Applying for courses, pre-entry tests and interviews

UCAS personal statements are used differently by each medical school. Some use personal statements after looking at pre-entry test results whereas others include them in their initial short-listing. Either way, they are an important part of your application.

The University of Manchester offers the standard 5-year medicine degree but also 4-year ‘graduate entry’ and 6-year ‘with foundation year’ options. If you apply to study medicine at Manchester, you will be asked to complete an additional Non-Academic Information Form which will be emailed to you after the UCAS deadline.

Other universities may have their own additional tests and assessments, so do your homework!

Pre-entry tests

Most medical schools will expect you to complete one of two pre-entry tests. Many applicants will first decide which test(s) they will do and factor it into their course decision-making. You will need to book and pay for tests weeks, or months ahead of the test date – for full details, including the current fees check the test provider websites.

1. UCAT - University Clinical Aptitude Test

  • A two-hour online test with five sections taken at a designated test centre.
  • Apply for the test from June to mid-Sept, with a choice of test dates at centres around the UK between end-July and end-Sept.
  • You receive your test results on the day of the test. This means that you can decide which institutions to apply to based on your test result.
  • Each year UCAT quartiles are published. The final scores within each quartile vary from year to year depending on how many people have taken the test and their results. Where your score comes in relation to all the other people who sat the test will determine whether you are selected for interview for those Universities that use UCAT as a ‘first-sift’ tool. This is how Manchester University assesses UCAT results.
  • Your results will be sent directly to the medical schools you apply to, but if you wish you may include them on your UCAS form in the ‘Education’ section.
  • You may only take one UCAT test in an application cycle and your results are valid for that year only.

Preparation tips

  • Look at the test details and example questions on the UCAT website.
  • For sections 1 – 4 try some of the practice psychometric test resources on the Careers Service website.
  • For section 5 (the situational judgement test) prepare yourself to think about what you might do for the best outcome of the patient and good working relationships, whilst adhering to the strict moral code associated with a clinical career.

2. GAMSAT - Graduate Medical School Admissions Test

  • Required for applications to some ‘graduate-entry’ programmes.
  • A full day six-hour test with three sections sat at a designated test centre.
  • Two test sittings each year in September and March. If applying to the October UCAS deadline you must have already sat your GAMSAT by the time you apply. If you sit the test in March you will have your results before applying via UCAS, if you sit the test in September you will receive your results after applying via UCAS.
  • Apply for the test from mid-May to mid-July for a September test date. Apply early Nov to early Feb for a March test date. There is a 10-day ‘late period’ when you may register but an additional fee must be paid.
  • You will receive your results in late March for a March test or mid-November for a September test.
  • Results will be sent directly to the medical schools you have applied to.
  • Results are valid for two years. Check the GAMSAT website to confirm the validity of test results in any application round.
  • You can complete the GAMSAT test as many times as you wish and choose which set of results you will use.

Preparation tips

  • Look at the test preparation details on the GAMSAT website.
  • For section 2 reminding yourself of good practice in presenting a balanced argument may be useful. Use this online resource from My Learning Essentials as a refresher on developing arguments in your writing.
  • For section 3 a revision of degree content for Biology and Chemistry, and A-level content for Physics may be helpful.

Interviews

All UK medical schools use interviews to decide who to admit onto their programmes. It will usually be either a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) or a traditional panel interview. Each institution will advise you of their process when you are invited for an interview.

1. Multiple Mini Interview (MMI)

MMIs involve a set number of ‘stations’ with typically 1-3 interviewers at each station. Each station will be interested in different elements of your knowledge and experience. You are usually given 2-3 minutes of preparation time, then 7-8 minutes of ‘mini interview’. The exact details and timings are explained at the interview.

2. Traditional Panel Interviews

You will be interviewed by a group of people and asked a range of questions that each medical school will prioritise differently.

Preparing for your Medical degree interview

Prepare for your medical school interview in the same way that you would prepare for a job interview. Start with our tips on preparing for interviews, including the Get Interview Ready Pathway on CareerConnect.

  • Re-read your personal statement: make sure you can recall what you included in your UCAS statement and be prepared to talk in more detail about anything you have written.
  • Look at the medical school details: go online and check out how the programme is taught, when clinical practice is brought into the programme, and any features of the course that appeal to you. Also, make sure you understand what the institution has to offer and can explain why that appeals to you. For example: If it is a campus institution – why does that appeal to you? What advantages will it offer to you personally?
  • Remind yourself of the NHS values: many medical schools will use them as part of their recruitment processes. Make sure you are aware of them and can talk about times when you’ve shown these values in action.
  • General Medical Council: Outcomes for Graduates provides an in-depth view of what you will learn during medical school (and therefore what they will be selecting for).
  • Practice out loud. Whether you record yourself and play back on a mobile device; enlist friends/family; or book an interview simulation via CareerConnect - practice your interview responses out loud as it can make a real difference.