Aptitude Test

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UKCAT situational judgement test tips and preparation

The situational judgement subtest is a very different subtest to the others in your UKCAT. For one thing it is a psychometric test rather than an aptitude test. For another, it is scored differently than the other subtests - in bands rather than out of 900. And finally, many universities consider lightly, if at all. You can read more about what the situational judgement subtest measures on our dedicated blog. In this blog post we discuss what is it that the situational judgement subtest adds to the UKCAT.

What does situational judgement add to the UKCAT?

The ability to judge a situation quickly and effectively and choose the appropriate course of action is an important skill in any doctor. The situational judgement test will measure your professionalism in difficult situations, and how well you apply medical ethics to real life situations.

As you progress through your career, emphasis will be placed on the softer side of being a doctor - how you speak to patients, your empathy, and attitude. The situational judgement test provides an opportunity to get a glimpse at your softer skills at a very early stage. Read more about the key domains of the situational judgement test on our website.

Example situational judgement question

The following question is an example of the type of scenario you may be presented with in a situational judgement test. In the test you will be given a statement such as “the student speaks up and says that he disagrees”, and given four options to assess the appropriateness of the action. Take a moment to think about what you think is an appropriate action in this case.

A student is assisting a clinician on a case of a patient suffering from acute abdominal pain. After reviewing all the medical tests, the junior doctor concludes that the patient can be discharged home as all his tests indicate that he is in good health and he is probably just suffering from a stomach virus. The student believes that this is not the case as he has spent more time with the patient and feels that the severity of the patient's pain indicates a more serious condition.

Why should I prepare for the situational judgement subtest?

This may the first time you come across a situational judgement test during your medical career, but it is certainly not the last. Situational judgement tests are used during medical school exams, in the selection of foundation doctors, GPs, and in some medical specialities. So the sooner you learn how to crack them the better.

The situational judgement subtest is based on a set of competencies and medical ethics principles. You need to be familiar with them ahead of the test. Our UKCAT situational judgement practice questions are designed around these competencies and principles, enabling you to build your familiarity with how they work in practical situations. The more you practice putting yourself in these situations, the easier it will be in the test itself to slip into character.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

The UKCAT decision analysis subtest is considered by many to be the easiest subtest, and in 2013 this definitely appeared to be the case as average marks soared to 771. In 2014, the UKCAT consortium have made an effort to bring DA scores back inline, with a reduction in the time allocated to the test, and more challenging questions. In this spotlight blog, we will look at some of the ways to approach this test.

Why decision analysis?

Decision analysis is a different type of test to the subtests before it. In this test you are being asked to analyse a lot of information quickly, and to decode a message which is given to you in a different form. These are key skills as a doctor, as you may not always be given information in a clear and straightforward manner. You may find that you need to make informed decisions based on the information given to you.

In an added twist, you are asked to give a confidence rating stating how confident you were when giving your response. Be honest with this, and if you found it difficult to come to answer, reflect that in your confidence rating. The last thing you want is to claim you were supremely confident in a wrong answer.

What is different in the UKCAT 2014?

The 2014 DA subtest is two minutes shorter than last year, with 31 minutes to finish the test. This allows just over 1 minute per question. Early takers this summer have already said they have found the test harder, with longer codes, more code to word combinations, and more complicated codes.

This year more than ever before it is important that you have a sound solving strategy. See our 2013 DA blog about the techniques available and how to use them in the test.

Decision analysis codes

As you know, the test is all about the codes. Here we discuss some tips to remember to help you answer the questions every time.

The DA subtest contains just one scenario. Before you start answering questions take a good look at the code to make sure you know the types of words included.
Some of the words in the code may have multiple meanings, and any of these meanings may be used in a sentence. Try to think of all meanings for words, as well as whether any of the words they are linked to change the meaning.
Some words in the code will change the meaning of another word if they are attached to them. For example increase or more may mean plural word, so “increase-personal” would mean the first person plural - we, our, ours.

Practice, practice, practice!

The best advice for the decision analysis subtest is simply to take practice tests and prepare fully. This test requires you to be able to take multiple pieces of information and infer the correct answers from them. You need to be organised to work quickly and efficiently through each piece of code. Practice will help you identify the best way to organise yourself.

Our UKCAT preparation packs contain four decision analysis tests as well as further solving strategies, to ensure that you go into your exam relaxed and prepared.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

Which set does the following shape belong to?

The UKCAT abstract reasoning subtest is a fast moving test with just 14 minutes (or 15 seconds each!) to answer 55 questions. You are not expected to answer every question in the test, (breathe), so make sure you know in advance how many you do need to get right in order to get a good score. In 2013 the average number of correct answers was 36, and with no updates to the test timing in 2014, this is the baseline to beat.

What type of question can I expect in the UKCAT abstract reasoning test?

