UKCAT Preparation Course
Entry into medical and dental schools today more than ever is extremely competitive. So much so, that by the 15 October 2009 deadline, UCAS had received approximately 15,500 applications from UK students and another 3,500 from EU and other overseas students. In total there are fewer than 8,000 places available at medical institutions, so more than 50% of applicants are going to be disappointed. It stands to reason then that any preparation and assistance that you can give the application process will be of great benefit and will give you an advantage towards achieving your goals and dreams of becoming a doctor or dentist.
UKCAT
You may have an excellent personal statement and you may be a person who is confident in interview situations but without a good UKCAT score these will amount to zero and your application will be rejected. You will not even be invited in for an interview! Therefore it is essential that you get the UKCAT test right. To gain an interview you will need to achieve a good score.
Today twenty six UK Medical and Dental schools require a UKCAT score for entry to their courses. Competition for places is as fierce as ever and so getting the edge with a good UKCAT score is indispensable. In fact, some medical and dental schools will only interview applicants who have a certain score on UKCAT, even if they have been predicted to achieve excellent A-level grades and have very good medical work experience.
Our UKCAT Course
Our students will receive both the test strategies and the practice necessary to take the UKCAT test with confidence. We'll guide you step-by-step towards achieving your best UKCAT score. This UKCAT course provides:
- Lessons taught by expert and dynamic teachers
- Test-taking skills
- Score-raising strategies
- Full length practice tests - one paper based test and simulated online tests to familiarise you with the format of the UKCAT test and help you perform better on test day.
- Course materials that detail the strategies and techniques taught and additional practice questions
As the UKCAT does not test academic knowledge based on a curriculum, it is often very difficult to prepare for. It is therefore essential to understand how to optimise the subtest scores by becoming acquainted as you best can, with the various techniques that is required in the answering of the questions in each section. Practice does make perfect and familiarizing yourself with the structure as much as possible has to be of benefit. We focus on the practice of as many questions as is possible and what we have found is that this frequently results in enhanced UKCAT scores.
The UKCAT is run as a 1-day course and is separate from the Personal Statement and Interview Training as this is conducted via booked day seminars. Usually these courses will be run at weekends in India. The course for the full day will be £150 (Inc. VAT).
Personal Statement
Your UCAS application will be among many. Typically universities may receive over 2000 UCAS applications and it is then the selectors’ task to sift through these by weeding out weaker applications based on personal statements. If your application is badly worded, uninteresting or lacking the things that the selector feels are important, it will be put on the ‘reject – no interview’ pile.
We have come across many fine students who did not acquire an interview slot, simply because they did not give enough time and thought to their application. Undoubtedly this is a great disappointment. Sloppy and/or ill thought clichés are usually a ‘turn off’ to selectors who read thousands of statements.
Your chances of selection can be improved. The key point is that the personal statement that you present is your opportunity to demonstrate to the university selectors three essential themes that will hopefully put you in good light and improve your chances of being selected.
- Why you aspire to become a doctor or dentist? Here you must have a very thought through, clear and genuine motive as to why you are attracted to the study of dentistry/medicine.
- To demonstrate this, what have you done? Have you explored the vocation? Are you aware of the pros and cons? This will show your enthusiasm, pro-activity and motivation.
- Will you fit into their medical school? Do you possess the qualities that make you a good student and eventually doctor/dentist? Are you considerate and empathetic? Can you work as part of a team?
Thus the personal statement is your chance to express to the selectors that you have not only researched dentistry/medicine fully, but also have the right makeup to succeed and indeed be an excellent doctor/dentist.
What we offer
Our students will receive individual support from our very experienced team of facilitators. The team is led by the author of the highly popular book: 'Getting into Medical School series', who has had many years of experience working with dental and medical students to be. Suggestions and advice are tailored to be particular to the student’s individuality and reflect the motives and experience of the student applying. The students will then confidently be able to write an engaging personal statement. The process may take several drafts until the end product is refined to the point where it will reflect favourably on the candidates strengths and passion for their chosen vocation and in doing so bring them to the fore in the eyes of the selectors.
Interview practice
If the universities like the look of you, that is usually because:
- you have impressed them with your personal statement and have caught the attention of the selectors
- you are being predicted excellent grades and your school reference points to someone with the required qualities and
- your UKCAT scores are high then the chances are, that you will be highly likely to be invited in for an interview.
You are now through the door, so to speak. An interview is the occasion where the selectors get a chance to meet you personally and assess you. However, and more importantly, it also offers you an excellent opportunity to impress the very people who will select you by your assured, confident and knowledgeable disposition.
Our experience
We provide a skilled team that has years of experience with interviews and personal presentation for university entrance. With rigorous feedback you will get detailed advice on poise, presentation, voice modulation and demeanour, the answering difficult questions such as on ethics and help in developing your confidence and so that you come across as a mature, enthusiastic potential future doctor/dentist.
Cost:
Personal statement help and Interview training are £50 each which includes a take away pack and the tuition with detailed feedback. As a combined package the cost is £80.
Discount Packages:
1-1 UCAS Personal Statement session + 1-1 Interview Practice = £80
UKCAT Preparation + Interview Practice = £200 + FREE UCAS Personal Statement Check
Location:
This is done by appointment nonetheless the personal statement can be improved via email and telephone if you are in another part of the country.
How do I register for one or all of the courses?
Simply register now by clicking on the button below and complete the form.
Links
This section provides links to resources that we think you may find useful:
UCAS:
http://www.ucas.ac.uk/
The UK organisation that helps students into higher education.
General Medical Council (GMC):
http://www.gmc-uk.org/
Registering Doctors to practice Medicine in the UK. The GMC protects, promotes, and maintains the health and safety of the public by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine.
General Dental Council (GDC):
http://www.gdc-uk.org/
Regulating Dental Professionals in the UK. All dentists, dental nurses, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental therapists and orthodontic therapists must be registered with them to work in the UK.
UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT):
http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/
UKCAT is used by a consortium of UK University Medical/Dental Schools to help them make more informed choices from amongst the many highly-qualified applicants who apply for their medical and dental degree programmes.
The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT):
http://www.gamsatuk.org/
GAMSAT is a professionally designed and marked selection test developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) for medical schools offering graduate-entry programmes open to graduates of any discipline.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
http://www.ielts.org/
IELTS is the world’s proven English test, recognised by 6000 institutions across 120 countries.
Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB):
http://www.gmc-uk.org/doctors/plab.asp
The PLAB test is the main route by which International Medical Graduates demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to practise medicine in the UK.
Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT):
http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/bmat
The BMAT is a subject-specific admissions test taken by applicants to certain medicine, veterinary medicine and related courses at particular Medical institutions, such as Oxbridge.
Medical Schools Council:
http://www.medschools.ac.uk
The Medical Schools Council represents the interests and ambitions of UK Medical Schools as they relate to the generation of national health, wealth and knowledge through biomedical research and the profession of medicine.
Clinical Training for undergraduate medical students at UK hospitals: www.mdclinicals.co.uk
Foundation Training Applications (FY1/FY2) in the UK for medical graduates:www.foundationtrainingapplications.co.uk
Dentistry Recruitment: www.dentistryrecruitment.co.uk
Accountants for Practising Doctors and Dentists:www.mdaccountants.co.uk
Exam Revision Courses: www.examrevisioncourses.co.uk