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be inferred from the text. • In order for something to be true, it does not necessarily have to be almost an exact match from the text; it just has to contain information that has to be true based on the information in the stem. In most cases, this is referred to as an inference and there is a separate page in this VR section on how inferences work. In short, however, an inference is a statement that theoretically, has to be based in truth on the information in the text. • False In order for an answer to be wrong, it must = directly contradict information present in the text. Just because something is not in the text does not mean it is false. Finally, 'Can't tell' is the option you need when the statement contains information beyond the text. The whole point of the UCAT is to only use the information contained in the text to answer the questions. As such, can't tell statements are not statements that are necessarily wrong (or right), but just statements you need more information to properly validate. VR procedure for true and false questions: To answer true/false/can't tell questions: 1. Make sure you have read the text with an active approach. 2. Pick keywords in the statement. 3. Search for evidence by scanning in the relevant section. 4. Compare the statement with the evidence and decide on whether it matches the text, contradicts it or you need more information. 1) Read the statement and find the keywords (dates, numbers, synonyms, pronouns, antonyms) 2) Skim the passage and find any keywords, and analyse their context. To analyse the context efficiently you need to look at the sentences above and below the key word. 3) Compare language and meaning 4) Discard and decide 5) Look for inferences Absolutes and Qualifiers glossary list (printed out document) VR procedure for SBA type questions (single best answers) reading comprehension (fill in the blank, SBA and word definitions): 0)=Assess the question 1) Read the statement and find the keywords (dates, numbers, synonyms, pronouns, antonyms) 2) Skim the passage and find any keywords, and analyse their context. To analyse the context efficiently you need to look at the sentences above and below the key word. 3) Compare language and meaning 4) Discard and decide 5) You may be asked to make inferences on the basis of correct information in the text, or may be asked to select the correct answer based on a specific detail/ For word definitions this is the format they can ask you. Common scenarios There is only one variant of this question and it only comes up in reading comprehension as per our analysis. The general formatting of these questions would be: a) b) Based on the text, which of the following is a likely synonym for the word X? Or Which of the following words best explains the meaning of the word X in the text? 2) DM format and key points: 29-33 questions to do in 31 minutes 60 seconds given for each questions, roughly speaking c) 6 question types (majority of questions will be SBA) 1) interpreting information (series of 4/5 statements, drag and drop the phrase yes/no next to the corresponding statement) 2) probability 3) Venn diagrams 4) Syllogisms (series of 4/5 statements, drag and drop the phrase yes/no next to the corresponding statement) 5) Logical puzzles 6) Recognising assumptions d) Try and find as many whiteboards as possible if you can, it is really important for this section more than any other section DM Procedure for answering Interpreting the information questions 1) Have a glance at the data being presented, do not read the question first for this section (for example if it's a graph look at the x and y axis, and if it's a table look at the headings 2) Then read the question 3) Then make your final decision 4) Many questions have a scientific basis. DM Procedure for answering probability questions 1) And/or rule (and = multiply, or = add up values) 2) If the denominators are the same only add the numerators together 3) Always have a systematic start to finish method don't try to cut too many corners in order to save time because there will be a high chance of you getting the answer wrong 4) You don't really need a calculator but remember to have a strong knowledge of fractions as this is both tested here and in the BMAT DM Procedure for answering Venn diagram questions 1) Guess, flag and skip any Venn diagram questions where they ask you to make the Venn diagram, or give you lots of information 2) Make sure to read the question first and any data. Before you attempt the question 3) Be careful about the overlaps between any groups DM Procedure for answering Syllogism questions/ making conclusions (statements that logically follow from one another) All + All = All All tigers are felines, all