Careers Service

Admissions Tests

Admissions Tests

Some medical schools require you to sit an entry exam, particularly for graduate entry, so you should investigate this before applying. Find out more about admissions tests below.


About admissions tests

You usually need to register and complete admissions tests by a specific date. Check with the university you want to apply to as to which admissions test they use, which is likely to be one of the following:

After taking the appropriate test, your score will be directly communicated to the Universities you have applied to. 

Preparing for admissions tests

Preparing for admissions tests

It can help to work through some practice tests online, so you know what to expect. Even 10 minutes preparation a day can help your performance.

The following resources can be helpful when preparing for admissions tests:

Bursaries for admissions tests

Bursaries for admissions tests

Check with individual courses, but it is extremely rare for any of them to offer financial support due to the large volume of applicants.

The UCAT offers bursaries, but eligibility criteria apply.

See our GAMSAT bursary award for more information on our available funding and criteria. 

Test scores and shortlisting

Admissions scores and shortlisting 

The threshold is likely to change every year for admissions test scores, as the performance of the applying cohort as a whole changes every year. 

Thresholds vary depending on the number of applicants, and the average score of applicants who apply. Any national changes in scoring will also change thresholds for individual universities.

Some universities do publish information on previous years applications. For example, Newcastle University gives information on it's previous UCAT score thresholds and admissions for recent recruitment cycles

Also, while the score is usually the main criteria used to shortlist for interview, it is not the only criteria. Other factors are taken into account.

In order to widen access and encourage participation in medicine by students from all backgrounds, many universities take account of contextual information and the threshold may also vary for applicants who fulfil certain criteria.

GAMSAT Bursary Award

Our GAMSAT bursaries are designed to provide financial assistance to those applying to medical schools requiring the GAMSAT Aptitude Test.

Applications for the September test cycle GAMSAT Bursary Award will open on 15 May 2023 and close at midnight 28 May 2023.

You will be able to apply through the following link during this window - GAMSAT Bursary Application Form.

If you have any questions regarding the information above, or the bursary, please contact us at: gamsatbursary@newcastle.ac.uk.

We aim to respond within 3 working days.