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Every University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) applicant must know about the test scores. Learning about the UCAT scores can help you set a bar that you need to achieve. It also helps those who have taken the test understand their test scores. UCAT scores are calculated based on the number of correct answers. There is no negative marking. Do you want to understand the UCAT score for medicine? This blog covers everything you need to know about the UCAT scores- the UCAT score for medicine, the highest UCAT score ever, the average test scores and more. Keep reading to learn more about it.
This Blog Includes:
- UCAT Scores: Scoring Pattern and Section Breakdown
- Understanding UCAT Percentiles and Deciles
- How Soon Do You Get Your UCAT Results?
- What Is A Good UCAT Score?
- What was the Highest UCAT Score Ever?
- What Is An Average UCAT Score?
- What Is A Low UCAT Score?
- What UCAT Score is Required For Medicine?
- An Analysis of UCAT Previous Year Scores for Medicine
- UCAT Scores: Average Scores (2019–2024)
- Situational Judgement Test: Band Distribution (2019–2024)
- FAQs
UCAT Scores: Scoring Pattern and Section Breakdown
The UCAT 2025 comprises three sections: verbal reasoning, decision-making, and quantitative reasoning. There are a different number of questions asked for each section. Therefore, a total scaled score is generated by totalling the individual scale scores. These scores range from 900 to 2700.
| S.No | Subtest | Number of Questions | Scoring Range | Marking Scheme |
| 1 | Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 300 – 900 | Each question is worth 1 mark. |
| 2 | Decision Making | 35 | 300 – 900 | Single-answer items are awarded 1 mark. Multi-statement questions carry 2 marks, with 1 mark given for partially correct answers. |
| 3 | Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 300 – 900 | Each question carries 1 mark. |
| 4 | Situational Judgement | 66 (approx.) | Band 1 – Band 4 | Full marks are awarded for exact matches with the correct response; partial marks are given for near matches. |
It is important to note that the situational judgement scores are scored differently. Instead of number scaling, you will be assigned one of the 4 bands.
| Band | Performance Description |
| Band 1 | Demonstrated excellent judgment, closely aligning with expert responses in most scenarios. |
| Band 2 | Showed good and consistent judgment, with many responses matching expert answers. |
| Band 3 | Displayed fair judgment in some situations, but showed notable differences from ideal answers in others. |
| Band 4 | Performance was weak, with frequent and significant deviations from expected responses. |
Understanding UCAT Percentiles and Deciles
Do you want to understand your UCAT score in comparison to other candidates? Then, learn about percentiles and deciles. We have provided the meaning of the same below:
UCAT Percentiles
The UCAT percentile shows you your performance in comparison to other applicants. The higher the percentile, the better your score. For example, scoring in the 90th percentile means scoring better than 90% of the applicants. Therefore, the 99th percentile is the score obtained by the top 1 % test takers. A percentile is converted into deciles. Hence, the 90th percentile becomes the 9th decline. Similarly, the 70th percentile becomes the 7th decile, etc.
UCAT Deciles
Each UCAT decile represents 10% of the candidates. Therefore, the higher your score, the higher your decile. The highest UCAT score ever is in the 9th decile. The lowest possible score is the 1st decile. If you score in the 9th decile, it means you are among the top 10% test takers. Contrary to this, scoring less in the bottom 10% means you are in the 1st decile. The UCAT score for medicine is not considered for the 1st decile. Universities automatically reject such applicants.
Also Read: UCAT Dates: Important Deadlines For UK University Applicants
How Soon Do You Get Your UCAT Results?
The best part about the UCAT is that you will get your results before you even leave the test centre! You heard that right. A copy of the UCAT results is handed out to you. Within 24 hours, your test results will be uploaded to your UCAT account as well.
When you register for the University Clinical Aptitude Test, you have the option to choose the universities you want to apply to. This includes partner universities. Once you have taken the test, the UCAT score for medicine will be sent directly to the chosen UK university in early November.
What Is A Good UCAT Score?
A good UCAT score for medicine is above 2800. This means you at least score an average of 700 in each section. Considering that one section is removed from the question paper (abstract reasoning), a good score in 2025 would be 2100. This means you have to score in the 8th decile or the 80th percentile or higher?
What was the Highest UCAT Score Ever?
A student in 2015 was able to achieve the highest UCAT score (so far). The score recorded was 3560. However, it is important to note that the maximum UCAT score before abstract reasoning was removed as a part of the test section was 3600 (900 for each section). No student has ever been able to achieve precisely 3600. The total possible score now (after the removal of the abstract reasoning is 2700. Nevertheless, 3560 is an exceptional score.