felines have claws. Therefore, we can conclude that all tigers have claws. All + Some = Insufficient All tigers are felines, some felines have claws We cannot conclude that all tigers have claws, that no tigers have claws or some tigers have claws. All + No = No All tigers are felines, no felines have claws Therefore, we can conclude that all tigers do not have claws Some + All = Some Some boats are tankers, all tankers carry oil Therefore, we can conclude that some boats carry oil Some + Some = Insufficient Some boats are tankers, some tankers carry oil We cannot conclude that some boats carry oil. For example, the tankers that carry oil might be on- land tankers and therefore not be boats. Remember, you cannot bring in outside knowledge. 1) 9/29 of total questions 2) Do not use any external knowledge 3) Do not guess flag and skip these questions as they are possible to complete in the time given. 4) Really try and understand the meaning of the statements and see if there are any blatant contradictions between the text and the answers. (Read quickly) 5) You will be given statements relating to the stem, you need to decide whether each statement is true or can be inferred from the stem. (The stem must be considered a fact whether it's true or not.) Example 1) All windows are made from glass 2) All glass is made from sand So YES it is fair to conclude that all windows are made from sand DM Procedure for logical puzzles 1) If there are 4 and/or fewer elements to the question than answer the question however if there are many, be smart and guess, flag and skip it to save time. 2) Use the whiteboard to your advantage 3) Triage efficiently, the (G,F,S) method ensures that your prioritise the easy questions as all questions are worth the same amount 4) These questions typically relate to the position of a person. DM Procedure for Recognising the assumption questions 1) You will get a statement and from the list you will be asked to point out the strongest argument 2) (strong argument answers both parts of the statement) Select the statement with the fewest assumptions and is directly related to the statement 3) Put your opinions aside and to remain neutral at all times 4) Look at keywords 5) Does it directly relate to the problem and solution? 6) Is there arguments or evidence to back up that statement ? 7) Does it rely on any unfounded assumptions or any pieces of external information? 8) QR format and key points: a) 36 questions ( 9 sets of 4 (1-6)) b) 24 minutes (roughly speaking this is 40 seconds per question, however it is recommended that you only spend 30 seconds per questions) c) 7 question types: 1) Speed, distance, time 2) Percentages 3) Ratios and proportions 4) Conversions 5) Probability 6) Tables 7) Geometry d) There are some really easy questions so take advantage of those e) There are some very difficult questions, so be smart and guess, flag and skip those questions. f) The reason why it is recommended that you spend only 30 seconds per question is that so that in the end you will have 6 spare minutes to proceed with the other flagged questions in the section. g) Halfway marker is question 17 and at this point you should have 16 minutes remaining. 6 minutes left equates to question 28 and so on. Question Length Currency Conversion Insufficient Information C Schedules and Time % Percentages Eyeballing Banding Ratios 5.3 inch cm Unit Conversion Composition Money Rearranging Formulae % Percentage Change Geometry 123.45 Rounding Speed, Distance, and Time Medify 5 Top tips for QR 1) Good mental maths (times tables, fractions, cube numbers, square numbers, percentage equivalents of fractions) 2) Estimating (remember whether you rounded down/up) 3) Online calculator (UCAT untimed practice: on-screen calculator) 4) Always work under timed conditions 5) Use the whiteboard appropriately (only write down intermediate steps, don't write down all the numbers in The general approach to each QR set a) Skim the information (10 seconds) (e.g. table headings, charts axis, chart titles, read the text) b) Identify the right data c) Choose the answer .Eyeball the answer, avoid maths if you can .estimate .consider using the calculator .remember you can guess, flag and skip complex questions .remember the units find a trend in the data to save time . in the UCAT when you have such large fractions, convert to easy numbers . if it says how many completely fill the area if it is not an integer round to the next whole integer QR procedure for speed, distance and time 1) V=s/t 2) Look at the answers before you glance at the question to be sure of any changes in units 3) km/h →m/s (divide by 3.6) 4) m/s → km/h (multiply by 3.6) 5) subtract breaks from total time taken to complete journey always QR procedure for percentages 