UCAT FAQs
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most, from choosing between UCAT and Headstart to how the test is scored and which universities use it.
About MedPrep's courses
What we offer and how to choose between UCAT and Headstart.
What does MedPrep offer?
MedPrep offers structured UCAT preparation with regular teaching, guided practice and support from tutors who understand the journey into medicine and dentistry. Our two programs meet students at different stages: UCAT Headstart builds foundations early, while MedPrep UCAT prepares students for their intended test year.
What is the difference between MedPrep UCAT and UCAT Headstart?
Choose your course around when you intend to sit UCAT, your current skills and the support you need.
| MedPrep UCAT | UCAT Headstart | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Preparation for the approaching UCAT test | Early foundation building before the main preparation year |
| When to choose | Sitting UCAT within the next 12 months | UCAT is more than 12 months away |
| Weekly sessions | 45 sessions of 2 hours | 45 sessions of 1.5 hours |
| Total teaching | 90 hours | 67.5 hours |
Which MedPrep course is right for me?
If you plan to sit UCAT within the next 12 months, choose UCAT Main for focused preparation as your test approaches. If your UCAT is more than 12 months away, choose UCAT Headstart to build foundations early. Use your intended test date, rather than school year alone, as the starting point. If you are unsure, or the course has already started, we will help you choose based on your readiness, previous preparation and the current course stage.
Choosing your starting point
When to start, and what to do if a course has already begun.
Can I start preparing for UCAT early?
Yes. You can develop reasoning, reading accuracy and problem-solving skills before you are eligible to sit the official test. Early preparation should be steady and age-appropriate, with time to learn from mistakes. Headstart provides a structured way to begin without treating every week as an examination countdown.
Is Year 10 too early to start?
Year 10 can be a suitable time to build foundations through Headstart if the student is ready and can balance preparation with school and other commitments. It is not a requirement for success. Starting early should create room to learn, rather than unnecessary pressure. Year 10 students cannot sit the official UCAT ANZ test.
Is Headstart suitable for Year 11 students?
It depends on when you plan to sit UCAT. If your test is within the next 12 months, UCAT Main is generally the appropriate course. If your test is more than 12 months away, Headstart provides an early foundation. Tell us your intended test date so we can recommend a suitable course and starting point.
Do I need to complete Headstart before joining MedPrep UCAT?
No. Headstart is an optional foundation program. Students can join the main course directly. If you have already completed Headstart, the main course provides the next stage of preparation as your test approaches.
When can I start?
Our courses follow a structured teaching schedule. Check the current course information for intake dates and class times. If a course has already started, contact MedPrep: entry depends on places, the stage of the course and your previous preparation. We may recommend joining an appropriate phase or waiting for the next suitable intake.
UCAT Main: current course information | Headstart: current course information
Have I left it too late to prepare?
Not necessarily. The useful next step is to assess the time available, your current performance and the areas that need attention. Contact us with your intended test date so we can discuss whether the remaining course is suitable and what preparation is realistic.
How the course works
What happens in class, what is covered and what is included.
Why choose a structured UCAT course?
A large question bank gives you material to practise. A structured course helps you decide what to work on, understand why an approach works and review errors productively. MedPrep combines regular lessons with guided practice so students can build skills progressively and develop a consistent preparation routine.
What happens in a typical lesson?
Lessons combine explanation of UCAT question types and strategies with practice and discussion. Tutors help students examine their reasoning, identify inefficient approaches and understand mistakes. The emphasis develops as students progress, with timed work and examination preparation becoming increasingly relevant.
Which UCAT sections does MedPrep cover?
Our preparation covers all four current UCAT ANZ subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and Situational Judgement. Abstract Reasoning is no longer part of the test.
Official guidance: Current test format
What learning materials are included?
Our course packages include more than 7,000 UCAT-style questions through worksheets and practice materials. Students use these alongside teaching to consolidate skills and review their progress. Ask MedPrep about the materials and access arrangements included with your chosen course.
Will I complete practice examinations?
