Some medical schools use the UCAS tariff point system to designate entry requirements. This point system establishes agreed comparability between different types of qualifications and between applicants with different types and volumes of achievement.
In addition to application through UCAS, medical schools require applicants to take admission tests.
University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)
UCAT is used as part of the selection procedure for 30 medical schools in the UK. The UCAT test focuses on testing attributes considered to be valuable for healthcare professionals. It aims to ensure applicants selected to medical school have the mental abilities, attitudes and professional behaviours required to be successful doctors.
UCAT also offers various bursaries for those that require financial support to pay for the test, with applications open May to September every year.
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BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
BMAT assesses a candidate's potential to study an academically demanding undergraduate biomedical degree. The test is designed to be challenging, in order to discriminate effectively between applicants for university courses. BMAT is required for applicants to the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University College London, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Leeds, Keele University and Lancaster Medical School.
BMAT offers reimbursement of the standard test entry fee based on the candidate's ability to pay, as long as they have applied to a BMAT university.
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Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)
The GAMSAT is a test for applicants to graduate-entry medical courses. The GAMSAT involves testing your ability to think critically, analyse information and express your thoughts clearly and effectively. GAMSAT is required for applications to graduate-entry programmes at St George’s University of London, the University of Nottingham at Derby, the University of Wales Swansea, and Keele University.
Registration for sitting the GAMSAT is between June and August, and the test takes place once a year in mid-September. At the moment, the GAMSAT test does not offer any concessions.
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Top tips
After completing your entrance exam, jot down some points you made in the essay question. You may be asked questions about what you wrote in your university interview.