Regarding the UKCAT...

[draconian]

Hello all,

as I have just taken my UKCAT today I thought I would post some things regarding my experiences. I must stress that these are my comments, and I do not wish to scare, annoy, elate, petrify anyone. As a warning I found this exam rather difficult, so remember you may sail through it!

First of all I have to say that the man at reception in the pearson vue in gloucester is LOVELY. He even supplied me with a lucky handshake and a hand held basic calculator, dry wipe piece of paper (with squares on it) with a pen

VERBAL REASONING
I had done as much practise as I could on the questions, yet some of them just threw me. The passages seemed to be of the same complexity as those in the 'passing the ukcat' book, just a wee bit more taxing than the practise questions online, but still do-able.
I finished 2 minutes before time, and that was with reading the passage before each set of questions, reading the questions then referring back to the passage. The time constraints in this section seemed to be do-able, with the major source of time loss (supposedly) from reading (well duh the whole forum goes) ...But, as a general comment ensure you read for a couple of weeks prior to the exam at a fast pace. You kind of get the hang of gliding across the words in a floaty motion.

NUMERICAL REASONING
Ouch...I believe my brain switched off at this point.
Advice I would give is to make sure you know the volumes, depths, surface areas, percentages, means, ratios, fractions, modes...
Measuring the amount of tape required for a window, calculating the depth of a pool, interpreting the average village size, how full is the water tank, what percentage of change occured from 2002-2006 etc etc.
Time was VERY pushed in this section, I got to question 27/44 realising there were 3 minutes left. The calculations werent really the time consumer (thanks to the nifty calculator) but it was interpreting the data to begin with.
If I could do the test again I would first glance at the question before I started reading the charts/graphs/diagrams, to get in the right mind set.

ABSTRACT REASONING
Could not for the life of me grasp the patterns in 7/11 of the sets so decided to let fate run its course by going with my gut instinct. I tried to deduce the correct trends in each set, but really could not get it!!!!
I found the sets to be far more complicated than anything I have come across before, with loads of "distractions".
On the positive side the time again I found do-able, yet I used the keyboard shortcuts to control the screen. (If you dont know these I suggest you have a ganny online on the ukcat site, they speed the scrolling and "next" also "exhibit" buttons and "tile" thingamebobs)

DECISION ANALYSIS
My "favourite" section! Exactly the same as in the book previously mentioned, with plenty of time to write the words out on the paper then interpret the meaning. The codes seemed to contain almost the same words as within the practise question and the ukcat book.

NON-COGNITIVE ANALYSIS
44 questions, each relating to interpersonal values-(for moi).
I am under the impression that the computer generates randomly a set of questions, which may fall within a selection of opinion/value categories. I think this is the reason some people get one statement, whilst others get loads!
All of my questions were obviously centered around the same thing, that being how I would act, and how I think it was appropriate to act in situations compromising individuality/confidentiality against society (laws etc)
Scenarios included a teacher dating a student, man stealing and pregnant 14 yr old. Answering was mainly in the form of strongly agree--strongly disagree, with some asking for what I would say/do in a certain situation.
Answering honestly is easy, as I believe lying for the benefit of the test would get you in more trouble results wise!!!
It seems the questions have been written so "agree" and "disagree" responses are both valid, as long as the rest of the test follows suit with those principals interpretations and beliefs. There seemed to be more than one way to discuss the question, not a straight forward-"this answer is for Ms Dr."
A final read through of this section (which there is PLENTY of time for) is essential, as you can make sure questions which obviously cross link match to your beliefs. I found a couple of questions were I had answered disagree, when on a read through of the QUESTION WORDING i actually agreed.
Dont forget the exhibit bits in this section either people, they are really useful as set the scene for what they are asking. The exhibit info changes without warning either, so make sure you know what you are talking about! Again, keyboard shortcuts come in useful...

Hope this helps someone, anyone, everyone
Anybody thinking about how to prepare. I would get the book from amazon "passing the UKCAT and BMAT", just for the decision analysis, verbal reasoning and a glance at some shapes.
For those that need more preparation then there is reading lots, maths calculations, online IQ/Psychometric/Aptitude test, Critical thinking books (Close reading), AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SLEEP, GOOD FOOD AND SMILING.
Best of luck to all those Dr's in waiting out there.