Yes. Our course packages include more than four full practice examinations. These help students practise pacing, concentration and decision-making under timed conditions. Ask MedPrep how Headstart mocks are scheduled, as a full UCAT test is longer than a standard 90-minute lesson. Students should also use the free official practice tests.
Official guidance: Official preparation resources
Teaching and support
Who teaches, how feedback works and how to fit UCAT around school.
Who are the MedPrep UCAT tutors?
Our UCAT tutors are current medical or dental students who achieved high UCAT results and have been through the application journey themselves. They bring first-hand experience of preparing for UCAT while managing school commitments. Their role is to explain strategies clearly, guide practice and help students learn from their mistakes.
Will I need to practise outside class?
Yes. Regular independent practice helps turn lesson strategies into reliable habits. Focus on understanding errors as well as completing questions. A short, purposeful session with careful review can be more useful than rushing through a large volume of unfamiliar material.
How can I balance UCAT preparation with school?
Build a sustainable weekly routine that protects school priorities and includes manageable UCAT practice. Use lessons to guide your focus and adjust practice around busy assessment periods. Headstart allows students to develop familiarity earlier; the main course supports more focused preparation as the test approaches.
How will I receive feedback?
Tutors help students review approaches and mistakes during lessons. Our course packages also include a parent-tutor feedback session. Students should bring questions and recurring difficulties to their tutor so practice can be more purposeful.
Can I use MedPrep alongside an online question bank?
Yes. Additional practice resources can complement regular teaching. The key is to use them with a clear purpose: target a skill, review errors and monitor whether your approach is improving. You do not need to buy every available resource. Include the free official UCAT materials in your preparation.
Official guidance: Free official resources
Attendance and fees
Locations, online classes, missed lessons and course fees.
Where are MedPrep classes held?
MedPrep offers face-to-face classes at our Campbelltown and Mitcham locations in Adelaide. Check the current course information for venues, class times and availability, or contact our team to confirm the arrangements for your preferred class.
Can I join online from elsewhere in Australia?
MedPrep offers online access to support students studying from home, including interstate students. Contact us to confirm the available class, live attendance arrangements and technical requirements before enrolling.
What happens if I miss a class?
Let MedPrep know as early as possible. Replacement lesson options depend on notice and availability. Ask the team what support is available for your course and the session you will miss.
How much do the courses cost?
For current tuition fees, any enrolment fee, payment options and applicable terms, visit the relevant course page and open the latest information package.
If you are joining after the course has started, contact MedPrep for the fees applicable to your agreed starting point. The official UCAT examination fee is separate.
Does enrolling with MedPrep book my official UCAT test?
No. You must register and book your test separately through UCAT ANZ and pay the examination fee. Course enrolment does not reserve a test appointment.
Official guidance: Book your UCAT test
Your next step
Enrolling, what to expect and the basics of UCAT ANZ.
Does MedPrep guarantee a particular score or university offer?
No. UCAT results depend on several factors, including preparation, practice and performance on the day. University selection also depends on the course and applicant category, and may include academic results and interviews. MedPrep provides structured preparation and support, without promising outcomes no course can guarantee.
How do I enrol or find out which course suits me?
Contact MedPrep with your current school year, intended UCAT year and preferred learning format. We will help you identify a suitable course and explain the timetable, availability and next steps.
Phone: (08) 8166 7579
Email: info@medprep.net.au
Ready to go? Enrol online
What is UCAT ANZ?
UCAT ANZ is a computer-based admissions test used by participating Australian and New Zealand universities for selected medicine, dentistry and related pathways. It assesses reasoning and judgement rather than school science knowledge. This guide focuses on Australian admissions.
Official guidance: About UCAT ANZ
When am I eligible to sit UCAT?
You must be in your final year of secondary school, or have completed secondary school or a higher qualification. Students in Years 10 and 11 are not eligible to sit UCAT ANZ, even though they may begin preparing earlier. Check the official eligibility rules for your circumstances.
Official guidance: Eligibility rules
The official examination
Test format, scoring, registration and access arrangements.
How long is UCAT and how is it scored?
