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Ashmole
sixth form

Aptitude Tests

Most students applying to Medicine or Dentistry will need to complete one of both of the following aptitude tests: UKCAT and BMAT.

Each year the universities requiring these tests changes so ensure you check UCAS and the university websites to stay up-to-date.

Whilst these tests are aimed to test students overall aptitude and ability, preparation leading up to them will help. With this, we provide support for our 6th form students in how to get ready and study for these tests.

UKCAT: This is an admissions test used by a consortium of UK Universities for their medical and dental degree programmes. The UKCAT does not contain any curriculum or science content.  It helps Universities to select applicants with the most appropriate mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviours required for new doctors and dentists to be successful in their clinical careers.

This test takes place on computers, such as Pearson centres and students book the assessment themselves, getting their results straight after the assessment is complete. We recommend that students take the admissions test in summer of Year 12 so that they have adequate time to prepare, as well as time to reflect on their results. More information can be found on the UKCAT website. https://www.ukcat.ac.uk

BMAT: The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) is an admissions test for applicants to Medicine, Biomedical Science and Dentistry courses at certain universities. Currently fewer universities use the BMAT so fewer students tend to complete it.

This is a pen and paper examination, which now has a test date in September as well as October/November. The September date is new, although allows students to complete the BMAT before sending off their UCAS application.

Whilst the BMAT should test GCSE knowledge of Science and Mathematics GCSE, students find it very useful to prepare for this, as well as the 30 minute essay at the end of the admissions test.

We start preparing for this assessment in Spring of Year 12 in order that students will feel well prepared ahead of demanding paper.