The majority of medical schools use an admissions test as part of their entry requirements. There are three admissions tests. Medical schools each state on their websites which test they use. You might sit different combinations of these tests according to the medical schools you intend to include in your application.
UCAT
The majority of medical schools use the UCAT (formerly UKCAT). Applicants register for and sit the UCAT before the UCAS application is made. Registration typically opens in May and closes in September. Testing takes place from July until October, ahead of the final deadline for UCAS applications to medicine, which is 15 October every year. See the UCAT website for exact dates and to register.
Please note that Covid-19 has affected how UCAT is delivered. You must visit the website to confirm deadlines.
BMAT
Some medical schools use BMAT. There are two BMAT test dates. The first is in September and allows students to get results before the UCAS deadline, with registration opening at the end of June. The second test date is in November, with registration opening at the beginning of September. The applicant’s score is sent directly to the medical schools to which they have indicated they are applying. Students must only take BMAT once in an admissions cycle. See the BMAT website for free resources and practice papers to help you prepare for sitting the test.
Please note that Covid-19 has affected how BMAT is delivered. You must visit the website to confirm deadlines.
GAMSAT
This test is used for the Graduate Entry Medicine courses and for a number of the Standard Entry Medicine courses where the applicant is a graduate. As with the UKCAT, an applicant must register for and sit the GAMSAT before making the UCAS application. Registration is in August while the test is sat in September. More can be found on the GAMSAT website.
Please note that Covid-19 has affected how GAMSAT is delivered. You must visit the website to confirm deadlines.