What exam should I take now that the BMAT has been discontinued?
You should take the UCAT. Following the permanent discontinuation of the BMAT, the UCAT is now the universal admissions test for nearly all UK medical and dental schools, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, and Leeds. It is computer-based, entirely multiple-choice, and tests aptitude rather than science knowledge.
You should take the UCAT, since the BMAT has been permanently discontinued by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing. Every prominent UK university that previously required the BMAT, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Leeds, Lancaster, and Brighton and Sussex Medical School, has now shifted entirely to the UCAT.
How the UCAT Differs From the Old BMAT
| Feature | Old BMAT | New UCAT |
|---|---|---|
| Testing medium | Pen and paper | Computer-based |
| Science knowledge | Required physics, chemistry, biology | No academic science theory tested |
| Writing component | Required a long-form essay | Entirely multiple-choice |
| Core focus | Academic application and communication | Mental speed, logic, and cognitive aptitude |
How to Move Forward With Your Application
- Register early: booking typically opens in spring, with testing windows running from July through autumn of your application year, via the official UCAT Consortium website.
- Pivot your revision: instead of science textbooks, practice timed subtests in Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, and Situational Judgement.
- Check university weighting: all these schools now use the same UCAT, but some screen heavily on a high baseline score while others look more holistically at your GCSEs.
My Advice
Book your UCAT slot now rather than waiting, since seats fill up fast in the autumn application rush, and shift your entire revision plan away from science content toward timed practice tests in Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning right away.
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