The UKCAT does not test specific knowledge, but rather the cognitive abilities and ethical attitude expected of future doctors and dentists. It is a computer based test that takes 150 minutes to complete and consist of the following sections Verbal reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, Decision Making and Situational Judgment. Each of the first 3 sections is scored on a scaled score of 300 to 900, and the final score is achieved by adding the 3 scores together. The Decision Making section was introduced in 2016 and for this cycle it will not be scored. The Situational Judgement sections is scored on a band from 1 to 4, with 1 representing the best score and 4 the lowest.

Success on the UKACT depends as much on already existing skills as on the ability to acquire new skills quickly and efficiently. It is not about knowledge or IQ, but about a specific way of thinking which can be learned through enough exposure and using the right strategy.