The UKCAT abstract reasoning test contains four different question types. These types can be broadly described as place the shape in set A or set B (types 1 and 4), complete the series (type 2), and complete the statement (type 3, or shape analogies).

Candidates taking the test in 2014 have reported that this year there is a good mix of questions, with more questions asking you to complete the series or complete the statement than in the past. Make sure to prepare all types of question in advance.

The different types of abstract reasoning question deserve more detail than can be covered in this blog. Learn more about how to approach type 1 and type 4 questions with our type 1 questions blog. This page contains tips and advice that will help you know where to start on each and every question.

Our blog looking at types 2 and 3 will tell you more about these two styles of questions, along with tips on how to solve them. Between this page and the other page you should have a good starting point for a solving strategy.

What help will practice be?

With so little time available to answer each question, familiarity with the questions and a technique to recognise patterns is an important contributor to getting a good score. The more you prepare, the quicker and more accurate you will be at recognising patterns, and even identifying more complex rules.

If you prepare properly for the abstract reasoning test it is not difficult, and you can get a good score. However the fast pace of the test does mean that you need to know how to answer quickly and accurately. Learn about the question types and solving strategies for your UKCAT abstract reasoning test with our online practice packs.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

In 2013 the quantitative reasoning test was the lowest scoring of the four UKCAT subtests, and in order to achieve an average score (600) you had to get just 16 questions right. These scores are a testimony to just how difficult this test was. So just what do you need to do in order to improve your QR subtest score? Let’s take a closer look at this test.

Mastering the basics - QR maths skills

One of the key skills for the quantitative reasoning test is mental arithmetic. In this test you generally need to make more than one calculation in order to come to the answer, and you must be able to do these calculations quickly and accurately. Sharpening your mental arithmetic skills should be a large part of your UKCAT quantitative reasoning preparation.

You also need to be clear on how to perform a range of calculations needed to come to the answers. These functions include ratios, percentages, fractions, multiplication, and division to name but a few. To arrive at the answer, you need to work through these calculations steadily, methodically and in an organised way.

You can use a calculator to help you out with these questions, so prepare with an onscreen calculator from the beginning.

Working quickly in a quantitative reasoning test

The most difficult element of the quantitative reasoning subtest is answering the questions with the required calculations in the time allocated. Even with this year’s additional two minutes on the time for the subtest, test takers are reporting that they are struggling to complete the test in the time allocated. So what can you do to get faster?

Practice using an onscreen calculator. This will save a lot of time as you familiarise yourself with where to move your mouse in order to make calculations. Some people have said their test centre won’t allow them to use the keyboard, so practice using a mouse on the calculator as well.

Don’t spend too long on one question. If you find you are spending too long on a question, flag it up to go back to later and move on to the next one.

Perform easy calculations in your head or on paper. Learn shortcut techniques as part of your preparation. For example, divide the number by 100 in your head when calculating percentages. You may then need to use a calculator to multiply this number by 26%, but at least you have cut out one step.

Keep your calculations on your whiteboard. You may find that you need to use the same calculations again in the next question, so writing them down and keeping them to go back to will allow you to skip stages in later questions.

The quantitative reasoning subtest is difficult, but with good preparation of your maths and reasoning skills, as well as practising working through questions quickly will help you come out with a good score. It is worth taking time to ensure that you have the basic skills before you start preparing. And take practice tests to help you understand the timing. Our UKCAT practice packs contain revision materials for skills, as well as test tips and of course all important practice tests. Good luck!

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

The UKCAT is a test based on five smaller subtests. Over the coming weeks we will look more closely at these tests and some of the things you can do to improve your score in the test.

The UKCAT verbal reasoning subtest is the first test you will come up against in the UKCAT. In this test you have 21 minutes to read 11 passages and answer four questions on each testlet. There are two types of question you will come up against: the first type will ask you to decide whether a statement is true, false or you cannot say based on the information in the text; or you will be asked to pick the correct answer out of a selection of statements to answer a question about the text.

What is verbal reasoning?

Verbal reasoning is a way of understanding the information you read. You may remember doing comprehension exercises in school when you were younger- that was a type of verbal reasoning. The verbal reasoning test in the UKCAT asks you to go one further, to think about what you have read and assess it and decide whether a statement can be drawn from what is in the text, or what information can be read between the lines. In an added complication you can only use information written in the text to inform your answer. No outside knowledge can be used.

Try “quick reading” in everyday life

The test requires some quick reading and quick thinking. One helpful tip for improving your verbal reasoning skills is to read newspaper articles and other forms of information and to think about what you are reading is saying. This will familiarise you with different writing formats, and improve your fast reading skills at the same time.

Learn to rely on what you have read (only)

As mentioned above, you can only use the information in the text. Even where you think you know information that is not mentioned in the text which would help answer the question, this time you have to ignore it and stick to the text. This can be difficult to remember, but it is a key point to remember throughout. On the other side, think about what you have read in the text, and answering the questions becomes a whole lot easier.

