UCAT For AUS and NZ

UCAT for AUS and NZ

The UCAT ANZ is a test used by Australian and New Zealand universities for medicine, dentistry, and clinical science courses. It helps universities spot applicants with the skills and mindset needed to succeed in these careers. The UCAT ANZ:

• Is used as part of the admissions assessment alongside your grades and interviews.

• Gives you the opportunity to stand out from other applicants.

• Is a Computer-based test, taken at Pearson VUE centres in Australia, New Zealand, and worldwide.

• Is not required by all courses in al universities — check each university’s website.

Cambridge Clinical is well placed to help you through all of this! You are not alone.

The medical schools that require UCAT in the ANZ region are as follows:

Frequently asked Questions

What is UCAT ANZ?

The UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand) is a computer-based test that helps universities see how well you can work with numbers, words, and different types of information. Each part of the test looks at skills that are really important for future doctors and dentists, like problem-solving, decision-making, and communication.

It’s one of the tools used to compare and rank applicants across Australia and New Zealand. The UCAT might seem a bit daunting at first, but the good news is that it’s much more manageable once you understand how it works and prepare in the right way. With the right approach, you’ll feel confident tackling it on test day!

Is there a difference to UCAT UK?

UCAT and UCAT ANZ all refer to the same admissions test.

• UKCAT was the original name (UK Clinical Aptitude Test), but it was rebranded as UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test).

• UCAT ANZ is simply the version used in Australia and New Zealand, with the same format and content.

So, regardless of the name, it’s the same test assessing the same skills.

The UCAT is used by medical schools mainly in two ways:

1. Interview selection – to set a cut-off score or rank applicants.

2. Final offers – sometimes combined with interview results or used as a tie-breaker.

What is the structure of UCAT ANZ?

The standard UCAT consists of the following sections:

Several additional time versions also exist (see our free Guide 'UCAT Access Arrangements' for further details).

How many people sit the UCAT ANZ?

You can sit the UCAT in your final year of secondary school or any year after. About 15,000 students sat the UCAT ANZ last year.

2026 Booking: How does it work?

Concession Scheme opens /Access Arrangements open: 16 February 2026

BOOKING OPENS: 3 March 2026

Concession application deadline: 11 May 2026

Access Arrangements application deadline: 15 May 2026

BOOKING DEADLINE: 15 May 2026

Late booking deadline / Late Access Arrangements application deadline: 29 May 2026

FINAL late booking deadline: 5 June 2026

Cancellation deadline: 12 June 2026

Testing begins: 1 July 2026

Last testing date: 5 August 2026

Results delivered to universities: early September 2026

What does it cost (all fees in $Aus)?

Entry fee (Australia and New Zealand) $335

Concession fee (Australia only) $240

Overseas fee $405

Late fee additional $85

Final late fee additional $185

Refund fee $50 of the entry fee deducted

Rescheduling fee $25 (must be done via your UCAT account or by calling customer service, not by email)

• Tip: Sometimes cancelling and rebooking is easier than a late postponement

Concessions:

• Available for Australian candidates in financial need with supporting evidence

• Not available for New Zealand candidates or those sitting UCAT overseas

Can I Use My UCAT ANZ Score in the UK?

Yes. UCAT ANZ scores can be used to apply to the majority of UK medical and dental schools. This allows international student to apply without needing to sit the UCAT (UK) as long as their UCAT ANZ results are correctly submitted.

Can I Use My UCAT UK Score for AUS/NZ applications?

For Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) medical school applications, most universities accept the UCAT ANZ. However, the UCAT UK is not automatically accepted.

Here’s how it works:

• UCAT ANZ is the regional version of the test, taken in Australia or New Zealand. The content is essentially the same as UCAT UK.

• Some ANZ universities may accept a recent UCAT UK result if you can provide proof and it’s within the validity period (usually the same year), but you must check each university individually, because policies vary.

• Most applicants for ANZ schools take UCAT ANZ, to avoid any eligibility issues.

If your goal is ANZ medical schools, it’s safest to sit the UCAT ANZ. It avoids last-minute complications and ensures your score counts.

How Do I Submit My UCAT ANZ Score to UK Universities?

To use your UCAT ANZ result for UK applications, you must complete the official online verification form. This step ensures your UCAT ANZ score is verified and forwarded to the UK universities you're applying to.

Keep in mind: UCAT ANZ scores are valid for one admissions cycle only (i.e. one year).

UCAT ANZ and UCAT (UK) – One Attempt Per Year

Candidates can only sit one UCAT exam per calendar year. If you attempt both the UCAT ANZ and UCAT (UK) in the same year, only the result from your first test will be valid. This rule prevents students from using multiple scores to their advantage and applies globally.

How long are UCAT ANZ scores valid?

The UCAT scores are valid for a year.

Cambridge Clinical tips for a successful UCAT exam:

• The number 1 advice for UCAT is: practice consistently under timed conditions with a focus on accuracy and speed, while reviewing your mistakes thoroughly.

• Cambridge Clinical team constantly updates its UCAT resources to reflect the latest exam changes and student feedback.

• Realistic practice matters: Accurate mocks help you prepare effectively and avoid surprises on exam day.

• UCAT is a fighting against time. Cambridge Clinicals in depth video guides give modern, step-by-step answers so you actually understand how to tackle each question.

• Learn strategies you can use under pressure.

• Save time by seeing exactly what to focus on and what tricks to watch out for.

• Practice smarter, not harder, by working on questions that] will help you the most, based on your mistakes.

For further information please visit the following sites:

https://www.ucat.edu.au/

https://www.ucat.edu.au/faqs/

You can email anz-enquiries@ucat.edu.au.

For Pearson VUE-related enquiries, call (Australia: 1800 512 320, New Zealand: 0800 451 260) or email Pearson VUE customer services.