UCAT 2023: Everything You Need to Know

Thinking about sitting the UCAT ^® Exam in 2023? The UCAT ^® is a mammoth exam many students spend months preparing for. It’s a key hurdle for entry into undergraduate medicine and an exam that only becomes available in your final year of high school - You’ve got to balance all your high school studies and assessments with finding the time to prepare for the UCAT exam. To give yourself the best chance of success at this key junction, it’s crucial that you get up to speed and learn as much as you can about sitting the UCAT ^® exam in 2023.

This guide to sitting the UCAT ^® Exam in 2023 will help you plan for the UCAT ^® key dates, help you set some expectations around the exam and more. The topics covered are:

1. When is the UCAT ^® 2023 exam in Australia?
2. How do I register for the UCAT ^® ?
3. UCAT ^® Exam Testing Locations
4. Undergraduate Medical Admissions Process 2023
5. How Hard is UCAT ^® ?
6. Further UCAT ^® Preparation Materials

When is the UCAT 2023 exam in Australia?

UCAT 2023 Dates

An important list of UCAT ^® 2023 dates can be found below:

For 2021, the UCAT ^® testing period was extended from 1st of July to 20th of August due to unforeseen lockdown public health orders across Australia. Some applicants had to sit their exam in early September in NSW due to the special circumstances involving extensive COVID-19 cases. UCAT ^® in 2022 was set in July-August, with available testing centres bookings ranging from the 1st of July to the 12th of August.

UCAT ^® 2023 will be set in July - August 2023 with available testing centres bookings ranging from 1st of March to 17th of May. Late bookings are accepted until the 31st of May and final late booking until the 5th of June, but additional fees will apply.

How do I register for the UCAT?

UCAT ^® registration 2023 can be done online via the official UCAT ^® website. UCAT ^® bookings in 2023 are generally managed and carried out by Pearson Vue Testing Centres.

For 2023, the UCAT ^® registration deadline is the 17th of May 2023.

It is important you keep track of UCAT ^® registration dates, as late bookings are often charged a ‘late fee’.

UCAT ANZ Test Fees 2023

The UCAT ^® ANZ Test Fees for 2023 are as follows:

Concession Fees

Candidates with a current Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card , issued by Centrelink, will be eligible for a reduced testing fee (concession fee - $199). An application is required to be submitted.

• Concession Scheme Opens: 1st February 2023

• Concession Application Deadlines: 10th May 2023

To lodge an application, follow the steps outlined on the official UCAT ^® website

How can I apply for UCAT?

There are 4 key steps you’ll need to take to apply for the UCAT ^® exam:

• Register online via Pearson VUE by creating a new account

• Book a UCAT ^® test date

• UCAT ^® Test Day

• UCAT ^® Results + Medical School Interview Offers

The following table showcases important information that details each step of the UCAT ^® application process. It is important to note that the earliest you are able to sit the UCAT ^® exam is in your final year of high school.

UCAT Application Process

UCAT Cancellation

If you decide to cancel your exam, you will receive a refund, but $50 will be deducted from what you have paid. This does not include the late fee, which is non-refundable. You can cancel your exam up until 10th of June 2023. After the 10th of June, your refund request will not be accepted.

UCAT Rescheduling

Rescheduling can be done up to 24 hours before the test appointment time. You can reschedule your test through your Pearson VUE account. There are several steps after you select a new location/date/time. Ensure you receive a confirmation email after you have completed the steps.

If you miss the rescheduling deadline, you will not receive a free reschedule or a refund. You will need to pay the exam fee again, but you can still reschedule your test by calling Pearson VUE customer services. The helpline is available from 9 AM to 6 PM local time, from Monday to Friday. This means if you would like to reschedule your Monday booking, it needs to be done before Friday.

Rescheduling is subject to the availability of appointments (whether there are spots available on your specified date at your specified location). Candidates should be prepared to travel if no other booking times are available at a preferred test location.

