MCAT and UCAT are the frequently used admission exams for medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
These two exams are commonly mixed up as they are both an essential entry requirement for many medical schools worldwide. It can be unclear to applicants which test to take as this depends on the specific country you are in.
This article will go through the different exam structures, exam fees, and other characteristics of MCAT and UCAT. We will give a comprehensive comparison between these two.
What is the MCAT?
The MCAT is a well-known standardized admission exam widely used and acknowledged by all medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Caribbean Islands.
These medical schools require applicants to take the MCAT as part of their admission process. It is a computerized exam that is 7 hours and 30 minutes long.
If you are planning to pursue any career in medicine, such as cardiology or anesthesiology, you should prepare to take the MCAT before enrolling in medical school.
The MCAT has four test sections, including Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Sociology.
All the test questions in each section are in a multiple-choice format, and you are expected to answer 230 of these questions.
Additionally, it tests your abilities and skills to see if you meet the standards of the medical school you want to get into. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) administers the MCAT.
What is UCAT?
UCAT, or the University Clinical Aptitude Test, is a standardized admission test widely used and recognized in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
It contains five test sections that focus on an individual's cognitive abilities and skills.
The primary purpose of this test is to assess the mental abilities of the applicant. To determine if said applicant can handle the challenges and pressures of pursuing any medical degree programs.
Also, the UCAT is administered via Pearson VUE across the different schools in the United Kingdom and other countries worldwide. It was established to help medical schools and institutions assess the qualities of their aspiring medical students.
The test takes around 2 hours with 225 multiple-choice test questions. Also, the test is only given once a year and is a computer-based exam.
UCAT Four Test Sections are:
MCAT vs. UCAT: What are the Similarities?
Both the MCAT and UCAT are recognized and used by most medical schools and universities in different countries. Also, they are both used to assess the knowledge, skills, and mental abilities of an individual who wishes to enroll in medical school.
These two exams are both offered in a computer-based setup, and the type of test questions are in multiple-choice format.
Furthermore, the MCAT and UCAT are trusted by medical schools and other educational institutions to provide reliable assessments of the applicant’s knowledge and capabilities. This will determine their capacity to succeed in certain medical professions.
Exam Format and Structure: MCAT vs. UCAT
In comparison, the MCAT and UCAT significantly differ in their exam format and structure.
In terms of duration, the MCAT takes around 7 hours and 30 minutes for you to finish the whole test, while the UCAT is only given within a 2 hour timeframe.
Additionally, the MCAT focuses primarily on different branches of science to evaluate the knowledge and skills of the individual, whereas, the UCAT measures the individual's verbal reasoning skills, decision making, and other related topics.
The UCAT is more focused on the cognitive abilities of the individual and not on the content knowledge, which is measured by the MCAT.
However, both the MCAT and UCAT are computer-based tests with multiple-choice test questions.
In terms of frequency, the MCAT has more test dates offered in a year compared to UCAT, which can only be taken once annually.
Exam Format and Structure | MCAT | UCAT |
|---|---|---|
Test Sections | -Biological and Biochemical Foundations -Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems -Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior -Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | -Verbal Reasoning -Decision Making -Quantitative Reasoning -Abstract Reasoning -Situational Judgment |
Test Duration | Duration per test section: 90 to 95 minutes each
Overall:
7 hours and 33 minutes, including break times. | Duration per test section: Verbal Reasoning - 21 minutes Decision Making - 31 minutes Quantitative Reasoning - 25 minutes Abstract Reasoning - 12 minutes Situational Judgment - 26 minutes Overall:
2 hours |
Number of Test Questions | 230 Test Questions | 225 Test Questions |
Type of Test Questions | Multiple-choice test questions | Multiple-choice test questions |
Test Frequency | 35 testing dates annually from January to September. | Once a year |
Test Delivery Mode | Computer-Based Test | Computer-Based Test |
Scoring: MCAT vs. UCAT
The scoring system used by the MCAT and UCAT is very different.
For example, the the MCAT utilizes a scoring range of 118 to 132 points in each test section. Whereas, the UCAT has a scoring range of 300 to 900 points per test section.
However, in both exams, you need to add up all the test section scores to get the overall score.
In MCAT, the overall score ranges from 472 to 528 points, and in the UCAT, its overall score ranges from 1,200 to 3,600 points.
