Maximize Your UCATSEN 2024 Performance: The Comprehensive Guide

Written By Team MedView
Reviewed By Thomas Nicolson (Currently studying Doctor of Medicine - MD at the University of Queensland)

For those with special education needs, UCATSEN - a variation of the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) is tailored specifically to ensure equitable testing conditions.

In this guide, we'll cover the key differences between UCAT and UCATSEN, who is eligible to take UCATSEN, the type of access arrangements you can apply for, and UCATSEN preparation strategies.

UCATSEN vs. UCAT: Key Differences

There are four extended versions of UCAT, and UCATSEN is designed to support students with special educational needs.

Here are the key differences between the UCAT test and the extended versions of UCAT:

Access arrangement application

Applications for access arrangements will open on Thursday 1 February 2024, and close on the 17th of May 2024 (11:59 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Scoring remains equitable between versions so as not to disadvantage anyone during the assessment of their capabilities.

Who Can Take UCATSEN?

If you have one or more of the following, you may be eligible to take the UCATSEN:

• Learning needs such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia;
• Communication needs such as Autistic Spectrum Disorder;
• Physical needs such as hearing or vision impairment or a physical disability;
• Behavioural or emotional needs such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or mental health conditions.

You must apply and provide correct supporting evidence for access arrangements before you're able to book UCATSEN.

Application submitted during the late application period will incur the additional late fee of AUD$85.

UCATSEN test fees

All test fees are charged in Australian dollars.

Other access arrangements you can apply for

• Test centre accomodations such as separate room, wheel chair access*, or access to medical items at your workstation not included on the comfort aid list;
• Comfort aids such as medicine and/or medical devices.

For access arrangement like separate room, you must specify you need separate invigilation.

You can also find a full list of comfort aids for UCATSEN here.

What supporting evidence do you need?

• A letter from your school/college/university confirming the accomodations you are currently receiving for exams;
• Documentation from registered health practitioner, educational psychologist, or psychologist with appropriate experience that you provided to your school/college/university to receive exam accomodations.

For the documentation above, it must be dated 2024 on official letterhead and contain the date, title, name signature and contact details of the official issuing the letter.

Moreover, the letter should state the accomodations you are entitled to, the amount of extra time, amount of time for rest breaks and confirm on what basis this entitlement has been agreed.

How to apply for access arrangements

1. Register for a Pearson VUE account
2. Complete application form for access arrangements;
3. Receive outcome of your access arrangements application

You will receive the outcome of your application in 5 business days. The email will outline the access arrangements you have been approved for and information about how your test will be booked.

Impact of UCATSEN on Medical School Admissions

Just like when you receive extra time in school, this doesn’t result in a decreased ATAR, IB or overall high school score, nor is there anything on your graduation certificate to suggest such.

All it means is that those with certain medical conditions are able to have the playing field levelled to hopefully provide a similar test experience as if they didn’t have that medical condition.

How Medical Schools View UCATSEN

Medical schools do not differentiate between UCATSEN test takers since they are unaware of what version was taken. The University Clinical Aptitude Test Consortium preserves the confidentiality by keeping the particular type secret and does not pass on this data to medical institutions, granting all applicants a level playing field in their application process.

Preparation Strategies for UCATSEN Success

Firstly, there are three types of timing for UCAT special education needs. You can receive 25% extra time when completing the test, or 4 extra minutes in-between sections, or both.

If you receive 25% extra time (UCATSEN), that just means your timing will shift slightly. Instead of trying to stay just under 2 minutes per passage for Verbal Reasoning, you now have to spend just under 2 minutes and 30 seconds per passage. Just make sure you adjust your practice accordingly, to get used to the slightly slower speed required.

If you receive an extra 5 minutes of rest between sections, it shouldn’t change too much of your actual practice skills. Just on the day, it means that due to your certain medical condition, you have a bit more time to calm down, slow your heart rate, and get ready to start the next section more effectively.

Test Day Tips for UCATSEN Candidates

For UCATSEN itself, managing that extra time shouldn’t feel like another 25% at the end of the test. You should be spreading that time out more effectively with questions. Instead of 12 seconds per question for Abstract Reasoning, aim to spend about 15 seconds, meaning you hopefully have a better chance of getting it correct.

If you have other accomodations because of your medical condition, such as more rest time, a separate room or relevant medical items, these should be designed to make your medical condition less impactful on the test itself, so nothing should hopefully be changed against a candidate without a medical condition.

Navigating Test Day Accommodations

When you are taking UCATSEN, being familiar with your accommodations and how to use them properly is key in order for the test day experience to be successful.

Ensure that you practice utilising these resources before hand so that when it comes time to perform on the exam itself, everything runs smoothly.

If any issues arise during testing concerning particular arrangements provided as part of accommodation agreements, then alert a supervising member immediately. Doing this will ensure support can be given quickly and effectively.