Practise questioning everything you read

The aim of the verbal reasoning test is to gain an idea of how well you understand what you are reading and can take that information to the next stage. As you walk around in daily life, think about what you have read, and what it means in reality. This will help you pick out the important pieces of information and answer the questions on it.

The verbal reasoning subtest is your first section in the UKCAT. It is important that you set yourself the right tone for the rest of your test in this section. Our UKCAT verbal reasoning tests page can tell you more about the technicalities of the test, including tips on how to prepare, and our UKCAT preparation packs can help you rehearse your technique. Here we have looked at how you can sharpen your verbal reasoning skills every day. Psytech and other trademarks are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are affiliated with JobTestPrep or this website.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

Distractors are the incorrect answer choices in a multiple choice question as found in all UKCAT tests. The aim of the distractors is to make picking the correct answer difficult. They were chosen by the test writer because they are close to, but not quite, the right answer, which makes them confusing when you try to rule them out.

Distractors are deliberately misleading. They can follow the correct path of reasoning on an incorrect base, look correct, or offer an answer very close to the correct answer, making you uncertain about discarding them. They can be based on attention traps or misinterpretation of data. In a test you have to locate and eliminate them one by one, preferably without guessing until you get to the right answer.

You can pick up tricks on how to identify the obvious distractors that will save you time in the test. Some of these tricks include:

Pay attention to the language used in the text, the question and the distractors themselves as they give you clues about what is being looked for. Phrases such as “at most”, “at least” or “as much as” will set out a series of boundaries. Any distractors outside of these boundaries can automatically be eliminated.
In verbal tests, strong statements such as “all” or “everything” are usually not the answer you are looking for as they require a lot of background information to prove them correct.
If there are three distractors that look the same, and another two which are different, the chances are the correct answer is one of the three, allowing you to reduce the number of distractors straight away.

After successfully eliminating the easy distractors you may find some of the following rules of thumb useful in reaching your final answer:

If an answer looks obviously correct, check it against the others to confirm your decision before moving on.
If when you have finished your calculation your answer does not appear on the list of distractors, you may have missed out some information. Consider looking at the question again for any details you missed first time around.
When you are stuck between two final options look back at the wording in the question. Look out for clues in the wording, including tricks in the words used. This should help you pick out another distractor to eliminate.
Occasionally the question itself is ambiguous, and you find you need to use the distractors themselves to pull the question apart and pick the correct answer.

Guessing

Taking an educated guess is often a temptation during your UKCAT test. If you want to guess, think carefully about when to do it. We would recommend that the two times to guess are when time is running out in the test, or when you have been stuck on a question for too long and need to answer the question in order to move on in the test. The test is not negatively marked, meaning you will not lose marks if you choose the wrong answer. Guessing is a quick way of answering a question that you feel you do not know how to answer at all. But guessing should definitely not be your first choice on each question.

If you do feel you need to guess, here are some ways you can minimise the impact of guesswork on your test.

Eliminate those you know for sure are wrong, reducing the options to guess from.
Reduce the need to guess by working out several ways of identifying distractors in each subtest. Practice using your techniques in test conditions to see how they work under pressure.
Flag up any answers you have guessed, enabling you to go back to them if you have time.

Distractors are designed to be tricky and trip you up, otherwise why would they offer the correct answer on the page. The right answer is not always easily available, so you do need to ensure that you have developed ways of working with the distractors to reach the correct answer. Our online preparation packs contain more tips on how to work with distractors on each test.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

Preparing for any test is vital to your chances of success. The UKCAT is a test based on aptitude, and in the early days of the UKCAT the UKCAT consortium believed that since the test is a test of your intelligence you would not need to prepare for it. Years of successively improved scores have proven to the UKCAT consortium that this is not the case, so you are now expected to prepare thoroughly for your test.

In a test such as the UKCAT, where you are being tested on skills rather than knowledge, practice tests can have real benefits when you enter that test room. Let’s take a quick look at what these benefits are, one by one.

Practising familiarises you with the types of questions you can expect in the test. This in turn gives you confidence that you know how to handle this type of question, and indeed the whole test.

Familiarity with the questions means that you can work through them quicker as you don’t need to spend time understanding what to do. The quicker you work through each question the more questions you will answer, giving you the opportunity to get a better score in the test.

Practising improves the skills being tested. This can include refreshing a skill you have not used in a while, or learning new skills entirely. Improving these skills increases your accuracy when answering questions (how many questions you attempt and get right), in turn also leading to a better score.

By taking practice tests you can learn tricks for identifying patterns in the language of the questions or in the shapes of the abstract reasoning questions. Learning these tricks makes it easier to get the questions right. In addition you can then work out the solving strategies that work best for you, enabling you to be more efficient at answering the questions.

Performing calculations such as percentages and ratios over and over again conditions you to know what you need to do the next time. This means that pulling up the formulas (percentage increase/ decrease) will take less time, making the calculations and answering questions quicker.

