Choosing Your Exam
Choosing a UKCAT test slot
After registering for the UKCAT, you can go ahead and book a test date, time and venue. You will be presented with four test options.
You will be asked to choose one of the two options:
- UKCAT - UK Clinical Aptitude Test
- Sit the UKCAT between July 2009 and 31 August 2009 : £60 EU / £95
Non EU
- Sit the UKCAT between 1 September 2009 and 9 October 2009 : £75
EU / £95 Non EU
- UKCATSEN - UK Clinical Aptitude Test Special Educational Needs
- Sit the UKCATSEN between July 2009 and 31 August 2009 : £60 EU
/ £95 Non EU
- Sit the UKCATSEN between 1 September 2009 and 9 October 2009 : £75
EU / £95 Non EU
Summer and Autumn test bookings
The UKCAT testing cycle runs from 7 July to 9 October 2009. You can sit the
test at anytime during the cycle as long as a test slot is available (we recommend
booking a test slot as soon as possible). However, please note that the test
cycle is divided into two time periods; Summer and Autumn.
Candidates sitting the UKCAT1 or UKCATSEN1 in the EU (including the UK) will
be charged a £60 test fee to sit in the Summer period. This runs from
7 July until 31 August 2009.
Candidates sitting the UKCAT2 or UKCATSEN2 in the EU (including the UK) will
be charged a £75 test fee to sit in the Autumn period. This runs from
1 September until 9 October 2009.
Candidates sitting any of the UKCAT tests outside of the EU will be charged
a £95 test fee throughout the test cycle - there is not a price difference
between the Summer and Autumn periods.
There is no difference in content between the UKCAT sat during the Summer or
Autumn period. They are exactly the same test. The increased price simply reflects
demand on resources at particular times of the year. We recommend that candidates
sit the test during the earlier Summer period if test slots are available and
pay the lower £60 test fee.
How are the test fees used?
Please be assured that all UKCAT test fees are used to cover the costs of delivering the test at centres across the world and on extensive research in
developing the UKCAT as a tool for assisting medical and dental schools in selection. The UKCAT consortium is committed to research and monitoring in order
to establish as fair and effective a selection procedure as possible.
UKCAT and the UKCAT Special Educational Needs
Within the two test options, you will be offered a choice between the UKCAT and the UKCAT Special Educational Needs (SEN) test. The tests are exactly the
same in content but the SEN test includes extra time specifically for those with special educational needs. Please see the section on Candidates with disabilities
for more information. If you do not meet the specific criteria that allows you to take the extended time UKCAT SEN, you must book a place for the 'standard' UKCAT.
How far ahead can I book a test slot?
After you register for the UKCAT, we recommend you book a test slot as soon as possible to maximise the chance of attending a convenient test centre.
However, the UKCAT booking system only allows test slots to be allocated 90 days in advance. So on 1st May, you can book a test up to 29th July. If you wish to
book a test slot for the 5th September for example, you need to do so from the 7th June (ie 90 days before the test slot).