UCAT Abstract Reasoning Guide
Important: Abstract Reasoning (AR) was removed from the UCAT from the 2025 test (2026 entry) and is no longer part of the exam. The UCAT now has three scored cognitive subtests, Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning, marked out of 2700 in total (300 to 900 each), plus the Situational Judgement Test (SJT), which is reported in bands 1 to 4. This page keeps a short history of what Abstract Reasoning used to involve, then points you to the subtests you actually need to revise today.
If you are revising for the UCAT now, you do not need to practise Abstract Reasoning. Skip to the current subtests instead: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the SJT. The rest of this page explains what AR used to test, why it was scrapped and where to focus your preparation.
Written by qualified doctors. Find out about the question types, timing, example questions and tips & tricks from the best in the business!
Here you can work out and learn about different ucat abstract reasoning patterns that are fundamental for your own knowledge.
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What are UCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions?
Abstract Reasoning was removed from the UCAT from the 2025 test (2026 entry), so it no longer appears in the exam or counts towards your score. Historically, the AR subtest assessed your ability to identify patterns among abstract shapes, often with irrelevant or distracting material designed to mislead you into the wrong conclusion.
UCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions assesses your ability to identify patterns amongst abstract shapes where irrelevant and distracting material may lead to incorrect conclusions.
The test, therefore, measures your ability to change track, critically evaluate and generate hypotheses and requires you to query judgements as you go along.
Because AR no longer exists, your revision time is better spent on the three scored subtests. Read our deep-dive guides on Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning, and see the full overview in our What is the UCAT? guide.
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Why Include UCAT Abstract Reasoning?
Quite often patients will present with a myriad of symptoms that a clinician must interpret. The clinician must take into account several different factors, some of which might be misleading, before deciphering which ones are pertinent.
Making such judgements are akin to those in Abstract Reasoning. Research within medicine and dentistry also involves identifying patterns in results to generate further hypotheses.
The skills AR once tested (spotting patterns and ignoring distractors) are now assessed within Decision Making and, to an extent, Quantitative Reasoning. For the full timeline of what changed and why, read our explainer on the UCAT 2025 changes: Abstract Reasoning removed and new scoring out of 2700.
👉🏻 Read more: Top Tips For UCAT Abstract Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning UCAT Timing
Historically, Abstract Reasoning gave you 13 minutes (plus one minute of instruction time) to answer 55 questions across four question types. These timings are no longer relevant because AR was removed in 2025. The current UCAT runs to four subtests: Verbal Reasoning (22 minutes, 44 questions), Decision Making (32 minutes, 29 questions), Quantitative Reasoning (25 minutes, 36 questions) and the Situational Judgement Test (27 minutes, 69 questions).
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Maximum UCAT Abstract Reasoning Score
Historically, Abstract Reasoning was scored from 300 to 900, the same scaled range as the other cognitive subtests. That score no longer exists because AR was removed in 2025. The UCAT total is now out of 2700, made up of three scored subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning), each scaled 300 to 900, plus the SJT reported in bands 1 to 4.
Minimum UCAT Abstract Reasoning Score: 300
Remember to contact our UCAT Tutors to find out more about how we can boost your chances of finding the correct answer in test questions and improve your abstract reasoning ability.
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Average UCAT Abstract Reasoning Score
When Abstract Reasoning still ran, the average AR score was roughly 600 to 650, but this figure is now historical only because AR was removed in 2025. To gauge where you stand today, look at the average and decile data for the three current subtests instead.
This is why you must master your UCAT preparation to have the best chance of doing well in your abstract reasoning questions in the UCAT.
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Abstract Reasoning Example UCAT Question
Abstract Reasoning UCAT Type 1 Example Question
Answers:
B, N, A, A, B
In set A, the top left is always empty, and the top right space is always occupied.
In set B, the top right is always empty, and the top left is always occupied.
You can find more ucat abstract reasoning questions for free across the internet by googling this term, we like the free bank at Passmedicine for abstract reasoning questions.
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UCAT Abstract Reasoning Question Types
There are four types of questions that appear in the UCAT (UKCAT) Abstract Reasoning subtest.
Note: the four AR question types below are kept for historical reference only. None of them appear in the current UCAT. To practise the live subtests under realistic timed conditions, use the UCAT trainer and question bank, and browse free strategy guides in our UCAT Guides hub.
- Type 1 UCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions: Here you will be presented with two sets of shapes that are labelled “Set A” and “Set B”. You will be given a test shape and be asked to decide which of the following multiple-choice options the test shape belongs to Set A, Set B or Neither.
- Type 2 UCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions: Here you will be presented with a series of four shapes, and be asked to decide which test shape would be the next in the series.
- Type 3 UCAT Abstract Reasoning Questions: You will be presented with a statement that involves a group of shapes. You will be asked to select the shape that completes that statement best, ie, which fills in the gap.
- Type 4 Abstract Reasoning UCAT Questions: You will be presented with two sets of shapes labelled “Set A” and “Set B” and you will be asked to select which of the four response options belongs to Set A or Set B.
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UKCAT Abstract Reasoning Common Patterns
There are many mnemonics available for you to help decipher the ucat abstract reasoning patterns. The most popular mnemonic is SCANS which stands for:
- Size
- Colour
- Angle
- Number (of shapes)
- Sides & Symmetry
Join one of our 1-1 UCAT Tutoring sessions or our UCAT Courses where we teach a uniquely developed mnemonic to boost your chances of finding the most common abstract reasoning patterns.
