The UKCAT scoring system

**doc99** · 01-09-2007, 07:34 PM

Hi I just wanted to find out about the UKCAT scoring system.

I think the best you can get in each of the four sections is 900, but how do they calculate your scores?

I have heard that for example, if you get 50% in your Verbal Reasoning, then they take 50% of 900 ie. 450, and add to that 300, which gives you an overall score of 750 for verbal reasoning.

Is this true? If not what is the real method?

Thanks.

**tcdlewis** · 01-09-2007, 07:47 PM

That can't be right. I don't know what their method is, but I'm almost sure it's not that. That would mean someone failing every question would get 300 points... not very fair

**doc99** · 01-09-2007, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by tcdlewis

That can't be right. I don't know what their method is, but I'm almost sure it's not that. That would mean someone failing every question would get 300 points... not very fair

Well yeah they would I'm sure of that cause look.....

"The scaled scores on the first 4 sub-tests can range from 300 to 900"

Which means 300 is the lowest and 900 the highest, so its right that 300 would be the lowest you get even if you do fail all.

That quote is from the UKCAT web itself btw.

**arienette** · 01-09-2007, 08:05 PM

Where did you hear that? It sounds plausible, but what would happen if someone got all the questions correct - it doesn't seem fair that they'd get the same mark as someone who only got 2/3 correct. It also means that most people score under 50% in each subtest (probably unlikely if you compare that with your score for the practice questions on the website.) Aah the mysteries of the UKCAT scoring system...

**doc99** · 01-09-2007, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by arienette

Where did you hear that? It sounds plausible, but what would happen if someone got all the questions correct - it doesn't seem fair that they'd get the same mark as someone who only got 2/3 correct. It also means that most people score under 50% in each subtest (probably unlikely if you compare that with your score for the practice questions on the website.) Aah the mysteries of the UKCAT scoring system...

I found it a bit weird as well, that's why I am asking, but to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if that is the way it is, but ah well who knows

**Hardrada** · 02-09-2007, 12:02 AM

I don't think that's correct, given that the average score is 600 for each section.

According to this system, for the sections (VR/AR) with only 3 outcomes the average score for just guessing with no sentient input would be 600 (one third of 900 + 300). Unless half of medical applicants actually manage to negatively affect their score, the OP method of calculation must be false.

**Arch_Angel** · 02-09-2007, 04:51 PM

Pure speculation, but what about this?

(simplified for example)
0/10 = 300

5/10 = 700

8/10 = 800

9/10 = 850

10/10 = 900

Maybe the more questions you get right, the harder it is to raise your score. This can be understood as a sort of hyperbolic graph. This means that the scores would still be respective to your raw data and only full marks can get you the 900.

Of course I could be completely wrong. Anyone else care to hazard a guess?

The Graph would look like this. In my opinion this would be the fairest way of doing it as it would allow most to score easily in the average, but discern the very high scorers from each other greatly.

**theodopolus** · 30-08-2011, 06:17 PM

Yes the lowest score you can get is 300. According to UKCAT website your score is scaled:

The number of correct responses is transformed into a scaled score using Item Response Theory (IRT) model. The scaled score is presented to candidates once they have completed the test. This final scaled score for each subsection has a range from 300 to 900.

I looked up IRT and didn't really understand it very well but basically it increases or decreases your score the further away from the average you are. So if you get 50% right you will score 600, but if you get 75% right you will score more than 750 (which is what you would have scored on a linear graph) and if you score 25% you will get less than 450.

**alancam** · 30-08-2011, 09:46 PM

I think that it's all a little more complicated than a simple arithmetic manipulation. Apparently, they use IRT scaling:
Item response theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Dr.Ash** · 31-08-2011, 11:38 PM

im sure i jut read something similar in another forum
here is how you calculate apparently :
'It is percentage you got right x 600 + 300 to give a rough score. So, 65% right would be 690 average'