who runs ukcat

[admin]

Who runs the UKCAT?

The UKCAT is run by a consortium of 26 UK universities in partnership with Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing business of Pearson plc.

[admin]

Why must I sit the UKCAT?

The UKCAT helps universities to make more informed choices among the many highly-qualified applicants who want to join their medicine and dentistry programmes.

[admin]

How can you guarantee that the UKCAT is fair?

The UKCAT is designed to be a test of aptitude rather than educational achievement.
The need to create a 'level playing field', for applicants from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds, has been paramount in the development of the UKCAT and we monitor outcomes to ensure that certain groups are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged significantly by the test.

[admin]

In admission decisions, what weight is given to the UKCAT in relation to A-level results?

There is no fixed weight given to either the UKCAT or the A-level. Different UKCAT-participating university Dental and Medical Schools weight the results of the UKCAT in different ways.
Every university uses the UKCAT result as part of a well-rounded admissions policy in which several other factors also carry considerable weight.
The UKCAT and A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), AS-levels and GCSEs will be assessed in combination with other elements, such as the personal statement and reference on the UCAS form and, in certain cases, performance at interview.

[admin]

Does this mean that, thanks to the UKCAT, candidates with somewhat lower A-level grades and mature students with no recent experience of education will have an improved chance of being admitted to study medicine or dentistry at university?

Possibly. Universities are, of course, interested in applicants' educational achievements to date, but they are also interested in intellectual potential. They want a range of information that will allow them to spot hidden talent as well as established success. The UKCAT helps with this.

[admin]

What is the pass mark for the UKCAT?

There is no pass mark for the UKCAT. As mentioned above, performance in the UKCAT will be considered in conjunction with a number of other factors, so that no one element will determine whether or not an offer of a place can be made.