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Post-UCAT Discussion 2020

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Vexthebesk said:
Thanks!

yeah QR was way easier than the practice exams. I only guessed one set in this exam, whereas the Practice exams I was guessing 3 sets+

AR and SJ was definitely harder than the practice exams but I found I could guess pretty accurately by eyeballing hence my not so atrocious score for AR.

EDIT: I usually struggle with DM and QR scared even me in the practice exams, hence why I thought OVERALL this exam was easier than practice exams.
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Hey! Good job on completing the UCAT :) Did you use mental math a lot/was it neccessary or you went straight for the calculator?
 
ummshakib said:
Thank you.

I found it easier than last year (but strategy played a huge role for me). I would say it is a little more difficult than the UCAT practice tests.

VR: 690
DM: 710
QR: 630
AR: 680
Total 2710
SJ: 661
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Vexthebesk said:
Back for a second year of UCAT on July 1st. Odd feeling putting myself through this pain after failing to defer med successfully in Auckland, giving up my spot; but alas, life isn’t always easy!

Date completed: 1st July 2020
Venue: Brisbane Pearson Vue Centre (Adelaide St)
General thoughts on your results: Didn’t study nearly as hard as last year, but did better.

VR - 680
DM - 750
QR - 830 (working in engineering still an advantage, clearly)
AR - 650

Total: 2910

SJ - 631

General comments on the exam/exam experience: Centre was very professional and methodical, although gave me very contradicting info on bringing in my own earplugs (info sheet said it’s ok, but ‘internal procedure’ said it wasn’t??). Anyway, they didn’t allow any water in at all which sucked majorly. But very quiet room, was in there with 2 others but 6 booths all together I think (social distancing applies I believe).

Edit: I sat my test at 8pm after a long day of work and even then, our test was delayed 20 mins. I walked out at 10:20pm...

DM and VR was easier than last year but SJ a bit more difficult. Comfortable exam and easier than official exams from my point of view.

Happy with the result considering Otago only looks at thresholds and stupid Auckland uni has changed their application rules to once per qualifying degree 🙄

May just be since I was at an actual Pearson Vue testing centre, but the experience was ALOT nicer and more professional than last year in Auckland.

Goodluck to everyone yet to sit, and like my advice last year, just chill out and stop overthinking the test. It feeds on your momentum being interrupted.
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Thank you for your posts. These have been helpful.
Could I take you back to 2019 when you first sat for the UCAT ?
Approx. how much preparation did you undertake in 2019 and comparing it to your experience in 2020? I realised that this is all speculation, comparing preparation times but I'm curious. I hope this isn't a sensitive question or create any anxiety for future test-takers. 🤓
 
Eleanor Rigby said:
Thank you for your posts. These have been helpful.
Could I take you back to 2019 when you first sat for the UCAT ?
Approx. how much preparation did you undertake in 2019 and comparing it to your experience in 2020? I realised that this is all speculation, comparing preparation times but I'm curious. I hope this isn't a sensitive question or create any anxiety for future test-takers. 🤓
Click to expand...

In 2019 I began preparation with the app about 2 months out. I also used on the practice questions and exams on the UCAT website but I can't remember when I started these (maybe 4 weeks out). This year I did about 2-3 weeks.

All the best for your exam.
 
ummshakib said:
In 2019 I began preparation with the app about 2 months out. I also used on the practice questions and exams on the UCAT website but I can't remember when I started these (maybe 4 weeks out). This year I did about 2-3 weeks.

All the best for your exam.
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Thank you for being so candid with your posts & your best wishes. I haven't touched my practice exercises since June the 1st. Have been swarmed with assessments and online tests, one of wish died on me yesterday because Maple was 'out of action'. Really stressed out! I can't even look at the Pre-UCAT discussion forum because I'm really behind therefore unable to contribute or ask any questions. This is Life ! 😓
 
ummshakib said:
In 2019 I began preparation with the app about 2 months out. I also used on the practice questions and exams on the UCAT website but I can't remember when I started these (maybe 4 weeks out). This year I did about 2-3 weeks.

All the best for your exam.
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Did you feel it was necessary to use mental math or you went straight for the calculator? Thank you so much for answering these questions, it's super helpful!!
 
This is life, truly.

I think the members here are more committed than other UCAT candidates. The bar here is higher. Don't compare yourself to others - too many factors are at play for an accurate comparison.

Do whatever prep you can. Take advantage of the tips and strategies others suggest. Get to your exam early. Go in there with a confident, 'can-do' attitude, and take it as it comes.

There is life beyond assessments, exams, and uni. But I can't say it is any less stressful ; )

cocodreams said:
Did you feel it was necessary to use mental math or you went straight for the calculator? Thank you so much for answering these questions, it's super helpful!!
Click to expand...

I tried to avoid the calculator and use mental maths first. I feel this helps a lot. The online calculator feels safe but I fumble with that thing.
 
Eleanor Rigby said:
Thank you for being so candid with your posts & your best wishes. I haven't touched my practice exercises since June the 1st. Have been swarmed with assessments and online tests, one of wish died on me yesterday because Maple was 'out of action'. Really stressed out! I can't even look at the Pre-UCAT discussion forum because I'm really behind therefore unable to contribute or ask any questions. This is Life ! 😓
Click to expand...
same here!! Haven't had a chance to lift my head up from textbooks with exams this week 😓
 
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ucatboy said:
I think cocodreams was wondering whether the calculator opens up in a completely new window which takes time to load or if it just pops up very unobtrusively for you to use (you can have the calculator and the questions open at the same time).
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The calculator opens so that you have it on the screen at the same time as the question. You can move it around on the screen. But that takes up extra time. Try the keyboard shortcuts to open it. No need to close it because you can select an answer with it open and it disappears when you type Alt N or click next. I hope that helps.
 
ummshakib said:
The calculator opens so that you have it on the screen at the same time as the question. You can move it around on the screen. But that takes up extra time. Try the keyboard shortcuts to open it. No need to close it because you can select an answer with it open and it disappears when you type Alt N or click next. I hope that helps.
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Thought so - just like last year. I assume that backspace will also work to clear the calculator (despite not doing so on the official resources).
 
ucatboy said:
Thought so - just like last year. I assume that backspace will also work to clear the calculator (despite not doing so on the official resources).
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Yeah that's what I was mainly asking about, whether I can operate it completely with the numberpad?
 
ummshakib said:
The calculator opens so that you have it on the screen at the same time as the question. You can move it around on the screen. But that takes up extra time. Try the keyboard shortcuts to open it. No need to close it because you can select an answer with it open and it disappears when you type Alt N or click next. I hope that helps.
Click to expand...
How long did it take for you to get your results? 5-10 mins or an hour or so?
 
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