Admission Tests For Direct Entry To Medical Schools: UCAT ANZ Or ISAT

UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand)

The UCAT ANZ is a computer-based examination that takes 2 hours to sit. It tests aptitude rather than academic ability. Questions examine your cognitive abilities, attitudes and behaviour. School curriculum or science content are not examined, although maths and literacy play important parts.

Currently, the following healthcare professional courses in Australia and New Zealand require UCAT ANZ as part of their selection (medical courses in bold text):

• Charles Sturt University: Medicine, Dental Science
• Curtin University: Medicine
• Flinders University: Clinical Sciences/Medicine
• La Trobe University: Dental Science
• Monash University: Medicine (direct entry)
• University of Adelaide: Medicine, Dental Surgery, Oral Health
• University of Newcastle/University of New England: Joint Medical Programme
• University of New South Wales: Medicine
• University of Queensland: Medicine (provisional entry), Dental Science
• University of Tasmania: Medicine
• University of Western Australia: Medicine (direct entry), Dental Medicine (direct entry)
• Western Sydney University: Medicine
• University of Auckland: Medicine
• University of Otago: Medicine, Dentistry

The UCAT ANZ consists of five sections, each with a different number of questions, question style and marking system. These are: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning and Situational Judgement.‍‍

Each section aims to test a different component of cognition. For example, verbal reasoning tests your ability to quickly process information by answering comprehension questions based on short passages. In a similar fashion, Quantitative Reasoning aims to test your mathematical abilities, whereas Abstract Reasoning tests your ability to recognise patterns and abstract logic. Situational Judgement tests your judgement of medically relevant situations. Finally, Decision Making is a relatively new section aiming to test your ability to apply logic to specific situations to reach a decision or conclusion.

Although the UCAT ANZ is an 'aptitude' test, you can significantly improve your UCAT ANZ score with the right preparation and commitment. Medify’s UCAT ANZ Online Course has been trusted and recommended by thousands of successful medical school applicants across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. See how you can improve your UCAT ANZ score with Medify’s UCAT ANZ Online Course.

ISAT (International Students Admissions Test)

The ISAT (International Students Admissions Test) is a test for international students, developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The ISAT is required by some direct entry medical schools in Australia and may be required for entry to other health-related undergraduate programmes. It is a 3-hour computer-based test, consisting of 100 multiple choice questions spread out across two sections (Critical Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning). Section scores are provided on a scale of 100-200, and the overall score is derived by averaging these scores. You receive a percentile rank too.

The ISAT results are released within a week of the test and are valid for two years, meaning that if you sat the exam in 2020, you can use this to apply for courses starting in 2021 or 2022. 

It costs US$320 to sit the ISAT, and the testing cycle dates in 2020 are 16th-24th May, 15th-23rd August, and 21st-29th November. It should be noted that you must have at least 12 months between your sittings of ISAT.

While Medify does not currently provide ISAT courses or mock exams, relevant students may wish to check out the official ACER website for details on the exam.