My Child Wants to Sit the UCAT: How Do They Register and Prepare?

The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a mandatory admissions exam for most undergraduate medical programs in Australia and New Zealand.

If your child plans to study medicine or dentistry after Year 12, sitting the UCAT is essential. Given the competitive nature of these programs, both parents and students can feel anxious about the process. This guide will walk you through how to support your child with UCAT registration, deadlines, and preparation for the 2026 sitting.

Registering for the UCAT ANZ is a two-step process:

1. Create a UCAT ANZ account
   • Your child must create their own UCAT ANZ web account. No one else can do this on their behalf
   • Personal details such as name, address, and residency will need to be entered
   • The legal name must exactly match the photo ID your child will present on exam day. If there’s a mistake, corrections must be made through Pearson VUE before test day.
2. Book the UCAT test
   • After registration, your child will receive a confirmation email with login details
   • Using this, they can log in to book their UCAT test at a preferred test centre
   • Payment is only required when booking the test. Standard booking fees apply, with a concession scheme available for eligible candidates. Late bookings will incur an additional $85 AUD surcharge

Each year, UCAT ANZ follows a consistent schedule:

1. Registration
2. Booking
3. Testing
4. Results

While the official 2026 dates will be released in December 2025, you can expect a timeline similar to past sittings:

The UCAT is unlike any exam your child has faced in high school. Unlike content-based tests, it is a skills-based, time-pressured exam. Students must complete 184 multiple-choice questions across four subtests in just under two hours.

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.

The UCAT Subtests 2026 Format

Since the UCAT is a high-stake medical entry exam and can only be sat once per year, the right preparation is critical. As a parent, here’s how you can help:

1. Encourage Strategic UCAT Practice

UCAT success comes from more than repetition. Your child should break down question types and practice with targeted mock exams to build speed and accuracy.

2. Focus on UCAT-Related Skills , Not Just UCAT Content

The UCAT tests reasoning under pressure, not memory recall. Encourage your child to develop:

• Critical reading skills
• Quick numerical calculations
• Logical reasoning
• Ethical judgement and empathy

3. Balance UCAT With School Commitments

Both ATAR and UCAT scores are equally important for medical entry. Support your child in creating a balanced UCAT study timeline that complements their schoolwork.

4. Consider Mentorship and Professional Guidance for the UCAT

Working with an experienced UCAT mentor or joining structured programs like the UCAT Strategy Weekend can provide exam-specific strategies and boost confidence.

Supporting your child through UCAT ANZ 2026 is about more than ensuring they register on time. It’s about helping them develop the right mindset, study habits, and exam strategies to thrive under pressure.

By staying informed about UCAT deadlines, encouraging consistent practice, and making use of trusted UCAT preparation resources, you can give your child the best possible chance to secure their place in medicine or dentistry.

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Frequently Asked Questions - UCAT Registration and Preparation

1. Does my child need to sit the UCAT to study medicine?

Yes. The UCAT ANZ is a mandatory exam for most undergraduate medical programs in Australia and New Zealand. If your child wishes to enter medicine or dentistry after Year 12, they must sit the UCAT.

2. How does my child register for the UCAT ANZ?

Registration is a two-step process:

1. Your child creates a personal UCAT ANZ account online (this must be done by the candidate themselves)
2. Once the account is confirmed, they can log in and book a test before the official deadline

3. When are UCAT registration and booking deadlines?

Each year follows a similar sequence:

• Concession scheme and access arrangement applications open in February.
• Bookings open in March.
• Booking deadline usually falls in mid-May.
• A late booking deadline is available at the end of May (with an $85 AUD fee).
• The testing window runs from July to August.
• Results are delivered to universities by early September.

Where to Next

• UCAT Prep Timeline: How long do I need to prepare for UCAT?
• What Parents Need to Know About Undergraduate Medical Admission
• How Can My Year 9 Child Prepare For The UCAT?