Practice helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses. In turn this helps focus your preparation as you work to strengthen your weaknesses to get better scores in the test.

You would never dream of going in to any other test without revising and taking practice and mock tests. The UKCAT is no exception even if it is a different type of test than you are used to. Make sure that you give yourself a long enough preparation period in order that you get the most out of your practice, and that you complete everything you need to do. Find out more about how to prepare for your UKCAT with JobTestPrep.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

The UKCAT is a timed test, with arguably very short time allocations per test. Managing your time in the test is crucial to give yourself the chance to answer the questions towards the end of the test, and gaining the best score you can.

The time pressure is deliberate. The time limits create pressure, and the aim of this test is to examine how you work under pressure. In reality you are not expected to answer every question on the paper in some of the subtests, but the more questions you do answer, the more chance you give yourself of obtaining a good score.

You can prepare yourself to work under this time pressure, and here are some ways how you can do this.

Memorise how long you have to answer each question in each subtest, and try to keep to that time. Some questions will take you less time, some questions more, but try to keep the balance. Keeping to time will mean that you do not need to rush (and guess) at the end of the test.

Know how many questions are answered on average in each test. For example, the mean number of correct answers in the quantitative reasoning test in 2013 was 16. The test in 2013 had the same number of questions in the same time frame, so this figure suggests that if you can answer more than the mean in the allocated time you stand a good chance of a decent normalised score.

When you are calculating your time per question, factor in time for reading new passages, pieces of information or scenarios. Understand how many questions you are asked on each new piece of information in each test, so that you can work out how long you can have for each testlet. For example in the verbal reasoning test four questions are asked on each passage of text. This means that you can allocate 1.50 minutes per text and four questions rather than 28 seconds per question (which includes the time needed to read the passage).

In most of the subtests (other than the decision analysis subtest), you can flag a question and return to it. The benefit of this is that you don’t need to waste time so that you don't have time to finish all questions. It also enables you to return to these questions once you have answered more questions and are feeling more relaxed and confident.

Don’t forget to assess how you are doing for time half way through each subtest. You will then know to speed up or slow down according to the time left on your clock.

In a test where time is this tight, any delay over the time per question will mean that you won’t reach the end of the test. Managing your time effectively is key to enabling you to at least attempt every question. Use these tips when taking practice UKCAT tests so that you get used to working to a tight time limit, and improve your ability to keep to time in the test.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

The UKCAT consortium recommend that you spend between 21 and 30 hours preparing for your UKCAT exam. We would normally recommend more than this, spread out over two or three weeks. In this blog we discuss why we have come to this answer.

We can't tell you how long you as an individual comfortable with setting your own speed for studying, will need to get ready for a completely new type of test. Some of you will feel comfortable after 21 to 30 hours, but some of you will need longer. Giving yourself two or three weeks to play with means that you can work out what time you need.

The most important consideration is that you give yourself enough time to prepare without rushing or cramming in the final few topics. To help you out with this, we have drafted a set of study schedules, with a two week plan for those of you who need less time, and a three week plan for those of you who feel they need longer.

The importance of “enough time”

The UKCAT is made up of five subtests that aren't the same as your GCSE or A-level tests. You are being tested on a set of skills that you may need time to master rather than a volume of knowledge. In your UKCAT preparation you are learning how to do something rather than information as you would normally learn.
If you give yourself enough time to prepare you will be able to go into the test confident and relaxed and secure in the knowledge that you have done all you can. This will help you believe that you will get the score that you deserve, and as such create a cycle where you do well.
Even before you get into the serious preparation, you can start doing a little bit every day as an introduction. This background work will be invaluable in your later preparation, allowing you to hit the ground running and get to the more valuable concentration on areas of weakness.
When you have enough time ahead of the test you can afford to plan your time effectively, you can make sure you get a balance in your days and don’t panic, allocating unrealistic 16 hour days to preparing. You can schedule in time each day for eating, sleeping, showering, walking or getting out a bit, all of which help you keep a healthy perspective and prepare better for the test.

Even without being able to give you a clear answer, we at JobTestPrep would recommend that you start your preparation early so that you can assess the time you need and plan it accordingly. We would also suggest that the guideline of 21 to 30 hours is a starting point, and you should give yourself more time to cut down if necessary.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

You’ve signed up for the UKCAT exam, and now you are starting to look at what exactly that means. What are the subtests, how many are there, and how long do I have for the test? This blog will go through two main format features of the test.

The UKCAT contains several design features that you may want to be aware of before you start your preparation efforts.

The UKCAT contains five subtests, each of which are distinct from the test before, and assess you on different skills to each other.
The time allocated to each question is different for each subtest.

The five subtests

The UKCAT is made up of five very different subtests. The test is 2 hours long, with no breaks allocated. If you take a break your time will continue to run whilst you are not there.