Draconian
xxx

My results were 620/610/640/650

(I'm happy with this, needed 2200 for southampton-yay )

Interpersonal values (IVQ)
Your results indicate;

Compared to the responses of other people, your responses suggest that you equally value the needs, well-being and freedom of individuals and the laws, norms and rights of society. When you feel a conflict between what each person should be able to do and what society expects them to do, you are likely to try hard to balance these interests.

[draconian]

p.s I apologise for any poor spelling/grammar!!! (have a fuzzy feeling in by brain)

[Platypus]

Thanks for that draconian! I am sure lots of people will find your comments useful. Hope you get into Southampton and good luck with your studies.

[georgiegirl]

Hi draconian

It's so generous for you to post all that good advice. I did the UKCAT on 12th July and got similar results - 650/610/670/630. I also got EXACTLY the same for section 5.

Good luck with your applications.

George x

[Dr Afro Jo]

Just echoing what the others have said - excellent post draconian! Personally, I have found your comments extremely useful. I will be sitting the UKCAT on 16th August, and it's great to hear the HONEST experiences of someone who has been there and done it already.

Good luck with your application to Southampton - all the best x

[arabella]

I guess you're not getting any results on the 16th Dr Afro Jo? lol I initially booked my test for then, forgetting it was results day! Just thought I'd check you weren't making the same mistake!
Also, I got the same comments for the 5th section as the two people above! It seems to be the most common so far...and your post is really good draconian, even tho I've already done mine I'm sure it would have helped. Everyone seems to have one of their best results in decision analysis, but mine was way worse than my others, obviously I am incapable of making decisions - were we supposed to give the most sensible answer that the cave person might have written, or the most accurate translation? I got very confused about this...xxx

[mimx]

thanks for the advice it veryyy useful, again in agreement with everypne that is a generous post. I did the practice test from the ukcat and bmat book and found the verbal section verrry hard.
I am sheduled to take my exam the 21st august.

[maria_88]

Thanks a lot! Comforting to hear that other people also find the test rather demanding!

[Sophia213]

HI. The advise from Draconian was very helpful! so thankyou! The timing seems very tight. Did you have to answer questions really quickly? Did you have time to think? because I find verbal reasoning extremely hard…As I am an international student and am a slow reader, I might run out of time. Is that true that I have to answer question in 20 seconds (from my calculation)? According to the book, for quantitative part, I have 21 minutes (1260 seconds) and there are 40 items so 31 seconds per question. But for verbal reasoning, there are 44 items in 21 minutes plus 11 reading, so I would have 114seconds per reading with 4 questions in it. Therefore, 25seconds per reading and 20seconds each for each question,…That is sooo hard!!! I have no time to think.(Sorry I made this paragraph so confusing). Also, is it true that the calculator that would be given is very slow?

For verbal reasoning, did you have time to refer back to the text when reassuring questions?

[draconian]

Hi all, thanks for all the positive comments regarding my post!! Glad I can help!
In response to the question about the slow calculator, I have to say that no, it was not slow. It was a normal hand held big size calculator with simple buttons, and it appeared to be faster than using a calculator on the computer. Apparently there was also a calculator on the computer which could be accessed (as told by the man at Pearson Vue) but if there was one I did not use it/see it or infact need it.

It was a tight squeeze for time, but the important thing is to remain calm. A lot of hype is put on the UKCAT as it is a timed test, but working at YOUR pace consistently is much more important than speeding through and getting it wrong.

Ahh the timing of each question...I would try not to get obsessed about that, I tried to work it out but found in the test it all went out the window. As long as you are aware you are under strict time controls and progress through them you will be okay (I hope ) I counted the time for the first 4 questions of abstract reasoning, and found by the time the clock had got to 30 seconds I hadnt even thought about the question, too worried about the time!!!!!!!

Finally, yes, i did have time to refer back to the questions, but only very briefly for a check..ie the wording. Think in the back of your mind whilst reading the first passage-"why is that word there, what are they saying."

Thankyou again for all the nice replies on this thread

*Luck*

Draconian
xx