Poor UKCAT and Poor GCSEs?

[blondie2304]

Hey Guys,

I know you're probably getting bored of all of the same threads but I just wanted to know which unis don't put an emphasis on the UKCAT and also GCSE results.

I have 4 A*s, 6 A's and 1B and a UKCAT of 585. These I consider to be the weak parts of my application. I have a strong personal statement (well I think I do...) and 3 A's in Chem, Bio and Geog at A-level.

Which Unis do you think I'd be better off applying at?

Thanks,
Kate
x

[House Jr.]

dont make double threads and your GCSEs arent what people would call 'poor'

your GCSEs won't limit you except for th eunis which put a lot of emphasis on GCSEs like birmingham, but otherwise you're ok. As for your UKCAT.....

University UCAS Course Code How do they use it for medicine applicants?
University of Aberdeen A100, A201 UKCAT scores are ranked in quartiles and contribute up to 4% of the total score given to an individuals application.
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry A100, A101, A200, A201 "Applicants are ranked according to their UKCAT score. Those who achieve the appropriate UKCAT score are considered for an interview (top 700?). The appropriate UKCAT score will be determined by the performance of candidates each year. Therefore there is no predetermined cut-off score for the UKCAT at which candidates will be interviewed."

Brighton and Sussex Medical School A100 "We are interested to see what additional information we might gain from the UKCAT scores, and so we will be using the UKCAT results selectively and with care in informing the judgements of our admissions assessors in making offers to individual students. This is because the UKCAT test is relatively new. An above average UKCAT score is likely to be an advantage but a lower score is not necessarily a disadvantage if outweighed by other factors in your application as a whole."

Cardiff University A100, A104, A200, A204 From the open day: they only use it to decide borderline applicants.

University of Dundee A100, A104, A200, A204 "Dundee University Medical School requires applicants to sit the UK clinical aptitude test (UKCAT) which will contribute a small amount to the selection process."

University of Durham A100 "The UKCAT cut off score may differ in each admission cycle as our cut off is derived from the scores achieved by those applicants who apply to our Medical School in the current cycle." This score determines whether someone is rejected or interviewed.

University of East Anglia A100, A104 There is no cut off score for the UKCAT. Score considered as part of academic screening. In the past, they have said that until they have analysed the results of end of year exams and looked for correlation with UKCAT score, they will not rely on it too strongly.

University of Edinburgh A100 The UKCAT score is scored relative to other applicants in the cycle: with points awarded depending on which quartile your score lies in.

University of Glasgow A100, A200 "Applicants meeting academic requirements go through a further selection process based on their UKCAT results, personal statement, confidential reference and interview (where appropriate). The incorporation of the UKCAT results into the admissions process will be reviewed on an annual basis."

Hull York Medical School A100 "Hull York Medical School awards a maximum of 10 points for the UKCAT, based on the applicant's total UKCAT score." These points are then added to those from the UCAS form and candidates are ranked with the top 600 invited to interview. For more information

Keele University A100, A104 "The results from this will contribute to our decision making process."

King's College London A100, A101, A102, A103, A202, A203, A205 "It will not be the sole indicator for selection, it will be balanced against achievement in other areas, in particular your academic performance to date. It is therefore important to understand that there is no universal ‘cut off’ score for the UKCAT when applying for 2008-9 entry."

Imperial College London A101 (grad entry) Interview offers will be based on the content of your application and your performance in the UKCAT.

University of Leeds A100 "UKCAT scores will be taken into account during the final stages of the Admissions process. Credit will be given at this point for high scores."

University of Leicester A100, A101 "The UKCAT scores are assessed individually rather than by total or mean. We do this because the four domains are tested separately." The scores are banded and awarded points. The UKCAT is scored out of 5. A Score of 700+ = 5/5, 600+ 4/5, 500+ = 3/5, 400+ = 2/5, 300+ = 1/5. Please note that if you receive a score of 1 this does not mean that your application will be rejected as all elements of your application are considered. Therefore, a strong UCAS application is required.