Subtest	Time per section (+ 1 min instructions)	No. questions	Time per question	Skills tested
Verbal reasoning	22 minutes	44 questions based on 11 passages	29 seconds	English; drawing inferences and critical thinking
Quantitative reasoning	25 minutes	36 questions based on 9 sets of information	40 seconds	Maths; workout correct answers
Abstract reasoning	14 minutes	55 questions	15 seconds	Identifying patterns; determining relationships
Decision analysis	32 minutes	28 questions	Just over 1 minute	Decision making; using judgement
Situational judgement	27 minutes	67 questions based on 20 scenarios	20 seconds	Response to tricky situations at work/Uni.

Once you have understood the format of the test, you can move on to the individual subtests, always working within the time constraints and requirements of each section.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

A new UKCAT testing period brings around new changes to the UKCAT, and JobTestPrep are no exception. We have updated much of our UKCAT offerings, with more to come in the coming weeks. Here’s a taster of what we have done so far.

Mobile adaptive

More and more of our tests are now mobile adaptive. You can practice verbal, quantitative and abstract (type 2) reasoning and situational judgement tests on your mobile device. All you need to do is log on to your account from your mobile device and start practicing.

Our content has had a facelift

All our UKCAT pages on the website have been updated to reflect the latest information on the UKCAT. We have also added pages on topics that you should find useful, making sure our site content covers everything you need to know about the UKCAT, and makes us the most informative site around.

Updated our online packages

As well as adding more videos as mentioned above, we are also adding new tests, including situational judgement and more verbal reasoning questions. We have created a new situational judgement guide, and refreshed our content, guidance and advice. We have strengthened our online offering, ensuring that we give you plenty to work through as you prepare for your UKCAT exam.

More competitions, quizzes and prizes

This year we are running a series of online competitions and small quizzes. All of these have prizes attached to them from 10% discounts on any of our products to Amazon vouchers and reduced sessions. Keep up to date with our competitions via our Facebook page (oh and like our page to receive another 10% off voucher).

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

UKCAT Abstract Reasoning Sample - JobTestPrep's Blog

For most people sitting the UKCAT, the Type 2 and Type 3 Abstract Reasoning questions will be something they have never encountered before. The hand-me-down books and the free sample questions online quite simply don't cover this new section introduced in 2013 and you have no clue where to start…

Well, thankfully, here at JobTestPrep we have dedicated time, effort and expert guidance in dissecting the Type 2 and 3 Abstract Reasoning Tests down to their basics, enabling you to take these tests with the minimum of worry and apprehension.

Overview

So let’s begin with the UKCAT Type 2 Abstract Reasoning questions; in its simplest terms, you will be given a set of 4 consecutive boxes filled with shapes that follow a pattern from one to the next. Your task is to detect this pattern, and apply it to the next box – thus determining your answer box. We will discuss this, and how to tackle this type of question in further detail later.

Now, the UKCAT Type 3 Abstract Reasoning questions are similar. You will be given 4 boxes, 2 in the top row and 2 in the bottom. The top two boxes will be related to each other by a unique pattern, as will the bottom two boxes by the same pattern. However, the bottom right box is empty – you must find the correct box to place in there. So how do you do this? Well, quite simply, you must find the pattern that links the top two boxes together, and then apply it to the bottom left box in order to detect the correct bottom right. In other words, something happens to the top left box to convert it into the top right box; apply the same rule you detect to the bottom left box to find the bottom right box. Easy!

“So how do I find the patterns between boxes?”

To begin with, we’ll focus on Type 2 Abstract Reasoning questions. As mentioned before, the four boxes are consecutively related to each other. This means that between the first box and the second box, a rule is applied. This rule is then applied between the second and third boxes, and so on. The easiest way to detect the pattern that applies to each question is as follows:
Focus on box 1 and box 2. Look for a pattern between the two boxes – ask yourself what changes occur in the shapes between the boxes? Think about the following:

Rotations of individual shapes clockwise/counter-clockwise around the box.
Rotations of individual shapes clockwise/counter-clockwise in a fixed position.
Increase/decreases in size.
Colour alternation – this is a useful way to eliminate distracter answers (if you're unsure about distracter answers, see our online UKCAT material). If a shape alternates between black, and white you should be able to determine that in the answer box, the shape will be black. So, if it is white in one of the answer options, you can eliminate that one because it will be wrong.

Check if the same pattern occurs between boxes 2 and 3, and then boxes 3 and 4.
Apply your rule to the 4th box, thus helping you work out the 5th box which will be your answer.

Type 3 is much simpler; the top left box will be filled with a number of shapes, as will the top right box. Look at the two boxes and compare the differences between them. Use the same rules as Type 2 questions (see bullet points above) and figure out what the changes are. Then apply these to the bottom left box to come up with your final answer.

