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UCAT PlaybookChapter 6 of 8

Test day

Almost everything about the day is decided weeks earlier. Book early, sort your ID, know what you may carry, and the day itself is just two hours of questions.

early is the arrival rule
30 minearly is the arrival rule
piece of photo ID, from the permitted list
1piece of photo ID, from the permitted list
for the test itself, plus check in
Under 2 hfor the test itself, plus check in

Booking and dates

UCAT ANZ 2027 dates have not been published. In 2026, booking opened on 3 March and closed on 15 May, with late booking to 29 May and final late booking to 5 June. Testing ran from 1 July to 5 August, and results went to universities in early September.

In 2026 the test cost A$335 in Australia or New Zealand, with a concession fee of A$240 in Australia only. Late booking added A$85 and final late booking added A$185. Book early: popular dates and centres can fill, and an early booking leaves more room if you need to reschedule.

If you need extra time or other access arrangements, apply before the arrangements deadline, which in 2026 was 15 May. Applications opened in February, before booking did. Evidence takes time to gather, so start early.

The day before and the hour before

  1. 1

    A week before

    Check your photo ID is one of the permitted types, that the name matches your Pearson account exactly, and that it has not expired. Print or save the Pearson appointment confirmation. Look up the route to the centre and the parking.

  2. 2

    The day before

    One short untimed set, to keep your hands warm, and nothing timed. Pack the ID and the confirmation. Eat normally. Sleep is worth more than another mock.

  3. 3

    The hour before

    Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment. More than 15 minutes late and you lose the fee and have to rebook. Use the toilet before check in. Leave your phone in the bag you are about to lock away.

  4. 4

    Check in

    Staff check your ID, take your photo, and look at your clothing, hands and arms, and your ears if they are covered. Then your things go in a locker: bag, watch, phone, food, pens, paper. You walk in with the clothes you are wearing and any permitted comfort aids, and nothing else.

A weekbeforeThe daybeforeThe hourbeforeCheckinarrive 30 minutes early

In the room

The noteboard

You get a laminated notebook, or a noteboard at some centres, and a marker pen. Test the pen before you start, and raise your hand for the invigilator if it stops working or you run out of space. Use it for the base in Quantitative and the arrangement in Decision Making.

The clock does not stop

Raise your hand if you need the toilet, but the test keeps running while you are out. If you have to go, go between subtests, where you lose the least time.

Earplugs

Disposable earplugs in unopened packaging are allowed, and centres in Australia and New Zealand provide them on request. Ask at check in if noise bothers you.

Finishing

When the last subtest ends, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Your results show in your Pearson account within 24 hours. Universities get them directly in early September.

bagphonewatchpensTest roomyour clothes,nothing else

Cutline UCAT runs this for you: nearly 1,000 questions on a screen like the real test, almost every miss named, and the Train tab drilling your top traps until they retire.

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Test day: UCAT Playbook chapter 6 | Cutline