Pre-UCAT Discussion 2020

[matcha.latte]

Which would be the better testing location; ITIC Pty Ltd on Pitt Street or Pearson Professional Center, Bridge Street Sydney ? I have read a lot of different reviews about the two and hope someone can comment on them. Just making sure I get this right.

I sat at Pitt St and personally had no complaints! I did manage to get one of the square monitors (rather than the widescreen), so I didn’t run into any aspect ratio issues during the test.
Not sure if it actually made a difference, but I guess it was one less thing to worry about.

 

[alexski457]

... Yeah I said QR from official Pearson resources are much harder than the actual QR during the UCAT test.

Is this the case for other sections too? I'm starting to get worried about the VR questions I've heard they're notoriously hard..

 

[Fili]

Is this the case for other sections too? I'm starting to get worried about the VR questions I've heard they're notoriously hard..

Don't think so

 

[Tomato]

Has everybody been charged an international transaction fee on top of the A$299 registration fee?

 

[gudgie]

Has everybody been charged an international transaction fee on top of the A$299 registration fee?

No, I only paid $299. Do you not live in Australia?

 

[Tomato]

No, I only paid $299. Do you not live in Australia?

In the invoice it is A$299, but there is an international transaction fee (3%) in the bank statement. Is that because Pearson VUE is regarded as an overseas company?

 

[gudgie]

In the invoice it is A$299, but there is an international transaction fee (3%) in the bank statement. Is that because Pearson VUE is regarded as an overseas company?

I checked my bank statement and it says I only paid $299, there was no international transaction fee. Which bank do you use?

 

[Tomato]

I checked my bank statement and it says I only paid $299, there was no international transaction fee. Which bank do you use?

CBA. In Pearson's Info page they say bank may charge an international transaction fee because it's an American company. By the way, did you use a credit card or EFT to pay the fee?

 

[gudgie]

CBA. In Pearson's Info page they say bank may charge an international transaction fee because it's an American company. By the way, did you use a credit card or EFT to pay the fee?

I used a Westpac debit card. Ah, it must be because it's regarded as an overseas company as you said before. That's quite unfortunate.

 

[Eleanor Rigby]

I'm considering the Pearson Professional Center on Bridge Street Syd as a possible venue for the test.
Could anyone offer any comment on this test center?
Has anyone taken any kind of test at this site?

 

[Puer]

CBA. In Pearson's Info page they say bank may charge an international transaction fee because it's an American company. By the way, did you use a credit card or EFT to pay the fee?

Swap to ING, the fee is rebated.

 

[skid_]

Any recommendations on test centres in Syd? One of my mates last year said her centre smelt funny

 

[sunnyrain]

Hey guys, does anyone have any recommendations for UCAT testing centres in Melbourne? Any centres that I should avoid?

Thank you so much!

 

[TMG]

Hey guys, does anyone have any recommendations for UCAT testing centres in Melbourne? Any centres that I should avoid?

Thank you so much!

I am going to the one in boxhill.
My cousin did it there and he said it was quite good (no distractions and computers worked flawlessly)

 

[Layla_a]

Considering the GAMSAT was cancelled because of the coronavirus, is anyone concerned that the UCAT will also be cancelled or postponed? Anyone have any information on this?

 

[A1]

I hope not.
If like UMAT the GAMSAT has 600+ students packing into a big hall. UCAT they can increase the number of test locations with fewer workstations in each to keep them farther apart. (And any coughing means instant disqualification )

 

[whys]

I'm doing it at the aviation centre (in melbs). Has anyone else been to this test centre? Was it good?

 

[Crow]

Considering the GAMSAT was cancelled because of the coronavirus, is anyone concerned that the UCAT will also be cancelled or postponed? Anyone have any information on this?

It's certainly a possibility - at this stage that is difficult to predict as nobody knows what the state of affairs will be come July. As A1 points out, UCAT is offered over many test centres and this reduces the likelihood of its classification as a "mass gathering" - but if things continue to escalate, it would absolutely be a possibility.

At this stage you should operate under the assumption that it is still going ahead and continue preparations as normal, but I wouldn't be paying for travel and/or accommodation (for those that need to) at this point in time.

 

[AJ]

It's certainly a possibility - at this stage that is difficult to predict as nobody knows what the state of affairs will be come July. As A1 points out, UCAT is offered over many test centres and this reduces the likelihood of its classification as a "mass gathering" - but if things continue to escalate, it would absolutely be a possibility.

At this stage you should operate under the assumption that it is still going ahead and continue preparations as normal, but I wouldn't be paying for travel and/or accommodation (for those that need to) at this point in time.

It will be interesting to see what ACER do with the GAMSAT. It could be a similar situation for the UCAT if it were to get cancelled. As you said, definitely keep studying on the premise of it occurring.

 

[orenji.study]

I'm considering the Pearson Professional Center on Bridge Street Syd as a possible venue for the test.
Could anyone offer any comment on this test center?
Has anyone taken any kind of test at this site?

Hey!

I went to this exact test centre for my UCAT last year and it was the best experience ever. The staff were incredibly nice and friendly, the whiteboard they give you is more than enough, nice room temp, comfortable chairs and screen display, the earplugs were gold you couldn't hear even a siren with them on. The only downside was that the marker didn't work for like a whole 10-20 secs so make sure that during the instructions page you prep your marker beforehand