In Summary

This is a very general overview of some just some of the methods that you can use to help decipher the rules used within each of the type 2 and 3 UKCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions. For much more information on methods of spotting distractors, a more advanced mnemonic, and a list of some of the most common patterns and features to look out for, head over to our UKCAT section. Here you can take a free UKCAT test online; sign up for our UKCAT online packages. There you will find HUNDREDS of questions following the concepts of both type 2 and type 3. You can even speak to one of our experienced UKCAT tutors for some extra guidance! Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Written by Akash, a member of JTP’s UKCAT tutors team.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

UKCAT Verbal Reasoning Tips - for Type 2 Questions - JobTestPrep's Blog

You enter the exam venue for one of the most crucial exams in your academic career, and you’re immediately thrown into the deep end tackling the Verbal Reasoning section. You will probably be nervous, unsure of what level of difficulty to expect and dreading the remainder of test; so it’s definitely understandable that most pupils sitting the UKCAT exam will find great difficulty in successfully answering the Verbal Reasoning Type 2 questions.

Thankfully, our latest blog post is now here to tackle the most common challenges faced in correctly answering the Type 2 UKCAT Verbal Reasoning questions.

So what is ‘Type 2 Verbal Reasoning’?

Type 2 Verbal Reasoning refers to the batch of questions in the verbal reasoning section where you have to read a passage and choose the most suitable answer from a range of 5 possibilities. In its essence, you must be able to grasp the context of the passage and its overall key points in order to answer the question.

Technique

The biggest difficulty most pupils will have is time-management. Should you read the passage fully or should you read the question and then skim read the passage for the answer? In truth, it all comes down to personal preference, and a little combination of the two techniques.

If you feel confident on time, you should read the passage in full, creating a mental map of the key points and where they lie in the text – the most crucial thing you should pick up is a summary of the passage in your own words (or in one direct quotation if you can find it!).

However, if you are short of time, or you feel your reading and comprehension skills are not strong enough to read the full passage in time, we recommend you do the following:

Read the question first; understand what is being asked of you and embed that into your mind (each question is explained later in our blog).
Skim-read the answer options so that you have them roughly in your head – remember, there are always ways of eliminating answer options so try to do that whilst you follow the next bullet point.
Use a combination of skim-reading and in-depth reading to find your final answer. Skim-read the passage until you find a sentence or key-word that you think could be relevant to the answer. Then, read in-depth the adjacent sentences and try to collate an answer together.

Here at JobTestPrep, we have summarised the main questions that come up in this section into four main groups. In this blog, we will explain what each of the questions is assessing, and therefore what you need to be thinking when you look for an answer.

→ The author most/least likely agrees with which of the following…?

In this question, you should only be concerned with the OPINION of the author of the passage. We are not interested in facts, figures or data unless the author has expressed an opinion on them. In this question, you must pay close attention to qualifiers (see our online packages if you are unsure on what these are) and small phrases that will portray the author’s opinion.

→ Which of the following claims is best supported by the passage?

In short, this question is looking for the most discussed trend mentioned by the passage – this could simply be the topic that is mentioned the greatest number of times, or it could be the topic that discussed in greatest depth. To put it another way, if you were to give the passage a title or heading, this title or heading would be that most discussed trend – i.e., the claim which is best supported by the passage. Note that this has nothing to do with the author’s opinion.

→ What conclusion can be drawn from the passage?

This is a simple and self-explanatory question – you are looking for the overall message of the passage. Does the author lean for or against a specific topic? That is your conclusion. Be aware that the conclusion will not necessarily be at the end of the passage – the author may choose to mention his or her conclusion in the first sentence, and then spend the rest of the passage justifying or explaining his conclusion.

→ Which of the following statements is most/least likely to be true?

This question is very similar to question 2 above, but there is a crucial difference; here, you must make an inference as to what is probably the most accurate answer. This means that there will be more than one correct answer, but you must select the MOST correct answer. To do this correctly, you must pick up crucial sentences from all over the passage and link them together to create your own judgement – in essence, this question tests your ability to understand what is being said in the passage and select a suitable synonymous answer option. Remember not to use your own knowledge!

Summary

This short blog has outlined the crucial points of the Type 2 Verbal Reasoning questions. It will help speed up your work, eliminate incorrect answers quickly and accurately, and increase the likelihood of finding the correct answer. For a more in-depth examination of the techniques and tips for the Verbal Reasoning section, visit our UKCAT section and sign up for our UKCAT online packages (notes, explanations, and thousands of questions).

Written by Shahab, a member of JTP’s UKCAT tutors team.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

“I just can't seem to spot the pattern!” Is this how you feel whilst practising Abstract Reasoning questions? You are gaining confidence and getting quicker in the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Analysis sections, but just can't seem to be improving in Abstract Reasoning? Don't worry – you're not alone. The UKCAT Abstract Reasoning section has long been the nemesis of many a UKCAT student.

