Time management in UCAT
2 years ago by Rob
Timing is perhaps the most stress-inducing factor of the UCAT exam. If the UCAT were at take-home test, you would all score well. Managing time is the key. Most of your MedEntry UCAT practice will include timed sections, allowing you to become more familiar and comfortable with the pacing of the exam.
The UCAT is not a test of intelligence. Although it is used as a predictor for success in medical schools, it isn’t infallible. A poor performance does not necessarily reflect ineptitude nor does a poor score mean you should not apply to the medical school. It may merely limit your choices.
You need to maximise your potential by finishing each subtest. You can do this through proper pacing and by recognising that some questions will require an educated guess. Remember that the test is designed such that no more than approximately 1 percent of the test-takers are expected to finish without guessing at the end. You want to be in that 1 percent.
You need to be conscious of the time in UCAT. Certain questions, by their nature, require more time. Recognising these questions is the first step to understanding basic pacing schemes. The practice exams in MedEntry UCAT prep will help you to get a better feel for the exam’s pacing. With every practice exam, become aware of the time needed to answer certain questions. This “internal clock” will help you meet the pacing requirements and reduce anxiety in the UCAT exam.
When undertaking the MedEntry UCAT prep, it is also a good practice to closely monitor your time so that you are able to consider each question carefully and develop good time management for the actual UCAT test. Frequently check the remaining time you have to be sure you are making a sufficiently good progress through the test. There are many tools on the MedEntry LMS which will help you with time management.
I must govern the clock, not be governed by it. -Golda Meir.
