WHY IS UCAT SO HARD?
4 years ago by Robert
UCAT is probably the hardest test you will ever have to sit. Many students, especially those who do not prepare, are shocked by the difficulty of UCAT. Some who do prepare become disillusioned. So why is UCAT so hard? And what can you do about it? Read on!
1. UCAT is very different to every other type of test you have sat
Why?
School and university exams test your knowledge and your ability to apply that knowledge. UCAT is not a test of knowledge; it is a test of your generic skills. You most likely have never sat a test of generic skills before, so the questions in UCAT will seem unfamiliar and difficult.
What can you do?
By exposing yourself over and over to the various types of UCAT questions, they will no longer be alien. The more you practice, the more familiar and comfortable you will be with the questions, and the easier UCAT will seem.
2. You are put under extreme time pressure in UCAT
Why?
The aim of school and university exams is to assess how much you know, therefore you are usually given more than enough time to demonstrate this. You are probably used to finishing your school and university exams with plenty of time left over. The aim of UCAT is very different: it’s aim is to rank your performance against other candidates. Therefore, you are intentionally not given enough time to answer all the questions. This can be very stressful for students, especially perfectionists, who are used to answering all questions correctly.
What can you do?
The mere knowledge that you will not have enough time to answer all questions correctly is, in itself, comforting. Many, many students have achieved 99th percentile in UCAT even though they have run out of time in one or more subtests. Understand this, become comfortable with the idea, and tailor your approach appropriately – by not spending too much time on difficult questions and making an educated guess when required.
3. You are competing against smart people in UCAT
Why?
The type of student who wants to get into medicine is, in general, very smart and motivated. You have probably never had to compete against such a tough cohort before. You are probably used to being top of your class. However, when it comes to UCAT, chances are you won’t be! You are competing against smart students from all over Australia and New Zealand.
What can you do?
The knowledge that you will probably not be the best compared to your peers when it comes to UCAT will immediately take the pressure off. You do not need to get 99th percentile to get into medicine! Aim high, but don’t become disillusioned if you are not receiving very high percentiles in your practice exams. Also, take advantage of the smart people around you – form a study group where you can discuss questions, learn from each other and make new friends!
UCAT is hard, but by keeping the above pointers in mind, you can create and maintain a positive, can-do attitude.