Here at JobTestPrep, we have put together some of the most useful tips, guidelines and bits of advice that will most certainly help you solve some of the Type 1 Abstract Reasoning questions. “Whoa whoa whoa there’s more than one type of question in Abstract Reasoning?!” In fact, three new subtypes of questions were added to the Abstract Reasoning section in the 2012 updates (keep a look out for more on this in future blog posts!) Today, we will be focusing upon tackling the type 1 Abstract Reasoning questions.

Overview

The Type 1 Abstract Reasoning questions essentially require you to identify the logic behind one set (A or B), identify the logic of the other set, whose pattern is usually linked to its counterpart, and then place 5 test shapes into either set A, set B or neither set. It’s worth clearing up a fairly common mistake made here. The answer will be ‘neither’ if the test shape does not match either set, OR, if the test shape matches both sets. But it’s spotting the pattern that can be the real difficulty…

A few UKCAT Abstract Reasoning Tips…

The three square rule:

With just over 70 seconds to work out both patterns and then place the 5 test shapes into a category, it is fundamental that you have an efficient method of working out the rule. Perhaps the most useful method to use here is the three square rule:

Find the box out of either set which is the most simple - normally the one with the fewest things inside it. (You have to remember that every box, however simple, must contain the rule used. The simpler the box, the fewer the number of distractors inside it -see below!)
Look at two boxes either side of it
Compare the three boxes, looking for any similarity with regards to the shapes, patterns, colouring or edges.
Think you're on to something? Great, check this works for the rest of the boxes in that set, and more importantly, not for any of the boxes in the other set.
If this works, voila, you're probably onto something…

“That’s all well and good, but what do I look for in the three boxes?”

Going through the fairly repetitive task of recognising patterns amongst the boxes requires some sort of checklist of things to look out for – a mnemonic. Using a mnemonic, be it a short simple one or a longer more advanced one, will help save you time constantly thinking about what to look for next across the boxes in a set. Use a mnemonic like:

SCANS:

Shape
Colour
Angle/Arrangement
Number of (shapes, sides, intersections…)
Symmetry

Do remember, that this mnemonic is by no means exhaustive, but serves as a useful basis upon which you can work out what the rule really is!

“I thought I had the pattern, but it didn't quite fit one of the boxes.”

You've probably stumbled across a distractor. As if some of the patterns are not complex enough, distractors are used to divert your attention away from the real pattern. Being able to spot a distractor will not only save you time, but help make your attempt at finding the pattern far more efficient. Let’s take the example of one of the most common distractors used - colour. Quite simply, if you see a box where all the shapes are the same colour, colour is most likely being used as a distractor, so move on! Quickly eliminating distracter answer options will help increase the time you have, and thus the chances of finding the correct answer!

This is a very general overview of some just some of the methods that you can use to help decipher the rule used within each of the type 1 UKCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions. For much more information on methods of spotting distractors, a more advanced mnemonic, and a list of some of the most common patterns and features to look out for, head over to our UKCAT section. Here you can take a free UKCAT test online; sign up for our UKCAT online packages (notes, in-depth explanations and thousands of questions) and even speak to one of our experienced UKCAT tutors for some extra guidance!

Written by Akash, a member of JTP’s UKCAT tutors team.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

UKCAT Decision Analysis Test Help - JobTestPrep's Blog

So you've been on our website and you're fast becoming an expert at tackling the UKCAT… BUT you're stuck on Decision Analysis?

Well problem solved! We here at JobTestPrep have compiled the most useful tips and techniques for solving Decision Analysis problems – from the very basic to the most advanced.

Overview

In its simplest terms, the UKCAT Decision Analysis section consists of making and breaking codes. Firstly, you will be given a table of numbers and letters, each of which stands for a particular word that you will be told. Using this table, you will be asked to do some of the following activities:

Break a code,
Use the table to create a code for a sentence,
Choose two suitable code words that could be added to the table to improve the fluidity of a specific sentence.

Technique

The biggest difficulty facing most people trying to solve Decision Analysis questions is deciding upon the technique to use. The three most common techniques are as follows:

Trying to break and solve the code in your head, then looking for a suitable answer option.

Write down the broken and solved code in full onto your whiteboard, then looking at your answer options and eliminating incorrect answers and choosing the most suitable answer. This technique is known as Top-Down Analysis.

You could break down the code on your whiteboard in fragments, looking at the answer options to see which do and do not match. This way, you can also eliminate answer options, ultimately leaving you with one correct choice. This technique is known as Bottom-Up Analysis.

So which is best?

In this section, you are given 34 minutes to answer 28 questions – this is the only section in the UKCAT where you have over 1 minute per question.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that you write down your “broken and solved” code onto your whiteboard. This prevents you from making silly mistakes in your head. Whether you decide to use the Top-Down or Bottom-Up Analysis is up to your personal preference; some may find it time-consuming to do Top-Down, whilst others may prefer it because it decreases your chances of making a mistake.

