24th May 2025
If you’re dreaming of becoming a doctor and planning to apply to medical school in the UK, then the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is probably already on your radar. Whether you’re in Year 10 and just exploring the idea, or in Year 12 actively preparing your application, understanding the 2025 changes to the UCAT is essential.
Let’s break down what’s changing, why it matters, and how you can best prepare.
Oh and don’t forget, here at Premed Projects we’re all about providing students with some stand out experience you can use in your portfolios, so do check out our in-person and online courses!
Before diving into the updates, let’s quickly recap what the UCAT is.
The UCAT is a two-hour computer-based admissions test used by most UK medical and dental schools. It’s not like a traditional exam where you’re tested on your science or maths knowledge. Instead, it tests things like:
The UCAT is designed to assess the qualities that make a great healthcare professional. It includes five sections:
Now let’s explore what’s changing for 2025 and why it matters to you.
What’s changing:
The Decision Making section is getting a time reduction from 31 minutes to 26 minutes, while the number of questions (29) remains the same.
Why it matters:
You’ll have to work more quickly than before, so time management is even more critical. The types of questions (logic puzzles, interpreting data, evaluating arguments) remain the same, but practising under time pressure is now even more important.
What’s changing:
This notoriously tricky section is reducing the number of questions from 50 to 40, but you still get 12 minutes to complete it.
Why it matters:
This is great news! You’ll now have more time per question, which should ease some of the pressure. However, that doesn’t mean it’s suddenly easy — this section still demands a lot of practice and fast visual thinking.
What’s changing:
Situational Judgement will no longer be scored in bands (e.g., Band 1–4). Instead, you’ll now get a numerical score out of 600, just like the cognitive sections.
Why it matters:
This makes your total UCAT score easier to interpret, but it also means SJT performance may now be weighted more heavily by medical schools than before. If you were planning to “wing it” — think again. You’ll need to prepare properly for ethical dilemmas and professional judgement questions.
What’s changing:
A newly updated UCAT practice app has been released, with a smoother design and more realistic question styles.
Why it matters:
This is a game-changer for students who like to revise on the go. Use it to build daily habits and get familiar with the types of questions, even if you only have 10 spare minutes.
What’s changing:
The UCAT UK and UCAT ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) have now fully aligned, meaning their content, structure and question formats are identical.
Why it matters:
If you’re considering applying to medical schools overseas — especially in Australia or New Zealand — this makes the process more streamlined.
Here’s what you need to know about the timeline:
Make sure you register early, especially if you want to book a test centre near you.
If you’re 14–17 years old and just beginning to explore your path into medicine, here’s how you can use these changes to your advantage:
The UCAT is one of the biggest hurdles on your journey to medical school, but with the right preparation, you can tackle it with confidence. The 2025 updates aim to make the test more balanced, clearer and fairer — but they also mean students need to be even more prepared, especially when it comes to timing and ethical reasoning.
Whether you’re still years away from applying or just months out from your UCAT date, now is the perfect time to start building your skills.
Remember: Every great doctor started out right where you are now — curious, motivated, and just a bit nervous. You’ve got this! 💪🩺
Want more UCAT advice, revision tips and med school guidance?
Follow @PremedProjects and join our summer courses to get hands-on medical experience and insider prep.
Take a look at Premed Projects in-person and online courses for some fantastic clinical experiences to include in you applications and the very best of luck in your UCAT!
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