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The UCAT dates for 2025 have been announced. Furthermore, the registration process for this year has already started! The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a mandatory admission test for students in dental or medicine courses in top UK universities. If you are interested in taking the UCAT, you must learn about the dates and other important deadlines. This will allow you to apply on time and avoid any last-minute hassle. In this blog, we have covered everything you need to know about the UCAT dates: registration, exam cost, how to prepare for the exam, and how to cancel your exam if you want to.
This Blog Includes:
- UCAT Dates 2025
- How Many Times is UCAT Conducted in a Year?
- What is the Last Date for the UCAT Registration?
- What are the UCAT Dates for 2027 Entry?
- UCAT Cost 2025
- University Clinical Aptitude Test Registration Steps
- 5 Tips to Prepare for the UCAT from Previous Applicants
- What is the Best Time to take UCAT?
- UCAT Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy
- FAQs
UCAT Dates 2025
The UCAT is conducted once a year. If you are applying to UK universities, you must register as soon as possible. The UCAT important dates are provided below for your reference. The dates provided are as per the UCAT official website. Keep in mind that the 2025 exam registration is for entry to the 2026 batch. The 2026 exam dates have not yet been disclosed.
| S.No. | Event | Date |
| 1 | UCAT account creation, bursary & access applications open | 13 May (09:30 BST) |
| 2 | Booking opens | 17 June (06:00 BST) |
| 3 | Testing starts | 7 July |
| 4 | Access arrangement application deadline | 16 September (noon BST) |
| 5 | Booking deadline & account creation close | 19 September (noon BST) |
| 6 | Final test date | 26 September |
| 7 | Bursary application deadline | 26 September (16:00 BST) |
| 8 | UCAS deadline | 15 October |
| 9 | Results sent to universities | Early November |
How Many Times is UCAT Conducted in a Year?
The UCAT is conducted once a year. Moreover, you can only choose to apply to UCAT (for UK universities specifically) or UCAT ANZ (mainly for Australian and New Zealand university admission). You cannot sit for both exams in one academic year. The reason? The course content is very similar. If you want to enrol next year or in 2027 as deferred entry, you must register now.
What is the Last Date for the UCAT Registration?
The Last Date for UCAT registration is 19th September 2025. The registration process has already started, and the test booking dates are also open. If you register now, you can quickly book your test centre, pay the fees and register for the test. Account creation would not be permitted after noon of 19th September 2025.
What are the UCAT Dates for 2027 Entry?
Do you want to apply for the 2027 entry? Then, you must sit for the 2026 UCAT examination. Unfortunately, the next year’s registration dates have not been announced. However, there is a pattern. Based on the same, we have made a table below. The table showcases the estimated UCAT dates for 2027 entry. You can go through this table to get to know the dates, and prepare for your exam in advance.
| S.No. | Event | Date (Typical) |
| 1 | UCAT account creation opens | Mid-May |
| 2 | Bursary & access arrangement applications open | Mid-May |
| 3 | Test booking opens | Mid-June |
| 4 | Testing window begins | Early July |
| 5 | Access arrangement application deadline | Mid-September (noon BST) |
| 6 | Booking deadline | Mid-September (noon BST) |
| 7 | Last test date | Late September |
| 8 | Bursary application deadline | Late September (16:00 BST) |
| 9 | UCAS application deadline | 15 October |
To learn more about UCAT dates, watch this video
(Please note: this video is a year old. Hence, the dates mentioned may be outdated. However, watching this video may give you other key insights about the exam.)
UCAT Cost 2025
The cost of the UCAT registration depends on your location and nationality. UK applicants have lower registration fees compared to students applying outside the UK. The UK students also have the benefit of accessing bursaries and can apply for the same. If you are applying for a bursary, you must do the same before booking the test date and centre.
| S.No | Test Location | Cost (2025) |
| 1 | United Kingdom | EUR 70 |
| 2 | Test centres outside the UK | EUR 115 |
The good news is that anyone who needs special arrangements (irrespective of location) can apply for the same.
Also Read: What is the Physics Aptitude Test for Oxford?
University Clinical Aptitude Test Registration Steps
UCAT registration must be done as early as possible. This is because late registration means you may not get the test centre you want. Therefore, you may have to travel some distance to take the test. This can be a hassle. Moreover, those requiring special arrangements will not get time for arrangement approval, and then a test booking. Know that it is your responsibility to apply on time. The test registration process is as follows:
- Create a UCAT account: The UCAT dates for registration are currently open. The first step you need to take is to create a UCAT account. Know that you can only have one UCAT account (even if you are a returning student). You need to provide photo identification and other details.
