The national mean UCAT score in 2025 was 1891 out of 2700. Over 41,000 students sat the test. Here is the full picture of how the cohort performed and what it means for your application.
Important context: The 2025 UCAT was the first sitting without the Abstract Reasoning section, making scores out of 2700 rather than 3600. The 2025 mean of 1891 is not directly comparable to previous years' totals — but adjusted for the removal of AR (average 653 points), the 2025 performance is very similar to previous cohorts.
| Subtest | 2025 Mean | Out of | As a percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 602 | 900 | 67% |
| Decision Making | 628 | 900 | 70% |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 661 | 900 | 73% |
| Total cognitive | 1891 | 2700 | 70% |
Deciles divide the cohort into 10 equal groups. The 9th decile means your score is higher than 90% of candidates.
| Decile | Score (approx) | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (top 10%) | 2220+ | Top 10% | |
| 9th | 2120-2219 | Top 20% | |
| 8th | 2020-2119 | Top 30% | |
| 7th | 1960-2019 | Top 40% | |
| 6th | 1891-1959 | Above average | |
| 5th (average) | ~1891 | National mean | |
| 4th | 1800-1890 | Below average | |
| 3rd | 1710-1799 | Bottom 30% | |
| 2nd | 1620-1709 | Bottom 20% | |
| 1st (bottom 10%) | Below 1620 | Bottom 10% |
Scores are approximate. Official decile data is published by the UCAT Consortium each autumn.
Excellent. You are competitive at every UK medical school. Prioritise UCAT-heavy schools like Bristol, Newcastle, and Glasgow where your score gives direct advantage over other applicants. Focus your remaining preparation on interview technique.
Strong. Above average at most schools. A solid base for applications to UCAT-heavy schools alongside holistic choices. You are genuinely competitive everywhere with a good supporting application.
Competitive at holistic schools. Avoid Bristol and Newcastle where UCAT is the dominant filter. Target Edinburgh, Leicester, KCL and schools where academic performance and interview also matter significantly.
Apply strategically. Exeter (UCAT only 25%), Leicester (50/50), and Dundee (no minimum) are your best options. A strong academic record and excellent interview preparation are essential. Consider whether resitting is feasible.
The 2025 cohort performed slightly better than 2024 on an adjusted basis. Decision Making improved most (+8 points), while Verbal Reasoning was almost identical. Quantitative Reasoning improved by 12 points, likely reflecting better preparation for this subtest.
Importantly, over 41,000 students sat in 2025 versus approximately 38,000 in 2024 - a larger, more competitive cohort means the same raw score achieves a slightly lower percentile than in previous years.
The SJT band distribution was not substantially different from previous years. Approximately 37% of candidates achieved Band 1, 43% Band 2, 15% Band 3, and 5% Band 4. Band 4 automatically excludes candidates from several schools, making it a significant filter even at lower percentages.
Use our interactive calculator to convert your practice scores and see which medical schools are realistic targets.
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