When is the best time to begin preparation

When to begin UCAT preparation is a difficult question and one that is very individual. Getting started early means reducing the stress/workload, but UCAT preparation at any time is better than no preparation at all.

When to start your preparation depends on several factors such as your level of motivation, the UCAT score you hope to achieve, the medical school you aim to get into, your current level of generic skills, etc.

About 61% of our students start their UCAT preparation about six months before the test; 19% begin well before that; and 20% commence their preparation about three months before the test.

What is important is not when you start, but how intensely and consistently you prepare, as well as the quality of the resources you use for UCAT preparation.

Updated on: 08/10/2025