UCAT Cut-Off Scores [2024]: What You Need to Know

Our guide to UCAT cut off scores for 2024 will help you target the right score and optimise your UCAT study strategy.

The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is an important test for students who want to study undergraduate medicine or dentistry at certain universities in Australia and New Zealand. 

Entry requirements into these degrees, including the UCAT cut-off scores, may change yearly depending on how students perform, so it’s important for you and your parents to know what the cut-offs are each year and how to prepare. 

Use this article to see what you need to gain entry into your preferred medical or dental program next year. 

In this blog, we’ll cover:

Glossary of UCAT key words

UCAT: The University Clinical Aptitude Test, a required test for admission into certain undergraduate medical and dental programs in Australia and New Zealand.

Cut-off score: The minimum UCAT score required to be considered for further stages of the selection process, such as interviews.

Decile: A division of the UCAT score distribution into 10 equal parts. The 1st decile represents the lowest 10% of scores, and the 9th decile represents the top 10% of scores.

Interview offer: The stage after UCAT, where shortlisted candidates are invited to interview based on their UCAT scores.

Admission: The final decision for admission, often a combination of UCAT, interview performance, and ATAR.

MMI (Multiple Mini Interview): A type of interview used by medical schools to assess applicants’ personal qualities and communication skills.

Provisional entry: Some universities offer a conditional spot in their medical programs based on the UCAT score and other requirements like ATAR.

Group of medical students in a classroom setting, smiling=

What is a UCAT cut-off?

The UCAT is a test that students must take if they want to study undergraduate medicine or dentistry in Australia at certain universities.

Each participating university will use the UCAT score together with other factors, such as a student’s ATAR, to determine admission into the relevant clinical degree.

The minimum UCAT score that will allow progression is known as the UCAT cut-off.  

The UCAT cut-off scores change every year and differ by university and program. They are influenced by factors such as the applicant pool, the number of places available, and performance in that particular year.

Think of the UCAT cut-offs as a proxy for selecting a certain percentage of the top-performing students—students will naturally aim to be in these top percentiles regardless of what score that corresponds to. 

Scoring above the cut-off doesn’t guarantee admission, as the UCAT score is not the only factor taken into account.

Take control of your UCAT preparation

Our UCAT experts are here to guide you toward success. With a structured, step-by-step approach, we’ll help you strengthen your logical reasoning, critical thinking, and understanding to tackle the exam confidently.

Learn more about our Matrix UCAT Course here.

Why UCAT cut-offs matter

UCAT cut-off scores serve as a filter for advancing candidates to the next stage of clinical degree admissions. With increasing competition, going past the cut-off is essential. A high UCAT score will improve your chance of progressing through the admission process. It may also offset lower performance in other admission criteria.

On the other hand, while a strong academic record may offset a lower UCAT score, it may not offset a UCAT score below the threshold. In any case, it is critical to perform well.

The UCAT assesses vital skills like critical thinking and problem-solving, which universities prioritise.

Achieving a score above the cut-off not only improves your chances of moving forward but also shows universities that you’re capable of a successful clinical career.

Factors affecting UCAT cut-offs

The factors that affect the UCAT basically come down to quality and demand: how well did the cohort sitting the UCAT perform, and how many students apply to each relevant degree program?

  1. Applicant performance
    Cut-off scores depend heavily on the performance of the students. If the overall performance is stronger in a given year, cut-offs could be higher.
  2. Program competitiveness
    Highly sought-after programs like Monash University’s Medical Science Program often have higher UCAT cut-offs compared to less competitive programs. It’s important to be aware of the specific requirements of each institution, and best to check directly with each institution.

How to prepare for UCAT and meet the cut-off

  1. Early and consistent practice
    Start UCAT preparation early, perhaps by late Year 11, so you can familiarise yourself with the structure of the exam. Consistent practice across all UCAT sections — Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement — is key to achieving a top score. To stay on track, create a detailed and realistic study plan. Prioritise sections that you find challenging and ensure you’re practising consistently.
  1. Mock exams
    The UCAT is known for its strict time limits. Replicate these conditions during your preparation to get used to the pressures of the real exam. Complete mock exams under timed conditions to build mental endurance, improve speed, and figure out which areas you need to focus on.
  2. Focus on weaker areas
    Identifying and improving on weaker sections early in your studies can make a significant difference to your final score. Struggling with just one section can affect your overall performance. Allocate more time to sections you struggle with.
  3. Structured UCAT tutoring
    A structured UCAT preparation course can offer targeted practice and personalised feedback, ensuring that you focus on areas that need improvement. Matrix Education offers a comprehensive UCAT preparation program that will provide you with the tools needed to excel.

Dentist using a pen to point at a dental model during a consultation

Other factors affecting admission

While the UCAT is a significant factor in relevant medical school applications, it’s not the only criterion. Many participating universities also consider:

  • ATAR scores: High ATAR results are necessary for most competitive programs.
  • Interviews: Universities like Monash and Adelaide conduct interviews as part of their selection process, where they assess personal qualities such as motivation, maturity, and empathy.
  • Other tests: Some universities use additional tests like the CASPer, a scenario-based situational judgement test, for entry into their medical science programs.

