Entry into medical programs across Australia and New Zealand is an arduously long and highly competitive process. A pivotal step in this journey is the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) an admissions test that comprises of 184 multiple-choice questions. It is a prerequisite for several Australian undergraduate medical, dental, and clinical science programs.
The UCAT has been previously described as a difficult test, where it assesses cognitive skills that you may not be utilising on a regular basis at school or university, at least not explicitly. Both your academic performance and [UCAT results](https://www.frasersmedical.com/blogs/what-ucat-score-is-needed-for-medicine-bd7bf#:~:text=Most students tend to gain,a high score - well done!) are crucial for admission into medical schools. This dual focus makes the choice of senior high school subjects an important decision.
Although the UCAT does not test direct academic content, it evaluates skills that are indirectly nurtured through certain Year 12 subjects. The UCAT is primarily concerned with cognitive skills learned in mathematics and English classes in high school; skills that you will likely already have, perhaps with the exception of time management skills and balancing your high school study with UCAT study.
In this article, we’ll explore how to choose Year 12 subjects that will enhance your academic results, build relevant cognitive skills for the UCAT, and set you up for success in your journey toward a medical career.
One of the most common concerns among aspiring medical students is how to maximise their chances of getting into an undergraduate medical program. Many students ask UCAT tutors: “Are there specific Year 12 subjects that can help me prepare for both medicine and the UCAT?”
The best approach is to carefully select your subjects after considering key factors such as:
- The prerequisites for your target universities.
- Your desired ATAR score and how subjects scale.
- Your personal strengths and areas of interest.
- Subjects that can improve your performance in the UCAT or support your success in medical school.
There are areas within the four sections of the updated UCAT that align with specific subjects, which may help supplement the skills required to perform well. However, it's important to remember that these subjects serve as helpful supplements, not substitutes, for dedicated UCAT preparation. Notably, abstract reasoning was removed from the UCAT in 2025. A well-rounded approach involves targeted UCAT study, alongside your high school academics to truly maximise your score.
By balancing these factors, you can strategically choose Year 11 and 12 subjects that will not only enhance your academic results but also give you an edge in the highly competitive medical admissions process).
A great deal of the UCAT exam evaluates your reading comprehension skills. English literature classes are particularly beneficial in building a strong foundation for excelling in the UCAT, as they focus on the analysis and interpretation of texts of varying lengths and complexities. This is an excellent foundation for the Verbal Reasoning and Decision Making subtest, and will also assist in your understanding of what is being asked more broadly across other sections.
In the Australian curriculum, English literature emphasises the exploration of themes, beliefs, assumptions, and underlying meanings in texts. This analytical approach can greatly enhance your understanding of the UCAT’s reading comprehension questions, enabling you to recognize nuanced implications and improve your overall response accuracy.
Additionally, developing an awareness of subtle, and sometimes implicit, messages in texts can support your performance in the Situational Judgment test. By honing your ability to identify deeper implications in written material, you will be able to more deeply and effectively consider the implications of various decisions and responses.
While English literature will be the most closely aligned with UCAT demands, any English course will help refine your skills and strengthen your approach to the exam's reading comprehension challenges.
Unlike English, the UCAT requires specific mathematical skills that you need to master. The UCAT exam covers a range of topics, including probability, algebra, statistics, arithmetic, geometry, and Venn diagrams. To effectively prepare, it’s important to select a maths stream that that will cover all of these skills. While most maths courses will cover these topics, some medical universities may have specific requirements for the level of maths you need to study.
In addition to mastering these core topics, it's essential to strengthen your overall mathematical ability. A key challenge in the UCAT lies in time management, meaning you will often be racing against the clock in order to complete all of the questions. On this basis, you will benefit from building a strong competency in basic mental math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as you will not have the time to solve these questions on a calculator.
Developing an understanding across all of these areas will ensure that you aren’t left wondering how to solve the more math based problems found in Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning.
Since the UCAT primarily tests cognitive skills learned through subjects like English and mathematics, you likely already have the foundational skills required to succeed in the UCAT. However, as the UCAT is a psychometric test, it's necessary to prepare with targeted UCAT studies to ensure achieve a competitive score
To boost your performance, consider dedicating time to understanding key concepts relevant to the test, such as medical ethics for the Situational Judgment section. You may also want to explore the theory behind the mathematics for Quantitative Reasoning, or refresh your knowledge of probability for the Decision Making subtest.
Creating a personalised UCAT study plan that addresses your strengths and areas for improvement will help you focus your efforts and maximise your performance on test day.
Choosing the right subjects while preparing for the UCAT and medical school applications can be tough to balance. At Fraser’s Medical, we’re dedicated to offering comprehensive UCAT preparation to help students succeed.
Explore our diverse programs and take advantage of our FREE LMS system to enhance your skills in tackling UCAT questions with practice tests. With expert guidance, personalized mentoring, and access to valuable resources, you’ll build the confidence and abilities needed to excel in all four UCAT sections.
If you are applying to a medical school that gives a significant preference to medical interviews, check out our mock interview courses and take advantage of our freely available articles and tools. They highlight the intricacies of stepping into medical school and discuss the various question types presented at medical interviews, be it MMI or a panel interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to study specific subjects to excel in the UCAT?
No, the UCAT tests aptitude rather than academic content. However, subjects like Mathematics, Biology, and English can help develop skills that are useful for the UCAT.
When should I start preparing for the UCAT?
It’s best to start 3-6 months before your test date. Early preparation helps you manage Year 12 studies alongside UCAT practice.
What’s the best way to practice for the UCAT?
Practice regularly with timed mock exams and focus on improving your weakest sections.
Is it possible to balance Year 12 studies and UCAT preparation?
Yes, with effective time management and support, you can succeed in both.
