UCAT Scoring System Explained: Everything You Need To Know

The UCAT scoring system underwent significant changes in 2025. Previously, candidates were assessed across four cognitive sections with a maximum score of 3600. The most notable update was the removal of the Abstract Reasoning subsection, reducing the total possible score to 2700.

Your UCAT score is calculated by combining your performance across three core sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Decision Making. Each section is scaled to produce a score ranging from 300 to 900, and these scores are combined to determine your overall result.

The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) operates on a separate scoring framework. In the UK version of the UCAT, your SJT performance places you into one of four bands. Band 1 represents the strongest performance, whilst band 4 is the weakest. It's worth noting that some Medical Schools have strict policies regarding SJT performance and will automatically reject applications from candidates who achieve band 4.

For those sitting the UCAT ANZ in Australia and New Zealand, the SJT follows the same numerical scoring system as the cognitive sections (300-900).

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UCAT Score Breakdown:

• Decision Making: 300-900 points
• Verbal Reasoning: 300-900 points
• Quantitative Reasoning: 300-900 points
• Situational Judgement Test: Bands 1-4 (UK) or 300-900 (ANZ)

Understanding this scoring structure is critical when developing your preparation strategy. At StudySmartUK, we've found that students who focus on maximising performance across all three cognitive sections whilst maintaining at least a band 2 in SJT give themselves the strongest possible chance of securing interview offers from competitive dental schools.

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Understanding UCAT Percentiles

Your UCAT percentile reveals how your performance compares to every other candidate who sat the test. The higher you rank, the stronger your position.If you achieve the 90th percentile, you've outperformed 90% of all test-takers. Students who score in the top 1% sit in the 99th percentile.

These percentiles translate directly into deciles. A 90th percentile score equals the 9th UCAT decile, whilst an 80th percentile score converts to the 8th decile, and this pattern continues down the scale.

Your UCAT percentile reveals how your performance compares to every other candidate who sat the test. The higher you rank, the stronger your position.

If you achieve the 90th percentile, you've outperformed 90% of all test-takers. Students who score in the top 1% sit in the 99th percentile.

These percentiles translate directly into deciles. A 90th percentile score equals the 9th UCAT decile, whilst an 80th percentile score converts to the 8th decile, and this pattern continues down the scale.

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Breaking Down UCAT Deciles

Each year, all UCAT scores get divided into deciles, with each decile representing 10% of the candidate pool. Your score determines which decile you fall into – the 9th decile represents the highest performing students, whilst the 1st decile represents the lowest.

Landing in the 9th decile places you among the top 10% of everyone who sat the exam. Conversely, a 1st decile score means you've performed in the bottom 10%.

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When Will You Receive Your UCAT Results?

Your UCAT results become available the moment you complete your test. You'll receive a printout as you exit the test centre.

Results also appear in your Pearson VUE account online, though you should allow up to 24 hours for the system to update.

Universities gain access to your scores on the application deadline. After this date, all UCAT dental and medical schools can view your performance.

For 2025, test booking opened on 18th June, with the testing window running from 8th July through to 26th September. Registration details are available on the official UCAT website.

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Defining A Competitive UCAT Score

Traditionally, scores above 2800 (averaging 700 per section) have been considered strong performances. However, this benchmark shifts annually based on overall candidate performance. With Abstract Reasoning now removed from the test, we can subtract 700 from this historical benchmark, giving us an estimated competitive score of 2100 for 2025 onwards.

A score placing you in the top 20% of candidates – the 8th decile (80th percentile) or above – is considered high-performing. In 2025, the 8th decile threshold landed exactly at 2100. For comparison, 2024's threshold was 2780 (or 2050 excluding Abstract Reasoning) in the UK, and 2700 in Australia and New Zealand.

The reality is this: a 'good' UCAT score is whatever gets you past the threshold at your target universities. This is precisely why strategic university selection matters so much. Understanding which dental schools align with your score can make or break your application (our team provides detailed guidance on this through our application strategy support).

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What Is An Average UCAT Score?

