BMAT
BMAT Registration 2023 and BMAT Guide 2023 for 2024 entry
Important: the BMAT no longer exists. The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) was discontinued by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing, and its final sitting took place in October 2023. There has been no BMAT since, there is nothing to register for, and it is not returning. If you have landed here looking to book or register for the BMAT, you do not need to: every UK medical, dental and veterinary school that previously used the BMAT has now moved to the UCAT (or its own admissions test). Read our UCAT registration guide and our UCAT 2025 changes explainer for what to do instead.
In short: the only admissions test you now need for almost every UK medical and dental school is the UCAT. Former BMAT universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Brighton and Sussex, Lancaster and Leeds switched to the UCAT from 2024 entry onwards. There is no BMAT registration, no BMAT test date, and no BMAT results to wait for.
Historical note: the very last BMAT was sat on Wednesday 18 October 2023 (for 2024 entry). No BMAT has been offered since.
October 2023 was the last time the BMAT ever ran. The rest of this page is kept as a historical record of how the BMAT worked; the practical advice for current applicants is to focus entirely on the UCAT.
Because the BMAT no longer exists, there is no preparation timeline, registration deadline or test date to plan for. Your energy should go into the UCAT instead: see our guide on how to prepare for the UCAT and the UCAT revision hub to build a study plan.
Organised students should now focus on the UCAT. If you would like help planning your application or boosting your UCAT score, you can book a free consultation, explore UCAT tutoring, or practise with our online UCAT question bank.
Key BMAT Test Dates & BMAT Registration in 2023
The BMAT Dates for 2023 (2024 entry) have now been released - it will take place on Wednesday 18th October 2023.
BMAT Test Dates 2023 for 2024 entry in the UK are:
- 1st September 2023 - BMAT Registration Opens (the test centre must register on your behalf - for most people, this is most commonly your school or college. This is how to book BMAT).
- 16 September 2023 - Deadline to apply for modified papers (e.g. enlarged print)
- 29th September 2023 @ 18:00 UK Time - BMAT Registration Deadline 2023 - for test centres to register candidates at a normal price. Deadline for applications for access arrangements.
- 18th October 2023 - BMAT test date.
- 26th November 2023 - BMAT results released
- 1st December 2023 - Deadline to apply for a results enquiry
We recommend placing these BMAT 2023 dates into your diary to help ensure you sign up for the BMAT in a timely fashion.
In the past, there has been a BMAT September and a BMAT November sitting, this has now changed to only a BMAT October Date in 2023. As such, there is no BMAT November 2023 sitting.
When does BMAT Registration open in 2023?
- In 2023, BMAT registration will open on 1st September 2023
When is bmat 2023?
- The BMAT will take place on 18th October 2023 for 2024 entry.
When is the BMAT Registration deadline in 2023 for 2024 entry?
- The BMAT Registration Deadline in 2022 wass 30th September 2022. We expect the 2023 deadline to remain similar.
How do I register for the BMAT in 2023?
There is a fairly straightforward process for BMAT booking in 2023:
- Find a test centre (most commonly your school or college - for most people, this will be your school or college. Alternatively have a look at the global network of test centres that run the BMAT.
- Register for the BMAT
- Ask the exams officer to register you, and provide all of the necessary personal details, including name, date of birth, UCAS number, which universities you are applying to and any additional information requested (e.g. BMAT Access Arrangements)
- Receive your BMAT candidate number
- This starts with a B and is 5 digits long
Once registered - you will have a candidate entry number from your Exams Officer. This starts with a B and is followed by 5 digits.
Has the BMAT been cancelled for 2023 or 2024?
The Cambridge Assessments Admissions Testing (CAAT) has announced that the BMAT, TMUA, NSAA, and ENGAA will no longer be offered in the 2024 (for 2025 entry) university application cycle. This may come as a surprise to students who were planning to apply to courses that require them, but we've put together a helpful guide to answer all of your questions and provide the latest updates based on this announcement.
What replaced the BMAT?
