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Are you planning to apply Medicine or Dentistry in the UK? If so, you'll need to take the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). At The MSAG, we understand that preparing for the UCAT can be challenging, which is why we've created our Live UCAT Course to help you achieve your best possible score. To do well in the UCAT - it's 30% knowledge and 70% strategy. Being smart with timing - answering some questions in 20 seconds rather than 40 - is what makes the difference between an average and a strong score. Our course is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to succeed on test day and we are not shy to say it is the most thorough and effective UCAT preparation course available.
What Makes Our Live UCAT Course Stand Out?
Our Live UCAT Course stands out from the competition with its 15-hour length. While most competitor courses are only 1 day or 6-8 hours long, we understand that truly mastering the UCAT requires more time and in-depth study. The UCAT consists of 5 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and Situational Judgement Test. Each section comprises a variety of question types, each demanding a unique approach and strategy.
In a shorter course, it's simply not possible to cover all the sections with the necessary depth and to cover the best method for optimised speed and results for each question type. For example, we dedicate 4 hours of our course to the Decision Making section alone, which is essential when you consider the diversity of questions and approaches needed, including probability questions, Venn diagrams with 3 subtypes, conclusion drawing from data, syllogisms, and logic puzzles. A course that spends a maximum of 1.5 hours on the entire Decision Making section cannot genuinely help a student improve their skill level in that area.
Our course offers depth for every section. Although we call it a UCAT course, just like other companies, what we offer is quite different. Our 15 hours of in-depth learning ensure that you'll have the time, practice and guidance needed to truly enhance your skills and confidence across all sections of the UCAT.
When you enroll in our Live UCAT Course, you'll gain access to our digital UCAT prep, including our UCAT question bank with 6,200 questions and a 9-hour interactive online UCAT course. Our video tutorials are linked to our question bank, allowing you to easily access relevant course content for questions you struggle with. These valuable resources are designed to support your learning journey from the live course all the way until you're fully prepared for your exam. Unlike other UCAT courses that charge separately for their question banks, we give these resources as part of our commitment to your success. Take full UCAT practice tests using our custom built online built platform, with results and personal advice to help you improve your UCAT score. We will be adding a few full mocks and new videos with UCAT tips throughout the summer.
You can explore the full details of our UCAT question bank and interactive online course to understand the depth and value of these resources.
One of the key factors that set our Live UCAT Course apart is that our teachers are UCAT experts. We believe that WHO teaches you matters greatly, and we're transparent about our instructors' qualifications and experience. Many courses do not disclose who your instructor will be, leaving you unsure if you'll be taught by a doctor, a student, or if the same person will teach all 5 sections.
Our course is taught by two highly qualified instructors:
- Dr. Dibah Jiva, the founder of The MSAG, will teach the Verbal Reasoning and Situational Judgement Test sections. She created the mental mapping approach for Verbal Reasoning and has helped thousands of students achieve band 1 in the Situational Judgement Test.
- Esha Gogna, a third-year medical student and top 1% UCAT scorer, will teach the Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and Decision Making sections. Esha's exceptional UCAT scores (QR 880, AR 870, DM 860) and excellent teaching skills make her an ideal tutor for these challenging sections.
Having two expert instructors, each focusing on their areas of expertise, ensures that you receive the best possible guidance and support throughout the course.
We keep our class sizes small, with a maximum of 10 students per class, to create a highly engaging and interactive learning environment. Rather than simply lecturing, our instructors work through questions together with students, thinking out loud and fostering a collaborative study group atmosphere. This hands-on approach encourages active participation and helps cement your understanding of the concepts and strategies.
The small class size also allows our instructors to get to know each student well over the course of the 8-day program. This enables us to personalise our approach and feedback to each student's starting level, ensuring that everyone is making progress and improving their skills. With this personalised attention, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions, receive targeted feedback, and interact closely with your instructors and classmates.
Practice is a crucial component of UCAT preparation, and our Live UCAT Course incorporates interactive mock exams to help you apply the strategies you've learned. Using our EXAM simulator software, which mimics the real UCAT experience, you'll take 10-minute mock exams for each section. Immediately afterwards, you'll review your performance with the UCAT tutor, receiving valuable insights and feedback.
This interactive mock exam process is designed to reinforce your learning and help you develop the skills needed for UCAT success. By applying the strategies you've learned in a realistic, timed environment and going over your results right away, you'll identify areas for improvement and refine your approach. This is effective in helping students develop the skills and confidence to do well on the UCAT.
We believe in providing ongoing support to our students, even after the Live UCAT Course has ended. Our commitment to your success extends beyond the classroom, and we offer several ways to ensure you have the guidance you need throughout your UCAT preparation journey:
- You can attend another session of the course for free within the same year if you'd like a refresher or additional support.
