Preparing for a career in medicine or dentistry is a long journey, and early planning can give your child a real advantage. If your Year 9 child is already considering these competitive health pathways, it’s important to understand what the UCAT ANZ is, why it matters, and how they can begin developing the right skills alongside their high school studies.
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a skill-based, psychometric exam used by most undergraduate medical and dental schools in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2019, it has been a core entry requirement alongside the ATAR and medical interviews.
Unlike traditional exams, the UCAT does not test curriculum knowledge. Instead, it measures cognitive abilities like critical thinking, problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and professional judgement, qualities that medical schools look for when selecting future doctors and dentists
The UCAT is very different from Year 9-12 school assessments:
- Time Pressure: Students must answer 184 questions in under 2 hours.
- Skills-Based: While school exams reward knowledge recall, the UCAT assesses reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving under pressure.
- Equal Weight with ATAR: At most universities, the UCAT score is considered just as important as academic results when applying for medicine or dentistry.
This means your child will need to balance strong academic results with targeted UCAT preparation.
From 2025 onwards, the UCAT ANZ includes three cognitive subtests plus the Situational Judgement Test (SJT). The Abstract Reasoning section has been removed from the 2025 UCAT and onwards.
Each subtest begins with a short instruction screen (1.5-2 minutes), not included in the test time.
Your child won’t sit UCAT until Year 12 (or later if they enter via a tertiary pathway). However, Year 9 is the perfect time to start building foundational skills:
- Stronger reading comprehension and vocabulary
- Confidence in numerical reasoning and data interpretation
- Exposure to logic puzzles and decision-based problems
- Better time management under exam-like conditions
- Development of soft skills like teamwork and resilience
By focusing on these now, your child will find it easier to transition to formal UCAT preparation later in high school.
Light Practice with UCAT Style Questions
Introduce your child to free UCAT practice questions. The goal at this stage is not mastery but familiarity with reasoning-based question styles.
Build a UCAT Study Plan Early
Encourage your child to create a balanced UCAT study timeline alongside high school commitments. By Year 11-12, this should evolve into focused UCAT preparation
Encourage UCAT Group Study
UCAT preparation is often more effective with peers. Group study boosts motivation, accountability, and collaboration, all traits valued in medical training
Consider UCAT Mentorship and Courses
A UCAT mentor or structured program such as the Strategy Weekend can help your child understand exam techniques early, making formal preparation smoother later on.
Each UCAT ANZ cognitive subtest is scored on a scale of 300-900. The three subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning) are then added together to produce a total cognitive score ranging from 900 to 2700.
The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is scored separately on the same 300-900 scale, but some universities may choose not to use SJT results as part of their admissions process.
A good UCAT score is generally one that places your child in the top quartile (25%) of candidates. In recent test cycles, this has meant achieving a total score above 2400, though the exact cut-off changes each year.
Frequently Asked Questions - How Can My Child Prepare for UCAT
Is UCAT only for Year 12 students?
No. While most sit UCAT in Year 12, anyone who has completed Year 12 or started a tertiary qualification is eligible.
What is a good UCAT score?
A competitive UCAT ANZ score is typically in the top 25% of candidates (around 2400+)
How long is the UCAT?
The UCAT ANZ has 184 questions, completed in just under 2 hours (including instruction screens)
When are UCAT dates released?
UCAT ANZ dates for 2026 entry will be published in December 2025, with the exam window running from July to August
