What Is a Good UCAT Score?
3 weeks ago by Chris
A common question from students is “What will be a good UCAT score this year?”. Understanding UCAT scores can be confusing. This blog aims to answer common questions about UCAT ANZ scores and provide guidance on interpreting your results.
What will my UCAT score report look like?
Your UCAT ANZ score report will be structured as follows:
Your scores in each of the three cognitive subtests (UCAT Verbal Reasoning, UCAT Decision Making, and UCAT Quantitative Reasoning) are added together to form an overall UCAT cognitive subtest score, which ranges from 900 to 2700. You will also receive a separate score for UCAT Situational Judgement, ranging from 300-900.
How are UCAT ANZ scores calculated?
UCAT ANZ scores are calculated by converting the number of questions you got right into a "scaled score." These scaled scores range from 300-900 for each subtest. How UCAT is scored and scaled is complex and considers several factors:
- The difficulty of questions you faced
- The performance of the entire test cohort that year
- The presence of unscored questions in each section
- Varying point values (for example, some UCAT Decision Making questions are worth 2 marks and are partially scored)
This means two students with the same number of correct answers might receive different scaled scores depending on their test versions. Pearson VUE uses Item Response Theory (IRT) for this scaling but does not publish the specific conversion methods. Your final performance is expressed as a total scaled score and can be calculated into a percentile ranking compared to other candidates.
When will I find out my UCAT percentile?
UCAT ANZ results are released in three stages. Initially, you'll receive an email from Pearson VUE within 24 hours of your test date with your individual scores per subtest and total cognitive scaled score (out of 2700).
Preliminary test statistics become available near the end of the testing period (typically late August). This provides the cut-off scaled score at each decile rank based on all exams completed up until that point, giving you an initial idea of where you stand compared to other candidates.
Final summary statistics and percentiles are released after the testing period, usually in September. The UCAT consortium releases a UCAT percentile calculator at this time so you can convert your total scaled score into your official percentile ranking.
What will be a good UCAT ANZ score in 2026?
Test statistics from previous years can provide us a strong indication of what will be a good UCAT score in 2026. These statistics show that the score required to reach each decile threshold has trended upward year on year, meaning you may need to score higher in 2026 to achieve the same decile as previous years. However, this trend is not guaranteed, as the cohort of students sitting UCAT each year varies and can shift what is considered a good score.
| Percentile | Total Cognitive Score | Interpretation |
| 90th+ | 2310+ | Competitive for standard pathways at Auckland and Otago, and most Australian universities |
| 80th | 2190 | Potentially competitive for standard pathways depending on GPA and interview performance; may be sufficient for select Australian universities |
| 70th | 2090 | May be sufficient for equity pathways (Māori/Pasifika, rural) |
| 60th | 2000 | May be sufficient for equity pathways at some universities or rural pathways in Australia |
| 50th | 1930 | Potentially sufficient for rural pathways at some universities |
| 40th | 1850 | Unlikely to receive offers |
| 30th | 1780 | Unlikely to receive offers |
| 20th | 1710 | Unlikely to receive offers |
| 10th | 1610 | Unlikely to receive offers |
Total cognitive score data presented above is based on UCAT ANZ 2025 statistics. Total cognitive score thresholds for each decile may vary slightly for UCAT ANZ 2026.
What UCAT ANZ score do I need for medicine in 2026?
At Auckland University, UCAT is weighted at 15% of your overall score (it is worth approximately one paper). At Otago, a minimum threshold must be reached for select subtests. For 2027 entry, Otago has set a minimum subtest threshold of 20th percentile for the Verbal Reasoning subtest and 10th percentile for the Situational Judgement subtest.
The precise UCAT score required depends on your GPA, interview performance (at Auckland), the university you are applying to, and your entry category (lower UCAT scores required for Māori/Pasifika, rural and low decile school students).
New Zealand students sitting UCAT ANZ are also eligible to apply to Australian medical schools. In general, standard applicants need to score in approximately the top 10% of UCAT sitters to be competitive, though this benchmark can be higher for more selective programs, so it pays to check the requirements of each Australian university you are considering.
More information
For official information on UCAT ANZ scores and statistics:
For advice on medical school applications:
Conclusion
Understanding what constitutes a "good" UCAT ANZ score in 2026 requires considering UCAT test statistics (which are released on a staggered basis) as well as your specific circumstances. While aiming for the 90th+ percentile is ideal for standard pathway applicants, those eligible for equity schemes may be competitive with scores around the 70th percentile or lower.
Remember that the UCAT is just one component of your application. You should focus on performing well across all selection criteria, including interviews, to maximize your chances of securing a place in your desired course.
Last updated: June 2026