The average UCAT score shifts year to year, but typically falls between 620-630 per section.

For 2025, candidates in the UK averaged 630 per section (total score: 1891). This placed them in the 5th decile, or 50th percentile.

This mirrored 2024's average of 630 per section (total: 2523).

Australian and New Zealand test-takers averaged higher in 2024 at 647 per section (total: 2588).

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What Is A Low UCAT Score?

A low UCAT score typically sits below 610 per section. But here's what most students don't realise – you can still secure a place in Medicine with a lower score if you're strategic.

The key is identifying which universities have lower UCAT thresholds and avoiding those that rank purely by score.

As a benchmark, Sunderland requires scores within the top 8 deciles, while Keele has set their threshold at 1700.

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What UCAT Score Is Needed For Medicine?

There's no universal minimum UCAT score for Medical School admission – it varies significantly by institution.

Here's how universities differ in their approach:

Some rank applicants strictly by UCAT performance, meaning you need competitive scores to even be considered. Others set lower cut-off scores as a qualifying threshold.

Certain universities weight A-Level grades more heavily in their selection process, which means candidates with lower UCAT scores still have a genuine chance at interviews.

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Final 2025 UCAT Scores

41,354 students sat the UCAT in 2025. The mean score was 1891.

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Subtest breakdown:

• Verbal Reasoning: 602
• Decision Making: 628
• Quantitative Reasoning: 661

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2025 UCAT Deciles:

• 1st decile: 1580
• 2nd decile: 1680
• 3rd decile: 1760
• 4th decile: 1820
• 5th decile: 1880
• 6th decile: 1950
• 7th decile: 2010
• 8th decile: 2100
• 9th decile: 2220

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Situational Judgement results:

21% achieved Band 1, 39% scored Band 2, 29% landed in Band 3, and 10% received Band 4.

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Historical UK UCAT Score Trends

Looking at historical UCAT data, Verbal Reasoning consistently presents the biggest challenge for students, averaging 602 in 2025 and 601 in 2024. Before its removal, Abstract Reasoning was the highest-scoring subsection, with students averaging 653 in its final year.

Quantitative Reasoning showed a declining pattern from 2021 to 2024, but rebounded in 2025 to 661. This makes it the subsection where students currently perform strongest. Decision Making scores fluctuate annually, averaging 628 in 2025.

When comparing performance across years, decile and percentile rankings provide the most accurate benchmarks. Remember that Situational Judgement isn't included in these comparisons due to its different scoring system. Historical data also contains Abstract Reasoning results, which is no longer part of the current exam format.

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UK UCAT deciles for previous years:

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Previous average scores for UK:

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The Situational Judgement Test uses a different scoring system, and the data shows that the majority of applicants achieved a Band 2 result in this section.

UCAT Situational Judgement Test Band Distribution (UK)

Understanding where you stand in the SJT bands is crucial for your dental school application strategy. Here's the breakdown of how UK candidates have performed over recent years:

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UCAT ANZ Decile Score Benchmarks

For students taking the UCAT ANZ, these decile rankings show exactly what score you need to place in each performance bracket:

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How Do Universities Actually Use Your UCAT Score?

Different dental and medical schools across the UK apply your UCAT score in one of three distinct ways during the shortlisting process:

1. Score Ranking System

Your application is ranked directly against other candidates based purely on your UCAT performance. Universities using this method will typically only shortlist applicants who fall within the top percentage of scores. This means every point matters when you're competing for limited interview spots.

2. Threshold-Based Selection

Some institutions set a minimum UCAT score threshold each cycle. If your score meets or exceeds this cut-off, you progress to the next stage of assessment. Fall below it, and your application won't be considered further, regardless of how strong your academics or personal statement might be.

3. Holistic Application Review

A smaller number of universities take a more comprehensive approach, weighing your UCAT score alongside your predicted gradesem, personal statement, work experience, and other application components. While your score still matters, it's just one piece of a larger puzzle.

Understanding which approach your target universities use is essential when building your application strategy.

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