Post-UCAT Discussion 2020

[cocodreams]

I think it's always been a tiebreaker as far as I have heard, but hopefully they don't use it extensively this year either way!

Doubt they will actually look at SJT thoroughly. They said they will use it but didn't say how. Could just be used a tie-breaker between 2 equal UCAT scores.

 

[whys]

They could do anything for all we know - use it as a tiebreaker or include SJT as part of the total score to rank applicants. Best not to worry about what you can't change and focus on maximising your ATAR/GPA and improving interview skills. Speculation is fun, but try not to worry too much about it @ all the worried people out there!

 

[2xq]

They could do anything for all we know - use it as a tiebreaker or include SJT as part of the total score to rank applicants. Best not to worry about what you can't change and focus on maximising your ATAR/GPA and improving interview skills. Speculation is fun, but try not to worry too much about it @ all the worried people out there!

now im thinking of the weirdest possibilities. imagine a world where SJT was the only thing ranked from ucat and the total score of the other 4 sections were used as a tiebreaker
im evil >:-D

 

[katespade]

probably biased but I think they should take total scores from 5 sections, like I don't get why we do 25 mins of a test that doesn't get used... pretty over the top for a cool down

 

[Crow]

probably biased but I think they should take total scores from 5 sections, like I don't get why we do 25 mins of a test that doesn't get used... pretty over the top for a cool down

On the other hand, the interview is a far better way to assess your judgment and reasoning skills than SJT, and I wouldn’t use SJT at all if I was in charge of admissions! I agree it is a waste of 25 mins.

 

[hazell]

probably biased but I think they should take total scores from 5 sections, like I don't get why we do 25 mins of a test that doesn't get used... pretty over the top for a cool down

I have the same unpopular opinion, I really do think they should take SJ into account for interview invites (not in place of interviews)- I understand it isn’t a measure of aptitude but it seems reasonable to use a measure of non-academic abilities, especially one which focuses on integrity and ethics.

 

[Sokka]

On the other hand, the interview is a far better way to assess your judgment and reasoning skills than SJT, and I wouldn’t use SJT at all if I was in charge of admissions! I agree it is a waste of 25 mins.

I was told that the SJT subtest was just to weed out the “psychopaths“ so unis don’t waste money on interviewing you as they can just not consider u after a poor SJT score.

 

[Crow]

I was told that the SJT subtest was just to weed out the “psychopaths“ so unis don’t waste money on interviewing you as they can just not consider u after a poor SJT score.

Doesn’t seem to hold true seeing as next to none of the unis even look at it.

 

[Scorpion]

I was told that the SJT subtest was just to weed out the “psychopaths“ so unis don’t waste money on interviewing you as they can just not consider u after a poor SJT score.

I honestly don't think a multiple choice test is a reliable indicator of ethical understanding anyway, especially when it's so up for interpretation (strongly agree vs. agree) and such choices can lose you considerable marks.

 

[ucatboy]

I was told that the SJT subtest was just to weed out the “psychopaths“ so unis don’t waste money on interviewing you as they can just not consider u after a poor SJT score.

This is the case in the UK, where unis sometimes won't take Band 4 applicants regardless of their cognitive score, but does not hold true here in Australia.

 

[whys]

I think the UCAT's SJT was lowkey kinda crap and that they should either scrap it or make it more reflective of an appropriate psychometric testing tool. I agree with Scorpion.

 

[LilSahil]

I was on an hour long phone call with one of the Medicine/Health/Nursing admissions recruiters from Monash University at 4PM earlier today!
They said that SJT is weighted the exact same as every other cognitive section and NOT simply a "tiebreaker" for identical cognitive scores.
(Content removed)
After all, in Monash's postgrad pathway, SJT accounts for 30% of the criteria! It shouldn't come as a surprise that it's only 6% for undergrad

 

[ucatboy]

VR + DM + QR + AR + SJ = x/4500?

Called it

 

[2xq]

Called it

You need to buy a lottery ticket LOL

 

[LilSahil]

Apparently someone got a score of 900 for VR and 860 for SJT in the first half of the UCAT testing period They must be celebrating right now

 

[LeSpicyGinger]

I tried adding Monash to my VTAC preferences but it says I'm not eligible in big capital letters. I don't think I'll get in and tbh I'm not too interested in going there but I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences. I have submitted my application if that helps.

Also, UCAT deciles are now released in September (sadplane.jpg):

 

[ucatboy]

Apparently someone got a score of 900 for VR and 860 for SJT in the first half of the UCAT testing period They must be celebrating right now

I'd have to see the 860 SJT score before I believe it - last year we had tons of 800+ UCAT scores being reported, only for the official maximum to be 759

I tried adding Monash to my VTAC preferences but it says I'm not eligible in big capital letters. I don't think I'll get in and tbh I'm not too interested in going there but I was wondering if anyone had similar experiences. I have submitted my application if that helps.

Also, UCAT deciles are now released in September (sadplane.jpg):
View attachment 3910

You might be looking at the UK site not the ANZ one, the UK has traditionally had interim scores published (i.e. halfway through the testing period), while we get ours in one go after testing. The ANZ site still says this:

 

[Sokka]

Called it

Does this really change much though? The range for SJT is quite small in comparison to AR for example. Doesn’t this just +/- 30 odd to your score relative to other people? The only people who this would impact are people who did poorly in SJT imo. Thoughts?

 

[LeSpicyGinger]

I

I'd have to see the 860 SJT score before I believe it - last year we had tons of 800+ UCAT scores being reported, only for the official maximum to be 759


You might be looking at the UK site not the ANZ one, the UK has traditionally had interim scores published (i.e. halfway through the testing period), while we get ours in one go after testing. The ANZ site still says this:

View attachment 3911

I just realised yup :'(. My bad, thanks

 

[RÜFÜS DU SOL]

Sliding into her DMs like