The UCAT replaced the BMAT for almost every UK medical and dental course. Universities that previously required the BMAT, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Lancaster and Leeds, now use the UCAT (a small number set their own additional assessments). In practice this means there is no longer a separate science-and-essay admissions test for medicine: the UCAT is the one test the vast majority of applicants sit. Read our UCAT 2025 changes guide to understand the current format.
So when is the last date the BMAT will run?
The last date of the BMAT will be in October 2023 (ie for 2024 entry). There will be no BMAT sitting after this.
How does that affect me as a current student?
- Currently in year 11 - you will sit a different exam that is not the BMAT (no announcement yet as to which)
- Currently in year 12 - you will be sitting the BMAT in 2023 for 2024 entry
Why did they cancel and discontinue the BMAT?
According to the results, there is no strong evidence that the BMAT effectively predicts performance at a university level. It's possible that these findings played a role in the decision to discontinue the BMAT, but CAAT has not provided any information to confirm this.
Key BMAT Changes in 2023 - for 2024 Entry
As of writing, there are no changes announced yet for the BMAT for 2024 entry - other than it will likely be the last year of the BMAT!
That means the BMAT sitting in 2023 will be the last year that this exam is run.
In 2022 there were several key changes that everyone sitting the BMAT must know [not confirmed for 2024 entry]
1. BMAT Test Date - The BMAT will be two weeks earlier than normal, and will be on 18th October 2022.
2. Location - The BMAT in 2023 will be pen and paper only (in the past due to COVID it has been online).
3. BMAT Registration Deadline - The BMAT registration deadline is fixed for 29th September 2023 - no late entries will be accepted (this has been possible in the past).
4. Cost - The price of the BMAT has increased in 2022 to £75
BMAT Costs & Fees
In 2023 the BMAT will cost £78 (in the UK & EU).
If you are sitting the BMAT outside of the UK or EU this will cost £104.
There is also a fee for results enquiries or appeals should you wish to pursue this - which will cost £38 in 2022.
UCAT tutoring
Master the UCAT, 1-1
A bespoke plan across VR, DM, QR and SJT.
- 1-1 with top-scoring UCAT tutors, never group classes
- Targeted drills that iron out your weakest subtests
- Honest, tailored strategy from diagnostic to test day
When Is It Best To Sit The BMAT?
Remember you only have one choice this year - it is to sit the BMAT in October 2023.
This section is historical. There is no BMAT to sit in any year now. The test you should be planning around is the UCAT, which is usually taken in the summer before you apply through UCAS. See our UCAT registration and key dates guide for the current timeline.
In the past, there was a choice between September and November for sitting for the BMAT. This is no longer the case.
To confirm - there were no November 2022 BMAT Dates - it was in October 2022.
However, it’s worth noting that you only sit the exam after submitting your UCAS application, so you find out your BMAT score after applying to medical school. This means you must apply strategically with only your UCAT Score and BMAT score coming later.
Whether you decide to take the test will depend on a variety of factors - for example, how much time you will have over the summer for UCAT preparation, medicine work experience, extracurriculars and other commitments.
BMAT Dates - September vs October 2022
Whilst currently it is only possible to sit the exam in October - previously there was a big debate on this. Our view is that it is better to apply for October when you have a greater chance of shining and dedicate enough time for your UCAT preparation.
Which Year Do You Take The BMAT? Do You Take BMAT In Year 12 or 13?
The BMAT is taken in the first October of Year 13 - in 2022 it was 18th October 2022 and in 2023 it will be on 18th October 2023.
As such, preparation for the BMAT should only really begin once you start year 13 - any time before and you should have spent more time doing section 2 revision.
The BMAT Test is taken in the first term of year 13. The BMAT registration takes place within this term.
Your BMAT results are released online about one month later. Therefore, you must apply to your universities BEFORE you have sat or even know the results of the BMAT.
Remember to contact our BMAT Tutors to help boost your BMAT score.
This year there will be no September BMAT sitting. It will only go ahead in October.
BMAT Tutoring
If you are unsure how to proceed, consider booking a free consultation with one of our BMAT experts.
Check out our BMAT tutoring packages and BMAT Courses here.
Who should sit the BMAT?
Should I sit the BMAT?
