Preliminary UCAT ANZ 2026 Test Statistics Released!
1 day ago by Chris
The UCAT ANZ Consortium has released preliminary statistics for the 2026 testing cycle, giving students an early read on how their scores compare to the overall candidate cohort. Just over 17,330 candidates sat the UCAT ANZ 2026, continuing a multi-year rise in test-taker numbers: 15,240 in 2024, 16,950 in 2025, and now 17,330 in 2026.
Further information, including a total score percentile calculator and more detailed decile statistics, is expected in the coming weeks, with final statistics due in late August.
UCAT 2026 preliminary statistics data is available at: https://www.ucat.edu.au/results/test-statistics/
Score Format Recap
Each cognitive subtest (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning) is scored from 300 to 900. The Total Cognitive Scaled Score sums these three sections, giving a possible range of 900 to 2700. The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is scored separately and doesn't count toward the Total Cognitive Score.
Key Findings
Total Cognitive Scaled Score
The median (50th percentile) Total Cognitive Scaled Score in 2026 was 1950, up from 1920 in 2025. The mean was 1964, up from 1941 in 2025.
| 2025 (Prelim.) | 2026 (Prelim.) | Change | |
| Median | 1920 | 1950 | +30 |
| Mean | 1941 | 1964 | +23 |
This continues the upward trend seen in recent years, with both the median and average (mean) cognitive performance climbing year on year. As in 2025, we'd expect this to push the 90th percentile benchmark higher once decile data is released. Historically, the score needed for the 90th percentile has climbed each year (2920 in 2020 up to 3060 in 2024 on the old 4-subtest scale, and 2310 in 2025 on the current 3-subtest scale).
Cognitive Subtests
| Subtest | 2025 Median | 2026 Median | 2025 Mean | 2026 Mean |
| Verbal Reasoning | 610 | 610 | 620 | 619 |
| Decision Making | 650 | 650 | 642 | 655 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 660 | 680 | 679 | 691 |
Verbal Reasoning and Decision Making medians were unchanged from 2025, while Quantitative Reasoning medians rose again (660 to 680), extending the subtest's strong showing from last year. On mean scores, Decision Making saw the largest year-on-year rise (642 to 655), while Verbal Reasoning stayed roughly flat (620 to 619).
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
The median SJT score was 589 in 2026, a slight decrease from 593 in 2025. The mean was 580, down from 585. This is a reversal of 2025's trend, when the SJT median had jumped noticeably (578 to 593).
How Should Students Read These Numbers?
- Total cognitive scores rose again this year, so top decile cut-offs are likely to stay at least as high as 2025's, if not higher.
- Quantitative Reasoning remains the subtest where candidates are pulling ahead the most, both on median (660 to 680) and mean (679 to 691). Worth factoring in if you're preparing for UCAT ANZ 2027 and deciding where to focus your prep time.
- SJT performance eased back slightly after last year's jump, though this is preliminary data and could shift once the full cohort's results are in.
It's worth remembering that mean and median scores only describe the "typical" candidate. They don't tell you exactly what percentile or decile your own score falls into. That mapping only becomes available once official deciles and the percentile calculator are published.
When Will Final Statistics Be Released?
Full decile breakdowns and the UCAT percentile calculator for 2026 are expected in the coming weeks, with final statistics due in late August. Keep an eye on our blog for the full breakdown once they're released.
