Calculate your total UCAT score, average, percentile band, and competitiveness for UK medical school applications
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is a key admissions test used by the majority of UK medical and dental schools. It assesses a range of cognitive abilities and behavioural attributes that are considered important for success in clinical careers. Understanding your UCAT score and how it compares to other candidates is essential for making informed decisions about where to apply. The UCAT consists of five subtests. Four cognitive subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Abstract Reasoning) are each scored on a scale from 300 to 900, giving a total cognitive score between 1,200 and 3,600. The fifth subtest, Situational Judgement, is scored separately in Bands 1 to 4, where Band 1 represents the strongest performance. Different medical schools use UCAT scores in different ways. Some use it as a threshold (you need a minimum score to be considered), while others weight it as part of an overall scoring system alongside GCSEs, A-levels, personal statements, and interviews. This calculator computes your total score, average per subtest, an approximate percentile band, and a general indication of competitiveness. Always check the specific requirements of each medical school you are considering, as cut-off scores vary each year and between institutions.
To calculate your UCAT score and competitiveness: 1. Enter your score for each of the four cognitive subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Abstract Reasoning. Each score ranges from 300 to 900. If you have not yet sat the test, you can enter practice test scores or target scores to explore different scenarios. 2. Select your Situational Judgement band from the dropdown. Band 1 is the highest, indicating the best performance in this subtest. Band 4 is the lowest. 3. The calculator will display your total cognitive score (the sum of the four subtests), your average score per subtest, an approximate percentile band based on typical score distributions, and a competitiveness assessment. 4. Use the comparison scenarios to see how different score profiles compare. A "strong candidate" with scores of 750 in each subtest and Band 1 SJ is competitive for most UK medical schools, while an "average candidate" with scores of 600 and Band 2 SJ would face more limited options. 5. Remember that these percentile bands are approximate. Actual score distributions vary each year depending on the cohort. Check the UCAT website for the most recent official statistics.
The UCAT score calculation is straightforward: Total Score = Verbal Reasoning + Decision Making + Quantitative Reasoning + Abstract Reasoning The minimum possible total is 1,200 (300 in each) and the maximum is 3,600 (900 in each). Average Score = Total Score / 4 (rounded to the nearest whole number) Percentile bands are based on typical historical distributions: scores of 2,800 and above are approximately in the top 10%; 2,600 to 2,799 in the top 25%; 2,400 to 2,599 are above average; 2,200 to 2,399 are average; 2,000 to 2,199 are below average; and below 2,000 is in the lower quartile. Competitiveness combines the total cognitive score with the Situational Judgement band. A total of 2,700 or above with SJ Band 1 or 2 is generally competitive for most medical schools. A total of 2,400 or above with SJ Band 1, 2, or 3 is competitive for some schools. Lower combinations may face challenges at more competitive institutions.
Inputs: Verbal Reasoning: 780. Decision Making: 750. Quantitative Reasoning: 810. Abstract Reasoning: 720. SJ Band: 1.
Inputs: Verbal Reasoning: 580. Decision Making: 620. Quantitative Reasoning: 600. Abstract Reasoning: 560. SJ Band: 2.
Inputs: Verbal Reasoning: 700. Decision Making: 850. Quantitative Reasoning: 500. Abstract Reasoning: 650. SJ Band: 3.