If you're planning to apply for Medicine or Dentistry in Australia, the UCAT 2026 is one of the most important exams you will sit. Your UCAT score plays a major role in determining whether you receive an interview offer — and ultimately a place in medical school.
This guide covers UCAT 2026 key dates, what the UCAT is, how to prepare effectively, where to find resources, and practice tests to help you get started.
UCAT 2026 Key Dates (Australia)
(Always confirm with the official UCAT ANZ website — dates may slightly change each year.)
UCAT ANZ 2026 Timeline
- Registration Opens: Early March 2026
- Bookings Open: March 2026
- UCAT Testing Window: July – Early August 2026
- Last Test Date: Early August 2026
- Results Available: Immediately after sitting the test
- UCAT Scores Sent to Universities: Automatically by UCAT ANZ
Important: You must sit the UCAT in the same year you apply for medicine.
What is the UCAT?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a computer-based admissions test used by medical and dental schools to assess aptitude, reasoning ability, decision-making, and problem-solving under pressure.
Unlike school exams, the UCAT does NOT test science knowledge. Instead, it evaluates how you think.
UCAT Sections
- Verbal Reasoning (VR) — Reading comprehension & critical thinking
- Decision Making (DM) — Logic, probability, interpreting data
- Quantitative Reasoning (QR) — Basic maths & numerical problem solving
- Abstract Reasoning (AR) — Pattern recognition
- Situational Judgement (SJT) — Ethical & professional decision making
Total test time: ~2 hours
Calculator: On-screen calculator provided
Sample UCAT Question — Verbal Reasoning
Passage:
Many medical schools increasingly value non-academic skills such as communication, empathy, and decision-making. These attributes are often assessed through aptitude testing rather than traditional exams.
Question:
The UCAT mainly tests scientific knowledge.
A) True
B) False
C) Cannot Tell
Answer: B — The UCAT tests aptitude, not scientific knowledge.
Sample UCAT Question — Quantitative Reasoning
A clinic sees 240 patients per day.
60% are general consultations, 25% are follow-ups, and the rest are emergency visits.
How many emergency patients are seen per day?
Answer:
General = 144
Follow-ups = 60
Remaining = 36 emergency patients
UCAT 2026 Question Banks
Use the four question banks below to become familiar with the types of questions you will encounter in the UCAT. Each subtest bank contains a large number of questions, so you may prefer to complete them across multiple practice sessions.
Please note that your progress will not be saved, so it is recommended that you keep track of which questions you have attempted.
From the University Clinical Aptitude Test ANZ Website:
- Verbal Reasoning Question Bank
- Decision Making Questions Bank
- Quantitative Reasoning Question Bank
- Situational Judgement Question Bank
UCAT 2026 Practice Tests
Use these full practice tests closer to your exam date to evaluate your performance under realistic timed conditions.
At the end of each test, the review screen will show which answers were correct and incorrect. From this page, you can revisit individual questions to view the correct answer and read a detailed explanation by selecting the “Explain Answer” option.
From the University Clinical Aptitude Test ANZ Website:
Revision Resources
KIS Academics UCAT tutors will be able to provide multiple sources to assist with your understanding of the UCAT test format, and overall UCAT exam preparation. We offer an abundance of free blog articles, preparation materials such as practice exams, as well as highly-skilled tutors who understand this exam and application process inside and out.
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
How do I prepare for the UCAT?
- Start early (ideally 6 months before): Schedule regular practice with a structured study plan that covers all sections evenly.
- Use official question banks and practice papers: Timed mock exams (under real conditions) are the best way to build speed, accuracy, and test stamina.
- Identify and target weak areas: Do a diagnostic test first and adjust your plan to focus extra practice where you struggle, using tutorials for tough topics.
- Build speed and time management: Use timestamp strategies - work out how many questions to complete at intervals (e.g. every 5 minutes), skip hard ones, and always keep moving.
- Find out more here.
What is the UCAT Test Structure in 2026?
- There are five sections:
- Verbal Reasoning (44 questions, 22 mins)
- Decision Making (35 questions, 37 mins)
- Quantitative Reasoning (36 questions, 26 mins)
- Situational Judgement (69 questions, 26 mins)
- Abstract Reasoning is no longer assessed starting in 2025.
- Find out more here.
Can I get into Medicine without taking the UCAT?
An alternate pathway into medicine, the post-graduate pathway, does not require students to sit the UCAT. In this pathway, the UCAT is replaced by the GAMSAT, and the ATAR is replaced by your undergraduate university scores – which can be in any degree, but most people chose a health/science-related degree such as biomedicine, science, or nursing.
Need some support? Check out some of Australia's best UCAT Tutors.
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