It is a difficult decision to decide whether to sit the BMAT or not. Your decision will largely depend on your UCAT score, and which universities you want to apply to and whether they require the BMAT or not. Remember you will not have your BMAT score before applying so you must realise that this is a risk. We would recommend not applying to more than 2 BMAT universities. You should consider sitting the BMAT if you want to apply to a university that requires the BMAT such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Lancaster, Brighton, or if you had a poor UCAT score so are using the BMAT for another option of medical school.
BMAT Universities 2023
The BMAT Test is used by a handful of Medical, Dental & Veterinary Schools across the UK and internationally.
If you want to apply to a university that looks at the BMAT, you will need to sit this exam. Find out more on our guide to BMAT Universities.
Some people choose to only focus on the UCAT, however, choosing to sit the BMAT allows you to apply to a greater variety of universities that may look at registering for the BMAT.
Check out our comprehensive guide on which UK Medical schools look at the BMAT, along with how they interpret the scores. The BMAT is the exam for Oxbridge in 2023.
UCAT tutoring
Choose your 1-1 UCAT package
Rated 5.0 from 550+ reviews. Weekly 1-1 sessions with top-scoring tutors, built around your weakest subtests.
BMAT Preparation 2023
When To Start Preparing For BMAT? How to prepare for the BMAT?
We normally recommend that you start preparing for the BMAT at the beginning of September 2023 if not earlier. This will allow you enough time (6 weeks) to go through all of the prerequisite material for each of the sections and ace your bmat revision and mean that you have enough time to prepare for the bmat.
Check out our BMAT Scoring Guide for more help on how the BMAT is scored.
BMAT 2023 Sections
The BMAT tests a broad range of skills across three sections:
- Section 1: problem-solving, understanding arguments and data analysis & inference. You have 32 multiple choice questions to answer in 60 minutes.
- Section 2: applying scientific knowledge to different problems. You have 27 multiple choice questions to answer in 30 minutes
- Section 3: applying, developing and organising ideas and effectively communicating them. You will write one essay from a choice of three, to be written within 30 minutes.
Find out more about the BMAT Sections through our Ultimate Guide to the BMAT Sections for 2023.
BMAT Overview
BMAT Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing
BMAT stands for the biomedical admissions test, which is a necessary part of the application for many medical schools, dental schools and veterinary medicine schools.
We recommend accessing our BMAT Universities page to find out more about which universities require the BMAT for 2024 entry.
This is a different test from the UCAT exam and tests different concepts. The BMAT assesses a combination of aptitude and knowledge - quite the opposite of the UCAT!
It is expected that students will generally have acquired the necessary knowledge before the test throughout academic work, so theoretically, not much revision is necessary.
However, we always recommend hard work, which starts here in our BMAT Guide.
How to revise for BMAT? We recommend that the best BMAT preparation includes:
- Attending one of our one-day BMAT courses
- Practice past papers
- Get one-to-one teaching with one of our expert BMAT tutors.
- Using the best BMAT resources.
What Are The Best BMAT Resources in 2023?
Best BMAT resources:
- BMAT Past Papers 2023
- BMAT Course Online 2023
- BMAT Tutoring 2023
- BMAT Specification 2023 - acts as a bmat revision guide.
- BMAT Official Website
BMAT Ninja
The BMAT Ninja is a good resource that you can use to help answer questions from past papers that are grouped in themes across all the past papers. This can be good if you are finding a particular topic tricky - however, we would advocate doing these past papers as a whole first, to ensure that you are replicating the exam conditions as best as possible.
Medify BMAT
Medify has a wide selection of BMAT questions. While some of them are of questionable quality, overall this is an excellent resource to help you develop your confidence in answering BMAT medify questions. To book a BMAT Course with a qualified doctor, click here.
Kaplan BMAT
The Kaplan BMAT book and its accompanying Kaplan BMAT strategy book is an excellent book to help provide an overview of the BMAT before starting, before exploring each section in more detail, with questions of the highest standard, they also run Kaplan BMAT courses throughout the year. To book a BMAT Course with a qualified doctor, click here.
