Quantitative Reasoning

The quantitative reasoning section of the UCAT tests your arithmetic skills 

  • Some questions are standalone while some are connected to the same data 

  • There is an on-screen calculator present to help with this section 

  • When practising for this section it is better to use a desktop computer with a number pad and a mouse to accurately mimic the UCAT test environment 

  • Most of the questions have a chart or graph with data 

  • Question types include:

    • Percentage changes and decimal equivalents 

    • Unit conversion - weight, currency exchange, time and temperature 

    • Rates - rates for flow

    • Speed questions 

    • Averages- mean median mode 

      Please note some images on mobile might be difficult to read.

The UCAT calculator 

  • Pressing the backspace or  ON/C button on the calculator deletes all the numbers on the calculator 

  • To store numbers on the calculator use the M+ button 

  • To recall stored numbers use the MRC button 

  • To delete stored numbers use the M- button 

Exploring question types

Percentage changes and decimal equivalents 

You might be asked to calculate a change in percentage. To do so use the following formula:

Percentage change = (Final Value - Original Value) / Original Value

Unit conversion - weight, currency exchange, time and temperature 

This type of question can take some time to answer due to the conversions therefore if you find yourself spending a lot of time on questions like this make an educated guess, flag and skip so you have time for some easier questions

Shapes - Volume, Area and Perimeter 

For this type of question it is important to be aware of formulas to calculate volumes, areas and perimeters for common shapes. We have attached them all further down in the page.

Tax

Calculating tax can be really confusing because of the tax brackets so it’s important to do a lot of practice questions to get yourself used to it. 

For this question type you will always be provided with tax bracket data so don’t spend any time to commit this data to memory.

Speed

You might be asked to solve speed related questions.

Ensure you have a good understanding of velocity/time graphs and acceleration/time graphs.

Averages - Mean, Median & Mode 

Mean = Total of all numbers Amount of numbers

  • Median = The middle value when the numbers are in order, if two numbers are in the middle take the average

  • Mode = The value which appears the most 

  • Range = Largest value - the smallest value 

  • For example: 3,3,5,6,7,7,8,9

    • Mean -  (3+3+5+6+7+7+8+9) / 8= 6

    • Median - (6+7) / 2= 6.5

    • Mode - 3 and 7 

    • Range - 6

Quantitative Reasoning Top Tips

  • Improve your mental math. You can do this by playing brain games like Elevate and Lumosity 

  • Do simple calculations in your head or use the notepad 

  • Don’t use the UCAT calculator for all your calculations it wastes time

  • Use your notepad to make notes of your workings in an organised way so you can easily go back to your workings if you go through the question again 

  • Memorise useful formulas and conversions 

  • Estimate especially when the answer options are very different from each other  

  • Make sure you understand compound interests and tax brackets 

  • Read the axes of the graph very carefully 

Click here to go back to the overview page. Scroll down for useful formulas, conversions and equations.

Conversions, Formulas and Question Types

Conversions

Formulas

Equations

Speed (m/s) = Distance (m) / Time (s)

Percentage change = (Final Value - Original Value) / Original Value

Mean = Total of all numbers / Amount of numbers