Post by: Joseph41 on September 24, 2018, 02:31:42 pm
Interesting news - you can read all about it here. According to the article, it looks as though the UMAT will be replaced by the UCAT from 2019 onward.
Some key features of the UCAT from the same article:
Quote
* The UCAT is a 2-hour long computer based test.
* Candidates receive their score immediately after the test without waiting for a lengthy marking period.
* Within a specified test window, candidates can now choose the date and time they sit the test.
* Candidates have access to a wide network of test centres across Australia, New Zealand and internationally.
* The test is similar to the UMAT but with new question formats and the addition of a test of Situational Judgment (SJT) which measure attitudes and behaviours identified as desirable for successful healthcare professionals.
* Research shows that the test is a reliable and valid predictor of performance at Medical School.
* Consortium member universities in Australia and New Zealand also benefit from the flexibility of the testing process and the inclusion of additional constructs relevant to their admissions processes.
What do you all think about this?
Post by: PhoenixxFire on September 24, 2018, 03:05:46 pm
Seems like a decent idea. On the other hand I can imagine there being a lot of stress related to some people already having results whilst their friends haven’t sat it yet. I think it’ll be an improvement from UMAT though (based on my very limited knowledge of how UMAT works haha)
Post by: Lear on September 24, 2018, 03:07:55 pm
Post by: peter.g15 on September 24, 2018, 03:10:17 pm
Isn’t UMAT a percentile though? How does that work with getting results straight away?
Seems like a decent idea. On the other hand I can imagine there being a lot of stress related to some people already having results whilst their friends haven’t sat it yet. I think it’ll be an improvement from UMAT though (based on my very limited knowledge of how UMAT works haha)
I assume they'd just give a normal percentage mark or something similar, and then universities might receive all the scores and just rank it according to highest to lowest at the end of the year.
But yeah I can image how stressed people could be coming right out the test (or really happy too!), I'm not too sure on such a wide testing period of a month, but I guess that would be necessary since it is all electronic (I assume on their computers). It'll be really interesting to see how everything changes next year.... I also wonder what is going to happen to all the umat preparation courses, I guess they'll have to change it up and learn to teach ucat?
Post by: PhoenixxFire on September 24, 2018, 03:15:42 pm
I assume they'd just give a normal percentage mark or something similar, and then universities might receive all the scores and just rank it according to highest to lowest at the end of the year.Yeah that’s what I figured it would have to be - it would probably be a bit messy for a few years until it starts to become clear about what scores are needed for entry.
Post by: cookiedream on September 24, 2018, 03:25:28 pm
I’m just loving seeing all these exorbitantly priced prep companies temporarily become redundant.
Same thing also applies to my guide :'(
#cookiedreamsguidetotheucat?
Post by: Joseph41 on September 24, 2018, 03:29:46 pm
Same thing also applies to my guide :'(
#cookiedreamsguidetotheucat?
Unfortunate timing. :(
Do you have any experience with the UCAT, cookiedream?
Post by: cookiedream on September 24, 2018, 03:39:39 pm
Unfortunate timing. :(
Do you have any experience with the UCAT, cookiedream?
Unfortunately, I don't. This is the first time I heard of the name UCAT! I'll look into their official website further and, if I get time, try to edit my guide wherever I can :)
Post by: geek123456 on September 24, 2018, 05:07:44 pm
Post by: DBA-144 on September 24, 2018, 05:25:22 pm
Post by: Quantum44 on September 24, 2018, 05:25:26 pm
I think it’s good that there is more flexibility with scheduling your test session and receiving results immediately is also a positive change. However judging by the new UCAT test format, there’s going to be a lot of questions to do in a very small amount of time.
Post by: Caledu on September 24, 2018, 05:33:06 pm
Post by: Lear on September 24, 2018, 05:40:43 pm
Personally, I'm really excited about this as it sounds more straightforward than the UMAT. Also, the idea of being the first cohort to do it sounds great and hopefully it means unis will be a bit more lenient with minimum entrance scores.
There’s no such leniency as entrance scores are solely based off how many spots they have and the competitiveness of applicants. There will always be people who smash it.
Post by: fun_jirachi on September 24, 2018, 05:55:50 pm
But this looks really good?!?! It doesn't seem like the sort of thing you can just study for even though it might be similar to the UMAT, and it seems to more accurately assess the aptitude of a person as a medical professional. On the other hand, another guinea pig experiment for the Class of 2019 :'(
Post by: Joseph41 on September 24, 2018, 06:01:01 pm
I do feel kinda bad for the people who spent hundreds of dollars on it already
Yeah, this is what really sucks. :(
Post by: peter.g15 on September 24, 2018, 06:07:16 pm
MedEntry is now already offering 'trusted UCAT preparation' https://www.medentry.edu.au...that was quick!
Lol, just looks like they did Ctrl + F for UMAT and replaced it all with UCAT. Nothing really is relevant for UCAT (i.e. when are results released, should be instantly, not in september), so seems like they just did a quick swap to be 'up to date'
Post by: Lear on September 24, 2018, 06:24:26 pm
This looks really interesting! Of course, it does make UMAT tutoring redundant, and I do feel kinda bad for the people who spent hundreds of dollars on it already, and for those people who are temporarily out of a job
But this looks really good?!?! It doesn't seem like the sort of thing you can just study for even though it might be similar to the UMAT, and it seems to more accurately assess the aptitude of a person as a medical professional. On the other hand, another guinea pig experiment for the Class of 2019 :'(
It may look good but ultimately these sorts of tests are simply culling tools.
Whether it’s a better culling tool than the UMAT remains to be seen.
Post by: Zaljc on September 25, 2018, 10:55:15 am
Post by: Lear on September 25, 2018, 11:01:28 am
All we can do is wait.
Post by: Bri MT on September 25, 2018, 09:44:07 pm
This looks really interesting! Of course, it does make UMAT tutoring redundant, and I do feel kinda bad for the people who spent hundreds of dollars on it already, and for those people who are temporarily out of a job
But this looks really good?!?! It doesn't seem like the sort of thing you can just study for even though it might be similar to the UMAT, and it seems to more accurately assess the aptitude of a person as a medical professional. On the other hand, another guinea pig experiment for the Class of 2019 :'(
I don't have much UMAT/UCAT knowledge but if this means that people are less disadvantaged by not using a preparation company (and it's not less valid/accurate) that would be fantastic!
Post by: fun_jirachi on September 26, 2018, 06:54:19 am
Unfortunately, once these companies get the run of things, I have a terrible feeling they might pop up again in around 3-5 years.
Post by: Lear on September 26, 2018, 08:21:12 am
The problem with the UMAT was there wasn’t easily accessible questions or practice anywhere. Thus companies could come in, set a very high premium and basically exploit desperate kids out of there money.
Sure they might pop up again eventually but I sincerely doubt they will ever be in the throne they were in while we had the UMAT. No way so many kids fork up hundreds or even thousands of dollars when they can simply buy textbooks for it online.
Post by: grestal on September 26, 2018, 09:03:20 am
Post by: Lear on September 26, 2018, 09:10:30 am
From their website-
“Please note, although new to Australia and New Zealand for 2019, the UCAT has been used for over 12 years in the UK under the test name UKCAT. The following preparation materials, although referred to as UKCAT represent the exact content of the UCAT ANZ test and may be used to familiarise yourself with the test format and to prepare for the test. These preparation materials will be re-published in December 2019 to reflect the new international test name of UCAT. "