Our UCAT ANZ Online Course provides:
- 24 full mock exams designed to simulate the real UCAT
- Performance feedback to help you identify weaknesses and reflect on your performance
- 50+ hours of video tutorials to show you how to address your weaknesses
- 20,000+ questions and 40+ mini-mocks to allow you to practise weaker topics
We've also upgraded our UCAT mock exams 13–24 and revised our practice question bank to enrich your UCAT preparation journey.
What should I do one month before my UCAT?
Keep practising! A month sounds like a long time, but time will quickly vanish. Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals such as reaching a certain score by a certain date or time.
Niche down even further on your weaknesses – by this stage you should just be focusing on what you find hardest. Make sure you factor in breaks and days off into your schedule, as well as any important events which you need to attend.
Read the 'Good medical practice' by the Medical Board of Australia if you haven’t already. It will inform you about the different duties of healthcare professionals and how they should respond to different scenarios, which is essential for the Situational Judgement Test section of the UCAT.
Try Medify's Skills Trainers, such as inference scanning for Verbal Reasoning, to maximise your score (these are included in our UCAT ANZ Online Course). Make sure you've also completed plenty of UCAT practice tests.
The UCAT exam is two hours with no breaks in between, so practise at least two hours each time to build your mental stamina. You should also simulate the exam environment as closely as possible – this means treating every mock test as if it were a real one.
For instance, you should sit mock exams at the same time of the day as your actual UCAT exam and ensure there are no distractions. By mirroring the test conditions, not only will it prepare you for what to expect on test day, it should also help to decrease any anxiety leading up to the exam. Otherwise, your brain has to process the ‘new’ way of completing the test.
What should I do one week before my UCAT?
At this point, you'll know the format of the exam inside out and will have practised the questions enough times to get used to UCAT timings. Don’t give up – keep preparing in an environment where you cannot be interrupted.
Remember, a lot of your preparation will have been done in the weeks and months before this final week, so be careful not to overdo it and become too fatigued. Your motivation may drop or you might ‘peak’ before the test. Your body needs rest too.
Now is a great time to introduce or increase self-care in your regime. Whether it’s watching Netflix, gaming, or just running a bath, it’s important to detach yourself from UCAT revision from time to time to avoid the risk of burnout.
In this week you should also prioritise your nutrition and sleep. Eat well, do not miss meals and keep hydrated. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep in the days before the test by avoiding late night cramming or staying awake into the early hours.
If it puts your mind at rest, you can check last year’s UCAT scores, but remember that this is all about your personal journey and performance, so don't get hung up on that information!
What should I do one day before my UCAT?
We do not advise doing a mock this close to the exam. Revision won't help you much at this stage and can actually leave you worse off. Instead, use this time to wind down and get yourself into a relaxed state. This will enable you to perform at your best on test day.
Try to get to bed early and avoid things that can affect sleep, such as looking at your phone before bed. If you think that you will struggle to sleep on time, you could try doing some exercise during the day to tire yourself out.
Exercise can boost your brainpower by oxygenating your brain, helping you learn and aid sleep. Plus, activity makes your body release endorphins, which can reduce anxiety and stress levels.
Make sure you double check your UCAT test centre information, the travel route to the test centre, the time of your UCAT exam, and so on, so you’re well prepared for test day. If someone else is giving you a ride to the test centre, it’s worth reminding them.
What should I do on the day of my UCAT?
You should start the day off with a nutritious breakfast and give yourself enough time to arrive early to the test centre to avoid feeling flustered, rushed or stressed.
Remember that buses and trains can be late and that traffic may be heavier than you had hoped, so allow extra time whichever way you are travelling. Find out how to choose a UCAT test centre.
Make sure you know how to get to the test centre – for instance you could consider taking a map with you. If you’re using your phone for directions, make sure it’s sufficiently charged and that you have spare data (otherwise you can download the map ahead of time to use offline).
On test day you will be expected to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled test time to complete the check-in process.
You need to bring:
- Your test confirmation email
- Photographic ID from the approved list
When you arrive at the test centre, it’s likely that you’ll be experiencing a heightened sense of adrenaline. This is completely normal, but it could be helpful to learn some mindfulness tricks to reduce your stress levels. For instance, you could focus on your breathing to help you relax.
Don’t forget, during your test there are one minute introductions between each subtest. You can skip these, but we recommend using the time to mentally refresh yourself.