- We're available to answer any questions you may have after the course via email.
- Once you've completed a few timed practice sets or mock exams on our platform, you can request a personalised review of your performance. Dr Jiva will analyse your results and provide personal advice on areas for improvement and strategies to boost your score.
- We proactively monitor student progress to identify any struggles or challenges. If we notice you're having difficulty, we'll reach out with targeted advice on where to focus your efforts to make your UCAT preparation more efficient and effective.
With our ongoing support, you'll never feel alone in your UCAT preparation. In addition to UCAT preparation, our expert tutors can help with reviewing your personal statement. We're here to walk you every step of the way, offering the resources, feedback, and encouragement you need to achieve your best possible result.
Our Live UCAT Course has a proven track record of success, with outstanding results from previous years. We've been trusted by some of the UK's most prestigious schools, including Haberdashers' Aske's School for Boys, Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, Eton College, and Hymers College, to provide preparation for their students.
Our students have consistently achieved excellent scores on the UCAT, with many going on to secure places at top medical and dental schools. When you choose our Live UCAT Course, you can feel confident that you're investing in a program with a proven history of helping students succeed.
Detailed Course Breakdown
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15-19 July, 2024
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5-9 August, 2024
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26-30 August, 2024
The course runs over 5 days, with 3-hour sessions held Monday to Friday at 2 pm UK time. This schedule allows you to maintain a consistent learning pace while providing flexibility for other commitments. If you cannot make a session in the course you picked, you are welcome to attend that session a different week. The 15 hours are split as follows:
- 3 hours of verbal reasoning
- 4 hours of decision making
- 3 hours of quantitative reasoning
- 3 hours of abstract reasoning
- 2 hours of situational judgement
Our Live UCAT Course spaces the learning over a full week, with daily sessions lasting 3 hours per session. Over the course of 15 hours, we will cover every section of the UCAT, covering the core techniques to answer the key types of questions.
- 10 hours dedicated to in-depth exploration of strategies for each question type within the five UCAT sections.
- 5 hours focused on guided practice, where you'll apply the strategies you've learned to UCAT questions.
Our expert instructors will walk you through the most effective approaches, helping you develop a toolbox of techniques to tackle even the toughest questions. After each mock exam, your instructor will lead a thorough review session, analysing the questions and explaining the correct answers. This immediate feedback helps you identify areas for improvement and refine your approach.
Verbal Reasoning (VR)
The Verbal Reasoning section of the UCAT is largely one of the most feared subtests of the exam for many medical school candidates - in 2024, the average score was 572. In our VR sessions, we'll focus on the power of "mental mapping," a technique designed by Dr. Dibah Jiva to help you effectively navigate even the most challenging passages. The strategy is unique to theMSAG team, created by us and only taught in our live course. Through engaging exercises and real-world examples, you'll learn how to quickly identify key information and tackle the trickiest questions with confidence.
Decision Making (DM)
Our DM sessions are designed to accommodate different learning preferences, providing you with both quantitative and visual approaches to problem-solving. We are the only course in the UK that dedicates four whole hours to decision making review. Whether you're a "math brain" or someone who thrives on drawing and using tables, we'll equip you with specific methods for tackling each question type. We will walk you through the process of mastering logic puzzles, decoding syllogisms, and navigating the intricacies of probabilistic reasoning and Venn diagrams.
Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
Quantitative reasoning is the highest scoring section in the UCAT. In our QR sessions, we'll go beyond simple methods for each question type, focusing on the essential skills of quick recognition and strategic decision-making. We will teach you how to identify question types within seconds, decide when to skip a question, and employ smart estimation techniques to save valuable time. Through engaging practice questions and targeted feedback, you'll develop the mental agility and problem-solving prowess needed to excel in QR.
Abstract Reasoning (AR)
The abstract reasoning section of the UCAT is where we see the fastest improvement in our students. Developing a systematic approach and building confidence are the keys to success in AR. Our blended approach of using mnemonic and critical tips to recognise common patterns fast sets you up to excel in abstract reasoning. We will show you a step-by-step process for quickly identifying patterns, rules, and relationships within abstract shapes. Through a series of fun and challenging exercises, you'll train your brain to see things quickly at a glance, giving you a significant advantage when tackling new patterns.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
The Situational Judgement section has gained weight in importance over the last few years. Many medical schools now have selection algorithms that strongly prefer students who achieve a band 1 in the SJT. In our SJT sessions, we focus on bridging the gap between the GMC's 'Good Medical Practice' guidelines and their practical application. Through interactive discussions and carefully selected examples, we will help you develop a deeper understanding of how to apply the duties of a doctor to a wide range of scenarios. Our sessions give you a clear framework for approaching SJT questions so that you can answer correctly with a lot more confidence.