BMAT Past Papers
We recommend going through every relevant BMAT past paper, and using these not only to answer questions that are as close to the real exam but its help you tailor your revision to your weaknesses. As such, there is no singular best book for the BMAT, we would recommend using a mix of online and offline resources.
BMAT Test Centres & International Students
For most applicants - your school or college will act as the BMAT test centre. In the past, when the BMAT was largely conducted with pen and paper, this was much easier to organise.
As a result - we recommend checking with your school and college at your earliest convenience. Failing that, please check out the BMAT website for more information on BMAT Test Centres in your local area or country. This is especially the case for BMAT Thailand, BMAT Singapore and BMAT Netherlands.
BMAT International students
International students applying for the BMAT have a similar application process to those applying from the UK & EU.
This also applies to those looking for BMAT registration in Singapore - please follow the guidance on the admissions testing website.
Generally, for international students, BMAT universities require a higher BMAT score than those of their UK counterparts - this is largely owing to the increased competition. We would strongly encourage you to speak to one of our BMAT tutors about this.
BMAT Tips for 2023
The first thing that is crucial to accept is, for the BMAT, practice truly makes perfect. After you have completed your BMAT registration, the best starting point is here with our comprehensive BMAT Guide; you will be guided through each section, followed by practice questions and detailed answers. Following this, we always recommend you visit the official BMAT resources and past papers to give you further indication of what to expect.
As you will see, most questions are medically-oriented, especially in the sciences of Biology and Chemistry; we highly recommend you revisit your old textbooks, both GCSE and A-level, to refresh any key concepts that you will further uncover through this guide.
Timing is undoubtedly the most important concept to manage in the BMAT; you will be pushed for time, especially on the more difficult questions, and this is where your temperament for handling the trickier questions will be crucial. Remember there are access arrangements for the BMAT available. As you will uncover, there are techniques for tackling easier questions to buy you additional time for the more difficult ones.
BMAT Bursary & 2023 BMAT Access Arrangements
There is a bursary available for anyone who wishes to sit the BMAT but are unable to cover the cost of sitting the exam. Unfortunately, you cannot be reimbursed for late fees or administration fees. You will need to meet the BMAT Access Arrangements criteria to do so, which has a deadline of 30th September 2023.
Can You Get Extra Time In The BMAT?
If you normally qualify for access arrangements in examinations - you may well be eligible for these in the BMAT 2023 Test Dates - be it extra time, alternative modes of doing the exam or special venues.
This is constantly evolving - please see the BMAT Access Arrangements website for the latest guidance on access arrangements.
Does the BMAT have the equivalent for UCATSEN?
In short - yes! If you qualified for the UCATSEN, you will likely be eligible for extra time on the BMAT exam in 2023 - please note that this year it is likely that the BMAT will be a computer exam, so please bear this in mind depending on your arrangements. Contact our BMAT Tutors to help boost your BMAT score.
How Do I Arrange BMAT Access Arrangements?
The most efficient way is to contact your local test centre and inform them of the need and reason for the BMAT access arrangements. You will likely be required to show proof of this to them.
What proof do I need for BMAT Access Arrangements?
As you may well have had to do for the UCATSEN, you will need to show evidence of your disability - this may well be through a certificate, doctor's letter, or supporting statement from your school or college.
Ultimate Package
Choose your Ultimate Package
Rated 5.0 from 550+ reviews. 1-1 mentoring from doctors across UCAT, personal statement and interviews.
How long is the BMAT test?
The BMAT test is 2 hours long and is traditionally a pen-and-paper test.
You are not permitted the use of a calculator, dictionary or any other aid.
NB: In 2021 - The BMAT was a computer-based test, due to concerns regarding the pandemic. But in 2022 the BMAT was a pen and paper test. That means that in 2023 it is also likely to be a pen & paper based test.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMAT still used in 2026?
No. The BMAT is no longer used by any UK university. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing discontinued the BMAT after its final sitting in October 2023, and it has not run since. There is no BMAT in 2025 or 2026, and no BMAT registration. Universities that once required it now use the UCAT or their own admissions assessments.
What replaced the BMAT?
