Registering for the UCAT can feel like a bureaucratic maze when you're already juggling A-levels, personal statements, and work experience. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, step-by-step breakdown of how to register, when to do it, what it costs, and what to do if you need extra support.
What Is the UCAT?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is the admissions test used by the majority of UK medical and dental schools. From 2025, it consists of three cognitive subtests — Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning — plus the Situational Judgement Test (SJT). Abstract Reasoning was removed from the test in 2025.
The UCAT is run by the UCAT Consortium, a group of medical and dental schools, and is administered by Pearson VUE.
The Registration Timeline
The UCAT follows a predictable annual cycle. While exact dates shift slightly each year, here's what a typical year looks like:
| Phase | Typical Timing | |---|---| | Registration opens | Around March | | Test centre booking opens | Around May | | Testing window | July – October | | Results released | Same day as your test | | UCAS application deadline | Mid-October (same year) |
Registration typically opens in March each year. You should register as soon as registration opens — not because the test is first-come, first-served on seats, but because earlier registration gives you more choice of test dates and locations.
Booking your test date opens around May. This is when you can actually choose your test centre, date, and time. Popular centres and dates fill up quickly, particularly in July and August. If you want to sit early in the window (which many students prefer), book as soon as booking opens.
The testing window runs from July to October, typically closing a few days before the UCAS application deadline. Most students aim to sit in July or August so they have their results before they finalise their UCAS choices.
For the exact dates for your application cycle, always check ucat.ac.uk directly — this is the only reliable source.
How to Register: Step by Step
1. Visit ucat.ac.uk and navigate to the registration section 2. Create an account with your personal details (name, date of birth, email address) 3. Confirm eligibility — you must be applying to a UCAT-participating university 4. Register for the test — this is separate from booking a date 5. Book your test slot — once booking opens (~May), log back in and choose your test centre, date, and time 6. Pay your test fee (see below) 7. Receive your confirmation and candidate ID
Keep your candidate ID safe — you'll need it on test day.
UCAT Test Fees
The UCAT has different fee tiers depending on where you sit the test:
| Location | Approximate Fee | |---|---| | UK and EU countries | ~£75 | | Outside EU | ~£120 |
Important: These figures are approximate. Fees are set by the UCAT Consortium and can change each year. Always verify the current fee on ucat.ac.uk before registering. The difference between sitting in the UK and sitting internationally can be significant, so if you have the option, sitting in the UK is generally more cost-effective.
UCATSEN: Extended Time for Additional Needs
If you have a disability, learning difference, or medical condition that affects your ability to take the standard test, you may be eligible for UCATSEN — the version of the test with extended time and other accommodations.
What UCATSEN Offers
- Extended time for all subtests - Other reasonable adjustments depending on your needs (e.g., rest breaks, assistive technology)
How to Apply for UCATSEN
1. Do not register for the standard UCAT — you must go through the UCATSEN registration process instead 2. Gather evidence — you'll typically need documentation from a qualified professional (e.g., an Educational Psychologist's report for dyslexia, a letter from your GP or specialist for a medical condition) 3. Submit your application early — UCATSEN applications need to be processed and approved before you can book a test date, so don't leave this to the last minute 4. Check the UCAT website for deadlines — UCATSEN has its own registration timeline which closes earlier than standard registration
The UCAT Consortium provides detailed UCATSEN guidance on their website. If you think you might be eligible, read this carefully and act early.
The UCAT Bursary Scheme
The UCAT Consortium offers a bursary scheme to help candidates who face financial hardship with the cost of the test. Eligible candidates may receive a reduced fee or fee waiver.
Eligibility
Eligibility is typically based on household income and receipt of certain means-tested benefits or support. The criteria are reviewed each year. Generally, you may be eligible if you:
- Receive Free School Meals - Are in receipt of certain benefits - Have a household income below a set threshold
How to Apply
Applications are made through the UCAT website during the registration period. You'll need to provide evidence of your eligibility. Bursary applications usually need to be submitted before you register for the test.
Full details and current eligibility criteria are available at ucat.ac.uk.
If you think you might be eligible, apply for the bursary — don't assume you don't qualify. The scheme exists precisely to ensure that financial barriers don't stop talented candidates from applying to medicine.
Where to Sit the Test
The UCAT is a computer-based test taken at Pearson VUE test centres across the UK and internationally. There are over 150 test centres in the UK, so there should be one reasonably close to you.
When booking, you'll be able to see available test centres and dates. Consider:
- Location: Choose a centre you can reach comfortably on the day. Test-day travel stress is real — don't sit in a centre that requires a two-hour journey - Date: Earlier in the window (July/August) gives you more time before the UCAS deadline if anything goes wrong - Time: Morning sittings work better for some people; afternoon for others. Know yourself
You'll need to bring valid photo ID on test day — typically a passport or driving licence. Check the current ID requirements on the UCAT website, as these can be updated.
The UCAT in 2025/2026: What to Expect
When you sit the UCAT, you'll face:
- Verbal Reasoning (VR): 44 questions, 22 minutes - Decision Making (DM): 35 questions, 37 minutes - Quantitative Reasoning (QR): 36 questions, 26 minutes - Situational Judgement (SJT): 69 questions, 26 minutes
Each cognitive section begins with instruction time (1.5–2 minutes) where you can read the instructions before the clock starts on the test itself. Total test time is just under two hours.
Your scores are provided on-screen immediately after you complete the test, and a full score report is available through your online account.
Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving registration too late: Centres and popular time slots fill up. Register and book early. - Not checking UCATSEN eligibility: If you have any additional needs, check UCATSEN eligibility before registering for the standard test. - Missing the bursary deadline: Bursary applications must be submitted early — they close before general registration ends. - Using outdated fee information: Always check the current fee on ucat.ac.uk before assuming the fee is the same as last year. - Not having valid ID on test day: You will not be admitted without acceptable photo ID.
How theMSAG Can Help You Prepare
Registering for the UCAT is just the beginning. What you do between now and test day is what determines your score. theMSAG offers:
- Our UCAT Question Bank — practice questions across all sections with detailed explanations - Our Live UCAT Course — Dr Dibah Jiva and the theMSAG team take you through every section strategy in structured, expert-led sessions - One-to-one UCAT tutoring — targeted support if you have a particular section you're struggling with
The earlier you start preparing, the more you'll get out of your practice. Many students begin 2–3 months before their test date.
Last verified by Dr Dibah Jiva — March 2026
Sources: UCAT Consortium — Apply | UCAT Fees | UCATSEN Access Arrangements | UCAT Bursary