Why Every UCAT Student Needs a Mock Exam

Wondering how to ace the UCAT? One of the best ways to boost your score is by taking mock exams.

Written by:
Matrix Education
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If you’re preparing for the UCAT, you already know how important this test is for getting into medical or dental school. But with so much to cover, how do you make sure you’re truly ready? UCAT mock exams are one of the best ways to prepare—they help you practise under real exam conditions, pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your time management.

The UCAT ANZ 2025 runs from 1 July to 5 August, so now is the perfect time to start taking UCAT practice tests. Mock exams give you a feel for the actual test, help you identify areas for improvement, and teach you how to pace yourself—giving you the best shot at a top score!

Let’s take a closer look at what the UCAT involves and why practice is key to success.

Table of contents:

  1. What is the UCAT?
  2. Why do you need to do full practice tests in UCAT preparation?
  3. UCAT mock exam FAQs

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What is the UCAT?

The UCAT is a two-hour, computer-based test designed to assess the skills needed for success in medical and dental careers. It’s made up of four sections:

  • Verbal Reasoning – Tests your ability to understand and evaluate written information.
  • Decision Making – Assesses how well you analyse information and make decisions.
  • Quantitative Reasoning – Challenges your numerical problem-solving skills.
  • Situational Judgement – Measures how well you assess real-life scenarios and respond appropriately.

Each section is unique and requires different skills, so practising with UCAT mock tests will help you feel more confident and prepared on exam day.

Read our full Beginner’s Guide to UCAT here.

Why do you need to do full practice tests in UCAT preparation?

Just like any other high school exam, doing practice tests for UCAT is essential for doing well. The UCAT is a unique test with strict timing, tricky question types, and a high-pressure environment. Doing UCAT practice tests regularly will help you develop the skills and confidence needed to perform at your best. Here’s why they should be a key part of your study plan:

1. Get used to real UCAT exam conditions

The UCAT is different from regular school exams – it is fast-paced, computer-based and designed to challenge your thinking under pressure. Mock exams recreate the exact format, timing, and intensity of the real test, helping you feel more comfortable when exam day arrives. The more you practise in a realistic setting, the less nervous you’ll be when facing the actual UCAT!

2. Spot strengths and weaknesses

Which UCAT section is your strongest? Which one needs extra work? Mock exams give you a clear picture of where you stand.

By analysing your results, you can see which subtests you’re excelling in and which ones require more attention. This targeted approach means you can focus your study time effectively, rather than wasting hours on things you’ve already mastered.

3. Master time management

One of the biggest challenges of the UCAT is the strict time limit. 

With 184 questions to complete in just two hours, you have mere seconds per question—so every moment counts. 

Practising with timed mock exams helps you develop strategies to move quickly, avoid getting stuck, and make the most of your time. Learning when to skip a tough question and come back to it later is a skill that can make a huge difference to your final score.

4. Get familiar with UCAT question types

The UCAT question types can be tricky if you’ve never seen them before. From logical puzzles to situational judgement scenarios, each section requires a different approach. 

Taking mock exams regularly means you’ll start recognising patterns, understanding how questions are framed, and figuring out the best ways to tackle them. This way, nothing will catch you off guard on test day.

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5. Build exam stamina and focus

The UCAT is mentally demanding—it requires almost two hours of intense concentration without a break. If you’re not used to working under these conditions, you might lose focus halfway through the exam, affecting your performance. 

Mock exams train your brain to stay sharp for the full test duration, improving your ability to concentrate under pressure.

Important UCAT mock exam FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of a UCAT mock test?

A UCAT mock test is designed to replicate the real exam experience, from the time limits to the question structure. Taking mock exams helps you practise working under pressure, improve your time management, and get comfortable with the exam format. 

By simulating test-day conditions, mock tests reduce anxiety and build confidence, so nothing feels unfamiliar when you sit the actual UCAT.

  1. How can UCAT practice tests improve my score?

A UCAT mock exam is like a trial run. It shows you what you’re doing well and where you need to improve. By reviewing your performance, you can:

  • Identify which sections you excel in and which ones need more attention.
  • Learn to manage your time efficiently so you don’t get stuck on difficult questions.
  • Get comfortable with different UCAT question types, so you don’t waste time figuring them out during the real test.

The more UCAT practice tests you take, the more confident and prepared you’ll be!

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  1. How should I prepare for a UCAT mock exam?

To get the most out of your mock exams, follow these steps:

  • Simulate exam conditions – Take your mock test in a quiet space, without distractions, and strictly stick to the time limits.
  • Use UCAT test tools – Get familiar with the onscreen calculator, keyboard shortcuts, and navigation tools so you can work quickly and efficiently.
  • Review your mistakes – After each mock test, go through your answers, understand where you went wrong, and adjust your study plan accordingly.
  1. What are the different UCAT question types?

The UCAT is made up of four subtests, each based on different cognitive skills:

  • Verbal Reasoning: Passage-based questions to test your ability to read and interpret written information.
  • Decision Making: Scenarios requiring logical reasoning and decision-making.
  • Quantitative Reasoning: Numerical data problems testing your Maths skills.
  • Situational Judgement: Questions where you have to evaluate real-world scenarios.
  1. Are UCAT mock exams harder than the real test?

The difficulty of a UCAT mock test depends on the test provider. Some mock exams are designed to be harder than the real UCAT to push your limits and prepare you for the worst-case scenario. Others aim to match the difficulty level of the official test as closely as possible. Taking a mix of different mock tests will help ensure you’re prepared for anything on exam day!

The more you practise in realistic conditions, the better prepared you’ll be to tackle the real thing. So, if you haven’t already started, now is the time to add UCAT practice tests to your study routine!

Register now for our fast-tracked UCAT course

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Written by Matrix Education

Matrix is Sydney's No.1 High School Tuition provider. Come read our blog regularly for study hacks, subject breakdowns, and all the other academic insights you need.

© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2023. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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