The UCAT replaced the BMAT for almost every UK medical and dental course. Former BMAT universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, Brighton and Sussex, Lancaster and Leeds, now use the UCAT. A handful set their own additional tests, but for the vast majority of applicants the UCAT is now the single admissions test you need to sit.
Do I still need to take the BMAT?
No, you do not need to take the BMAT for any UK university. The BMAT was discontinued in 2023, so there is nothing to sit or register for. Instead, you should register for and prepare for the UCAT, which is the test that replaced it. Check each university's website to confirm exactly which admissions test it requires.
How do I register for the BMAT?
You cannot register for the BMAT: it no longer exists and was last offered in October 2023. There is no test centre, no booking process and no deadline. If you were planning to register for the BMAT, you should instead register for the UCAT through the official UCAT website. Our UCAT registration guide explains the process and key dates.
When is the BMAT exam date in 2025 or 2026?
There is no BMAT exam date in 2025 or 2026. The last BMAT was sat on 18 October 2023, and the test has been discontinued permanently. If you are looking for an admissions test date, you need the UCAT, which is usually taken between July and the autumn deadline in the year before entry. See our UCAT registration and key dates guide.
Why was the BMAT cancelled?
Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing discontinued the BMAT (along with the TMUA, NSAA and ENGAA in their original forms) from the 2024 entry cycle. Reporting at the time pointed to limited evidence that the BMAT reliably predicted university performance, alongside Cambridge Assessment's wider decision to step back from admissions testing. Universities then moved to the UCAT.
Does Oxford still require the BMAT for medicine?
No. Oxford no longer uses the BMAT for medicine. Since 2024 entry, Oxford requires the UCAT instead, as do Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and the other former BMAT medical schools. Always confirm the current admissions test on each university's own course page, but the BMAT is no longer part of any UK medicine application.
What is the UCAT and how is it different from the old BMAT?
The UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) is a computer-based aptitude test taken before you apply through UCAS. Unlike the old BMAT, it does not test scientific knowledge or include an essay. It now has four scored subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the Situational Judgement Test) and is scored out of 2700 after Abstract Reasoning was removed for 2025.
Are old BMAT past papers still useful?
Not for your application. Because the BMAT has been discontinued, old BMAT past papers no longer reflect any test you will sit. Some students use BMAT science and critical-thinking questions for general practice, but your preparation time is far better spent on UCAT-specific practice through our UCAT revision hub and online question bank.
Is BMAT the same as the UCAT or UKCAT?
No. The BMAT and the UCAT were two different tests. The UCAT (formerly called the UKCAT) is an aptitude test with no science content, while the BMAT also tested scientific knowledge and included an essay. The BMAT has now been discontinued, so the UCAT (still sometimes called the UKCAT) is the test you need for UK medicine and dentistry.
What about the 'BMAT' for medical admission in other countries (such as Bangladesh)?
Some countries run their own tests that share the BMAT name or acronym, such as Bangladesh's medical admission test. These are separate from the UK BioMedical Admissions Test and are unrelated to UK medical school applications. This guide, and TheUKCATPeople, cover UK applications, where the relevant test is now the UCAT.
How do I register for the UCAT instead?
You register for the UCAT on the official UCAT website during the booking window, which usually opens in the summer before you apply. You will need photo ID and to pay the test fee, then book a slot at a Pearson VUE test centre or sit it online. Our UCAT registration and key dates guide walks through every step and deadline.
Will the BMAT ever come back?
There is no indication the BMAT will return. Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing closed down its admissions testing operation, and universities have already embedded the UCAT into their selection processes from 2024 entry onwards. You should plan your application entirely around the UCAT and the requirements published by each university you apply to.
Which test should I prepare for now?
Prepare for the UCAT. It is the admissions test used by almost all UK medical and dental schools now that the BMAT has gone. Start with our guide on how to prepare for the UCAT, build a timetable from the UCAT revision hub, and practise with the online UCAT question bank to maximise your score before you apply.
Contact us
Still have questions about your application?
Speak to a doctor or admissions expert, free. No obligation, just honest advice on your next step.
Keep reading
