Not everything in life goes to plan. So, what if you get a low UCAT score? What are your options? Can you still get into medicine? In this article, we will begin by understanding what a low UCAT score actually is and your prospects after getting one.
How to Interpret UCAT Scores and What is A Low UCAT Score?
The UCAT consists of four sections. The first three sections Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, and Quantitative Reasoning, are each scored between 300 and 900, giving a total of 900 to 2700 for these sections combined. The final section, Situational Judgement, is scored separately on a scale from 300 to 900.These scores are often discussed as an overall UCAT score, expressed as a number such as 650, 680, or 750. Universities typically combine the first three cognitive sections (900–2700) and consider Situational Judgement separately. In this article, however, we use these figures to refer to the average across all four sections for simplicity.Although the lowest possible score for each section is 300, what is considered a “low” score? It is very important to understand that interpretation of UCAT scores is relative and varies from year to year.How “high” or “low” your UCAT score is depends on how it compares to others in your cohort. To better understand this, let’s look at UCAT test scores from 2025 in deciles, with 1 representing the lowest 10% and 9 representing the highest 10%.
How Understanding the 2025 UCAT Scores Breakdown Can Help You See Where You Went Wrong
Understanding last year’s UCAT scores can help you identify where you went wrong and what affected your UCAT score.
The most successful sections across the board were the Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Making sections. These sections tend to be more straightforward, with questions that are easier to answer.
Students performed worse on the Situational Judgement section. This may be due to the subjective nature of the section, where students are required to respond to real-world situations, making it harder to study for.
How Fraser's Medical Students Performed in the UCAT Compared to the Public Average
When analysing Fraser's students’ results, students excelled achieving an average overall score of 2030. This score includes students who attended our Strategy Weekend sessions completed the Concentrated Program , and enrolled in the Comprehensive Program.
Fraser’s students significantly outperformed the public UCAT average in 2025. On average, Fraser’s students scored 7.35% higher than the public mean of 1891, based on results from 16,950 UCAT candidates across ANZ (up from 15,240 in 2024). While the overall national average shifted this year, Fraser’s students continued to demonstrate strong performance above the wider cohort, reinforcing the effectiveness of the program.
What Are Your Options After Receiving a Low UCAT Score
It is important to remember that your UCAT score is only one of the three most important aspects of your application. The other two are your ATAR and your interview performance.
The majority of schools adopt a holistic approach, whereby they weigh each aspect of your application in determining whether you will be offered a place on the program.
This means that even if you scored low on the UCAT you can make up for it by outperforming in your interview or by having a very high ATAR.
So, even if you scored low on the UCAT all is not lost. Here’s some possible courses of action:
Apply Regardless of Your Low UCAT Score
As already pointed out, your UCAT score is only one aspect of your application. Getting a low UCAT score certainly dents your chances, but it doesn’t mean admission is impossible. If you have a strong ATAR, a lot of universities will weigh that highly.
It is usually a combination of both your UCAT and ATAR that determines whether you’ll be invited for an interview. So, with a low UCAT but high ATAR a interview offer isn’t ruled out.
Due to the competitive nature of medicine, there are typically many strong applicants. If you score low on the UCAT but still secure an interview, you need to. perform well. A mediocre interview combined with a low UCAT score will make receiving an offer unlikely.
There’re also universities such as the University of Sydney, Bond University, and James Cook University does not require the UCAT for admission. These programs are always an option if you score low in the UCAT.
Depending on your circumstances, you could still be admitted. For example, applicants from rural areas or those who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, may be assessed differently.
Monash, Curtin, and Newcastle are examples of schools where rural applicants may receive a competitive edge. A low UCAT score may not significantly affect your changes in these cases. Its worth considering your personal circumstances and applying strategically, even with a low UCAT score.
Take The UCAT Again the Next Year
Sometimes, you just must live to fight another day. It is okay if it didn’t work out for you on the day. You can stay determined and give it another shot. The downside is that you basically get one shot at the UCAT in high school. This is due to the eligibility criteria laid out by the UCAT consortium where you can only take the UCAT once a year and only if you’re a final year year-12 student.
This means that if you scored low in the UCAT in year 12, you do not have another chance to retake before you send out your applications.
However, you can take it next year. Whether you’re taking a gap year, or you’ve started university, you can still have another shot at the UCAT. There is, however, a caveat. Undergraduate medical programs are meant for school leavers; some schools will not offer admissions to non-school leavers, i.e., students already enrolled in other undergraduate courses.
But this does not mean that you cannot give it another shot. Re-taking the UCAT can increase your chances of improving your score since you have more time to prepare and you’re familiar with the test. If you’re determined enough, re-taking the UCAT is a serious option to consider.
If you decide to retake the UCAT consider enrolling in a Fraser’s UCAT courses we offer Strategy Weekend sessions, our inaugural Concentrated Program and our legacy Comprehensive Program.
In 2025, these programs supported Fraser’s students in achieving an average overall score of 2030 (7.35%) higher than the public average.
Move On and Focus on an Alternative Pathway into Medicine
Moving on does not mean you give up on your medical dreams. In fact, the majority of students get into medicine at the graduate level via Doctor of Medicine (MD) programs.
You apply for the MD after completing an undergraduate degree and taking the GAMSAT. So, if you got a low UCAT score, do not worry, you can still become a doctor, and you can do it with the peace of mind that the majority of students get into medicine via graduate programs anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to deal with a bad UCAT score?
Receiving a bad UCAT score can be discouraging, but it’s important to remember that it is only one part of your medical school application. You can still apply to universities that place greater emphasis on ATAR or interview performance. It’s also important to remember that you have other options. You could take a gap year to study and retake the UCAT, or begin an undergraduate degree and pursue medicine through a postgraduate pathway later on.
What happens if you do bad on the UCAT?
If you perform poorly on the UCAT, your chances of receiving interview offers from universities that heavily weight the UCAT may decrease. However, it does not automatically rule out admission to medicine. Some universities asses applicants more holistically, meaning a strong ATAR or excellent interview performance can still make you competitive for a offer.
Can you get into medicine with a low UCAT score?
Yes, it is still possible to get into medicine with a low UCAT score. Some universities consider multiple factors, such as ATAR, interviews, and personal circumstances, when assessing applicants. In addition, there are medical programs that do not require the UCAT. If undergraduate entry doesn’t work out, you can also pursue graduate entry medicine later by completing a bachelor’s degree and sitting the GAMSAT.
Where To Next?
If you received a low UCAT score, your dream of becoming a doctor isn’t over. Check out more of our articles to help you plan your next steps.
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