Aga Khan University and the UCAT
Aga Khan University has signalled a move toward the UCAT for a future intake. The MDCAT remains part of the national medical admission process. This page separates what AKU has published from what is still unconfirmed.
What AKU has published
Aga Khan University MBBS Admission Information 2026-2027“It is likely that from the 2027 admission cycle, the University will administer the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) for eligible applicants. Details will be available on the website in due course.”
The 2026-2027 cycle used the AKU Admission Test. The UCAT statement applies to a later cycle. AKU has not published the details for that cycle.
The statement is provisional: The phrase “it is likely” describes a direction, not a final rule. AKU has not published the registration dates, fee or testing window for that intake.
The candidate scope is not specified: The booklet says “eligible applicants” without saying whether the test will apply to all applicants or only to a specific group.
Check the current cycle: AKU closed its 2026-2027 MBBS applications on 13 May 2026. Check the AKU MBBS admissions page for the next cycle before you plan around any date.
MDCAT and UCAT are separate tests
The MDCAT remains required for the national process. For the national MDCAT route, PMDC requires the MDCAT. PMDC's overseas and foreign-seat route accepts SAT-II or a foreign MCAT/UCAT instead. A UCAT score does not replace the MDCAT for the national route. Check the PMDC notice for the cycle you are applying in.
UCAT is an additional test. AKU has said it is likely to use the UCAT for eligible applicants. Check AKU's current admissions page for the subjects, the intake and the score it will accept. Do not assume that a UCAT score alone meets the national requirement.
Academic eligibility is unchanged. The UCAT has no biology, chemistry or physics questions. The FSc or equivalent requirements for medical admission still apply.
The UCAT subtests and scoring
Four separately timed subtests, just under two hours in total
Verbal Reasoning
44 questions in 22 minutes | 300 to 900Read passages and decide whether each conclusion follows from the text. No prior knowledge is needed.
Decision Making
35 questions in 37 minutes | 300 to 900Apply logic, evaluate arguments and work with probability and statistics. Some multi-statement questions carry partial credit.
Quantitative Reasoning
36 questions in 26 minutes | 300 to 900Solve numerical problems from tables, charts and graphs. An on-screen calculator is available.
Situational Judgement
69 questions in 26 minutes | Band 1 to 4Judge appropriate behaviour in clinical and educational scenarios. Band 1 is the highest.
Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored from 300 to 900. The total for those three subtests is 900 to 2700. The Situational Judgement Test is reported in bands, with band 1 the highest. There is no negative marking.
The UCAT Consortium lists four subtests for the current test. Abstract Reasoning was withdrawn in 2025. Older guides that show five subtests describe the previous test. Source: UCAT test format and scoring. Checked 2026-10-25.
MDCAT and UCAT at a glance
| Dimension | MDCAT | UCAT | What it means for your prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Role | Required for national medical admission | Additional test used by some universities | A UCAT score does not replace the MDCAT for the national process. |
| Content | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English and Logical Reasoning | Verbal, decision, numerical and situational judgement | UCAT prep is about reasoning and pace, not science recall. |
| Structure | 180 questions in 180 minutes | Four separately timed subtests, just under 2 hours | You cannot move time from one UCAT subtest to another. |
| Delivery | Paper and OMR sheet at a test centre | Computer at a Pearson test centre | Practise the on-screen calculator and the per-subtest clock. |
| Negative marking | None | None | Answer every question in both tests. |
Practise the UCAT with mymdcat
The UCAT track has 12,087 practice items. Practise the question types, the on-screen calculator and the per-subtest clock. Practice scores are estimates on the 300 to 900 scale, not official UCAT scores.
Question types: verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning and situational judgement.
Practice tools: a per-subtest clock and an on-screen calculator for the sections that allow one.
Scoring: practice results use the 300 to 900 scale and the four SJT bands. They are not official UCAT results.