A score of 3560 would mean the student would be in the 99th percentile (they have scored higher than 99% of the candidates). Thus, their decile would be the 9th decile.
What Is An Average UCAT Score?
The UCAT registrations for 2025 are currently open. The scores will not be released till the exam is over. However, considering that the total cognitive UCAT score in 2025 is 2700 (Verbal Reasoning + Decision Making + Quantitative Reasoning), and the previous year’s scores, we can estimate that the average score this year would be around 1850-1900 out of 2700. Securing an average score would mean you fall in the 50th percentile and the 5th decile.
What Is A Low UCAT Score?
A low UCAT score would mean that your score is among the bottom 40% or lower. This means you have scored in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 40th deciles. In 2025, as per our estimate, a score below 1800-1850 is considered low. As per some other sources, a score below an average of 610-615 per section (around 1830-1845 total) is low.
What UCAT Score is Required For Medicine?
The UCAT score required for medicine varies. It depends on how each university uses the test scores. Each medical score has its own application process. The medical schools in the UK can choose to do any of the following:
- Set up a fixed cut-off (minimum score required for admission). If you score below this, you will not be able to get in.
- Top-scoring students can be called for an interview, and then the results would be based on their interview performance.
- Points to different parts of your application are given (UCAT, GCSEs, A-Levels, personal statement, etc). Then all of these points are calculated.
- Use your UCAT scores for consideration after the interview to make the final decision
- Some universities may set up a minimum SJT Situational Judgement Test band for assessment.
- A few universities may put more emphasis on certain sections.
Generally, a good UCAT score for medicine would be in the 6th or 7th decile (60th-79th percentile) or higher. A high score would be in the 8th or 9th decile (80th-99th percentile). If you score between 2050-2170+ (or an average of 680-725+ per section), and aim for SJT Band 1 or Band 2, you are likely to get admission in a UK university for medicine.
Also Read: BMSAT for Oxford: Format, Registration, Exam Date, Preparation Tips, and Results
An Analysis of UCAT Previous Year Scores for Medicine
Before 2025, UCAT included a section called abstract reasoning (which is now removed). Each subtest was scored between 300-900. Hence, the total score ranges from 1200-3600. As of 2025, the maximum score is 2700. Consider this while you make a comparison with the previous year’s results. The data below has been taken from the official website. You can view the data for your analysis of UCAT scores.
UCAT Scores: Average Scores (2019–2024)
The average score has remained almost the same over these years. A total score between 1840–1870 represents the average national score.
| Year | Candidates | Verbal | Decision | Quantitative | Total |
| 2024 | 37,913 | 601 | 620 | 649 | 1870 |
| 2023 | 35,625 | 591 | 623 | 649 | 1864 |
| 2022 | 36,374 | 567 | 616 | 658 | 1841 |
| 2021 | 37,230 | 572 | 610 | 665 | 1848 |
| 2020 | 34,153 | 570 | 625 | 664 | 1859 |
| 2019 | 29,375 | 565 | 618 | 662 | 1845 |
Situational Judgement Test: Band Distribution (2019–2024)
As per the table below, most applicants get around a band 2 or band 3 score. The band 1 score is a more competitive score. Those who score in band 4 are automatically rejected by universities in the UK. You can aim for a band 1 or 2 UCAT score for medicine admission.
| Year | Band 1 | Band 2 | Band 3 | Band 4 |
| 2024 | 13% | 36% | 38% | 13% |
| 2023 | 25% | 39% | 26% | 9% |
| 2022 | 20% | 36% | 31% | 14% |
| 2021 | 14% | 36% | 33% | 16% |
| 2020 | 30% | 36% | 24% | 9% |
| 2019 | 17% | 40% | 33% | 10% |
The University Clinical Aptitude Test no longer has the Abstract Reasoning Section in it. This is the major development of the UCAT 2025 paper. To learn more about such UCAT 2025 updates, watch this video below:
FAQs
The University Clinical Aptitude Test results are valid only for a year. This means that your score can only be used for the 2026 entry. You can also use the scores for deferred entry to 2027.
Oxford University do not use UCAT for its admission process. You need to sit for a relevant test solely for Oxford University, depending on the course you want to apply for.
No. The highest possible score you can get in 2025 is 2700. This is an outstanding score that no student has been able to achieve yet.
You cannot score 3000 in the UCAT exam simply because the exam is out of 2700. Earlier, there was a section called abstract reasoning added to the paper. Hence, the score was calculated out of 3600. In 2025, that is no longer the case.
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