UCAT Scores 2023

UCAT ANZ 2023 final scores are now available

Where can I see my UCAT ANZ scores?

Once you've sat your UCAT exam, Pearson VUE would've sent you an email confirming that your scores are ready to be viewed.

Simply log into your Pearson VUE account to view your score report.

UCAT ANZ 2023 example candidate score report

Making sense of your UCAT scores

In your report, each section of the UCAT will have a scaled score between 300-900. These are derived from your raw marks (the number of correct answers for each section).

Scaled score range for each UCAT ANZ section

The higher the performance, the greater the score. The scaled scores of the first four sections (VR, DM, QR and AR) are summed to give a total cognitive section score between 1200-3600, while the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) section is scored separately.

Final scores for UCAT ANZ 2023

The mean total scaled score (VR + DM + QR + AR) was 2563

This represents a small (0.8%) increase compared to the 2022 final score of 2543.

Across all deciles, a higher score was required to achieve the same decile in 2023. In other words, the UCAT is becoming increasingly competitive.

By using the table below, you can work out which decile you belong to. For example, if you’ve scored 2840, you’ll be in the 8th decile, meaning that you are in the top 20% of your cohort.

Decile

Total Cognitive Scaled Score

1st Decile

2160

2nd Decile

2290

3rd Decile

2384

4th Decile

2470

5th Decile

2550

6th Decile

2630

7th Decile

2730

8th Decile

2840

9th Decile

3000

To check your exact percentile, head over to the official UCAT ANZ test statistics page and scroll down to the '2023 Percentile Look Up'. This will allow you to see where your final scores sit compared to the rest of the UCAT ANZ candidates in 2023.

The total score will be used by medical and dental schools to decide who to interview and/or offer a place.

Situational Judgement Test scores

The mean SJT score was 578.

Decile

SJT Score

1st Decile

475

2nd Decile

517

3rd Decile

547

4th Decile

569

5th Decile

590

6th Decile

608

7th Decile

626

8th Decile

644

9th Decile

667

The table above can be used to work out how well you performed in the SJT section. 

For example, if your SJT score is 635, you will be in the 7th decile and around the 75th percentile.

What is a good UCAT score? What UCAT score is needed to gain an interview offer?

A good UCAT score changes from year to year, as the percentile cut-offs fluctuate over time. Usually, a UCAT ANZ score of at least 80th percentile (ideally 90th) is required for entry into medical and dental programmes, unless you have a very high ATAR or are applying from a rural or Indigenous background.

Therefore, a score of 2840 or over can be considered as a good UCAT score in 2023, and a score of 3000 or higher can be considered as very competitive.

Each university uses the UCAT ANZ in different ways. Read the following articles to find out more:

Also, make sure to:

  • Get your medical interview prep on the go. Medical or dental school interviews can be challenging; the more prepared you are, the better. Don’t leave it until the last minute to prepare; even choosing the correct outfit can take a considerable amount of time and effort.
  • Do your best to gain the highest grades for your ATAR. Combine this with a great UCAT ANZ score and a respectable interview performance, and you’ll have a solid chance of landing yourself an offer.

What if my UCAT score is not very high?

An average UCAT score does not mean the end of the road for you. If you are:

  • A local applicant, 
  • A rural applicant, 
  • An Indigenous applicant,
  • A student expecting to gain an extremely high ATAR

you may still have a chance to be offered an interview.

You should still prepare for your exams and interview as much as possible to maximise your chances.

You can also consider the following options:

Find another route

There is more than one way to get into medical or dental schools.

Some universities, such as James Cook University and Bond University, don’t require you to sit the UCAT ANZ for their medical or dental programmes. 

Apply to these universities and give the interviews and examinations everything you’ve got.

Another option is to study another undergraduate degree (ideally science-based) and apply as a graduate after sitting the GAMSAT

If you have the financial means, you can also consider studying overseas, such as the UK and Eastern Europe.

Did you know? Your UCAT ANZ scores can be used for applying to UK courses.

Try again

Consider taking a gap year and resitting the UCAT ANZ next year. 

If you decide to take this route, use Medify’s UCAT ANZ Online Course to get yourself prepared well in advance. 

We have the largest question bank in the world with 20,000+ questions. We also provide 24 full mock exams, 40+ mini mock exams, 50+ hours of video tutorials, and performance feedback. Plus, we're constantly updating and improving our mock exams and question bank to offer you the most test-like experience.

What should I do one month before my UCAT?

Graphic of calendar showing one month left

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?

Graphic of calendar showing one week left

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?

Graphic of calendar showing one day left

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?

Graphic of calendar circling today's date

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?

  1. 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. 
  2. You will be asked to sign a signature pad and take a photograph.
  3. You will be given spiral bound laminated sheets and a black marker pen. You may also request earplugs.
  4. Do not take anything other than your ID into the examination room. A locker or a coat hanger will be available.
  5. Go to the bathroom if you need to.
  6. 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).
  7. 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:

Taking the UCAT at a test centre

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:

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?

  1. Once you are ready, follow the on-screen instructions.
  2. Your exam will be in the following order:
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Decision Making
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Abstract Reasoning
  • Situational Judgement
  1. 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.
  2. If you have any issues, such as requiring a toilet break, you can quietly raise your hand. However, your time will continue running.
  3. After your exam, there may be an opportunity to answer a short optional survey on UCAT ANZ preparation and the quality of the venue.
  4. 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.
  5. Collect your belongings and leave the test centre.
  6. 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.
  7. If you’ve achieved the scores that you desire, well done.
  8. 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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