UKCAT & BMAT

 The UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) & BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) are standardised entrance examinations required by medical schools in the United Kingdom. Both exams mainly test aptitude, although the BMAT also tests scientific knowledge and essay writing. Things can get confusing if this is your first time hearing about these tests, so we’ve compiled up-to-date (2019 entry) information from various sources to make a comprehensive guide on these exams below. 

 

 Note: For clarity, we have only included information for Standard Entry Medicine here. If you are applying for Graduate Entry Medicine, you can find thorough entry requirements for all UK universities (2019 entry) here 

UKCAT Guide
BMAT Guide

Before we begin...

There are a handful of medical schools in the UK that require neither the UKCAT nor the BMAT, and they are as below (updated for 2019 entry): -

  • University of Buckingham Medical School MB ChB Medicine (71A8)

  • University of Central Lancashire Medical School MBBS Medicine (A100)

 

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way… 

 A concise comparison of the UKCAT & BMAT 

type

1.

emphasis

2.

duration

3.

sections

4.

exam date in relation to UCAS application

5.

exam date

6.

results

7.

why students may 
struggle

8.

price

9.

validity

10.

ukcat

Online/Computer Exam 

Aptitude/IQ 

2 hours 

5 sections 

Before UCAS application deadline 

Chosen from a range of available dates from early July – early October 

Immediate 

Time pressure

£65 - £115 

 

More information:

 https://www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/ukcat-dates-and-fees/

- can only be taken once in an admissions cycle

- only valid for the admissions cycle in which the exam was taken (except students applying as deferred entries) 

bmat

Written Exam

(multiple choice & essay)

Aptitude, Scientific Knowledge, Essay 

2 hours 

2 sections + 1 essay 

Before UCAS application deadline (September)

OR

After UCAS application submission (Oct/Nov)

Choice of either the September session (self-registered) OR Oct/Nov session* (registered by school/college/test centre) 

Late September OR Late November 

High-order thinking questions;
essay section

- can only be taken once in an admissions cycle

- only valid for the admissions cycle in which the exam was taken (except students applying as deferred entries)

More on the UKCAT
More on the BMAT

*Note: Some universities (e.g. University of Oxford) only accept results from the October testing cycle - read our guide to find out more!

References

  1. Medical Schools Council. Entry Requirements for UK Medical Schools 2019 Entry [Internet]. London: Medical Schools Council; 2018 [cited 23 July 2018]. Available from: https://www.medschools.ac.uk/media/2357/msc-entry-requirements-for-uk-medical-schools.pdf

  2. UKCAT Dates and Fees | UKCAT Consortium [Internet]. ukcat.ac.uk. 2018 [cited 23 July 2018]. Available from: https://www.ukcat.ac.uk/ukcat-test/ukcat-dates-and-fees/

  3. Dates and costs for BMAT [Internet]. Admissionstesting.org. 2018 [cited 23 July 2018]. Available from: http://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/bmat-september/dates-and-costs/

  4. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. BMAT – October [Internet]. Admissionstesting.org. 2018 [cited 26 July 2018]. Available from: http://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/bmat-october/

  5. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. BMAT – September [Internet]. Admissionstesting.org. 2018 [cited 26 July 2018]. Available from: http://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/bmat-september/dates-and-costs/