How to study for the UCAT ANZ
Learn the question types first, then build speed, then sit one full timed test a week until test day. Pick your weeks below.
Your plan, week by week
Your UCAT ANZ study plan
8 weeks
- Week 1Learn the question typesVerbal Reasoning and Decision MakingTake the official Tour Tutorial so the calculator, flag and navigator are familiar.Sit one full mock as a baseline. Note your weakest subtest.Work through the Verbal Reasoning and Decision Making question types, untimed.
- Week 2Learn the question typesQuantitative Reasoning and Situational JudgementWork through the Quantitative Reasoning question types with the on-screen calculator.Learn the three Situational Judgement question types and how partial marks work.Redo every miss from the baseline mock without looking at the answer.
- Week 3Build speedTimed sets, weakest subtest firstTimed sets in your weakest subtest first, at test pace.One timed set in each of the other three subtests.Review every miss the same day and add it to your error log.
- Week 4Build speedAll four subtests at test paceTimed sets in your weakest subtest first, at test pace.One timed set in each of the other three subtests.Review every miss the same day and add it to your error log.
- Week 5Full timed testsOne full test, fully reviewedOfficial Practice Test A, timed, in one sitting, at the time of day you will sit the real test.Review every miss before anything else.Timed sets on the two question types that cost the most marks.
- Week 6Full timed testsOne full test, fully reviewedOfficial Practice Test B, timed, in one sitting, at the time of day you will sit the real test.Review every miss before anything else.Timed sets on the two question types that cost the most marks.
- Week 7Full timed testsOne full test, fully reviewedOfficial Practice Test C, timed, in one sitting, at the time of day you will sit the real test.Review every miss before anything else.Timed sets on the two question types that cost the most marks.
- Week 8Full timed testsTest weekEarly in the week: official Practice Test D, timed, in one sitting.Short timed sets only after that. No new material.The day before: rest. Check your photo ID and the route to the test centre.
What you are studying for
| Subtest | Questions | Minutes | Seconds a question | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 44 | 22 | 30 | 300 to 900 |
| Decision Making | 35 | 37 | 63 | 300 to 900 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 36 | 26 | 43 | 300 to 900 |
| Situational Judgement | 69 | 26 | 23 | 300 to 900 |
What is different in Australia and New Zealand
- When
- In 2026 testing ran 1 July to 5 August 2026. Booking opened on 3 March and closed on 15 May. The 2027 dates are not out yet.
- Total score
- Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning add up to a total from 900 to 2,700.
- Situational Judgement
- A separate score from 300 to 900. The UCAT ANZ does not use bands.
- One sitting
- You sit once a year, and universities take the result only for the year you apply.
| University | How Situational Judgement is used |
|---|---|
| Flinders | Counts. The UCAT score uses all four subtests. |
| Otago | A hurdle: the 10th percentile or above. |
| Adelaide | Only separates equal totals at the cut-off. |
| Monash | Only separates applicants with the same total. |
| UNSW | Not considered. |
UCAT ANZ tips by subtest
- Verbal Reasoning
- Eleven passages, four questions each, about 30 seconds a question. Read the question first, then find the sentence that settles it. Use only what the passage says.
- Decision Making
- About a minute a question. Draw the puzzle or the Venn diagram on your notebook. A five-statement question is worth 2 marks, with 1 mark for a partly correct answer, so never leave one blank.
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Most questions come with a chart or table. Estimate first and use the on-screen calculator only when the options are close. Practise it with the number pad.
- Situational Judgement
- 69 questions in 26 minutes, so answer on first reading. Partial marks go to answers close to the right one. Patient safety and honesty come first.
- Every subtest
- Flag and move on when a question stalls. The timer turns yellow with five minutes left: use them to fill every blank.
Use the free official materials in this order
- 1. Tour Tutorial
- How the calculator, flag, navigator and keyboard shortcuts work.
- 2. Question tutorials
- One for each subtest, with the Consortium's own strategies.
- 3. Question banks
- 4 for Verbal Reasoning, 4 for Decision Making, 4 for Quantitative Reasoning and 3 for Situational Judgement.
- 4. Practice tests
- Four full tests, A to D. Keep them for the last weeks, timed.
Keep going
Questions people ask
How long should I study for the UCAT ANZ?
The Consortium sets no figure. The plans here run from 4 to 12 weeks. The eight-week plan gives two weeks to the question types, two to speed and four to one official practice test a week.
When should I start studying for the UCAT ANZ 2027?
The 2027 dates are not out yet. In 2026 testing ran 1 July to 5 August 2026, so an eight-week plan for a mid-July test started in mid-May.
Is studying for the UCAT ANZ different from the UK test?
The questions, subtests and timings are the same, so the same practice works. The calendar differs: the UCAT ANZ is sat in July and early August. Situational Judgement is reported as a score from 300 to 900, not as a band.
Does Situational Judgement matter in Australia and New Zealand?
It depends on the university. Flinders counts all four subtests, Otago sets a Situational Judgement hurdle, Adelaide and Monash use it only to separate equal totals, and UNSW does not consider it.
Are the official UCAT ANZ practice materials free?
Yes. The Consortium publishes a Tour Tutorial, question tutorials, 15 question banks and four practice tests, all free on its website.
Is there negative marking in the UCAT ANZ?
No. You are marked on the number of correct answers, so answer every question.
Sources
- 1UCAT ANZ, test formatChecked 12 October 2026.
- 2UCAT ANZ, scoringChecked 12 October 2026.
- 3UCAT ANZ, 2026 test cycle, dates and feesChecked 12 October 2026.
- 4UCAT ANZ, preparation advice and resourcesChecked 12 October 2026.
- 5UCAT ANZ, practice tests and question banksChecked 12 October 2026.
- 6UCAT ANZ, test tools and functionalityChecked 12 October 2026.
- 7UCAT ANZ, Consortium universitiesChecked 12 October 2026.