UCAT & BMAT
The UCAT (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
Before we begin...
There are a handful of medical schools in the UK that require neither the UCAT nor the BMAT, and they are as below (updated for 2019 entry): -
-
University of Buckingham Medical School MB ChB Medicine (71A8)
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University of Central Lancashire Medical School MBBS Medicine (A100)
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…
A concise comparison of the UCAT & 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.
ucat
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
- 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
£46 - £115
​
More information:
http://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/bmat-october/dates-and-costs/
- 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)
*Note: Some universities (e.g. University of Oxford) only accept results from the October testing cycle - read our guide to find out more!
References
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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
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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/
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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/
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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/
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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/