What happens if I miss my exam?

If you miss your examination for whatever reason, whether it may be illnesses, family, personal circumstances, as well as forgetfulness or lateness, you will forfeit your test fee. This also includes presenting invalid identification documents.

You will need to wait for around 24 hours for your appointment status to change to “no-show”. You will then need to book another appointment by calling Pearson VUE customer services. It is important to keep in mind that a rescheduled appointment must occur within the testing period , and if there are no available bookings, then you will need to resit next year.

UCAT Exam Testing Locations

Australian UCAT Exam Test Centre Locations 2023

A list of available UCAT ^® test centre locations can be found below. Generally, all major cities in Australia will have testing centres available for UCAT ^® 2023:

Australia UCAT Test Centre Locations

New Zealand UCAT Test Centre Locations

Can I sit the UCAT at home in 2023?

No. Candidates will not be able to sit their UCAT ^® at home and are required to travel to a testing centre location.

2021 was a special year where some candidates sat their exam at home with ProctorU, however this was due to public health orders.

Undergraduate Medical Admissions Process 2023

The Australian medical admissions process is extremely competitive, and is even more so for undergraduate applicants. For undergraduate universities, the medical applications process is split into 3 components:

1. ATAR/GPA
2. UCAT ^®
3. Medical Interviews

Almost all undergraduate universities will require a UCAT ^® medical interview. A list of undergraduate medicine universities in Australia which utilises UCAT ^® in 2023 can be found below:

• University of Adelaide

• Central Queensland University (provisional)

• Charles Sturt university (Joint Program in Medicine)

• Curtin University

• Flinders University

• Griffith University

• Monash

• University of Newcastle/University of New England (Joint Medical Program)

• UNSW

• University of Queensland (provisional)

• University of Southern Queensland (provisional)

• University of Tasmania

• University of Western Australia

• University of Western Sydney (Joint Program in Medicine)

Visit our guide on UCAT ^® Medicine to learn more about what role the exam plays in your medical school admissions journey.

UCAT Medical Applications Timeline 2023

Below is a summary of predicted key dates for universities with UCAT ^® entry requirements.

Note: The Joint Medical Program (UoN/UNE), Joint Program in Medicine (WSU/CSU), UNSW medicine both have a separate application that is required to be submitted via their website.

How Hard is UCAT?

The short answer is that it depends, and it depends primarily on each individual's background and skills. The UCAT ^® is predominantly a skills-based exam. As it is not a knowledge-based exam, it can be difficult to study and practice for.

The UCAT ^® requires reflective practice rather than brute-forcing questions. The questions in each UCAT ^® subtest are not difficult, but rather the exam is predominantly more time-pressured. With a range between 14 seconds - 66 seconds per question depending on the section, the exam is difficult in the sense of time and stress management.

If you’re wondering how hard the UCAT ^® exam is compared to the GAMSAT ^® exam and other ways in which the two exams differ, check out our guide UCAT ^® vs GAMSAT ^® : Everything You Need to Know.

Further UCAT Preparation Materials

Now that you’re aware of all the key dates for 2023, make a start on your preparation with our guides and free resources:

1. UCAT ^® Scores
   Everything you need to know about how UCAT ^® scores are calculated and what is a good UCAT ^® result.
2. UCAT ^® Abstract Reasoning
   An overview of what to expect from UCAT ^® Abstract Reasoning and how to prepare.
3. UCAT ^® Quantitative Reasoning
   An overview of what to expect from UCAT ^® Quantitative Reasoning and how to prepare.
4. UCAT ^® Situational Judgement
   An overview of what to expect from UCAT ^® Situational Judgement and how to prepare.
5. UCAT ^® Decision Making
   An overview of what to expect from UCAT ^® Decision Making and how to prepare.
6. UCAT ^® Verbal Reasoning
   An overview of what to expect from UCAT ^® Verbal Reasoning and how to prepare.