University of Manchester A104, A106, A204, A206 "This year we will be selecting for interview by ranking by UKCAT score all those applicants who have successfully passed through our initial UCAS assessments."

University of Newcastle A100, A101, A206 "The UKCAT cut off score may differ in each admission cycle as our cut off is derived from the scores achieved by those applicants who apply to our Medical School in the current cycle." This score determines whether someone is rejected or interviewed.

University of Nottingham A100 "Selection for interview will be on the basis of those candidates with the overall best profile of attributes from: academic ability, UCAS statements, UKCAT scores and further information."

University of Oxford A101 (grad entry) "The results of the test will be used (with information from other documents in your application) to help us to decide whether you will be called for interview."

Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry A100 "UKCAT test results are used alongside interview scores alongside the academic information provided on the UCAS form in order to select candidates for interview."

Queen's University Belfast A100, A200 "All applicants are required to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test, which is used as part of the selection process."

University of Sheffield A100, A104, A200 "The Undergraduate Dean for Admissions will decide on the basis of the scores for academic achievement and personal qualities, and the UKCAT score whether a candidate will be called for interview or not. The number of places in any given year will determine the assessment scores required in order to receive an interview." Last year, there was a cut off score of 675, and the Year before was 670.

University of Southampton A100, A101, A102 "The UKCAT score will be used alongside all other information as part of the selection process." A cut-off score has been used in the past. They seem to rank the PS above the UKCAT.

University of St Andrews A100, B900 "At St Andrews the UKCAT is used alongside all other admissions assessments. There is no pass or fail mark. Each year the UKCAT scores of all those who apply to St Andrews are ranked. The ranking is divided into bandings and points are allocated per banding. The test result is worth 10% of the overall admissions assessment score."

St George's University of London A100 "Candidates not offering GCSE and A level qualifications or lower achievements than those mentioned will be considered on their merits paying particular attention to their UKCAT score among other things."

Warwick University A101 (grad entry) "Our decision to invite you to attend a selection centre is based upon your written application plus your UKCAT score."

[Kinkerz]

Hey Guys,

I know you're probably getting bored of all of the same threads but I just wanted to know which unis don't put an emphasis on the UKCAT and also GCSE results.

I have 4 A*s, 6 A's and 1B and a UKCAT of 585. These I consider to be the weak parts of my application. I have a strong personal statement (well I think I do...) and 3 A's in Chem, Bio and Geog at A-level.

Which Unis do you think I'd be better off applying at?

Thanks,
Kate
x

Your GCSEs are good. I'd expect someone clever enough to get those kind of grades to realise the obvious...

dont make double threads and your GCSEs arent what people would call 'poor'

your GCSEs won't limit you except for th eunis which put a lot of emphasis on GCSEs like birmingham, but otherwise you're ok. As for your UKCAT.....

Epic post!

[blondie2304]

Sorry, I didn't mean to make a double thread. I edited the first one and by accident it made two.
I know my GCSEs are v. good compared to the average but when I said they were poor I meant in comparison to medicine they are below average (please correct me if I'm wrong).
Also, its more whether I had a chance at these unis, not whether I am able to apply (I probably should have made this clearer). Medical schools seem to have a definite cut-off point (which they state on their website) and a small print. For example, though I was eligible to apply to Bristol last year I didn't get an interview because they favour strong GCSEs and mine weren't that good in comparison.
Obviously medical schools have areas of the application which they rate higher (they don't always state this as it would lower the number of applicants- making the uni look unpopular) and I want to play to my strengths.
Please say if I am being dellusional or this whole post does not make sense!
Kate
x
p.s. thanks for your replies.

[conorcd]

I have replied to you on the other thread but look at The Student Room - Announcements in Forum : Medicine
Is that the only reason Bristol gave? And you're not delusional- just worried about doing the wrong thing, like all of us