How good is good enough?

That’s a question we get asked all the time, so we’ve compiled some UCAT statistics to help you see where you stand.

In this article, we investigate UCAT percentiles, as well as what is defined as a ‘good score’ and what the average student achieves. 

Yes, you should certainly concentrate on your own performance, but you can hone your revision by paying attention to the data. 

If you're starting to think about getting ready for the UCAT, read about UCAT preparation (including suggested timeframes and number of questions per day)

What is the average UCAT score?

The average UCAT score varies slightly every year. The preliminary 2026 average UCAT score is 1970

This is based on preliminary 2026 results covering tests taken up to 13 September 2026. The final results will be published after the UCAT testing window ends, so this average might change slightly. For example, in 2025, the preliminary average was 1939, but the final average was 1891.

An average UCAT score will put you in the 5th decile. This means you did better than around 50% of test takers.

Try free UCAT practice questions to boost your average score

UCAT statistics: Average UCAT score per section

|   | 2026 preliminary average | 2025 final average |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Verbal Reasoning | 614 | 602 |
| Decision Making | 657 | 628 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 699 | 661

UCAT scores: Section breakdown

Start off by getting an overview of UCAT sections, before zooming in on each section and trying to understand how it's put together and whether you find it easy or hard. This can form the basis of your revision plan.

Below we discuss how the average student fares in each UCAT section.

Verbal Reasoning scores

The 2026 preliminary average for Verbal Reasoning was 614, and this is the section where students often get the lowest scores. Many students report struggling with the length of the texts and the harsh time limit.

Our VR Inference Trainer is included with every UCAT Online Course package. It's specifically designed to increase your reading speed and improve your score in the VR section.

Learn how to master VR

Decision Making scores

The 2026 preliminary average for Decision Making was 657. DM is often the section with the second lowest average score. This could be due to the diversity of problem types and the mental agility required, along with the lack of time to get your head around the problems.

The questions take the form of logical puzzles from which you have to extract information. There is also a wide variety of question types, making it challenging to prepare for. DM is often a good place to dedicate extra revision time. 

Learn how to master DM

Quantitative Reasoning scores

The 2026 preliminary average for Quantitative Reasoning was 699. QR tends to have the highest average score of the UCAT subtests, but remember that this is a general trend and your personal experience may differ completely.

As QR is a test of your basic mathematical ability, students’ perceptions of this section vary. Those of you who breezed GCSE maths are likely to find this section easier. You need to assess your own maths skills honestly and allocate revision time accordingly. 

Learn how to master QR and how to use the UCAT calculator (includes our QR Calculator Speed Trainer)

Situational Judgement Test statistics

The 2026 preliminary average score in the SJT is Band 2.

|   | 2026 preliminary results | 2025 final results |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Band 1 | 16% | 21% |
| Band 2 | 42% | 39% |
| Band 3 | 38% | 29% |
| Band 4 | 10% | 10

If you're familiar with the General Medical Council’s Good medical practice document, this section should not pose a significant issue for you.

Universities use SJT results differently. Some will use it to decide between similar applicants, some will exclude anyone who gets a Band 4, and some universities do not look at SJT results at all.

Learn how to master SJT

What is a good UCAT score and what are percentiles?

Universities have slightly varying perceptions of a ‘good score’ based on each year’s applicants. Percentiles can help you compare your performance to other candidates’.

A score above the 80th percentile is usually a strong result. This means you scored higher than 80% of candidates, so you’re in the top 20% of test takers. According to preliminary results, a score of 2190 would put you in the 80th percentile in 2026.

Remember, though, that a strong UCAT score doesn’t guarantee an interview. Universities consider the UCAT alongside their other entry requirements, and some place much more weight on it than others.

| Percentile | 2026 preliminary score | 2025 final score |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 50th | 1980 | 1880 |
| 70th | 2110 | 2010 |
| 80th | 2190 | 2100 |
| 90th | 2300 | 2220

Can you compare a 2026 score with an old UCAT score?

Not directly.

Before 2025, the UCAT had 4 scored cognitive subtests and a maximum total of 3600. Abstract Reasoning was then removed, reducing the maximum to 2700. This makes it hard to compare your score to thresholds and percentiles from before 2025.

When AR was removed, the timings and number of questions in the remaining sections also changed, so you can’t simply convert an old total by subtracting an Abstract Reasoning score.

Use results from 2025 onwards when judging your performance under the current format.

What is the minimum UCAT score for medicine?

There is no minimum UCAT score for medicine in general.

Each medical school sets its own selection process. A university might:

• Require you to meet a fixed UCAT threshold.

• Rank applicants by their total UCAT score.

• Combine UCAT scores with GCSEs or other academic results.

• Score your SJT band separately.

• Consider individual subtest scores.

• Just use the UCAT to decide between closely matched applicants.

Some thresholds are published before applications open. Others are set after the university has seen that year’s applicant scores.

Previous thresholds can help you judge the likelihood of getting into your chosen universities, but they don’t guarantee that the same UCAT score will be competitive this year. 

Find out more about universities’ UCAT requirements for medicine and dentistry.

Can you get into medicine with a very low UCAT score?

Don’t worry if you got a low UCAT score. Check your percentile and SJT band, then look at how your preferred universities select applicants.

If your score is lower than you hoped, you could look at courses that put less emphasis on UCAT scores when selecting candidates, or think about studying overseas.

Remember, the test is just one route into medicine.

Read more about where to study with a low UCAT score.

UCAT requirements for dental schools in the UK

Dental schools also use the UCAT in different ways. There’s no single score that will make you competitive for every course.

Some dental schools place considerable weight on the UCAT, while others combine it with your academic record and other selection criteria. The importance of the SJT also varies from university to university.

Check the requirements for each dentistry course and entry year, and don’t rely on figures from a different course at the same university.

Read our UCAT FAQs if you have more questions

Summary

The UCAT is a tightrope.

On one hand, you need to focus on developing your own skills, and on the other, many students want reassurance that their score is likely to be ‘good enough’.

So remember the key facts:

• The 2026 average preliminary score is 1970.

• The 80th percentile in the 2026 preliminary results is 2190. 

• Band 2 is the most common SJT result.

• Many students score lower in VR and compensate in other sections, particularly QR.

• Each medical or dental school uses the UCAT differently. Judge your score against the requirements of your chosen score rather than searching for a score that counts as ‘good’ everywhere.

For more data, our UCAT Online Course provides you with real-time averages for each section. Every time you take a mock, you build a personal data bank, which compares your performance to the rest of Medify’s cohort (two thirds of UCAT takers).

Good luck with the rest of your UCAT preparation!