Chris Street at The TutorMaster was awarded a Master of Science (MSc) in Medicinal Chemistry in 2015. In addition to tutoring ‘A’ level Biology, Physics & Chemistry, Chris tutors the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT).
Chris Street tutors strategies and tips for the five UCAT subtests to aspiring doctors, dentists and other medical professionals:-
1. Verbal Reasoning (VR)
Verbal Reasoning (VR) is the first subtest of the UCAT. This assesses your ability to read and think carefully about information presented in passages.
To read research papers and clinical protocols effectively needs the ability to make inferences, judgements and conclusions which rests on verbal reasoning ability.
2. Decision Making (DM)
Assesses ability to apply logic to reach a decision or conclusion, evaluate arguments and analyse statistical information.
Good decisions in a timely manner must be made despite being given complex information.
3. Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
The maths subtest assesses ability to solve numerical problems.
Proficient data handling can interpret clinical data well.
4. Abstract Reasoning (AR)
Assesses ability to identify patterns amongst abstract shapes.
Pattern recognition is important in medicine because symptoms of diseases often overlap with one another. It is an important to recognise not only similarities but also differences between diseases.
5. Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Assesses interpersonal skills and ethical values.
Doctors and other medical professionals must be ethical and work effectively in a team.
References
- https://www.ucat.ac.uk/ucat/test-format/ (accessed 25th July 2019)