GEM Entry 2010

[flower87]

I agree the UKCAT seems pretty pointless, especially when you consider that the same applicant's scores can vary widely year on year, which doesn't exactly make it the best indicator of a candidate's abilities. I personally got a much better score on it this year than last, but can't really attribute it to any sort of skill or knowledge on my part - it just feels as though I got lucky.

I also agree with foxyamy's point about the cost of these tests, it does sort of feel like a big moneymaking scheme where there's no consideration of the fact that people may have to sit two or three of these tests depending on where they want to go - I was considering applying to Nottingham this year but the cost of sitting the GAMSAT for a second time (sat it last year and only just passed) put me off. Having sat all three during the course of my med school applications (this is my third time) I feel that maybe something like the BMAT may be the best way to go - although still not ideal, it at least tests applicants scientific knowledge, literacy and numeracy skills which to me seems more relevant than the exercises in the UKCAT!

Back to the original question I applied to Newcastle last year and got an interview with a score of 687.5, so I'm sure 687 would be fine - I haven't heard anything as yet but last year heard around mid-December so we may hear something soon, they may just still be working their way through applications.

[physjim86]

I would not be surprised if the UKCAT was found to make quite a lot of money, although you can apply for a bursary from some universities for it if the cost of it would prohibit you from taking it, I didn't look into this so not sure exactly how it works but it is there.

With gamsat however I can see how the cost of writing the questions, researching them, getting them tested and checked, then publishing, then having the electronic marking set up, delivering the papers to the test centres and back to "HQ", paying the professional markers, two of whom scrutinize your essays, booking the locations where the exams are held, paying the invigilators, maintaining the computer systems they use and the staff needed to send out all the emails asking people to supply their UCAS number near the exam date - and so on, can come very close to being near the cost of £178 that we have to pay.

Having done UKCAT and GAMSAT this year, I think GAMSAT is the better one, because the sheer volume of questions makes it much more unlikely for someone to guess their way to a good answer, as well as the essay which cannot be guessed.

[Manana]

I would not be surprised if the UKCAT was found to make quite a lot of money, although you can apply for a bursary from some universities for it if the cost of it would prohibit you from taking it, I didn't look into this so not sure exactly how it works but it is there.

The UKCAT bursary scheme is run by the UKCAT administrators rather than the individual universities. To be eligible you must either be in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) at the top rate of £30 or be personally in receipt of income support. If you provide the admininistrators with evidence of either of these things then they e-mail you a code so that when you register for the UKCAT you don't get charged by Pearson Vue for the test. I didn't qualify for the UKCAT bursary but looked into it as my income is quite low at the moment as I'm working as a HCA.

[fortysixandtwo]

I would love to do an experiment where say, 10 people sat the UKCAT exam a certain number of times (say 5) to see if they would score similar results each time.

I can't imagine it to be a very accurate predictor of intelligence and in my opinion is more like an elaborate form of lottery.

[fortysixandtwo]

Got an interview with Newcastle

[flower87]

Me too, on the same day as yours what time is yours at?

[tcdlewis]

Newcastle trialled the UKCAT in 2007 and 2008 to see if it was a good indicator of student performance and, according to the course director, there is a lovely graph showing a strong positive correlation between UKCAT scores and medical exam scores (in years one and two at least). This is why the course uses the UKCAT solely to whittle down applicants to the interview stage. After that the application and interview as a whole are considered.

[welsmeg05]

I think the main purpose of the UKCAT is as another factor the medical schools can use to differentiate between people. Most applicants will being getting AAA predictions and have done similar work experience so they have to do further tests.

Though it is unfar for them to have a cut off score. My friend was rejected from glasgow because she had a UKCAT score of 2490 and you need one of 2500 to be called to interview which is pretty unfair.

I know edinburgh for example split it into quartiles and give you a score of 0-3 accordingly so it makes up about 15% of your application.

[fortysixandtwo]

Me too, on the same day as yours what time is yours at?

It's at 11:30am. How about you?

Do you know where you're gonna stay?

[flower87]

Mine's at 10:30am - not sure where I'm going to stay yet, I was thinking maybe the Travelodge near the train station as that's what I did when I was interviewed last year and it's not too far from the uni either so it worked quite well. Have you sorted out where you're staying yet?