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The UCAT: Managing Your Time
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an essential requirement for those wishing to pursue a career in medicine or dentistry in the UK. It is a challenging test consisting of five sections that assess a candidate’s cognitive abilities and critical thinking skills. But what many students struggle with is not the content of the test but managing UCAT timing per question effectively during the exam.
Time management is one of the most critical skills required to ace the UCAT. It is not only about answering questions quickly but also about strategising to maximise your score.
Tips for managing time in the UCAT:
Here are some top tips for managing your time during the UCAT exam
1- Practice, Practice, and Practice!
One of the most effective ways to manage your UCAT time is to practice, practice, practice! This test is timed, so you need to work quickly and efficiently to answer as many questions as possible in the allotted time.
By practising with sample questions and timed UCAT practice tests, you can get a sense of how long each section takes and where you may need to pick up the pace.
2- Understand the format of the test
Another key to managing your time during the UCAT 2023 is understanding the test format. There are five sections to the UCAT, each with a different time limit. Knowing how long each section takes and how many questions you can expect in each section can help you plan your time more effectively.
| Section | Total Questions | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 Questions | 21 minutes |
| Decision Making | 29 Questions | 31 minutes |
| Quantitative reasoning | 36 Questions | 25 minutes |
| Abstract reasoning | 50 Questions | 12 minutes |
| Situational judgement | 69 Questions | 26 minutes |
3- Enhance your reading skills
One of the biggest time-savers during the UCAT is to improve your reading skills. The passages in the verbal reasoning section can be long and complex, so reading quickly and effectively is key.
One way to improve your reading speed is to practise reading various texts, including newspapers, academic articles, and novels, during UCAT preprations. You can also try scanning the passage for key information instead of reading every word.
4- Read the questions before the passage
A great way to save UCAT time is to read the questions before you read the passage. This will give you a sense of what information you need to look for, so you can read the passage more efficiently. You can then go back and find the specific information you need to answer the question.
5- Learn & use keyboard shortcuts
Using UCAT calculator keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time during the UCAT 2023. For example, you can use the “control” and “F” keys to search for specific words or phrases in the passage. You can also use the “tab” key to move between answer choices. Practice using these shortcuts before the UCAT exam to use them efficiently.
6- Keep an eye on the UCAT timer
During the UCAT 2023, it’s important to use your time wisely. You don’t want to spend too much time on any one question, as this can eat up precious time that you need for the rest of the test.
Instead, focus on answering as many questions as possible, even if you have to guess on a few. If you’re running out of time, it’s better to move on to the next question than to get stuck on one question.
Image credit: JESHOOTS.com
7- Practise UCAT section-specific timing strategies
Each section of the UCAT requires a different time management strategy. For example, the verbal reasoning section requires you to read quickly, while the decision-making section requires you to analyse each question carefully. Make sure to practise timing strategies for each section before the exam, so you’re prepared.
Time Management Tips for each UCAT Section
UCAT Verbal Reasoning:
21 Minutes for 44 Questions
Verbal Reasoning is the first section of the UCAT, consisting of 44 multiple-choice questions. The UCAT time limit for this section is 22 minutes, which means you have an average of 30 seconds to answer each question.
To manage your time effectively, you should scan the passage to get an overview of the content and then answer the questions based on the information in the passage. Avoid spending too much time on a single question and move on to the next question if you find it difficult.
UCAT Decision Making:
31 Minutes for 29 Questions
The second section of the UCAT is the Decision-Making section, containing 29 questions that must be answered within 31 minutes. This section requires critical thinking and logical reasoning skills.
To manage your UCAT time effectively, read the question stem first and then analyse the information given in the scenario.
UCAT Quantitative Reasoning:
25 Minutes for 36 Questions
Quantitative Reasoning is the third section of the UCAT, containing 36 questions that need to be answered within 25 minutes. This section requires mathematical and analytical skills.
To manage your time effectively, read the question carefully and analyse the data given. I’d say it again, avoid spending too much time on one question and move on to the next if you find it difficult.
UCAT Abstract Reasoning:
12 Minutes for 50 Questions
The fourth section of the UCAT is Abstract Reasoning, and it contains 50 questions that need to be answered within 12 minutes. This section requires the ability to identify patterns and relationships between shapes and symbols.
To manage your UCAT time effectively, analyse the patterns quickly and move on to the next question if you find it difficult.
UCAT Situational Judgement:
26 Minutes for 69 Questions
The final section of the UCAT is the Situational Judgement section, which contains 69 questions that need to be answered within 26 minutes. This section assesses your ability to make sound judgments in hypothetical situations.
To manage your time effectively, read the scenario carefully and identify the key issues quickly. Use the ranking system to prioritise the solutions and select the best answer based on the ranking system.
8- Don’t get stuck
One of the biggest UCAT time wasters is getting stuck on a question. If you find yourself spending more than a minute or two on a question, it’s time to move on. Don’t let one difficult question hold you back from answering the rest of the questions in the section.
9- Make Smart Guesses
If you’re running out of time during the UCAT, it’s better to guess than to leave a question unanswered. However, it’s important to guess smartly. Eliminate any answer choices you know are incorrect, and then make an educated guess based on the remaining choices.
10- Stay Focused
Staying focused during the UCAT is crucial for managing your time effectively. Make sure you’re well-rested and well-fed before the test and take breaks if you need to. Stay focused on the task at hand, and don’t get distracted by other thoughts or worries. Keep your eye on the clock and your mind on the questions.
11- Say Goodbye to perfectionism
The UCAT 2023 is a timed exam, which means you don’t have time to be a perfectionist. If you’re spending too much time on a question or section, it’s better to move on and return to it later if you have time. Remember that the goal is to answer as many questions as possible, not to get every question right.
In conclusion, time management is critical to success on the UCAT. By practising these tips and strategies, you can improve your efficiency and accuracy, giving you the best chance of achieving a high score.
In addition to self-practice and time management techniques, students can also benefit from personalised support through our 1-1 UCAT tutoring and comprehensive online UCAT course. Our experienced tutors provide tailored support and guidance to help students identify their strengths and weaknesses, develop personalised study plans, and achieve their full potential on the UCAT.
FAQs
If you run out of time during a section of the UCAT, don’t panic. Make educated guesses for any remaining questions and move on to the next section. Remember that every question carries the same weight, so it is better to answer as many questions as possible than to spend too much time on one question.
If you struggle with time management during the UCAT, take a moment to reassess your strategy. Identify the sections where you spend too much time, and adjust your approach accordingly. Practice more, and try different techniques until you find the one that works best for you.
If you finish a section early, use the extra time to review your answers. Check for any errors, and make sure you have answered all questions. Use the remaining time to take a deep breath and prepare for the next section.
You can only take the exam once per testing year. Taking the UCAT test more than once in the same testing cycle is considered candidate misconduct. However, you can retake the exam in subsequent years without any penalty.
You will receive your UCAT results immediately after completing the exam. You will receive a copy of your UCAT Score Report. This report will also be available online through your UCAT account within 24 hours of taking the test.
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