UCAT ANZ ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

What access arrangements are provided? 

UCATSEN and its two offshoots is the term used for the UCAT exam for students with specific learning difficulties or disabilities, such as dyslexia. Those with specific medical conditions or temporary injury are also entitled. In UCATSEN, you may be allowed extra time, rest breaks or accommodations according to your needs.  There are also provisions for those that require a separate room, access to provisions and a specific arrangement of the room setting. Unfortunately, there is no provision for students seeking a paper based exam, a computer reader, a scribe or unlimited rest breaks.

There are several types of UCATSEN which are assigned to candidates based off of their individual requirements, each giving the candidate different amounts of time for each section. The below information is correct for the 2022 sitting of the UCAT ANZ exam. Find our more information here.

UCATSEN
UCATSEN

How much extra time do I get in the access arrangements?

The short answer – it depends! Here is a short breakdown, we go into more detail later:

  • UCATSA: Standard UCAT exam with additional rest breaks
  • UCASEN: 25% extra time
  • UCATSENSA: 25% extra time and additional rest breaks

UCAT – Standard exam timing:

Exam SectionInstruction SectionExam time
Verbal Reasoning1 minute21 minutes
Decision Making1 minute31 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning1 minute24 minutes
Abstract Reasoning1 minute13 minutes
Situational Judgement1 minute26 minutes

UCATSA – Standard UCAT exam with rest breaks:

Exam SectionInstruction SectionExam time
Verbal Reasoning5 minutes21 minutes
Decision Making5 minutes31 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning5 minutes24 minutes
Abstract Reasoning5 minutes13 minutes
Situational Judgement5 minutes26 minutes
UCATSA Timing

UCATSEN – 25% extra time:

Exam SectionInstruction SectionExam time
Verbal Reasoning1 minute 15 seconds26 minutes 15 seconds
Decision Making1 minute 15 seconds38 minutes 45 seconds
Quantitative Reasoning1 minute 15 seconds30 minutes
Abstract Reasoning1 minute 15 seconds16 minutes 15 seconds
Situational Judgement1 minute 15 seconds32 minutes 30 seconds
UCATSEN Timing

UCATSENSA – 25% extra time and rest breaks:

Exam SectionInstruction SectionExam time
Verbal Reasoning5 minutes26 minutes 15 seconds
Decision Making5 minutes38 minutes 45 seconds
Quantitative Reasoning5 minutes30 minutes
Abstract Reasoning5 minutes16 minutes 15 seconds
Situational Judgement5 minutes32 minutes 30 seconds
UCATSENSA Timing

Am I at a disadvantage sitting the access papers instead of UCAT?

The short answer is no!

Just like how getting extra time in exams at school doesn’t disadvantage you in any way with university applications, the UCATSEN will not affect the way universities see you. Medical schools won’t even know that you sat the UCATSEN, as it is the same exam as the UCAT, but with more time.

It is important that when applying to medical school, if asked, that you disclose if you have learning difficulties or disabilities, purely so that the university can make sure they are supporting you in your education as best they can. You will be surprised that it is estimated 10% of medical students have specific learning difficulties, with a proportion only being diagnosed while at medical school. Therefore, it is something not to worry about when applying to medical school, and something that should not put you off, especially when thinking about the UCAT entrance examination.  

Top tips for preparing for the UCATSEN:

Having helping students pass the UCAT with high scores for a number of years, we have come up with our top tips not just for the UCAT, but also for students sitting the UCATSEN. Do check out our resources for helping you pass the UCAT with a high score, as these will be especially beneficial to students with specific learning difficulties. 

Practice with correct timings

It may sound obvious but once you have found out exactly how much extra time you get in your exam (usually an additional 25%) make sure you are practicing with the use of that extra time. It will help you to get the best feel for the exam.

What are you really good at?

Many students with specific learning difficulties who will be sitting the UCATSEN are very good at other aspects that the UCAT tests, such as the abstract reasoning or quantitative reasoning, so don’t worry if you really struggle with the verbal reasoning section, as this is only ¼ of your score. You can use the other sections you are good at to increase your overall mark. 

Final Note on the UCATSEN

So that’s it! I hope you found this article useful on UCATSEN Timings. The next steps would be to do some UCATSEN Practice under timed conditions and apply all you have learned!

If you’re looking for some extra support, it might be worth checking out our UCAT Tutoring where we can pair you up with a UCATSEN Tutor i.e. a current Medical Student who sat the UCATSEN and can give you their own insight into their own UCAT! – Click here to find out more.

Try UCAT Tutoring today:
UCAT Tutoring

FAQs

→What are UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements?

UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements are adjustments that can be made to the UCAT ANZ test to cater to the needs of test-takers with disabilities or other medical conditions. These arrangements can include extra time, rest breaks, or specialized equipment.

→Who is eligible for UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements?

UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements are available to test-takers who have a documented disability or medical condition that would otherwise hinder their ability to take the test. Examples of eligible conditions include dyslexia, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.

→How do I apply for UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements?

To apply for UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements, you must complete an application form and provide documentation that verifies your disability or medical condition. The application form and documentation must be submitted by the UCAT ANZ registration deadline.

→What types of UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements are available?

UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements can include extra time, rest breaks, a separate testing room, and specialized equipment such as a reader or a scribe. The specific arrangements that are available will depend on the individual needs of the test-taker and will be determined by the UCAT ANZ accommodations team.

→Will UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements affect my scores?

No, UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements are designed to level the playing field for test-takers with disabilities or medical conditions. The accommodations provided will not affect the content of the test or the way in which it is scored.

→Can I make changes to my UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements after submitting my application?

Yes, you can request changes to your UCAT ANZ Access Arrangements after submitting your application, but you must do so before the registration deadline. It is recommended that you make any necessary changes as soon as possible to allow for sufficient processing time.

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