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What is UCAT Verbal Reasoning Subtest?

Of the five subtests of the UCAT, there is one that stands out as the more difficult to master.

Posted: February 13, 2021

What is UCAT Verbal Reasoning Subtest?

Of the five subtests of the UCAT, there is one that stands out as the more difficult to master. The UCAT Verbal Reasoning section has a few unique characteristics, which are unlike anything candidates may have encountered in other areas of their studies. The UCAT Verbal Reasoning section requires the candidate to scan a stimulus very quickly and identify the answers to the questions within a limited time allowance. While this may seem easy enough to some, the speed at which students need to be performing while dealing with fairly complex and tricky passages is very fast, to say the least.

The UCAT Verbal Reasoning passages are usually 250-300 words in length broken into paragraphs on topics that might not be familiar to the candidate at all. There is also no set topic for the passages, and they can be absolutely anything, from science to politics, to history, fiction, and so on. Each passage has a series of four questions that require the candidate to answer in roughly 30 seconds or less. Candidates will intuitively want to read the passages in detail to gain a better understanding and knowledge. However, this is not possible or even necessary at times in the UCAT Verbal Reasoning section and is therefore often where the candidates lose time and their focus. Instead, UCAT candidates need to improve their skills of speed reading, while looking for answers as well as other time-saving and test-taking strategies.

Coming up...  

UCAT Verbal Reasoning Advanced Skills Class 

17 June 2023: LIVE ONLINE INTERACTIVE

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Why is UCAT Verbal Reasoning so speed-driven?

The UCAT Verbal Reasoning construct assesses the candidate’s ability to analyse, identify, and comprehend information quickly from passages where much of the information may be irrelevant to the question. As is in the medical field, doctors often have to deal with a great deal of data in client files where they need the capacity to identify important and relevant information quickly, come to correct conclusions or to critique information where required. For a medical professional, a decision must be reached logically while assessing the information given without adding previous knowledge to the situation or case. The same prompt, accurate, and decisive action is the assessable component of this section. While the VR section looks like a written comprehension task, it is easy to become distracted and waste time reading the lengthy passages which make this construct deceptively difficult. The UCAT Verbal Reasoning questions assess the candidate’s aptitude for drawing conclusions, finding facts, and assessing information that is relevant to the question while under pressure and time limits.

The idea of reading 11 passages and answering 44 questions in 21 minutes can easily cause concern and angst in most candidates, but with some practice and development of key strategies, considerable improvement can be achieved in a reasonably short amount of time. Nothing is impossible with a little hard work and commitment. This is where some targeted UCAT Verbal Reasoning tuition can be helpful.

The key here is practice and pace. UCAT Verbal Reasoning practise questions are a great starting point for the development and understanding of the construct. The different types of questions can be identified as:

UCAT Verbal Reasoning questions

  • True / False/ Can’t tell
  • Inference questions
  • Multiple choice = most likely, least likely, agree, disagree, author questions, and must be true statements.

All the above UCAT Verbal Reasoning question types require some understanding of the skills required to find the information quickly from unseen texts without using any prior knowledge. Advantages of a crash course in Verbal Reasoning Skills which targets areas of reading for responses, identifying keywords, difficult language, and loaded questioning can be beneficial in using your time effectively and therefore optimising your results.

 

What else is on?

Simulated UCAT Day

Live online workshop date: 

24 June 2023

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In-person attendance is also available:

Sydney (Chatswood) - 18 June 2023

Brisbane (UQLD St Lucia) - 25 June 2023

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2-day Intensive Interview Training Workshop

12-13 August 2024

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Future Doctors Australia Program (Age: 14 - 18; spots are strictly limited)

An engaging and high-impact 4-day program that provides young people with a unique opportunity to gain medical work experience in a safe and structured environment. Tell me more...

Sydney  5th - 8th of Oct 2023   (90% Full)
Adelaide 13th - 16th of Oct 2023 (20% Full)
Brisbane  9th - 12th of Dec 2023  (50% Full)
Melbourne 19th - 22nd Jan 2024   (15% Full)

 

Academic Insights Program (Age: 13 - 18; spots are strictly limited)

3 - 13 January 2024 (Summer School Holiday)

Choose from Medicine, Psychology, Engineering, Business Management, Creative Writing, International Relations, Veterinary Studies

This immersive Academic Insights 11-day summer program provides ambitious high school students with an unrivaled experience studying undergraduate-level subjects at the University of Sydney. Enrolments are open to students Australia-wide (13-18 years of age). Tell me more...

 

And finally, please know that we are here to help you! So, please do not shy away from asking for help in a timely manner. Do not leave things for the last minute, but even then we will be here with you every step of the way to provide you with the best advice and support. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding the UCAT, Medical Interviews or career in health.

 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    |   www.nie.edu.au
1300 974 187 | (02) 4367 0404 | 0404 197 178 

   

 
 

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