The University College Admissions Test (UCAT) is the main entrance exam for most medical and dental schools in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. It is a computer-based test designed to assess the cognitive abilities and attitudes important for clinical education. With the removal of the BMAT, all UK medical schools, including Oxford and Cambridge, now rely on the UCAT for entry to undergraduate courses.

The UCAT consists of verbal reasoning, decision-making, situational judgement and quantitative reasoning tests. The quantitative reasoning section is 36 questions in 24 minutes and assesses numerical problem-solving skills using information from tables and graphs. Only GCSE level maths is required, but speed in calculations is also important.

The UCAT is a multiple-choice and time-consuming test with no essay section. The scores for each subtest range from 300 to 900, and the total UCAT score is calculated based on the sum of the subtest scores. High scores can help students have a better chance at admissions interviews.

Most medical and dental schools in the UK and many medical programs in Australia and New Zealand use UCAT scores to select applicants. Universities usually set a minimum score for the UCAT and invite applicants above a certain percentage for interviews. High UCAT scores can compensate for lower academic scores, and vice versa.

For Iranian students interested in studying at medical schools in the UK or Australia, preparing for the UCAT exam is essential. Practicing and learning strategies for each question type and doing timed practice are important steps in the preparation. Students can take the test at Pearson VUE centers in different countries, so if local options are not available, they can travel to nearby countries like Turkey or the UAE. A high UCAT score, combined with excellent academic grades, significantly increases the chances of admission to prestigious medical schools.