The standard test takes just under two hours, including instructions. The four subtests contain 184 questions in total.
| Subtest | Questions | Answer time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 22 minutes |
| Decision Making | 35 | 37 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 26 minutes |
| Situational Judgement | 69 | 26 minutes |
The three cognitive subtests each receive a score from 300 to 900, producing a total from 900 to 2,700. Situational Judgement is reported separately from 300 to 900 in UCAT ANZ. There is no negative marking.
Official guidance: Test format | Scoring
What UCAT score do I need for medicine or dentistry?
There is no single score that guarantees an interview or place. Requirements vary by university, course, applicant category and admission year. Use current official percentiles alongside each university’s selection criteria. A strong ATAR does not replace UCAT where the chosen pathway requires it.
Official guidance: UCAT test statistics
When do I register, and how long is my score valid?
Follow the official UCAT ANZ schedule for your intended test year. Registration, test booking and university applications are separate processes. You may sit UCAT ANZ once per test cycle and again in a later year if eligible. Results apply to the relevant admissions cycle and cannot be carried forward. Do not use last year’s dates to plan your booking.
Official guidance: Dates and fees | Booking
Can I apply for extra time or other adjustments?
Eligible candidates can apply for access arrangements with supporting evidence. Apply by the official deadline and obtain approval before booking the appropriate test. Tell MedPrep separately about any learning or access needs so we can discuss classroom support.
Official guidance: Access arrangements
University pathways
Which universities use UCAT, in Adelaide, Victoria and interstate.
Which Australian universities require or use UCAT?
Requirements apply to specific courses and applicant categories, not every degree at a university. Use this overview as a starting point and confirm requirements in the official UCAT ANZ directory for your intended entry year.
| State | University and relevant pathway |
|---|---|
| SA | Adelaide University: medicine, dental surgery and oral health. Flinders: clinical sciences / medicine. |
| Victoria | Monash: domestic direct-entry medicine. |
| NSW | UNSW: medicine. Newcastle / New England: Joint Medical Program. Western Sydney: medicine. Charles Sturt: medicine and dental science. |
| Queensland | Queensland: provisional medicine and dental science. Central Queensland: regional medical pathway to UQ. Southern Queensland: medicine pathway to UQ. Griffith: dental health science; medical science uses UCAT optionally. Sunshine Coast: medical science pathway to Griffith uses UCAT optionally. |
| WA | Curtin: medicine. Western Australia: medicine and dental medicine pathways through specialised biomedicine. |
| Tasmania | Tasmania: medicine. |
Optional does not mean irrelevant. UCAT may affect ranking within an ATAR band in Griffith medicine pathways. International and special-entry requirements can differ from domestic requirements.
Official guidance: Official university directory | Griffith medicine pathways
Which Adelaide universities require UCAT?
Adelaide University uses UCAT for medicine, dental surgery and oral health pathways. Flinders University uses UCAT for its Bachelor of Clinical Sciences / Doctor of Medicine school-leaver pathway. Their selection processes differ, so check the exact course and your applicant category. Do not assume every health degree requires UCAT.
Official guidance: University directory and course links | Flinders medicine
Which Victorian universities require UCAT for medicine?
Monash University is currently the only Victorian university requiring UCAT ANZ for its standard domestic direct-entry medicine course. Selection also considers academic results and an interview. The University of Melbourne and Deakin offer medicine through standard graduate-entry pathways that use GAMSAT rather than UCAT. Monash also has a separate graduate-entry pathway that does not require UCAT or GAMSAT. Check the requirements for your intended course and applicant category.
Can I apply to medicine or dentistry interstate?
Yes, if you meet each course’s eligibility requirements. One UCAT ANZ sitting can support applications to multiple participating courses in the same admissions cycle. Universities may apply different prerequisites, residency priorities, academic thresholds and interview processes. Check every application deadline separately.
Do all Australian medicine and dentistry courses require UCAT?
No. Some pathways use UCAT, others use a different admissions test, and some have other selection arrangements. International applicants must check the rules for their own category. A biomedical science degree does not automatically guarantee progression to medicine; confirm both initial entry and later progression requirements.
MedPrep is an independent preparation provider and is not endorsed by UCAT ANZ.
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