Entrance into Competitive Subjects: Medicine Dr Sue Smith Assistant Admissions Tutor Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London

Imperial College London

UK Medical Schools 28 medical schools offering courses for school leavers (5 or 6 years) 16 medical schools offering courses for graduates (4 year courses) 6 medical schools in London

Entrance is highly competitive UCAS tariff Total Applicants Accepted Accepted (%) 35% 56% 67% 77% 48% Data for UK applicants to pre-clinical medicine in 2008 From UCAS Website

UKCAT: UK Clinical Aptitude Test Taken on line Driving test centres Required by the majority of Medical Schools

UKCAT Content MCQ 2 h test in 5 sections, each section timed separately Verbal reasoning – drawing logical conclusions from written informationVerbal reasoning Quantitative reasoning – solving numerical problemsQuantitative reasoning Abstract reasoning - inferring relationships from the information providedAbstract reasoning Decision analysis – pulling all the above together.Decision analysis Non-cognitive analysis - identifies personal characteristics including robustness,Non-cognitive analysis empathy and integrity (not used in selection)

Preparation for the test No set curriculum Not testing factual knowledge Can find practice questions on the UKCAT website Make sure you familiarise yourself with the instructions of each section – once you start the test, you can’t go back No negative marking, so if in doubt, guess!

Registering for and sitting the test Register on line Select test, test centre and date and time of test Present yourself to the test centre Must take test by early October of the year in which you plan to apply to medical school Cost to candidate: £75 in 2009

Results You get the results immediately You results will also be communicated directly to your chosen universities, but no one else

For more info on UKCAT In the UK: International number:

BMAT: BioMedical Admissions Test Pen and paper test Number of centres – can often take the test at school Required by: Oxford Cambridge Imperial College University College

BMAT Content 2 h test 3 sections Aptitude and Skills – generic problem solving skills Scientific Knowledge and Application – application of scientific and mathematical knowledge (up to Key stage 4) Writing Task – one from 3 - requires you to make a argument, effectively and concisely

Preparation for the test Practice tests on BMAT website Brush up on GCSE knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and maths if you are not taking these at A level

Registering for and sitting the test BMAT test centres (schools) register candidates If you school does not offer the test, then you can find a centre on the BMAT website Must register by the end of September Test is taken in early November on a pre- determined day and time Cost to candidate: £32.10 in 2009

Results You get your results in early December Results are communicated directly to those of your chosen medical schools who require BMAT as part of their entrance requirement

For more info on BMAT essment.org.uk/adt/bmathttp:// essment.org.uk/adt/bmat Telephone –work +44 (0) Fax –fax +44 (0)

What do medical schools do with UKCAT and BMAT data? No set method of using the results Need to check with each individual medical school Should find details on website When in doubt about entry requirements – check the relevant medical school official website NOT a chat room – lot of misinformation!

Non-academic requirements Check medical school websites In your personal statement explain how you meet the non-academic criteria Be truthful e.g. at Imperial we look for: –leadership, –teamworking, –community service, –understanding of medicine as a career

Non-academic requirements (2) Most medical schools like evidence of work experience but realise this can be hard to get All about impact on you Hospital, GP surgery, nursing or residential home Volunteering – trolley shop, mobile library Duration is not important

Non-academic requirements (3) All medical students have to undergo an enhanced criminal records check A positive check may not preclude admission to medical school – will depend on many factors In the future – Vetting and Barring Scheme

Non-academic requirements (4) Health assessment Vaccination against a range of infections to protect you Blood borne infections - Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV – precluded from taking part in “exposure prone procedures” Can still be a doctor, but not in some specialities