In addition, the MCAT has a percentile score ranking for you to know the corresponding percentile rank of your overall test score. The percentile score ranking of the MCAT is a collected overall score of its previous test-takers.MCAT Scoring | UCAT Scoring |
|---|---|
Score Range Per Test Section: 118 to 132 | Score Range Per Test Section: 300 to 900 |
Overall Score Range: 472 to 528 | Overall Score Range: 1,200 to 3,600 |
This is the MCAT Percentile Rank from May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. The table below shows the MCAT overall scores with their corresponding percentile ranks. It will help you compare your MCAT scores to their previous test-takers and to know your percentile ranking.
Overall MCAT Score | Percentile Rank | Header | Overall MCAT Score | Percentile Rank | Header | Overall MCAT Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
472 | <1% | Cell | 491 | 19% | Cell | 510 | 78% |
473 | <1% | Cell | 492 | 21% | Cell | 511 | 81% |
474 | <1% | Cell | 493 | 24% | Cell | 512 | 84% |
475 | <1% | Cell | 494 | 27% | Cell | 513 | 86% |
476 | 1% | Cell | 495 | 29% | Cell | 514 | 88% |
477 | 1% | Cell | 496 | 32% | Cell | 515 | 90% |
478 | 1% | Cell | 497 | 35% | Cell | 516 | 92% |
479 | 2% | Cell | 498 | 38% | Cell | 517 | 94% |
480 | 3% | Cell | 499 | 42% | Cell | 518 | 95% |
481 | 4% | Cell | 500 | 45% | Cell | 519 | 96% |
482 | 4% | Cell | 501 | 48% | Cell | 520 | 97% |
483 | 6% | Cell | 502 | 52% | Cell | 521 | 98% |
484 | 7% | Cell | 503 | 55% | Cell | 522 | 99% |
485 | 8% | Cell | 504 | 58% | Cell | 523 | 99% |
486 | 9% | Cell | 505 | 62% | Cell | 524 | 100% |
487 | 11% | Cell | 506 | 65% | Cell | 525 | 100% |
488 | 13% | Cell | 507 | 69% | Cell | 526 | 100% |
489 | 15% | Cell | 508 | 72% | Cell | 527 | 100% |
490 | 17% | Cell | 509 | 75% | Cell | 528 | 100% |
Test Requirements: MCAT vs. UCAT
The registration process for the MCAT and UCAT are both done online.
Before proceeding for the exam registration, you first need to create an account for both the MCAT and UCAT on their official website.
Furthermore, to continue your application, you will use this account you registered to book your test date for both the MCAT and UCAT.
In terms of their test requirements, these two exams have completely different requirements in terms of identification documents to support your identity.
You can check the comprehensive table below showing the differences between MCAT and UCAT in their respective registration process and required documents.
MCAT Test Requirements | UCAT Test Requirements |
|---|---|
For Online Application -Make an account on the AAMC website. -Fill out the application questions and prompts on their website. -Go to MCAT registration systems and follow the instructions given. Present the following upon registration: 1. Any government-issued IDs (must be valid and not expired) 2. ID must contain a clear photo of you. 3. ID must be in English. 4. Accepted IDs include: -Driver’s license -Passport -Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) -Employment Authorization Document -Canada Health Car (For Ontario and British Columbia only) -Consular ID -Canadian Aviation Card 5. Submit your academic transcripts (applicable for high school, undergraduate, and any post-graduate education). Also, it accepts unofficial transcripts but must reflect your full name. | For Registration Process: -Register for a UCAT account on their official website -Make sure to use your complete legal name as reflected on the ID you will present. -Wait for the confirmation email from Pearson UE containing your UCAT candidate number. UCAT Booking For the Test: -Used the UCAT candidate number provided to continue registering for the exam using the Pearson VUE registration system. -Wait for further instruction to complete the registration process. Another email will be sent to you after 24 hours. Present the following on the test day: 1. Bring a printout of your confirmation email from Pearson VUE and the ID you have used with a picture of you. 2. Accepted IDs include: -Passport -Driver’s License with picture -EU Identity Card/Irish Passport Card (must be in Roman script) -Any other government-issued IDs from a non-EU country only (must be in Roman script or local language) |
Test Costs: MCAT vs. UCAT
The MCAT and UCAT both accept payments made using any major credit or debit card including American Express, VISA, MasterCard, and Discover.
However, these two medical admission exams greatly differ in terms of their exam costs. The MCAT exam fee is USD 310 while the UCAT fee varies depending on where you are located.
For example, if you are from Australia or New Zealand, the cost of the exam is USD 305. Whereas, if you are from the United Kingdom, the exam cost is £70.
