Top Tips for Doing UCAT Preparation from Home
For many future medics and dentists, the UCAT is the first big hurdle on the road to medical/dental school. In this digital age, students can practice the test from home thanks to the flexibility of online testing.
If you’re preparing with a UCAT online course, here are some practical tips that will help you feel prepared and confident when the big day arrives. We suggest enrolling in Med School Entry online UCAT course to give you the best chance.
Top Tips for Preparing for the UCAT from Home
1. Know What to Expect
You want to gain familiarity with the subtests and UCAT as a whole. Try to mimic the conditions of the test. For example, purchase a keyboard with a number pad. Have a whiteboard and a pen to hand for working out. Keep a timer.
Once you have your test date, try to do the mock test at the same time as your actual exam. Go through the official UCAT guidance and do a full check on the Pearson VUE platform. Don’t leave this to the last minute. Being prepared will help you overcome the unknown and increase confidence.
2. Set Up Your Space Properly
Your environment can make or break your revision. Find a quiet room with a door you can shut. Make sure your desk is clear. Let people in your household know you’ll be taking a timed exam, so they don’t barge in.
It’s not just about avoiding distractions, but building your mental stamina just as an athlete would before an important tournament.
3. Get Comfortable with the Test Format
If you’re using a UCAT online course in 2025, make sure it includes practice tests that mimic the real exam. Knowing where the calculator is, how to flag questions, and how to quickly scroll through options can save time.
At Med School Entry, our courses are delivered to familiarise you with the actual UCAT conditions and standards expected from those who have achieved high scores, so you are fully prepared.
4. Don’t Overload Yourself
It’s tempting to cram every spare moment with revision, especially leading up to the exam, but UCAT success is more about technique and timing than memorising facts. Set up a regular schedule and stick to it. Practice smart, not just hard. Slow and steady wins the race.
Try breaking your prep into chunks—so one session focusing on verbal reasoning, the next on quantitative. Use your UCAT course and MSE UCAT Super Tutor to guide your structure, incorporating much-needed breaks.
5. Practice Under Real Conditions
This is a game-changer. It’s one thing to fly through questions in your PJs with a cup of tea nearby. It’s another to sit for two hours, no interruptions, fully focused.
Do at least two or three full-length mock exams a week in the final stages of your prep, in proper test conditions. No phones, no music, no breaks. It’ll train your brain (and your nerves) for the real thing.
6. Don’t Forget the Basics
On test day, eat something light but filling. You don’t want to be in a carb coma. Don’t down five coffees right before starting. And most importantly? Sleep. A tired brain won’t perform, no matter how well you’ve prepped.
7. Keep Your Cool During Mocks
Nerves are normal. Everyone feels the pressure. If you hit a question that throws you off, don’t freeze—flag it, move on, and circle back later if time allows. You’ve probably learned this technique during your MSE UCAT course, so trust your training.
A calm mind thinks faster and more clearly. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for progress.
Final Word
At Med School Entry, we’ve designed our online UCAT course to help you prepare for the real test experience. Our expert tutors, mock exam questions, and smart prep tools are built to help you succeed, right from your home.
Thinking of sitting the UCAT online?
Get started with our tailored UCAT Online Course and feel confident on test day.