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Candidates intending to apply in 2011 for entry to a relevant course in a UKCAT University in 2012 (or for deferred entry in 2013) are required to sit the UKCAT by the 7th October 2011 deadline.

The UKCAT is designed to be a test of aptitude rather than educational achievement. 

For candidates sitting the examination in summer 2011, the UKCAT will consist:

• Verbal reasoning - assesses candidates' ability to think logically about written information and to arrive at a reasoned conclusion.
• Quantitative reasoning - assesses candidates' ability to solve numerical problems.
• Abstract reasoning - assesses candidates' ability to infer relationships from information by convergent and divergent thinking.
• Decision analysis - assesses candidates' ability to deal with various forms of information, to infer relationships, to make informed judgements, and to decide on an appropriate response, in situations of complexity and ambiguity.

In 2011, unlike in previous testing years, the UKCAT will not include a test of behavioural traits (previously sub-test 5). The 2011 test contains only 4 sub-tests.

There is no curriculum content as the test examines innate skills. Examples of questions you may be asked can be found in the preparation section. It is not necessary or possible to practise for these questions but you are advised to familiarise yourself with the format.

The standard test is delivered in just over 1 1/2 hours. Each subtest is in a multiple-choice format and is separately timed.

UKCAT results are only valid for applications to universities in the year in which the test is taken. If your application to medical school is not successful and you re-apply the following year, you will be required to re-sit the UKCAT

There is no single date for sitting the UKCAT, but candidates intending to apply in 2011 for entry to the participating universities in 2012 or for deferred entry in 2013 are required to take the UKCAT before the 7 October 2010 deadline. 

The UKCAT results are only valid for applications to universities in the year in which the test is taken. If your application to medical school is not successful and you re-apply the following year, you will be required to re-sit the UKCAT.

There is no pass mark for the UKCAT. As mentioned above, performance in the UKCAT will be considered in conjunction with a number of other factors, so that no one element will determine whether or not an offer of a place can be made.

Sit the test between 5 July and 31 August 2011 (test fee £65 EU / £100 Non EU)
Sit the test between 1 September and 7 October 2011 (test fee £80 EU / £100 Non EU)

Test Fee varies. It is cheaper in during summer period.

The registration fee is payable online at the time of booking by major credit card (Visa, Mastercard or UK Visa debit card). The fee is always charged in GBP (pounds sterling). If you have a non-UK credit card, your credit card company will bill you according to its own rules for foreign transactions.

Candidates may cancel or reschedule their test, without charge, up to one clear day before their scheduled test date. A clear day does not include the day of the reschedule or the day of the test; for example for a test on a Friday, the last day to make any changes would be midnight on the preceding Wednesday. Where a candidate cancels their test within these deadlines they will receive a credit/debit card refund.

If the candidate cancels or reschedules later than this, the appointment will count as a 'no-show'. In this case a candidate wishing to reschedule their test would be required to pay a further fee for the rescheduled test. A candidate cancelling their test and not meeting the deadline would not receive a refund.

If you miss your test for any reason and have not rescheduled in time, you will have to book another test at your own expense. This applies in cases of illness, family emergency, accident, arrest, transport problems and security alert as well as forgetfulness and lateness. It also applies to those who arrive at the test centre with inadequate or invalid identification.