Understanding the role of UCAT alongside these other components will help you better prepare for the overall admissions process.

UCAT cut-offs for 2024: University breakdown

UCAT percentile and total cognitive scaled score

The table below explains UCAT deciles, which show how your score compares to other students. A decile splits all test-takers into 10 groups.

For example, being in the 1st decile means your score is in the bottom 10%, while the 9th decile means you’re in the top 10%. The higher your decile, the better your score.

This table shows the UCAT percentiles and the total cognitive scaled scores for each decile.

DecileUCAT PercentileTotal Cognitive Scaled Score
1st Decile10th Percentile2150
2nd Decile20th Percentile2290
3rd Decile30th Percentile2390
4th Decile40th Percentile2480
5th Decile50th Percentile (Median)2570
6th Decile60th Percentile2660
7th Decile70th Percentile2770
8th Decile80th Percentile2900
9th Decile90th Percentile3060

2024 UCAT cut-offs by university 

The table below shows the estimated UCAT cut-offs for 2024 for medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. 

Use this to see what you need to aim for to get into your desired medical or dental program next year. 

Note this represents the aggregate score of the first three (cognitive) subtests, each university may use the aggregate score and the situational judgement score differently. 

UniversityProgramUCAT
Cut-off estimate (Score)
UCAT DecileOther Requirements
University of AdelaideMedicine, Dental Surgery, Oral Health2730 (local), 3140 (interstate)7th Decile (local), 9th Decile (interstate)Interview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: 20% UCAT, 40% interview, 40% academic results
Central Queensland UniversityMedicine30509th DecileInterview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: 25% UCAT, 25% ATAR, 50% MMI 
Charles Sturt University/Western Sydney Joint MedMedicine (Joint Medical Program)30909th DecileInterview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: UCAT, minimum ATAR, Interview
Curtin UniversityMedicine, Surgery29708th DecileInterview offer: 30% UCAT, 35% ATAR, 35% Casper score
Admission: 20% UCAT, 40% ATAR, 40% Interview
Flinders UniversityClinical Sciences/Medicine28707th DecileAdmission: 10% UCAT, 90% ATAR
Monash UniversityMedicine30809th DecileInterview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: UCAT, ATAR, MMI
University of Newcastle/University of New EnglandJoint Medical Program31109th DecileInterview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: Personal Qualities Assessment, Multiple Skills Assessment (UCAT not used)
UNSWMedical Studies30609th DecileInterview offer: UCAT
Admission: UCAT, ATAR, interview
University of QueenslandMedicine (provisional entry), Dental Science3030 (provisional entry),
2560 (Rural Access)
9th Decile (provisional), 5th Decile (rural)Interview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: ATAR, UCAT, Year 12 English, MMI
University of Southern QueenslandBiomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway)30509th DecileInterview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: 25% ATAR, 50% MMI, 25% UCAT
University of TasmaniaMedicine25305th DecileAdmission: ATAR, UCAT score used only as secondary ranking, Tasmanian Senior Secondary Chemistry or equivalent, and Year 12 English
University of Western AustraliaMedicine (Direct Pathway), Dental Medicine (Direct Pathway)29708th DecileInterview offer: 100% UCAT
Admission: 30% ATAR, 20% UCAT, 50% Interview
University of AucklandMedicine, SurgeryN/AVariesInterview: 100% GPA
Admission: 60% GPA, 15% UCAT, 25% MMI
University of OtagoMedicine, Dental SurgeryBachelor of Medicine: Verbal Reasoning: over 20th percentile 
Situational Judgement: over 10th percentile 
VariesAdmission: Pass the HSFY papers, UCAT

Frequently asked questions about the UCAT 

  1. What is the UCAT cut-off for 2024 medical schools?
    Cut-offs for UCAT 2024 range between the 80th and 93rd percentiles (8th and 9th deciles) depending on the university and program. You should aim to do your best to improve your chances of admission. 
  2. How do I prepare for the UCAT exam?
    Effective preparation includes consistent practice, mock exams, and focusing on weaker areas. Many students benefit from enrolling in a UCAT tutoring program for structured support, resources, and comprehensive guidance.
  3. How often can I take the UCAT?
    You can only take the UCAT once per year, so it’s important to be well-prepared before sitting the test. If you don’t achieve your desired score, you will need to wait until the following year to try again.
  4. How long is my UCAT score valid for?
    Your UCAT score is only valid for the year in which you sit the test. If you plan to apply in a future year, you will need to sit the UCAT again, as scores do not carry over from one year to the next.
  5. What happens if I don’t meet the UCAT cut-off?
    If you don’t meet the UCAT cut-off, you may not be considered for an interview or further stages of the admission process for certain medical or dental programs. However, some universities consider additional factors like ATAR and interviews, so it’s important to check each university’s specific admission requirements.

The next steps: Achieving your UCAT 

The UCAT can be an important step in your journey toward a medical or dental degree. UCAT cut-off scores are always high, so you need to prepare early and do your best.

Whether you are just beginning or looking to refine your study strategy, a comprehensive preparation plan will help you increase your chances of getting into your dream program.

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