Applying to Medical School Strategically: Part 1 - Using Your UCAT Score

Before we discuss what counts as a 'good' UCAT score, it is important to note that there are various ways of comparing UCAT scores:

• By total cognitive UCAT score (the sum of your UCAT Verbal Reasoning, UCAT Decision Making and UCAT Quantitative Reasoning scores). This ranges from 900 to 2700. This is the most widely used score format when selecting candidates for interview.

• By percentile ranking or decile (i.e. converting your total cognitive UCAT score into a rank that compares your performance against other UCAT candidates).

• By average cognitive UCAT score. For example, if a student scored 610 in UCAT Verbal Reasoning, 770 in UCAT Decision Making, and 780 in UCAT Quantitative Reasoning, the total UCAT score would be 2160, and the average would be 720.

The value of a UCAT score can be measured by the number of universities it allows a candidate to apply to. These scores are based on our analysis and projections; when 2025 statistics are released, scores may change slightly. However, in general:

• A high UCAT score would be around 2170+ (~725+ on average per subtest). Candidates with a high UCAT score are likely to secure a medical interview at most universities which require UCAT, if their academic achievement is also high.

• A good UCAT score would be in the range of 2070 to 2170 (690-725). This would likely secure candidates interviews at the majority of medical schools, including Sheffield and Manchester, provided that they also achieve Band 2 in Situational Judgement.

• An average UCAT score would be in the range of 1850 to 2070 (625 to 690). Students scoring in the upper end of this bracket would still be able to apply to some universities that shortlist candidates using the UCAT alone, such as Liverpool, Edge Hill and Anglia Ruskin. Those in the lower range should have sufficient scores for some of the universities that use a more holistic approach, such as Aston or Hull-York.

• A low UCAT score would generally be considered less than 1850 (615). This represents the average of the lower 5 UCAT deciles over the last 4 years. Students with a low UCAT score should apply to universities which focus on other aspects of their application. For example, Sunderland requires a UCAT score in the top 8 deciles (generally around 1735+). Beyond that, they use their own 'interview tool and numeracy test' to select candidates for interview, meaning that excellent work experience and volunteering can easily compensate for a lower UCAT score. Students could also consider applying to the University of Cardiff, which places far more emphasis on GCSE results, only looking at UCAT in marginal cases. However, they have been known to favour Welsh applicants.

• Candidates who achieve Band 4 in the UCAT Situational Judgement Test are not accepted into the majority of medical schools which require UCAT. However, depending on their overall cognitive score, students can still secure an interview at eight universities, including the Universities of Bristol and Plymouth. Note that universities which don't normally have a band requirement for UCAT Situational Judgement may still use your Situational Judgement subtest score as part of a tie-breaker between marginal applicants.

It is important to research each individual medical school’s scoring system (described further in our university admissions guide) and apply to schools where the specific system matches your strengths.

A useful strategy is to check whether your UCAT score would have been shortlisted for interview last year. (Note, however, that the UCAT cut-off scores required for an interview do change depending on the UCAT and GCSE scores achieved by the cohort each year). With the recent A-Level grade inflation, several universities have placed more weighting on the UCAT, meaning that the scores needed for an interview have increased. To be safe, apply to universities whose most recent cut-off you exceed.

It is also worth noting which universities use the UCAT post-interview (for selecting final places) instead of just to shortlist candidates. This is because it can give high-scoring candidates a clear benefit and makes it harder for a lower-scoring candidate to receive an offer. For example, the University of East Anglia uses UCAT as 50% of post-interview scoring and Situational Judgement as a fraction of the remainder. As they interview candidates with upwards of approximately 2100 in the UCAT, if you have a high score, you have a noticeable advantage.

Note that applying to medical school strategically might mean applying to a lower 'ranked' university to improve your chance of obtaining a place in medical school. However, the difference in rankings between the top and bottom medical schools in the UK is very small. Every medical school in the UK is GMC approved, which means that your degree will qualify you as a doctor and allow you to work in the NHS. Thus, the medical school you attended makes very little difference to your prospects after medical school. For more guidance on how to choose a medical school, please see our blog.

Note: UCAT score thresholds do change year-to-year and are impossible to predict with certainty until after the UCAS October 15^th deadline.

Check out other blogs in this series:

• Applying to Medical School Strategically: Part 2 - Where to Apply with a High UCAT Score
• Applying to Medical School Strategically: Part 3 - Where to Apply with a Good UCAT Score
• Applying to Medical School Strategically: Part 4 - Where to Apply with an Average UCAT Score
• Applying to Medical School Strategically: Part 5 - Where to apply with a Low UCAT Score
• Interested in dentistry? Check out our blog on applying to dental school strategically