Once you've written your broken code out, compare it to the five answer options you have been provided with. Four of these answer options, have a specific and deliberate mistake in them, however similar they may be to the actual answer. These deliberate mistakes are known as Distracters.

Look for any distracter answer options that have:

included new words,
missed out words from the code,
been written in the wrong tense,
made incorrect reference to the singular or plural,
misinterpreted commas and brackets,
incorrectly used codes from the Operators column,
been written too literally.

This will help you to eliminate distracter answer options, thus increasing your chances of finding the correct answer.

If you’re still unable to decide on an answer despite having eliminated a few distracters, be aware that two or more answers may be correct at any one time – the important thing to remember is that you must select the most suitable answer. In other words, you must pick that which is more correct out of the remaining options.

Conclusion

This general overview into tackling the techniques behind Decision Analysis will help speed up your work, help you eliminate incorrect answers quickly and accurately, and increase the likelihood of finding the correct answer. For a more in-depth examination of the techniques and tips for the Decision Analysis section, visit our UKCAT section on and sign up for our UKCAT online packages (notes, explanations, and thousands of practice questions).

Written by Shahab, a member of JTP’s UKCAT tutors team.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

UKCAT Course at CLSB London by JobTestPrep

On July 2nd-3rd, we held a course at City of London School for Boys (CLSB). This workshop was held for 22 pupils of the school. It comprised of many different activities including 12 hours of practice and advice for all UKCAT sections, as well as the Situational Judgement Test.

Participants were of course given access to our online practice pack, so they were able to then review more questions at home. On Thursday 12th, another course was held at London's QE Boys. Pictures and testimonials are on their way :).

Throughout the UKCAT 2013 season JobTestPrep will be conducting live courses in the London area, you are more than welcome to register for a course at your convenience.

In addition to our live courses, we also provide UKCAT tuition services with our team of tutors. These can be administered via Skype.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

UKCAT Tips - Techniques To Help You Read Quickly - JobTestPrep's Blog

If the above sentence took more than about half a second for you to read then you’d do well to keep reading! Literally!

A fundamental part of any aptitude test is reading, UKCAT in particular. With the time constraints placed on you for your tests you cannot absorb the information slowly. As such, as part of our series of UKCAT Practice Tips articles, today we will be discussing reading and how to speed yours up:

Look at and re-look at the format of the different tests you will be sitting. This will help you get a feel for the structure of the questions and you will be used to reading like this again and again until you finally sit the real test in which you will know exactly what key parts go where and how to deal with the information provided.
Take in more than 5 words. Make sure you look at as many words as possible, this will help you digest the words you've just read and be ready for the next set. This is actually very easy to do all it requires is a little confidence, which requires a little practice. Computer programs like [If we can make our own it would be better] can help you practice this.
Use the mouse pointer to track your position in the text.
Start reading a new book in your spare time alongside whatever else you may be reading and set yourself a goal to read 1 chapter per two hours (depending on the size of each chapter).
Talk about the material you will be reading! If you want to absorb something more discuss it. Our team would be happy to simply talk to you via twitter and Facebook so do not hesitate! We will help you.
Skim material first. Read it without taking much notice of it to get a feel for the general parts in which it stands out then read it all and you’ll skip parts that are not relevant to the actual article, without even noticing you’re doing it!

There is a lot of information here and some of it might NOT be relevant to you, so speed read and take the ones that you think are most helpful and then implement them.

We must stress here at JTP that talking with people about the UKCAT and the possible questions is the most helpful in our opinion and we advise no matter who you are - DO THIS!

If you feel you need more than just reading skills we have some of the best tutors available who are in their desired universities and willing to show you how. They can teach you everything you need to know about the UKCAT and even tell you a little about life when you're in university. Find out more HERE.

Good Luck!

Note: If you wish to receive new articles and product updates directly to your inbox, you can subscribe to our newsletter. You can also like our Facebook page.

~ JobTestPrep Team ~

What does situational judgement add to the UKCAT?

Example situational judgement question

Why should I prepare for the situational judgement subtest?

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Why decision analysis?

What is different in the UKCAT 2014?

Decision analysis codes

Practice, practice, practice!

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What type of question can I expect in the UKCAT abstract reasoning test?

What help will practice be?

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Mastering the basics - QR maths skills

Working quickly in a quantitative reasoning test

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What is verbal reasoning?

Try “quick reading” in everyday life

Learn to rely on what you have read (only)

Practise questioning everything you read

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Guessing

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The importance of “enough time”

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The five subtests

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Our content has had a facelift

Updated our online packages

More competitions, quizzes and prizes

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Overview

“So how do I find the patterns between boxes?”

In Summary

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So what is ‘Type 2 Verbal Reasoning’?

Technique

Summary

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Overview

A few UKCAT Abstract Reasoning Tips…

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Overview

Technique

So which is best?

Conclusion

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