UCAT Exam Preparation Part 2: UCAT Tips for Every Section: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning & More

In Part 1, we covered when to start preparing for UCAT and the best resources to use. Once you’ve built a solid revision routine, it’s time to focus on improving your performance in each UCAT section. Here are some practical UCAT tips that can help boost your score.

Verbal Reasoning Tips

Verbal Reasoning is challenging because of the strict time limits.

Instead of reading every passage in full, skim the text first, identify keywords in the question and locate them quickly within the passage. This saves valuable time and improves efficiency.

If a question is taking too long, flag it and move on—every question carries the same number of marks.

Quantitative Reasoning Tips

The maths in quantitative reasoning is broadly at GCSE level. The real challenge is answering accurately under pressure.

Improve your speed by learning the UCAT calculator shortcuts and regularly practising common question types, including:

  • Percentages
  • Ratios
  • Tax calculations
  • Speed, distance and time
  • Currency conversions
  • Graphs and tables

Writing out your calculations neatly can also reduce careless mistakes.

Decision-Making Tips

Decision-making includes logic puzzles, probability and Venn diagrams.

Take a moment to understand the information before answering—rushing often leads to avoidable errors. For syllogisms and logic questions, drawing a quick diagram can make complex relationships much easier to visualise.

Remember one key principle:

Correlation does not equal causation.

Remember one key principle: correlation does not equal causation — only choose conclusions directly supported by the information given.

Situational Judgement Tips

The Situational Judgement Test (SJT) assesses professionalism rather than medical knowledge.

Keep the four pillars of medical ethics in mind:

  • Autonomy – respecting patient choices
  • Beneficence – acting in the patient’s best interests
  • Non-maleficence – avoiding harm
  • Justice – treating patients fairly

Prioritise patient safety, maintain confidentiality, recognise your limits and escalate concerns appropriately. Think about what a healthcare professional should do rather than what you would personally do.

Final Thoughts

The key to achieving a high UCAT score is consistent, focused practice. Review every mistake, strengthen your weaker areas and spend plenty of time working under timed conditions. With the right preparation, you can approach exam day with confidence.

At Ruby’s Tuition, we help students develop effective UCAT revision strategies, improve their confidence and maximise their UCAT scores through expert support and personalised guidance.