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UCAT Abstract Reasoning Tips and Strategies
Here is a list of the most useful ukcat abstract reasoning tips as written by our qualified doctors, these are also taught on our UCAT courses and during our 1-1 UCAT Tutoring:
- You need to develop a solid approach to tackling these questions:
- Always look at both sets first, do not look at any of the test shapes
- Then look at the simplest few boxes and try to identify the pattern
- Try to match to a test shape
- Timing is the most important in the UKCAT Abstract Reasoning - make sure that you pace yourself. Use different milestones throughout the test to ensure that you always know roughly how you are doing. In 2017, 18% of candidates failed to answer every question in the abstract reasoning test.
- Always start by reviewing Set A and Set B, only once you work out the pattern is it worth looking at the test shapes to answer the question - otherwise, these may be misleading.
- Use some of our recommended ucat question banks to help practice these patterns.
- Several common categories tend to come up within patterns: number of objects, sides of objects, shading, colour, symmetry, angles, position and direction.
- You may use the laminated board and permanent marker pen to help where and if necessary.
- The patterns that occur in Set A and Set B Abstract Reasoning are often linked. Once you know what one of them is, the other will only take a few seconds to work out.
- Use the flag option if you need to, if you find a question hard, guess it and move on, to maximise your chances of having a good UCAT score.
- Remember, sometimes patterns are hard, if you’re spending too much time on a question, guess the answers and move on, but during your ukcat abstract reasoning practice, try to spend time working on each question.
👉🏻 Read more: Top Tips For UCAT Abstract Reasoning
👉🏻 Read more: Top Tips For UCAT Quantitative Reasoning
👉🏻 Read more: Top Tips For UCAT Verbal Reasoning
Frequently asked questions
Is Abstract Reasoning still in the UCAT?
No. Abstract Reasoning was removed from the UCAT from the 2025 test (2026 entry) and is no longer assessed. The UCAT now has three scored cognitive subtests, Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning, marked out of 2700, plus the Situational Judgement Test reported in bands. You do not need to revise Abstract Reasoning.
Why was Abstract Reasoning removed from the UCAT?
The UCAT Consortium removed Abstract Reasoning to shorten the exam and focus on the skills universities valued most for medicine and dentistry. AR was the subtest least correlated with the others, and dropping it streamlined the test to three scored cognitive subtests plus the SJT, reducing fatigue while keeping the test's predictive value for selection.
What replaced Abstract Reasoning in the UCAT?
Nothing was added in its place. Abstract Reasoning was simply removed, leaving Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning as the three scored cognitive subtests, plus the Situational Judgement Test. The pattern-recognition and hypothesis-testing skills AR once measured are now reflected mainly within Decision Making.
When was Abstract Reasoning removed from the UCAT?
Abstract Reasoning was removed from the 2025 UCAT test cycle, which applies to 2026 entry, and it remains absent in 2026 (2027 entry). If you sat or studied for the UCAT before 2025, you will have seen AR, but it no longer appears in the live exam.
What subtests are in the UCAT now?
The UCAT has four subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning (the three scored cognitive subtests, marked 300 to 900 each for a total out of 2700), plus the Situational Judgement Test, which is reported in bands 1 to 4 rather than added to your numerical score.
Is the UCAT scored out of 2700 or 3600 now?
Out of 2700. With Abstract Reasoning removed, the UCAT cognitive total is the sum of three subtests (Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning), each scaled 300 to 900, giving a maximum of 2700. The old maximum of 3600 applied when AR was still included before 2025.
What was UCAT Abstract Reasoning?
Abstract Reasoning was a UCAT subtest that tested your ability to spot patterns among abstract shapes, often amid distracting or irrelevant detail. It used four question types and was scored 300 to 900. It assessed flexible thinking and hypothesis generation, but it was removed from the test in 2025 and is now historical only.
Do I still need to practise Abstract Reasoning for the UCAT?
No. Because AR was removed in 2025, practising it is a waste of revision time. Focus instead on Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the Situational Judgement Test, and practise these under timed conditions using a current UCAT question bank or trainer.
What were the four Abstract Reasoning question types?
Historically, AR used four types: Type 1 (deciding whether a test shape fit Set A, Set B or neither), Type 2 (choosing the next shape in a series), Type 3 (selecting the shape completing a statement) and Type 4 (choosing which option belonged to a given set). These no longer feature in the UCAT.
What was the SCANS mnemonic for Abstract Reasoning?
SCANS was a popular memory aid for spotting AR patterns: Size, Colour, Angle, Number of shapes, and Sides and Symmetry. It helped candidates systematically check common pattern categories. Since Abstract Reasoning was removed in 2025, SCANS is now only of historical interest and is not needed for the current UCAT.
I have old Abstract Reasoning practice material, is it useless now?
For the UCAT, yes, AR-specific material is no longer relevant because the subtest was removed in 2025. However, the underlying logical-thinking skills can still loosely support Decision Making. The most efficient approach is to switch to up-to-date resources covering Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the SJT.
Does removing Abstract Reasoning make the UCAT easier?
Not necessarily. The exam is shorter, but each remaining subtest still demands speed and accuracy under tight time limits, and with fewer subtests every section carries more weight in your total out of 2700. Competition for medicine and dentistry remains high, so a strong score in the three scored subtests still matters.
What is a good UCAT score now that it is out of 2700?
As a rough guide for 2026, around 2500 and above is competitive, roughly 2700 cognitive total places you near the top decile, and the average sits near the middle of the 900 to 2700 range. Targets vary by university, so always check each medical or dental school's UCAT policy and our scores guide.
Where can I practise the current UCAT subtests?
Use a question bank and trainer that reflects the post-2025 format, covering Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the SJT under timed conditions. Our UCAT Guides hub has free subtest strategy guides, and our online UCAT trainer lets you drill questions and review your performance to target weak areas.
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