Get Ready for the UCAT 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide to Registration and Exam Schedule in Hong Kong
If you are planning to pursue a medical or dental program in the UK, the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an important exam you will need to take.
Medical education in the UK is renowned for its high standards and stringent entry requirements, with UCAT being a key part of the admissions process.
This exam is designed to assess applicants' potential across various clinical abilities and logical reasoning, helping to select suitable candidates for future healthcare professionals.
Medical and dental programs in the UK typically last five to six years, covering foundational sciences, clinical placements, and specialized knowledge.
Besides UCAT, applicants must also consider other admission requirements such as A-Level results and interview performance.
Therefore, comprehensive preparation for the UCAT exam is crucial for a successful application process.
In this article, Ascent Prep will delve into everything you need to know about the UCAT exam, especially regarding the application process and exam timings in Hong Kong, to help you prepare thoroughly and gain admission to your desired medical or dental program.
Further Reading: Key Steps to Improve Your UCAT Score and Secure a Medical School Offer
What is the UCAT Exam?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an entrance exam designed for students aspiring to enter medical or dental schools.
This test primarily assesses students' skills in clinical abilities, problem-solving, data interpretation, and reasoning.
The UCAT typically includes multiple sections, such as quantitative reasoning, situational judgment, aiming to assist medical schools in selecting appropriate candidates.
The UCAT usually takes place between July and August each year, and candidates need to register in advance and prepare according to the specific requirements of the medical schools they are applying to. A successful UCAT score is vital for entry into medical or dental courses.
The entire exam is conducted on a computer provided at the testing center, lasting 2 hours, and is recorded via CCTV. The exam format consists of multiple-choice questions.
UCAT Exam Structure
The UCAT consists of four sections, each assessing different abilities.
The standard testing time is 2 hours, and once the test starts, it cannot be paused, although there is a 1-minute explanation period between each section.
Here’s a brief overview of the UCAT format and each section:
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 questions, 22 minutes Tests the ability to comprehend large amounts of information and apply logical reasoning. |
| Decision Making | 35 questions, 37 minutes Assesses judgment and decision-making abilities. |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 questions, 26 minutes Evaluates problem-solving skills using numbers, graphs, tables, or lists. |
| Situational Judgment | 69 questions, 26 minutes Tests the ability to choose and prioritize responses in various scenarios, empathy, adaptability, and teamwork. |
Not sure how to prepare for the UCAT exam? UCAT prep courses will help you tackle a variety of question types!
UCAT Guide
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning primarily assesses a student's ability to read and think critically about paragraph information, determining whether specific conclusions can be drawn from the presented information without relying on personal knowledge.
Doctors and dentists require excellent verbal reasoning skills to understand complex information and communicate it clearly and concisely to patients.
They must also be able to interpret published research findings and apply them to their practice, drawing their own conclusions and insights from any discoveries.
In the verbal reasoning section, students will encounter eleven passages, each followed by four questions. There are two types of questions in this section:
- Questions with four answer options or incomplete statements that require selecting the most appropriate answer.
- Statements that must be evaluated as true, false, or indeterminate based on the information in the passage.
Analytical skills are crucial in this section. If you struggle to identify issues without guidance, taking a UCAT prep course can help you develop a clear and structured thinking approach!
Decision Making
Decision making mainly evaluates a student's ability to use logic to make decisions or conclusions, assess arguments, and analyze statistical data.
Responding to questions does not require understanding or using specific mathematical or logical terminology.
Doctors and dentists often need to make decisions in complex situations, requiring high-level problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to assess and manage risks and handle uncertainties.
Students will face questions involving text, charts, tables, graphics, or diagrams, including:
- Syllogisms
- Logic puzzles
- Recognizing assumptions
- Interpreting information
- Venn diagrams
- Probability and statistical reasoning
Some questions have four answer options, while others may require students to indicate "yes" or "no" next to each statement. A simple on-screen calculator can be used during this test.
Logical thinking isn’t just about taking your time to find answers; enrolling in a UCAT prep course can teach you how to plan your thought process!
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative reasoning primarily assesses a student's ability to solve problems using numbers, with the questions having little to do with personal mathematical skills.