1) you can expect (percentage increase/decrease/change, or even percentage of X/Y) 2)% change = (new-old)/old x 100 3) Whenever it says x is being compared with y, the thing in the second half of the sentence is the original value (y is the original value) QR procedure for ratios and proportions 1) Jot down numbers on whiteboard and label the values so you do not forget 2) Ratios are always expressed in its simplest form, so always look at conversion factors from left to right and not just from top to bottom 3) If it asks you to place ratios into its simplest form, it has to be an integer QR procedure for conversions 1) Do not round unecessarily 2) Try and learn some of the more common conversions (e.g. metric⇒metric) and maybe some uncommon ones 3) They will provide you with the conversions if it is metric to imperial QR procedure for probability 1) Try not to overcomplicate the question 2) And/or rule (and = multiply, or = add up values) 3) If the denominators are the same only add the numerators together 4) Always have a systematic start to finish method don't try too cut too many corners in order to save time because there will be a high chance of you getting the answer wrong 5) You don't really need a calculator but remember to have a strong knowledge of fractions as this is both tested here and in the BMAT QR procedure for flight questions and time zones 1) Forget the 24 hour standardised clock and appreciate the times just to be numbers 2) The total journey time is inclusive of transit time, but flight time excludes transit time 4) Abstract reasoning format and key points: a) 55 questions b) 11 sets of 5 questions c) 13 minutes (1 minute per set) d) 4 question types e) type 1 (A,B or neither): ( a pattern is a rule that applies to every box in a particular set) the pattern in set A and B are often opposites of each other or along the same line of thought f) type 2 (complete the series): sequences (which of the following is going to be in the next sequence) g) type 3 (complete the statement) : (2 boxes, you are supposed too look at what changes are happening from the two boxes being presented above and then apply that to the new other blank box). h) type 4 (set A/B): very similar to type 1, the only difference is the way in which the questions are worded (which of the boxes belong to set A?) i) 8-9 sets will be type 1, type 2,3,4 are far less frequent but nevertheless be prepared. j) search through distractions AR procedure for answering type 1 questions 1) SSSPN-Shape, size, shading, position, number (the systematic method) 2) Shape • Is it a common shape? • Does it have straight edges vs curved edges? • Symmetrical vs asymmetrical shapes • Angles (acute, obtuse, reflex, right angles) • Regular vs irregular shapes • Convex vs concave 3) Size • Big vs small • Relative size (is the triangle always bigger than the square in set A and in set B is it the opposite) 4) Shading • Black/white/grey Dotted/striped • Discard shading patterns quickly, if it is irrelevant • Dependent patterns 5) Position • Physical positioning (corners, middle) • Relative position (the triangle is always positioned above the square in set A and the triangle is positioned below the square in set B) • Imaginary line (is the triangle in the top half of the box or In the bottom half below the equator/ imaginary dotted line) • rotational position - the shapes around the perimeter of the box are always in a particular order, however they may have a different starting positions • arrows-direction (up, down, left, right), any missing direction, shading of the arrows. 6) Number • Number of shapes • Number of sides • A cross (12 sides), an arrow (7 sides), double headed arrow (10 sides), a 4 pointed star (8 sides), a 5 pointed star (10 sides), L shape (6 sides), circle (1 sides) • Odds and evens, odd number of shapes/sides or am even number of shapes/sides • Symmetry (number of rotations) • Angles (number of acute/obtuse angles) • Leave more niche concepts towards the end as a last minute resort • Number of intersections/enclosed areas AR-4 step procedure for answering the questions in the allocated time 1) Glance at any obvious patterns that have emerged in the problem for not more than 5 seconds • Symmetry vs Asymmetry Straight edges vs curved edges 2) Compare the 2 simples boxes using SSSPN (number is quite time consuming), shape is the easiest to locate, always look at visual patterns first. This helps to discard and locate any patterns with great ease, saving you lots of time. . If there are lots of arrows however, it is likely to be a position pattern, so start by considering position PSSSN 3) Confirm the pattern in the other 4 boxes (opposites or along the same line of thought) 4) apply the pattern to the test shapes 5) (steps 2 and 3 