Special Admissions Tests for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary

Entry to medical, dental or veterinary school in the United Kingdom is highly competitive and universities are increasingly relying on specialised tests rather than A Level results to enable them to choose the very best candidates. At the Cardiff Centre Of Excellence we are well aware how important it is to get the right support when applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary and A Level students are prepared by tutors who fully understand what is required. For these courses there are two qualifying entrance examinations, BMAT and/or UKCAT.

BMAT is the BioMedical Admissions Test and is required for applicants to Medicine at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL, and applicants for Veterinary Medicine at the RVC and Cambridge. Full details and further information on the test can be obtained at www.bmat.org.uk .

UKCAT has been in existence since 2006 and there are a growing number of universities who have adopted it as an essential part of their admissions procedure for Medicine and Dentistry. Almost all applicants will need to take the UKCAT or one or more of their university choices. UKCAT is an aptitude test and has five subtests: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, abstract reasoning, decision analysis, and non-cognitive analysis.
More information can be obtained from their website www.ukcat.ac.uk .

Key facts to consider when applying for Medical, Dental, and Veterinary School

• Which A Levels should I take and what grades will I need? Our Director of Studies will advise you.

• Applications through UCAS need to be in by October 15th, 2 months earlier than other degree courses. We will ensure you are prepared in time.

• You are only allowed to apply for a maximum of 4 Schools. We will counsel you on your choice.

• Your Personal Statement is massively important and therefore it must be carefully written to demonstrate that you have the necessary qualities for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary.

• You will almost certainly be interviewed and you will need intense tuition in interview technique.

• You will need to demonstrate a knowledge, commitment and understanding of medicine and show that you have had relevant work experience. We can even help you find voluntary work at a hospital or hospice in the Cardiff area.