Doctors and dentists often need to review data and apply it to their practice. Accurate medication calculations based on patient weight, age, and other factors are essential, and clinical research requires the ability to interpret, critique, and apply results presented in complex statistical formats, demonstrating to universities that applicants can handle these situations.
Students will encounter problems typically involving charts and graphs (accompanied by additional data), with most questions grouped in sets of four, each linked to the same data, as well as some independent questions.
Each question has five answer options, and only one can be selected. A simple on-screen calculator can be used during this test.
Wondering how to quickly pinpoint the right answer? Enroll in a UCAT prep course to help you "filter" out irrelevant information!
Situational Judgement
Situational judgement primarily measures a student's understanding of real-world scenarios and the ability to identify key factors (such as integrity, perspective-taking, teamwork, adaptability) as well as how to appropriately handle these situations.
Questions do not require students to have medical-related knowledge.
Students will see a series of hypothetical scenarios based on clinical environments or training during medical or dental professions, with each scenario potentially having up to six related questions.
Some questions will ask students to assess the significance or appropriateness of each situation, with answers being multiple-choice.
Other questions will require students to choose the most and least appropriate actions from three options provided in the question and explain their reasoning.
Feeling overwhelmed by the multiple considerations involved in situational judgement? A UCAT prep course can help you select the best answers!
UCAT Application Process
The UCAT 2025 registration consists of two steps: creating an account using the Pearson VUE registration system and booking the exam.
- Step 1: Account Creation (from May 13, 2025)
- New candidates must create a UCAT account using their legal name as shown on their identification documents.
- Step 2: Booking the Exam (from June 17, 2025)
- Candidates must book the exam through their UCAT account by the September 19 deadline.
UCAT Exam Fees
The exam fees must be paid at the time of booking via debit or credit card:
- UK exams: £70
- International exams: £115
Candidates in the UK with financial needs may apply for a UCAT bursary voucher to cover the exam fee.
UCAT in Hong Kong
The UCAT is available in over 130 countries at Pearson VUE test centers. In Hong Kong, there are two testing centers located in Mong Kok and Wan Chai.
UCAT Exam Results
Candidates will know their results on the day of the UCAT exam. The scores will be sent directly to the universities applied to by early November. UCAT scores are valid for one year, and candidates can take the test only once a year.
UCAT ANZ Application Process
The registration process for UCAT ANZ is similar to that of UCAT, but exam dates and fees may differ.
The application process includes account creation and exam booking, with deadlines and exam dates specified for the 2025 cycle.
Step 1: Create a UCAT account from 3 February 2025
Step 2: Book your exam from March 4, 2025
Candidates must book their exam via their UCAT ANZ account until 19 September 2025. The exam dates are July 7, 2025 - September 26, 2025.
The above timelines and processes are general references; always check the official website for the most current application information and deadlines.
UCAT ANZ test fees
The test fee must be paid by debit card or credit card at the time of booking:
Tests taken in Australia or New Zealand: AUD$325
Tests taken outside Australia: AUD$395
UCAT ANZ exam content and format are similar to UCAT but may have slight differences. For the latest details, visit the official UCAT ANZ website.
Extended Readings
Introduction to UCL: 2025 Admission Guidelines and Popular Subjects
Introduction to Imperial College: 2025 Admission Guidelines and Popular Subjects
Introduction to LSE: 2025 Admission Guidelines and Popular Subjects
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Ready to Hear Success Stories? See Why Ascent Prep is a Student Favourite!
Michelle has excelled in academics since she was young and has been determined to apply to medical school since her third year of junior high school. She attends a local traditional girls' school that offers British A-Level courses. To lay a solid foundation for her dream of studying medicine, Michelle chose challenging subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. In the summer vacation after completing the IGCSE exam, Michelle interned in a cardiologist's clinic for five days through our arrangement. During her internship, she deeply realized the busy schedule of doctors and their sense of mission for the recovery of patients, which made her more determined to become a doctor.