Timing Strategies
In our focused timing session, you'll receive guidance on pacing yourself effectively throughout the UCAT. We'll share proven strategies for quickly identifying and prioritizing key information, minimizing the impact of challenging questions, and maintaining a steady pace that keeps you feeling cool, calm, and collected on test day.
Instructor Profiles
The skills of your instructors directly influences the quality of your learning experience. That's why we're proud to have two exceptional instructors leading our Live UCAT Course:
Dr. Dibah Jiva:
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Founder of The MSAG and a qualified doctor with 17 years of experience in medical school admissions.
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Created the innovative "mental mapping" methodology for the UCAT Verbal Reasoning section, which has helped thousands of students improve their scores.
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Specialises in teaching Verbal Reasoning and Situational Judgement, using her deep understanding of these sections.
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Has an exceptional track record, with most of her students achieving Band 1 (top 20%) scores in the Situational Judgement section.
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Known for her supportive teaching style and ability to break down complex concepts into easily understandable components.
Esha Gogna:
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A third-year dentistry student at the University of Birmingham and top 1% UCAT scorer, with a passion for helping aspiring medics succeed. Achieved 4A* at A-Level and received offers from multiple UK and Irish dental schools.
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Top 1% UCAT scorer (99th percentile) with exceptional scores in Quantitative Reasoning (880), Abstract Reasoning (870), and Decision Making (860).
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Specialises in teaching these three sections, drawing on her personal experience and in-depth knowledge to help students master even the most challenging question types. An engaging and approachable tutor, skilled at creating a positive learning environment and fostering student confidence.
- Recognized for academic excellence, awarded commendations and shortlisted for the Junior Clinical Dental Scholarship.
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In addition to her academic achievements, Esha is actively involved in various leadership roles and societies. She serves as the Year 3 student representative of the School of Dentistry, Co-Chair of the Staff Student Forum and the Vice-President of Toastmasters (UoB). Her involvement in the Birmingham Widening Access Medical Society show her commitment to supporting aspiring medical and dental students from diverse backgrounds.
- Actively contributes to course improvement by initiating and managing extracurricular clinical observations in specialties like Cleft Lip and Palate and Oncology and chairing meetings with senior university and NHS members to implement actionable improvements to the dental course.
Our instructors work together seamlessly to give complete support and guidance throughout the Live UCAT Course. With their combined expertise and dedication to student success, you can feel confident that you're learning from the best in the field.
Interactive/Engaging Learning Experience
We believe that the best way to learn is by doing. That's why our Live UCAT Course is designed to be highly interactive and engaging, with a strong emphasis on hands-on practice and real-time feedback. Throughout the course, we work together through a variety of UCAT questions as a way to discover and later apply strategies and techniques. These interactive sessions provide a unique opportunity to solve problems collaboratively, explain your thought process, and receive immediate feedback to help you refine your approach. We also use an EXAM simulator software that mimics the real UCAT experience. You'll have the opportunity to take 10-minute mock exams for each section, followed by detailed reviews and discussions with your instructors.
In addition, our course uses professional, fully animated presentations with interactive quizzes that further enhance the learning experience and support visual learners. These engaging materials are designed to reinforce key concepts and keep you actively involved in the learning process. By combining various teaching methods and resources, we serve different learning styles and make sure that you're able to grasp and retain the information effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Live UCAT Course
Enrollment, Policies, and Comparison
UCAT Exam and Preparation
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Not offered all classes as...
As promised no of hours not covered. Will not recommend . Communication was very poor
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My son has seen his confidence flourish during...
My son has seen his confidence flourish during the week’s course. Great value with dedicated teachers. Thanks you and highly recommended.
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group UCAT tutoring, and 1to1 private VR Tutoring
Really helpful, enjoyed it a lot and has made me feel better about the UCAT
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Feedback for themsag
The app has proved to be very useful and the tutors have a general understanding of how to approach questions which using their teachings have made it easier to progress and get questions right
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very interactive
This course helped so much with all the sections and I feel a lot more confident and this course has helped guide me into how to approach each section. Thank you for everything
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Really helpful
The course was really interactive, giving loads of tips and tricks for each of the sections. The tutors were all really nice and helpful.
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Would recommend
very good and helpful especially compared to other courses.
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very informative
I really enjoyed the course overall, I feel like I have picked up lots up tips that I never knew about regarding flagging questions and timing which is what I was most concerned about.
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Amazing course
Very interactive and helpful. The tutors were all very infomative and kind. Overall an amazing course.
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Great way to start prepping for the UCAT
Great , all the teachers explain their respective sections brilliantly and the strategy to approach each makes the UCAT feel a lot less daunting.