- Log in to your account: Pearson VUE will send a confirmation email. A link will be provided; you can click on that to log in to your account and note down your CAT candidate ID.
- Book your test: You can book your test. The UCAT dates for test bookings are open.
- Pay your fees: Pay the UCAT registration fees and get a payment confirmation
At this stage, your registration is complete. Take a printout of the booking confirmation and payment confirmation email for future reference.
5 Tips to Prepare for the UCAT from Previous Applicants
To clear the UCAT examination, you must dedicate at least 2 to 3 months to preparation. UCAT is considered a difficult examination because it assesses your verbal reasoning, problem-solving abilities, quantitative reasoning, and more. Hence, preparing well for the exam is essential to clear it. Here are 5 expert tips from previous UCAS applicants that you may find valuable.
- Make use of the UCAT question banks and sample papers. Similar questions are asked in the main paper. Hence, it will be useful.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses and dedicate time to working on your weaknesses.
- Use an on-screen calculator while preparing. You are allowed to use on-screen calculators during the UCAT. Hence, getting a habit of using calculators will help you use it during exams.
- The UCAT official resources are enough to get an idea of how the paper is going to be. You do not have to pay for courses that are way too expensive.
- Focus on one section at a time, and have a structured plan while preparing for UCAT.
Also Read: TMUA Preparation: 5 Proven Tips to Ace the UK Mathematics Entrance Exam
What is the Best Time to take UCAT?
The UCAT does not take place on one specific date. Instead, the testing window remains open Monday, July 7, 2025, until Friday, September 26, 2025. You can choose any of these UCAT dates for the exam. Choose a testing window that suits you between July to September.
An applicant who scored in the 98th Percentile said that (as per the UCAT website) the best time to choose was in early August. This gives enough time to prepare for the test. As per most applicants, the best time to take the exam is around late July to August. There are many reasons for this. For example,
- Summer breaks are between July and August. During this time, you can engage in uninterrupted study sessions. You will have to cope with schoolwork.
- In case of any unforeseen circumstances, you have to reschedule your test. You can do so. You have the option to reschedule the paper within the testing window.
- Getting UCAS out of the way before Year 13 (the academic year) begins is stress relief
- During this time, you can also easily get the test centre you want
- Taking the test early means getting the results early. Based on your results, you can make an informed decision about your career early.
UCAT Rescheduling and Cancellation Policy
UCAT rescheduling and cancellation are not available to those who have requested arrangements to be made. For example, requesting accommodation. Although the UCAT dates for cancellation and rescheduling are shown, it is not for those who have received special arrangements. The rescheduling and cancellation policy is as follows:
- UCAT cancellation: You can cancel the UCAT exam 24 hours before the exam date. If you cancel within the given time, you will be given a refund. Otherwise, you won’t receive a refund.
- UCAT Rescheduling: You need to give at least 24 hours’ notice before you reschedule your paper. Rescheduling is subject to test date availability. Ensure that you get a confirmation email of the rescheduled date. Free rescheduling is possible.
If the test booking window closes and you want to cancel or reschedule, you need to contact the customer service (Pearson VUE). If you choose not to show up for the test, you will not be eligible for free rescheduling of the exam or a refund.
Also Read: ESAT Admissions Test: Format, Fees, Score, and Universities Accepting Test Results
FAQs
Yes. As an Indian, you can take the UCAT examination after registration. The UCAT can be taken at a Pearson VUE authorised test centres. There are about 20 test centres in India. Test centres are in various locations. For example, Delhi, Gurugram, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chennai.
Yes. You can do MBBS in the UK without UCAT. However, there are only a few universities that offer the MBBS course without the UCAT. For example, the University of Buckingham.
Both UCAT and NEET are considered to be difficult. It is not fair to compare them as they cater to different education systems. Generally, you will find UCAT to be easier if you have strong skills. The exam does not focus on rote learning but on the application of knowledge. NEET, on the other hand, is a knowledge-based exam. If you have a solid grasp of the syllabus and a strong foundation in chemistry, physics, etc. NEET would be easier for you.
The UCAT registration for 2025 has already started on 13th May. The last date to register for the test is 19th September 2025.
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