UCAT vs UMAT: What’s the difference?

UCAT vs UMAT: In Australia and New Zealand, from 2019 onwards, the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) was replaced by the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).

So what is the difference between these two? And what has changed and how does this effect you? 

UCAT vs UMAT

The UMAT was first introduced in 1991 and has been a main stay of the UMAT Consortium Universities application process for over two decades. But as of 2019 it has been replaced with the UCAT, and updated version of the UKCAT. 

The UCAT has long been used as one of the major tests for application to medical schools across the UK. And similar to the UMAT assesses students on their aptitude and situational judgement rather than their scientific knowledge.

The key difference between the UCAT vs UMAT is the format of the test. But what the test is trying to asses, your aptitude for medicine, has remained the same.

So in that regard you don’t need to worry that you have to now learn or revise anything new. It may just impact slightly the way in which you prepare and the resources that you use. And the key differences to the test are listed in the table below:

DifferenceUMATUCAT
Number of sectionsThree sectionsFive sections
Number of questions134232
Sitting the examSingle date You choose date and time at any point in July
Test duration3 hours2 hours
FormatPaperElectronic 
Table of differences

One of the key benefits of the UCAT vs UMAT is that it allows you to have a much greater degree of choice as to when you sit the test. This makes it far easier to fit your preparation around your other commitments. Whereas the UMAT was much more rigid with just a single test available.

In addition to these changes there is one other major benefit to the UCAT. And that is that sitting it will allow you to receive your results immediately following the test, rather than waiting several months for them.

This will allow for greater flexibility in making your medical applications. And will allow you to apply more strategically with the advance knowledge of your score. 

UCAT vs UMAT: Section changes

The UMAT used to comprise of three sections: Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving, Understanding People and Non-verbal Reasoning.

These have now been replaced with the five sections of the UCAT: Verbal Reasoning, Qualitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making and Situational Judgement.

As you can see the names of these sections are quite similar to those of the UCAT. And this shows that ultimately what they are assessing are very similar. Additionally, you can visit UCAT official website to get a full breakdown of what the test involves.

UCAT Subtests

UCAT vs UMAT: Timings 

As you can see in the first table one of the major differences is the total time for the tests and the number of questions. What this means is that the UCAT is an hour shorter but with almost another hundred questions. But do not worry as this is reflected in the question style and the fact they are now in an electronic format. 

UCAT timing
Timings

This means that students move through the questions much faster and the total time is now one third less as well. So the combined effect of this should hopefully make the test experience less stressful. This is because there is less pressure on each individual question.

In addition, it is now easier to practise with the electronic format using online resources. Allowing for preparation using large question banks with questions that have exactly the same format of that of the UCAT.

Conclusion

On the surface the differences between the UCAT vs UMAT may seem quite drastic. But the fundamentals of the test remain the same, with the structure and dates of the UCAT making the whole process easier to prepare for. Especially as taking the test itself is now more flexible, allowing you to fit it around your other commitments more easily. So together, this should help to give you the best chance to maximise your performance on test day. 

If you have any further questions on the differences between the two tests, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you!

FAQs

→What is the UCAT?

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a computer-based test used in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to assess aptitude and skills required for a career in medicine and dentistry.

→What is the UMAT?

The UMAT (Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test) is a paper-based test used in Australia and New Zealand to assess critical thinking and reasoning skills, as well as non-academic attributes such as empathy and communication.

→What is the difference between the UCAT and UMAT?

The main difference between the UCAT and UMAT is the format of the test. The UCAT is a computer-based test, while the UMAT is a paper-based test. The content of the tests also differs slightly, with the UCAT focusing more on aptitude and skills, while the UMAT includes a greater emphasis on non-academic attributes.

→What is the format of the UCAT?

The UCAT is a computer-based test consisting of five sections: verbal reasoning, decision-making, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, and situational judgement.

→What is the format of the UMAT?

The UMAT is a paper-based test consisting of three sections: logical reasoning and problem-solving, understanding people, and non-verbal reasoning.

→Can I take both the UCAT and UMAT?

Yes, candidates can take both the UCAT and UMAT. However, candidates should check with the universities they are applying to determine which test(s) they require.

→How should I prepare for the UCAT or UMAT?

Candidates should prepare for the UCAT or UMAT by familiarizing themselves with the test format and content, practicing past papers, and working on improving their critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Preparation courses and resources are also available online and in-person.

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985 Comments

AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor

15 February 2021

What is the best time to sit the exam, (UCAT). During VCE or after VCE

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AnonymousMedic Mind Tutor

22 January 2023

Hi, I wish to know if one does UCAT exam is the UK and scores well, will that score be useful to apply for Australian universities admission while living in the UK and going for separate Australian UCAT exam?

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anonymousMedic Mind Tutor

13 March 2023

What is the syllabus

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JYupWMLWMedic Mind Tutor

6 September 2023

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WymSkPhNMedic Mind Tutor

29 September 2023

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28 October 2023

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