Academically, Michelle took a UCAT preparation course during her first Christmas in the A-Level course, and learned various exam techniques under the guidance of the tutor, mastering how to quickly understand questions. She eventually scored an excellent 2830 in the UCAT exam and obtained a level 1 in the situational judgement test, which led to an interview invitation from the University of Nottingham Medical School. During the Easter period, she attended a personal statement guidance course. With the advice of her tutor, Michelle chose appropriate extracurricular activities and revised the content of her personal statement to make it more clearly express her passion and motivation for medicine. In addition, Michelle also took the BMAT exam (note that the BMAT has now been cancelled) and obtained a good score of 12.7, which exceeded the qualifying score and increased her chances of entering medical school.
To ensure that Michelle can fully express herself in the interview, we recommend arranging three targeted mock interviews to ensure that the areas that need improvement can be accurately improved. Finally, Michelle received an interview invitation from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong through the Non-JUPAS application. Her efforts finally paid off and she successfully received admission notices from the University of Nottingham and the University of Hong Kong.
After sharing Michelle's case, for students who aspire to enter the medical school, starting preparation one to two years in advance can indeed significantly increase the chances of success. Michelle's story not only inspires other students, but also proves that with planning and hard work, pursuing your dreams is achievable.
David attends a top secondary school in the UK and has excellent academic performance, with all 9s in GCSE and all A* predicted A-level grades. His dream has always been to become a doctor, and he has worked hard to achieve this goal. However, David unfortunately encountered a setback in the interview for a British medical school in January. The failure of the interview for his first application to a medical school made him depressed and anxious, and he began to doubt his abilities and future. At this time, his father contacted us at Ascent Prep for advice and suggestions.
We first comforted David and encouraged him not to give up his dream. Although he missed the chance to apply for medical school at a British university, the start date of medical school in Australia is half a year later than that in the UK, so he still has a chance to enroll. We suggested that he consider switching to medical school in Australia. In order to help David overcome the difficulties in the interview, we analyzed the reasons for his failure and found that although he was knowledgeable, he was flustered in the interview, especially lacking logic in judgment and problem-solving questions. We developed a personalized coaching program for him, including mock interview training and various coping skills, such as the STAR rule, responding to open-ended questions, and demonstrating passion for medicine and personal traits.
Through these intensive trainings, David's interview skills and confidence have been significantly improved. He also used the summer vacation when he returned to Hong Kong to retake the ISAT and UCAT exams and continued to practice under our guidance. At the same time, he continued to work as a research assistant at HKU, enhancing his medical experience and understanding of medical biology. Eventually, David successfully obtained admission notices from three Australian medical schools, including the University of New South Wales (UNSW). This proves that as long as you persevere, you can overcome challenges. His experience inspires other students pursuing their medical dreams, demonstrating to them the importance of persistence and hard work.
Brian is a student with a passion for medicine and his goal is to attend one of the top medical schools in the world. In order to realize this dream, he not only worked hard in his studies and achieved excellent results, but also actively participated in various extracurricular activities to comprehensively improve his abilities. Brian observed in the hospital’s cardiology department for a week and participated in the BSMS Virtual Work Experience, which allowed him to gain an in-depth understanding of the medical field through technological simulation. He not only learned the skills and qualities required to be a competent doctor, but also experienced the close relationship between doctors and patients.
After learning about Brian's goals, we encouraged him to set his sights on the University of Cambridge Medical School, whose outstanding reputation in medical research and teaching quality are impeccable. We also advised him to apply to other G5 medical schools such as Imperial, UCL and KCL. In order to improve his BMAT score and interview skills, we arranged a 15-hour BMAT preparation course ((Note that BMAT has been cancelled), which provided systematic training by experienced tutors, including problem-solving skills, test-taking strategies and time management. We also conducted several mock interviews for him, specifically targeting the interview style of Cambridge University, and designed relevant questions to help him prepare and better deal with academic and ethical issues.
Brian submitted his UCAS application in mid-October, took the BMAT in November, and received an interview invitation from Cambridge University in December. He was successfully accepted by Cambridge in January and also successfully obtained interview invitations from ICL and UCL. In order to reduce his financial burden, we encouraged him to apply for the Hong Kong Excellence Scholarship Scheme, which offers a scholarship of up to HK$300,000 and can support outstanding students to study in well-known overseas universities. In the end, Brian not only achieved high scores in the BMAT exam, but also was admitted to Cambridge University Medical School and KCL. He finally chose to go to Dowling College, Cambridge, England to pursue higher academic goals and realize his dream.