Here’s a comprehensive table reflecting their cost differences and payment options.
MCAT Fee | UCAT Fee | |
|---|---|---|
Payment Modes | Only accepts credit or debit cards (American Express, VISA, MasterCard) | Accepts major credit/debit cards |
Cost | USD 310 | £70 (Test-takers in the UK) £115 (Test-takers outside the UK) USD 305 (Test-takers in Australia and New Zealand) |
Test Recognition: MCAT vs. UCAT
The MCAT and UCAT are two admission exams commonly used by various medical schools worldwide.
It is part of their admission requirement and will help the institution determine if the applicant has the right skills and knowledge to be outstanding in the medical field.
Furthermore, the UCAT is accepted by a consortium of medical schools and universities in different countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
On the other hand, the MCAT is highly recognized and used by most medical schools in the United States, Canada, Europe, Singapore, Australia, and other countries worldwide.
Below are some medical schools in the United Kingdom that require the UCAT.
Below are some medical schools in Australia and New Zealand that require the UCAT.
Below are some medical schools in Australia that require the MCAT.
Below are some medical schools in Canada that require the MCAT.
Below are some medical schools in the USA that require the MCAT.
Which is Easier: MCAT vs. UCAT?
The MCAT and UCAT are both considered difficult by their test-takers. We all know that these two exams significantly differ regarding their structure and primary purpose.
The MCAT evaluates an aspiring medical student's content knowledge and skills. In contrast, the UCAT tests medical schools' cognitive abilities, skills, and behaviours.
We cannot conclude on whether the MCAT is easier than the UCAT.
These two exams have significantly varied in most aspects, especially in the areas they assess.
Many will debate that the MCAT is very challenging because of its exam duration and test contents, which require intense preparation.
In comparison, the UCAT mainly revolves around cognitive abilities and skills and the test is given in a limited timeframe.
Thus, both exams are complex and need long preparation and intensive review to ace the test, whichever you decide to take.
Should You Take the MCAT vs. UCAT?
If you are planning to attend medical school in the United States, Canada, Europe or Singapore, you need to take the MCAT over the UCAT. This is because it is apart of the admission requirements for these specific countries.
However, if you want to pursue a medical degree in the United Kingdom, New Zealand or Australia, you should take the UCAT instead of MCAT. These countries highly prefer their applicants to take the UCAT.
Both the MCAT and UCAT are standardized examinations used by various medical schools in different parts of the world. So it is best to know beforehand what admission tests your preferred medical school accepts.
Summary Table of Differences: MCAT vs. UCAT
Below is the table of differences between the MCAT and UCAT.
MCAT | UCAT | |
|---|---|---|
Test Sections | -Biological and Biochemical Foundations -Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems -Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior -Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | -Verbal Reasoning -Decision Making -Quantitative Reasoning -Abstract Reasoning -Situational Judgment |
Test Duration | 7 hours and 33 minutes, including break times. | Two hours |
Number of Test Questions | 230 Test Questions | 225 Test Questions |
Type of Test Questions | Multiple-choice test questions | Multiple-choice test questions |
Scoring System | Score Range Per Test Section: 118 to 132 Overall Score Range: 472 to 528 | Score Range Per Test Section: 300 to 900 Overall Score Range: 3,600 |
Test Frequency | 35 testing dates from January to September. | Once a year |
Exam Cost | USD 310 | £70 (Test-takers in the UK) £115 (Test-takers outside the UK) USD 305 (Test-takers in Australia and New Zealand) |
Mode of Payment | Only accepts credit or debit cards (American Express, VISA, MasterCard) | Accepts major credit/debit cards |
Additional FAQs – MCAT vs. UCAT
Which is Harder: MCAT or UCAT?
Generally, both of these exams are difficult on their own, given that they differ in terms of the topics and areas they focus on.
Most UCAT test-takers find it difficult as it is not the usual admission exam.
Also, the test needs more focus and excellent critical thinking skills. And given the test's time limit, most of its test-takers fail to complete the exam. Thus making it more challenging than the MCAT.
Is MCAT Required in the UK?
Also, it is an exam highly favored and trusted by most medical schools in the United Kingdom.
UCAT is a test that measures the applicant’s mental abilities, characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors needed to fully succeed in taking a higher medical course in the United Kingdom.
What is the MCAT in the UK?
Note that those medical schools in the UK do not accept and acknowledge the MCAT, instead, they require aspiring medical students to take the UCAT.
To help you achieve your goal MCAT score, we take turns hosting these 
