Did anyone receive an email from UKCAT/PearsonVue today regarding an error ...

**Popalot2** · 25-10-2009, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by McWiseguy

I was referring to 2008 entry, so second year of running.

Witholding disclosure is not the point (despite it being out of the question). The point is, the test is unreliable and irrepresentative of potential doctors. Just another criterion for selection to make the lives of the admission's tutors somewhat easier!

I agree, because I got a mediocre ukcat score but I know I will be an excellent doctor!

**McWiseguy** · 25-10-2009, 04:20 AM

Yeh. It's supposed to balance applicants. So someone with poor A-level results can compensate by having a good ukcat and vice-versa. A load of rubbish if you ask me!What happens if you have mediocre A-level results and a mediocre/crap ukcat? With the way the current system is going you won't stand a chance despite your work experience. (However, not all unis are forgetting the old traditional methods, just ones like Newcastle and the London ones).

**nikusm** · 25-10-2009, 10:26 AM

If we talk theoretically, this UKCAT is the most discriminatory test ever. They say it's format is to give all participants equal chances. How so???!!! By making them sit a literally IQ-test? They don't give the not-so-good students the opportunity to show they can apply phys/chem/bio laws as the BMAT does. Thus they create an even bigger gap between the applicants.
In my opinion, BMAT should be used by all uni's because it's way more thorough. It tests verbal reasoning[i.e. your IQ one way or another], your ability to understand science, gives you the op to express your opinion.
A big IQ score doesn't suffice. Not in medicine.

**a-parsons** · 25-10-2009, 05:20 PM

I assume they only gave you the extra marks if you got it wrong - if you got it right, then they probably just left your marks as they were (otherwise, some candidates would go down on marks slightly, and it said in PV's email that no candidates were adversely effected by the change).

**Chwirkytheappleboy** · 27-10-2009, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by nikusm

If we talk theoretically, this UKCAT is the most discriminatory test ever. They say it's format is to give all participants equal chances. How so???!!! By making them sit a literally IQ-test? They don't give the not-so-good students the opportunity to show they can apply phys/chem/bio laws as the BMAT does. Thus they create an even bigger gap between the applicants.
In my opinion, BMAT should be used by all uni's because it's way more thorough. It tests verbal reasoning[i.e. your IQ one way or another], your ability to understand science, gives you the op to express your opinion.
A big IQ score doesn't suffice. Not in medicine.

I agree, the UKCAT is a joke in my opinion. Precisely for the reasons you state, and also because the extremely restrictive timings mean that most people just guess half the questions (especially in the Numerical Reasoning section) so it's a game of luck anyway

**McWiseguy** · 27-10-2009, 04:16 AM

yeh, good point.

**Popalot2** · 27-10-2009, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by a-parsons

I assume they only gave you the extra marks if you got it wrong - if you got it right, then they probably just left your marks as they were (otherwise, some candidates would go down on marks slightly, and it said in PV's email that no candidates were adversely effected by the change).

Like I've already said, it's better to get the poor questions, realising after the test that whatever you put down gets you a mark anyway!