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Two-Day course
Whilst additional, non-subject specific testing is not an entirely new concept within our educational system, this is the first time that the majority of medical and dental schools have joined forces in pioneering the use of a general test. Some twenty-six schools, will be using the UK Clinical Aptitude Test for the second time as part of the admissions process for 2008 entry. It may seem that the burden on students is ever increasing, particularly as some will also have to sit BMAT (the BioMedical Admissions Test), but as with anything new, gaining some understanding of what is involved makes sense.
UKCAT has been designed to assess the scope of mental abilities and behavioural attributes that have been identified as desirable for those entering medical or dental school. It seeks to determine aptitudes rather than assess knowledge based on academic learning. The focus is on critical reasoning ability and for the 2007 test this has been further subdivided into the following 5 components:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Abstract Reasoning
- Decision Analysis
- Non-Cognitive Analysis
Collectively, the five areas will assess the following:
- Ability to think logically and laterally
- Propensity to solve numerical and spatial problems
- Aptitude to make judgements from given information and data
- Understand application and nuances of language
- Suitability for the study and practice of medicine or dentistry through the assessment of behavioural patterns
It is not necessarily possible to ‘learn’ or ‘revise’ for a test of this nature, but it is feasible to demystify what the above means, what questions are looking for, and how to form approaches in dealing with these types of questions under time constraints. Whilst these subjects will be tested in computer-based form, it is possible to develop strategies and tactics of dealing with the problems in a workshop-based form. The TestPrep two-day course will cover these topics, whilst introducing candidates to the background of the test and the ways in which universities will employ it to help them in the admissions process.
Course Structure
The following is a guide to the structure of the two days:
Day 1
| 10 - 10.30 |
The introductory session will consist of a short talk on the development and organisation of cognitive and multiple choice tests, which will give students the measure of the challenge that they face. Types of reasoning will be presented, and tips given on how to recognise which question is dealing with what sort of reasoning. For example, some questions are based on logical reasoning; some on procedural, some on sequential, some on grammatical, and some on deductive reasoning, amongst others. Understanding what is being looked for by the UKCAT stem-verifier system will aid students enormously in approaching the questions.
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10.30 - 12,
1 - 3 |
Students will be introduced to a large book of worked questions, and though an answer book will be provided, the tutor will lead students through questions and set mini-tests that focus progressively on the development of verbal reasoning.
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| 3.15 - 4 |
Students will be familiarised with quantitative reasoning. Historically, this section has proved the easiest for those with the science and mathematics background required in order to proceed through the academic stages of a medical application. However, pitfalls still exist in terms of the style of questions which are asked and, sometimes, of the lateral thinking involved. Students will again be led through sample sets of questions and provided with a workbook (plus answers) to aid their independent preparation.
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| 4 - 5 |
Students will be introduced to decision analysis. This is often an initially confusing section that nevertheless resolves itself into an intelligible and even enjoyable exercise. Decision analysis is not about codebreaking or deciphering as such - the codes are provided - but rather about understanding the nuances of language and grammar. Though these are things which scientists and medics may think that they have neglected in their education, in Testprep’s experience, they are skills sets which are pre-existing and which can be quickly assimilated to the task with the appropriate guidance from tutors and course materials. |
Day 2
| 10 - 1 |
A full three hours of decision analysis of different types composed by different TestPrep authors will form the substance of this section. Students will be exposed to practice until the decision analysis section has been fully worked and tactics and strategies have been discussed and assimilated.
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1 - 3,
3.15 - 4 |
Students will experience a session concentrating on how the rules of language, grammar, and critical reasoning can be applied to verbal reasoning and decision analysis. This session will form a ‘revision’ session, but will also seek to consolidate the skills which the course will have helped students to either develop or enhance.
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| 4.30 - 5 |
A talk will be given on non-cognitive tests, geared towards frequently asked questions. This session will also touch upon what universities seem to be looking for in the UKCAT test, and also will seek to deal with any general queries. |
Course Director
Dr Martin Meenagh DPhil, MSt., MA (Oxon)
Schedule Summer 2009
| DATE |
LOCATION |
TIME |
| Saturday 25 July |
London |
10am to 5pm |
| Sunday 26 July |
Imperial College |
10am to 5pm |
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| Saturday 15 August |
London |
10am to 5pm |
| Sunday 16 August |
Imperial College |
10am to 5pm |
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| Saturday 5 September |
London |
10am to 5pm |
| Sunday 6 September |
Imperial College |
10am to 5pm |
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| Saturday 26 September |
London |
10am to 5pm |
| Sunday 27 September |
Imperial College |
10am to 5pm |
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Course Fee - £225
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