UCAS Application References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments Syllabus

References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments in UCAS Application, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The Academic Reference

   4 topics

   • Who writes the reference (school, college or registered referee)
   • The three-section structured reference format
     • General statement about the school/college
     • Extenuating or mitigating circumstances
     • Anything else supporting the application
   • References for independent and mature applicants
   • Predicted grades and how referees provide them
2. 2

   University Admissions Tests

   4 topics

   • Medicine and healthcare tests (UCAT, and successor of BMAT)
   • Oxford and Cambridge subject tests
     • TMUA, ESAT and subject-specific assessments
     • Law (LNAT) and other admissions tests
   • Registration deadlines and test centres
   • Preparation, scoring and how scores are used
3. 3

   Portfolios, Auditions and Interviews

   4 topics

   • Portfolio requirements for art and design courses
   • Auditions for music, drama and conservatoires
   • Interview formats including MMI for healthcare
   • Written work submission and supervised assessments

References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments flashcards for UCAS Application

22 of 51 cards from the References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In a UCAS application, who is normally responsible for providing the reference?

   A teacher, adviser or professional at the applicant's school or college (or a registered UCAS referee) who knows the applicant academically — not a friend, relative or the applicant themselves.

2. What is a 'registered referee' in the UCAS context, and when is one used?

   An individual or organisation registered with UCAS to provide references for applicants who are not currently at a school or college (e.g. independent or mature applicants), such as an employer, careers adviser or admissions centre.

3. Since 2024 entry, what structured format has UCAS used for references?

   A three-section structured reference made up of three set questions, replacing the old single free-text statement.

4. What does the FIRST section of the UCAS three-section structured reference cover?

   A general statement confirming the school/college/organisation context and information about its circumstances relevant to the application.

5. What does the SECOND section of the UCAS three-section structured reference cover?

   Anything relevant about extenuating or mitigating circumstances that have affected the applicant's education or performance.

6. What does the THIRD section of the UCAS three-section structured reference cover?

   Any other supportive and relevant information not already mentioned, such as supervised academic estimates or suitability for the course.

7. Why did UCAS move from a free-text reference to the three structured questions?

   To make references more consistent, fairer and less reliant on writing style, focusing referees on factual context, mitigating circumstances and course suitability rather than character prose.

8. How does a school-leaver applying through their school/college usually get their reference added?

   The school or college acts as the registered UCAS centre and attaches the structured reference electronically before the application is sent to UCAS.

9. How can an independent (non-school) applicant obtain a reference if they have no current school or college?

   They apply as an individual and nominate a suitable registered referee (e.g. former tutor, employer or professional) who knows them, or use a UCAS-approved reference centre.

10. What guidance applies to references for mature applicants who left education long ago?

    They can use a recent employer, training provider or professional who can comment on their suitability and ability, as an academic teacher reference may be unavailable; relatives and friends are not acceptable.

11. What is a 'predicted grade' on a UCAS application?

    The grade a referee believes an applicant is likely to achieve in a qualification they are still studying, used by universities to make conditional offers.

12. Who provides predicted grades and on what basis?

    The referee (usually a teacher/subject lead) provides them based on the applicant's current performance, mock exams, coursework and progress to date.

13. Are predicted grades binding, and what happens if the applicant under- or over-achieves?

    They are not binding; final offers depend on actual results — under-achievement may mean missing a conditional offer (Clearing), and over-achievement may allow Adjustment/upgrading options.

14. Which admissions test is the main aptitude test for most UK medicine and dentistry courses?

    The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test).

15. What did the UCAT replace and what does the acronym stand for?

    It evolved from the UKCAT; UCAT stands for University Clinical Aptitude Test.

16. What replaced the BMAT after it was discontinued?

    The BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) was discontinued after 2023; affected universities moved to other tests such as the UCAT or course-specific assessments, so the UCAT became the dominant successor test for medicine entry.

17. List the five subtests of the UCAT.

    Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and Situational Judgement.

18. How is the UCAT Situational Judgement subtest scored compared to the cognitive subtests?

    The four cognitive subtests give scaled scores combined into a total; Situational Judgement is reported separately in bands (Band 1 = best, Band 4 = lowest).

19. What is the scaled-score range for each cognitive UCAT subtest and the total cognitive range?

    Each cognitive subtest is scored from $300$ to $900$, giving a combined cognitive total ranging from $1200$ to $3600$.

20. How is the UCAT delivered and where is it sat?

    It is a computer-based test taken at Pearson VUE test centres (with online proctored options in some years).

21. Which admissions tests are used for many University of Oxford undergraduate subjects?

    Subject-specific tests such as the MAT (Maths), PAT (Physics), TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment), and the now Pearson VUE-administered Oxford admissions tests for various subjects.

22. Which admissions test is widely used for Cambridge subjects in sciences and is administered by Pearson VUE?

    The ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test), introduced to replace the NSAA and ENGAA for engineering and natural sciences applicants.

See more References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments flashcards →

Planning References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments for UCAS Application

References, Admissions Tests and Additional Assessments (UCAS Application) FAQ