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UCAT live course
I really liked the experience, it has been really useful to learn some strategies for each section of the UCAT.
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Helpful
I found the course really helpful and interactive. It helped to go through questions and the reasons why they were right or wrong. Also the different approaches and time saving strategies were really helpful as well
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UCAT live on line course
very good, interactive, experienced teachers
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UCAT Course Review
This course has been very helpful with all of the strategies we have been taught and the practice questions we have gone through together. The teachers explained everything really well and broke each section of the UCAT down, making the harder parts of the UCAT much easier to understand! I also liked how interactive the classes were. :)
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good
good friendly teachers and good strategies with lots of practice
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My feedback
I found the UCAT weekday course really helpful, as it presented best strategies for completing the exam in the most efficient way. I enjoyed the interaction between the students and the tutor, which forced me to do the exercises by myself (rather than just looking how someone else solves them) and learn from my mistakes. Each course was well structured and the mock exams allowed me to practice even more and see which types of exercises were the most difficult for me. However it is unfortunate we could not have a personal contact in class, like it used to be in the pre-pandemic times.
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Holly Review
This has been a fabulous course and has given me so many tips and tricks that are going to help my revision in the future.
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Great course for getting into UCAT
The classes are well-prepared with contents targeting each section of the UCAT exam. It is a great way to quickly familiarise yourself with the question format and essential techniques to score high in the test. Highly recommended!
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Great UCAT course
Excellent course with thorough explanations for each section including incredibly helpful approaches and strategies to solve different types of questions. The tutors were kind, helpful and interactive and made sure all the participants were engaged and understood everything. Thank you!
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Review of UCAT course
The course was very good and very well organised. I learnt new tips and strategies for each of the sections that I had previously not heard about- particularly for sections most candidates find difficult such as VR.
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Great UCAT Course
very good. Tutors give clear advice and help. Small groups so its very easy to get help when needed.
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Very helpful insight to UCAT
I am a reapplicant, I wish I had found this course last year, but I was very fortunate to use it this year. I felt the class was very well structured, I especially liked the approach section to each question type, the tutors where able to make the sessions very interactive and engaging through using polls for students to answer questions. I would highly recommend this course for anyone thinking to doing the UCAT.
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Very helpful insight to UCAT
I found that overall the structure of the course was really thorough, and they taught me some really unique techniques and approaches for each question type which would undoubtedly give me a great advantage when completing the UCAT. I found it to be very interactive as they constantly checked my understanding through application on practice questions. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking of doing the UCAT
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UCAT preparation course
It was really good and engaging. All the tutors seemed well experienced and had in depth knowledge on their section of the UCAT.
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UCAT Live Online Course
All of the team at the MSAG are so friendly and always go above and beyond to help. Best of all, they gave me the confidence to believe I could do well in the UCAT. I went on the week long UCAT live online course in September. The tutors taught us lots helpful strategies and timing tips which were so valuable when it came to the real thing. I loved the small group teaching (something I was not used to at all) as I always felt comfortable to ask about anything I was unsure of. The way the course was structured (doing small chunks daily) was also something that was really helpful. It was great to have access to their online question bank too. We used this during the course and did mini tests for every section. The question bank prepared me so much more for the exam. QR and AR were especially helpful. With support from the MSAG and lots more practice I saw my score go up from 2560 band 3 (2019) to 2860 band 1(2020). I would recommend this course to anyone!
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Excellent Experience
My overall experience has been very good I wish I knew about this earlier , I would definitely recommend this to anyone !
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really good
this course taught me so much and i can tell that i've really improved when i apply the new approaches and techniques the course taught me
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UCAT
Great experience
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Brilliant Team with brilliant advice 24/7!!
I sat my UCAT this morning and was very nervous beforehand. Yesterday I was still struggling with timing (especially in Quantitative Reasoning) and so messaged theMSAG team for some last minute advice. Dibah and Rachel went above and beyond and let me ring them and ask them any questions I had (even on a Friday evening:)). They gave some great last minute advice and tips that I really believe improved my score massively. Also Dibah gave me some kind words this morning which really helped with my confidence. To start my preparation (about 3 weeks ago) I took part in theMSAG virtual one week class, which set up a brilliant base for me to work on. All the team at theMSAG who I interacted with (Madeleine, Dibah, Zahra and Rachel) were really knowledgable, kind and helpful, and I would say that it is because of their help that I managed to achieve an average of 775 overall and Band 1 in Situational Judgement. Thanks again!
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Online course
Exceptional service, went above and beyond. Definitely worth doing this course and I would highly recommend to any aspiring medical/dental students. The tutors care about the students
15 hours Live UCAT Course
Taught by Esha Gogna (99 percentile score) and Dr Jiva (Founder of theMSAG.com)