the "Done the test, need results advice!" thread

[Artsie-Paws]

Well, let me kick off
VR - 590
QR - 610
AR - 480 (this one messed everything up :C)
DA - 660

So an average of 585
I'm doing the IB, not A-Levels

Would you advise me against applying to any of the unis I have on my tentative app list below? (or do you know about cut-off scores/averages? where can one find out?)

Thanks!! I'm kinda worried right now :C

Cardiff
Edinburgh
Aberdeen
Dundee

[AndrewD]

I would probably advise against Edinburgh and any london unis.

[cat_bach]

Have you thought about perhaps applying to Bristol or Liverpool who dont require the test as a back-up since your results are slightly below average? I havent heard of anyone being rejected from Cardiff on the basis of theiur UKCAT though.

Btw quite a few of the london unis require the BMAT rather than the UKCAT so wont care.

[Kinkerz]

Originally Posted by AndrewD

I would probably advise against Edinburgh and any london unis.

Two of the London Universities don't even look at the UKCAT! UCL and Imperial use the BMAT.

[Randolf_Rolm1919]

Yeah but Barts and The London, King's College London and St. George's require UKCAT and Barts had a cut-off of 600 in 2007 and 2008 entry. You'd expect it to rise not to go down. Artsie-paws don't apply to Barts because I emailed them yesterday and they told you'd be rejected regardless of how well your personal statement, reference and grades are....

Also Edinburgh rates it quite highly so don't apply to Barts and Edinburgh for sure. Don't waste your applications.

May I suggest uni's like East Anglia, Aberdeen and Dundee that weight it considerably less. Aberdeen and Dundee about 4%. East Anglia uses it to save you from a rejection at any stage of your application. Also I suggest Liverpool because they don't use UKCAT, along with Bristol and Birmingham.

Let me tell you though that even uni's like BSMS, Leicester and HYMS don't give it too much weight. If you have a good personal statement, reference and high grades then you'll be fine.

Just stay away from those 3 London uni's I mentioned and Edinburgh, basically what other people have already suggested. Also, if you do decide to apply to UCL or Imperial (the other 2 London uni's for medicine) then you have to take the BMAT. Maybe you'll find it easier because it's more about academic knowledge than aptitude so you might want to consider these alternatives.

Best of luck!

[Artsie-Paws]

Thank you all, you've made me feel a lot better by showing me my options!!

[Randolf_Rolm1919]

I am also doing the IB like you and I got a UKCAT score significantly below yours. If you follow the advice above you'll be fine. Also Keele doesn't use the UKCAT unless you are borderline adn when I asked Southampton if they had a cut-off score of 550 like last year they said they have no cut-off score this year. You are all set. Don't worry.

[BlondeyA]

Yeah Cardiff apparently look at it positively.. so if you do brilliantly, it will help but if you haven't done well it shouldn't effect your chances too much!

I got 622.5 when I did mine on Friday and was quite chuffed cos it was above average but reading the threads on here has really stressed me out!

What was the highest cut off point last year does anyone know?

[agneishd]

mind you, places like bristol are pretty tough to get an interview at

[Randolf_Rolm1919]

Originally Posted by agneishd

mind you, places like bristol are pretty tough to get an interview at

You are right but they don't give advantage to those that have higher grades than AAB or other qualifications and they base it all on your personal statement and reference. Therefore, if your personal statement is excellent and so is reference you are most likely going to get an interview. Consider that about 16% of the candidates who applied in the 2007/2008 cycle didn't even get the right grades to be considered for interview. Therefore as you can see you are competing with basically 84% of applicants and not 100%, if you have the grades that is.

They say they select the top 20% at interview but I calculated they actually interviewed the top 26.6% (720/2700*100) for the A100 entry.

So basically you have to rank above the 57th percentage if applicants.

Then again things change year to year. Competition will be a lot tougher so I do agree with what you say.

Still if your UKCAT score isn't great, like mine then I would be considering at least one of Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool. Just to keep things safe. ^_^