If you’ve stuck to your revision plan, and followed our advice above, the best thing you can do on test day is to try and keep as calm as possible. Take solace in the fact that you have prepared for weeks/months to get to this point, and channel any nervous energy into doing the best you can during your UCAT test.
What should I eat and drink leading up to the UCAT?
You should think about your diet well ahead of UCAT test day. Focus on foods that release energy slowly (that is, which have a low glycaemic index, or GI) which will stop you from feeling hungry. These are ideal for UCAT preparation, as well as on test day itself.
Try eating protein and low-GI carbohydrates, such as meat or baked beans, brown (whole grain) rice or pasta, or wholegrain breakfast cereals or muesli. However, do not stray far from your usual diet on the day of the test in case you feel sick. You may want to try these foods out at the same time of day a few weeks in advance.
Be wary of energy drinks and coffee. If you’re not used to them then don’t drink them, especially in large quantities. Caffeine can acutely increase anxiety, and the sugar rush of an energy drink is soon followed by insulin slamming on the brakes, leaving you feeling worse than before. These products are no substitute for a good night’s sleep, eating properly and exercising.
No food or drink is allowed in the test room so eat a healthy meal before your UCAT test and ensure you’re hydrated. While you should make sure you’re drinking enough water, do not overdo it, otherwise you might need the toilet while the timer is ticking.
Please note, access arrangements are available if you have a disability, learning difficulty or long-term medical condition. You may be entitled to extra time and/or rest breaks, and allowed certain items, such as water, at your test centre workstation.
What happens at the UCAT test centre?
- At the registration desk, you will be asked to show a valid photographic ID and a printed/electronic copy of your confirmation email from Pearson VUE.
- You will be asked to sign a signature pad and take a photograph.
- You will be given spiral bound laminated sheets and a black marker pen. You may also request earplugs.
- Do not take anything other than your ID into the examination room. A locker or a coat hanger will be available.
- Go to the bathroom if you need to.
- Once the staff have prepared your exam, you may enter the exam room. You may be asked to undergo a body check (e.g. turning up your pockets and rolling your sleeves).
- The staff will guide you to the seat, or you may be able to choose your desk. Take some time to prepare yourself and relax. Your two hours have not yet started.
What is the UCAT test environment like?
This image shows a typical UCAT test environment:
There is no audio element to the test, but you can request earplugs to block out any noise that might disrupt your concentration.
You will have access to a basic onscreen calculator which may be useful for the Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Making sections.
You will be given a laminated notebook and marker pen. Consider using these for:
- Quantitative Reasoning: Noting down numbers during multi-step workings
- Abstract Reasoning: Writing down mnemonics for pattern recognition
- Decision Making: Noting calculations and drawing diagrams
If you require an additional notebook and pen, you can raise your hand and ask the invigilator. Although the invigilator will check that your pen is working before the test, we advise double-checking this to avoid seeking assistance during the test.
What happens during my UCAT test?
- Once you are ready, follow the on-screen instructions.
- Your exam will be in the following order:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Decision Making
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Abstract Reasoning
- Situational Judgement
- You will have one minute before each section to read the instructions. You can skip it, but this will not give you an extra minute to answer the questions. Use this time to give your mind a quick break.
- If you have any issues, such as requiring a toilet break, you can quietly raise your hand. However, your time will continue running.
- After your exam, there may be an opportunity to answer a short optional survey on UCAT ANZ preparation and the quality of the venue.
- Raise your hand when you've finished and the examiner will guide you out of the exam room. You need to return your laminated board and marker pen.
- Collect your belongings and leave the test centre.
- Your UCAT ANZ results will be emailed to you shortly (usually between 30 minutes and one hour). All results will be delivered to UCAT ANZ Consortium universities automatically.
- If you’ve achieved the scores that you desire, well done.
- Even if you haven’t achieved the scores you wanted, congratulate yourself for getting through a really tough process. You've done exceptionally well just to get to this point. Plus, you can always take the UCAT again next year or consider graduate entry to medicine – do not give up on your dream!
Do you need help preparing for the UCAT ANZ? Head over to our UCAT ANZ Online Course and we’ll get you signed up to guide you through the whole process.
We provide a huge bank of 20,000+ questions, 24 unique full mock exams, 40+ mini-mock exams, 50+ hours of video tutorials, and performance feedback. We've also upgraded our UCAT mock exams 13-24 and revised our practice question bank to enrich your preparation journey.
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