What to Do After UCAT: Medicine, Dentistry & Interview Next Steps
Updated with the latest UCAT ANZ results and current Medicine and Dentistry entry information.
Finished UCAT ANZ and wondering what happens next? For students applying to Medicine or Dentistry, the post-UCAT period is when attention shifts from test preparation to understanding your result, reviewing university choices and preparing for possible medical or dental interviews.
The key point: your UCAT score is only one part of the admissions process. Universities may also consider academic performance, applicant category, interviews and other course-specific selection requirements. Your next step should therefore be to assess your complete application, not simply decide whether your UCAT score is “good” or “bad”.
Post-UCAT Advice & Medical Interviews Information Session
Join NIE for a free live session designed for students applying to Medicine or Dentistry, together with parents and teachers who want to better understand the decisions that follow UCAT.
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
7:00 pm AEST
Live online
with NIE Academic Director and Future Doctors Australia Founder Zobair Bary
The session covers UCAT score interpretation, university application strategy, pathways that do not require UCAT, medical and dental interviews, interview assessment criteria, sample questions and Q&A.
Register for the FREE Post-UCAT WebinarWhat Should I Do After Receiving My UCAT Result?
UCAT ANZ 2026 results are used for the 2026 admissions cycle for university courses commencing in 2027. UCAT ANZ also provides results directly to consortium universities in early September, but applicants are still responsible for following each university's own application process.
- Check your official 2026 percentile. Use the UCAT ANZ percentile lookup rather than relying on old score comparisons from previous years.
- Review each university separately. There is no single national UCAT cut-off for Medicine or Dentistry.
- Check your academic position. ATAR, selection rank, GPA and prerequisite subjects can remain important even with a strong UCAT result.
- Prepare for interviews where appropriate. If your overall profile appears competitive, waiting until an invitation arrives may leave limited preparation time.
You can also use NIE's UCAT score and Medicine or Dentistry interview guide to compare your current result with the latest percentile distribution.
What Does My UCAT Score Mean?
The UCAT ANZ cognitive total is calculated by adding Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making and Quantitative Reasoning. In 2026 the Total Cognitive Score ranges from 900 to 2700, while Situational Judgement is reported separately.
UCAT ANZ has published its official 2026 percentile lookup. This allows students to compare their Total Cognitive Score with the current candidate cohort rather than relying on estimates.
How Should I Choose Universities After UCAT?
The best post-UCAT strategy is not simply to sort universities from “highest UCAT” to “lowest UCAT”. You need to understand how each course uses UCAT alongside academic performance and other selection criteria.
Check UCAT Requirements
Confirm whether the course requires UCAT and whether it is used as a threshold, ranking measure or part of a combined selection process.
Check Academic Requirements
Review ATAR, selection rank, GPA and prerequisite subjects. A high UCAT does not automatically remove academic requirements.
Check Your Applicant Category
Rural, Indigenous, regional, local, equity and other applicant categories may use different selection processes.
Consider Non-UCAT Pathways
Some undergraduate pathways do not use UCAT, so a lower-than-expected score does not necessarily close every option.
For a broader comparison, see undergraduate Medicine and Dentistry universities in Australia and New Zealand and NIE's ATAR, UCAT and prerequisite requirements guide .
What If My UCAT Score Is Lower Than Expected?
A lower UCAT score can make some heavily UCAT-ranked pathways more difficult, but it does not mean that every Medicine or Dentistry option has disappeared.
The webinar will discuss pathways that do not require UCAT, including relevant undergraduate options at James Cook University and Bond University Medicine , as well as alternative degree and later-entry pathways.
If Bond Medicine is part of your application plan, remember that Bond uses a separate process involving academic shortlisting, psychometric assessment and interview rather than UCAT.
Learn more about Bond University Psychometric Test Preparation .
When Should I Start Preparing for Medical Interviews?
Students often wait until they receive an interview invitation before they begin preparation. That can create unnecessary pressure because the time between invitation and interview may be limited.
Good interview preparation is not about memorising prepared responses. It should develop your ability to communicate clearly, reason through unfamiliar situations and explain your thinking naturally.
Common areas assessed can include:
- communication and interpersonal skills;
- ethical reasoning and judgement;
- motivation for Medicine or Dentistry;
- teamwork and leadership;
- empathy and self-awareness;
- problem solving and critical thinking; and
- responses to unfamiliar scenarios.
Prepare for Medical or Dental Interviews
If your application profile appears competitive, NIE offers structured preparation for MMI, panel and other medical and dental interview formats, with practical question practice, feedback and personalised coaching options.
Who Should Attend the Free Post-UCAT Webinar?
The session is suitable for students applying to Medicine or Dentistry this year, including students who sat UCAT and students considering pathways that do not require UCAT.
Parents and teachers are also welcome. The aim is to provide a clearer understanding of the decisions applicants now need to make rather than focusing only on the UCAT score itself.
Free Post-UCAT Advice & Medical Interviews Webinar
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
7:00 pm AEST
Live online
with NIE Academic Director and Future Doctors Australia Founder Zobair Bary
Bring your questions about UCAT results, university applications, Medicine and Dentistry pathways and interview preparation.
Register FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do after UCAT ANZ?
Check your official percentile, review each university's current selection requirements and begin preparing for the next selection stage where appropriate.
When are UCAT ANZ percentiles available?
UCAT ANZ publishes summary statistics and percentile information following the testing cycle. The official 2026 Percentile Look Up is currently available on the UCAT ANZ Test Statistics page.
Does a high UCAT score guarantee a medical interview?
No. Universities use different selection methods and may consider academic performance, UCAT, applicant category, interviews and other requirements.
Can I still apply for Medicine if my UCAT score is low?
Some pathways may remain available. Certain undergraduate options do not use UCAT, while other courses may assess UCAT differently depending on the applicant category.
Should I start medical interview preparation before invitations are released?
If your overall application appears competitive, beginning gradually before invitations arrive can give you more time to develop communication and reasoning skills rather than trying to prepare everything at short notice.
Official UCAT ANZ Information
For current score and admissions-test information, refer to the official UCAT ANZ resources:
Disclaimer: University admissions requirements can change between application cycles. This article provides general educational guidance only. Always verify current requirements directly with the relevant university and admissions body.
