So you want to be a Doctor?

Student doctor teaching school children

Are you in Year 12? Are you keen to study Medicine, Dentistry or Clinical Sciences next year? Well, you need to sit a test this year (don’t worry, it won’t hurt a bit!) The Universities Clinical Assessment Test (UCAT).

UCAT is one of the requirements for entry into the Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Tasmania and other Australian and New Zealand universities. Visit the UCAT website (www.ucat.edu.au) to find out which universities and courses require UCAT.

Between March and May of Year 12 you need to create an online account and book a test. There is a booking fee, but you should check if you might be eligible for a concession. UCAT tests happen s in towns and cities throughout Australia, during July and early August. Universities receive your UCAT results in September.

UCAT is a 2-hour test that you do on a computer.  It has 5 subtests about:

  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Decision Making
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Abstract Reasoning
  • Situational Judgement

Information about what these tests measure is available on the UCAT website – www.ucat.edu.au

It’s important to start early. Get familiar with the test format and the style of questions. The UCAT website has a range of resources to help you prepare, including:

  • Practice questions
  • Test tools
  • Advice from people who have taken the UCAT

Tip: See your school or college Career Advisor for:

  • Information about UCAT
  • UCAT practice textbooks
  • Mmedicine, Dentistry and Clinical Science courses throughout Australia.
  • All pathways into a career in medicine or dentistry.

You need to apply for university separately to your UCAT registration and booking. Your Career Advisor can help with that too.