With more universities moving to the UCAT exam following the latest BMAT announcement, there’s no better time to look at the UCAT Keyboard Shortcuts You Need!
At the UCAT test centre, you'll sit the examination on Windows Computers, which will have a standard keyboard as you complete the UCAT online. The UCAT keyboard shortcuts provided in this guide should work on the examination room computers at the UCAT test centre.
We hope that these can save you time during the UCAT.
Please note that whilst these shortcuts should work, it is worth practising with and without them, just in case on the day they do not work with the computer and keyboard provided. It is best to test all shortcuts on the official mock exams provided by Pearson Vue.
All UCAT Keyboard Shortcuts: Quick Summary
What if a UCAT shortcut isn't working?
If a shortcut doesn't respond, first check the test window is in focus and that you're holding Alt while pressing the letter. A few shortcuts only work in context, for example Backspace clears the calculator only while it is open. If a key still fails on the day, simply use the mouse instead and keep moving, never waste exam time troubleshooting. This is exactly why we recommend practising both with and without the shortcuts on the official Pearson VUE practice tests.
Given the time pressure of the UCAT exam, UCAT keyboard shortcuts are guaranteed to improve your speed in navigating the test software and accessing question pages.
By building muscle memory for these keyboard shortcuts, you’ll be able to spend more time working out the answers to UCAT questions, maximising your efficiency and improving your section scores!
The "Alt + N" keyboard shortcut in the UCAT exam allows you to quickly move to the next question without needing to use the mouse.
Beware that this will let you move to the next question without having selected an answer, make sure that you’ve selected an answer or flagged the question before using Alt N to avoid wasting valuable time having to return to the question due to a premature shortcut!
Flagging a question gives you the ability to revisit it quickly from the review page, and highlight which questions you struggled with or wanted to revisit.
Whilst you can do this manually using the mouse and clicking on the flag icon at the top of the question page, using this ukcat keyboard shortcut will save you a lot of time!
Tip: you can also type numbers straight into the calculator using the keyboard's number pad rather than clicking the on-screen buttons. Combined with Backspace to clear between sums, this makes the calculator far quicker to use in Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Making.
Backspace = Clear Calculator
The backspace ukcat keyboard shortcut works when the UCAT calculator is in use.
After a calculation, press the backspace key to clear the UCAT calculator before performing your next calculation. This saves you from navigating to the C button on the calculator using your mouse.
What are UCAT keyboard shortcuts and why do they matter?
UCAT keyboard shortcuts let you navigate the on-screen test, select answers, flag questions and open the calculator without reaching for the mouse. Under the UCAT's tight time limits, every second saved on navigation is a second you can spend solving questions. Building muscle memory for them during practice is one of the easiest ways to improve your speed and section scores.
What are all the UCAT keyboard shortcuts?
The main shortcuts are: Alt+N (next question), Alt+P (previous question), Alt+F (flag question), Alt+C (open calculator), A/B/C/D (select an answer), Backspace (clear the calculator), Alt+V (review flagged), Alt+I (review incomplete), Alt+A (review all), and Alt+E (end review). You can also type into the calculator using the number pad to save more time.
How do I move to the next question in the UCAT?
Press Alt+N to jump straight to the next question without using the mouse. Be careful, Alt+N moves on whether or not you have selected an answer, so make sure you have answered or flagged the question first. Because there is no negative marking, never leave a question blank, always pick an answer before moving on.
How do I go back to a previous question in the UCAT?
Press Alt+P to return to the question immediately before the one you are on. It is handy for quickly checking the answer you just gave. If you need to jump back several questions, it is faster to use Alt+A to open the review screen and click straight to the question number you want rather than pressing Alt+P repeatedly.
How do I open the UCAT on-screen calculator with the keyboard?
Press Alt+C to open the on-screen calculator instantly. It is most useful in Quantitative Reasoning and Decision Making. To save even more time, type your numbers using the keyboard's number pad rather than clicking the on-screen buttons, and press Backspace to clear the display before your next calculation.
What are the UCAT calculator keyboard shortcuts?
Open the calculator with Alt+C, then input numbers directly using the keyboard number pad instead of clicking. Press Backspace to clear the calculator between calculations, which is faster than reaching for the on-screen C button. Practise typing calculations quickly so the calculator never slows you down in Quantitative Reasoning or Decision Making.
How do I flag a question for review in the UCAT?
Press Alt+F to flag the current question. Flagging marks questions you are unsure about so you can return to them quickly from the review screen with Alt+V. It is a smart way to keep moving through a section without losing track of the questions you want a second look at, especially when you are short on time.
How do I select an answer using the keyboard in the UCAT?
Press the letter key, A, B, C or D, that matches your chosen answer instead of clicking with the mouse. This keeps your hands on the keyboard and avoids constantly switching between keyboard and mouse, which adds up across a full section. It pairs well with Alt+N so you can answer and advance in two quick keystrokes.
How do I review flagged, incomplete or all questions in the UCAT?
Use Alt+V to review only flagged questions, Alt+I to review incomplete (unanswered) questions, and Alt+A to see every question in the section. Alt+I is especially useful near the end of a section to catch anything you missed. Press Alt+E to end the review and continue. Because there is no negative marking, always fill in any blanks first.
Do the UCAT keyboard shortcuts work on test day?
They should. You sit the UCAT on a standard Windows computer at a Pearson VUE test centre, and these shortcuts are designed to work there. That said, set-ups can vary, so practise both with and without the shortcuts. The best way to confirm them is on the official practice tests provided by Pearson VUE before your exam.
Why are my UCAT shortcuts not working?
If a shortcut does not respond, check that the test window is in focus and that you are using the correct key combination (for example, holding Alt while pressing the letter). Some shortcuts only work in certain contexts, Backspace clears the calculator only when it is open. If a key fails on the day, fall back to the mouse and don't waste time, which is why practising both ways matters.
Are the UCAT keyboard shortcuts allowed in the exam?
Yes. These shortcuts are built into the official UCAT test software, so using them is completely permitted, not a workaround. They exist to help you navigate efficiently. The only thing to avoid is relying on them so heavily that you are caught out if a key behaves unexpectedly, so always keep the mouse as a backup.
Do I still need keyboard shortcuts now Abstract Reasoning has been removed?
Yes. Although Abstract Reasoning was removed from the UCAT in 2025, the test is still taken on the same software and remains highly time-pressured across Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning and the SJT. The navigation, answer-selection and calculator shortcuts apply to every cognitive subtest, so they are just as valuable under the current four-section format.
How can I memorise the UCAT keyboard shortcuts?
The best way is to use them every time you practise, rather than trying to memorise a list. Build muscle memory with Alt+N, Alt+P, Alt+F and Alt+C so they become automatic, and rehearse typing into the calculator. By the time you sit the real exam, reaching for the right key should feel natural and free up mental energy for the questions.
Will keyboard shortcuts actually improve my UCAT score?
Indirectly, yes. Shortcuts do not earn marks on their own, but by cutting the seconds lost to mouse clicks and navigation they give you more time to think and answer. Across a full subtest, that saved time can mean attempting more questions, and with no negative marking, every extra answered question is a chance for more marks.
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