should take 45 seconds, whilst step 4 should take approximately 15 seconds or less) 6) whenever a test shape into both set A+B, the answer is neither 7) If you can't see a pattern don't try to match up a test shape to set A or set B based on how similar it looks, simply mark all five answers as the same option (set A/B/none) and move on 8) if SSSPN fails initially look out for dependent patterns and then link it to one the SSSPN categories 9) if it belongs to both categories, discard and put neither How to prepare for AR 1) You need to have a good process, you need to logically go through the checklist, always use the SSSPN method 2) Make a pattern bank and add to the checklist AR procedure for type 2 questions 1) Assume the pattern repeats if you are deciding between two options. AR procedure for type 3 questions. 1) This is easiest type and you are advised only to spend 12 seconds on this 5) SJ format and key points: a) Band 1-4 (no average scores) b) 69 questions in 26 minutes c) 22 seconds per question d) 2 types of questions: e) Appropriateness questions (45-49 questions/ 69 appropriateness) f) Importance questions (20-24 questions/ 69) e.g. how important is it to consider the fact that his wife recently died? g) There are lots of grey areas in SJ, many disagree with the answers but a basic technique can make you fair better in this final section SJ assessment criteria 1) Interpersonal qualities (empathy, leadership, teamwork, decision making, authority, dealing with others (soft skills)) 2) Professionalism (behaving the way, a good doctor would be expected behave in) 3) Put yourself into the mindset of a good doctor 4) It tests your moral compass, your instincts and so forth How to prepare for the SJ 1) Have a look at the GMC medical document called good medical practice (in which are written the duties of a good doctor) 2) Medical students ethics toolkit as part of the BMA website, which gives you a good background of medical ethics 3) Lots of practice and discuss scenarios with friends with friends General approach for the SJ questions 1) An analysis of the UCAT mocks has shown that nearly 70% of the answers are either of the extreme options (very appropriate or very inappropriate) 2) Start by narrowing down the answer in to appropriate an inappropriate before you start delving into finer details 3) Read the statement first and then the questions unlike VR. 4) Do not worry too much about time, most candidates finish on time. 5) Always be on the right side of the scale you can still get partial credit for getting the answer right and achieve band (1-2) For example If you answer appropriate when the answer is very appropriate you have correctly identified the action but misjudged the level of appropriateness SJ approach for appropriateness questions 1) Is it a subtle/delicate way of dealing with the matter 2) Rapid or timely (next available situation, is the time and place appropriate to deliver a message to the patient or colleague, you want to tell them sooner or later 3) Is this action professional? 4) Escalation to a senior is normally very inappropriate 5) Consider each action in the right context, something that you may normally perceive the right thing to do may be less important than something else in that given scenario The appropriateness scale Key Term definition/application If it will address at least one aspect (not necessarily all aspects) of the situation 2) Appropriate but not If it could be done, but is ideal not necessarily a very good thing to do If it should not really be done, but would not be terrible 1) Very appropriate thing to do Broad 3) Inappropriate, but not awful 4) A very inappropriate thing to do SJ approach for importance questions Key Term 1) Very important 2) Important 3) Of minor If it should definitely not be done and would make the situation n worse. importance Broad definition/application If this is something that is vital to take into account If this is something that is important but not vital to take into account If it should not really be done, but would not be terrible 4) Not important at all All if this is something that should definitely not be taken into account 1) Confidentiality is only between the doctor and the patient. 2) Professionalism 3) Teamwork (favourite topic in the UCAT) 4) Non compliance 5) Distressed patients 6) Miscommunication 7) Coping with pressure Learn UCAT — Medify: SJT advice The ideal answer is the most one that most clinicians and educators on the panel of experts agree to be reasonable Enough agreement between them to include the SJT question in the subset General hacks for the exam Alt + n = next question Alt + p = previous question Alt + F = flag or unflagging a question Alt + E = End section Star any working out for flagged questions