Decision Making 

  • The decision-making section of the UCAT tests your ability to reach a decision or conclusion. 

  • Some questions have four answer options while some require you to respond to five statements by placing a yes or no answer next to each statement. 

  • Questions types include:

  • Syllogisms 

  • Logical Puzzles 

  • Recognising assumptions 

  • Interpreting information 

  • Venn diagrams 

  • Probability 

We will look at each type in detail below. Please note some images on mobile might be difficult to read.

Question types

Syllogisms

For this question type you get partial marks i.e. if you get all the options correct you get two marks and if you get one wrong you get a mark. 

  • Drawing Venn diagrams makes it easier to solve this question type. 

  • For example, if we draw a Venn diagram as shown below, it makes it much easier to answer the question.

Logic Puzzles

  • Using your notepad is very important with this type of question don’t try to work it all out in your head drawing a diagram is more effective. 

  • Shortening any names or colours given in the question when drawing your diagram also helps to save a lot of time.

Recognising Assumptions

  • This question type is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require any calculations.

  • It is important not to let your personal opinions affect the way you answer this question type. Don’t pick the answer option you agree with the most, choose the answer option that effectively addresses every part of the argument and isn’t a broad statement.

Interpreting Information 

The information given could be a passage, pie chart, table or graph. The key thing with this question type it to use your whiteboard to present the information in a way which you can understand it. That is what is key.

Venn Diagrams

Some questions give you a Venn diagram in the question or give you some information and ask you to choose a suitable Venn diagram from the answer options while some require you to draw a Venn diagram to answer the question.

Make sure you are also aware how to quickly identify segments which apply to the question.

The correct answer for the question on the is B.

Probability and Statistics 

Drawing tree diagrams for some of the probability questions makes them easier to answer.

Top Tips for Decision Making!

  • Draw Venn diagrams for syllogism questions - it makes it very easy to categorise information and answer the question quickly. 

  • For graph questions read both axes carefully. 

  • Keep your notes concise and shorten names to save time when answering logical puzzle questions.

  • Make use of your notepad. Make your workings clear so you can easily find information if you go back to answer a question. 

  • Draw diagrams for logical puzzle questions. 

  • Don't make assumptions, correlation does not always equal causation.

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